Climbing to the top of the Dune du Pilat

The highest dune in Europe offers a panorama of striking contrasts between sand, forest and ocean. But did you know that this natural site is constantly changing? Under the effect of the wind, it moves from 1 to 5 metres each year towards the forest.

Its inescapable movement towards the forest is a remarkable feature, reducing man, resigned to preventing it, to the status of a small grain of sand. And speaking of grains of sand, the Dune du Pilat is essentially made up of quartz grains averaging just 0.3 millimetres in size, making it the finest sand in France. Like many remarkable natural sites, the Dune du Pilat is unfortunately a victim of its own success. Protected by the law of 2 May 1930, more than 6,800 hectares of the site are now listed and strongly protected.

But how did this huge dune come to be? It's a story that goes back no less than 4,000 years! The sand accumulated in a series of discontinuous phases. First there were periods of cold, dry, windy weather, which caused the sand to move and accumulate, followed by periods of warm, wet weather, which favoured the development of vegetation. The remains of this vegetation can still be seen on the western flank of the dune in the form of blackish lines. These are palaeosols, organic matter (tree trunks, pine cones, etc.) fossilised and compressed by the sand. To find out everything you need to know about the history and formation of the dune, take one of our guided walks.

🚌 How do I get to the Dune du Pilat?

Located on the edge of the Landes de Gascogne forest massif, on the Côte d'Argent at the entrance to the Arcachon basin, the Dune du Pilat is accessible by car, bus, bike, but also by boat! Access by car is easy. From Bordeaux, take the A630 motorway then the A660 towards the Bassin d'Arcachon / Biscarrosse, exit D259 towards Dune du Pilat / Biscarrosse. There is a pay car park on site, the proceeds of which are used to run the site.

Finally, for an unusual and memorable visit, why not go there by sea? You can either hire a boat and go your own way, or take a trip on one of the boats available on the Bay of Arcachon.

The Dune du Pilat is a natural site that is accessible at any time of day. However, parking is not permitted at night, between 2am and 5am. No special clothing is required, but when the sun is out and temperatures are hot, the sand can become very hot. In this case, we recommend that you bring your own footwear for walking on the dunes.

Finally, wooden steps have been installed to make it easier to climb the dune. However, to prevent them silting up in winter, the steps are removed after the All Saints' holiday and then reinstalled during the spring holidays.

What can you do at the Dune du Pilat?

The Grand Site teams offer a range of activities and guided tours to help you better understand the origins and richness of this natural heritage. In particular, you can discover the history of this vast forest, which is closely linked to the formation of the highest dune in Europe.

Whether you're with the family and children, with friends or on your own, the guided walks will enable you to learn more about the history and geology of this fragile natural site, as well as its archaeological and landscape value, and the rich flora and fauna that lurk there. You can also take a walk at sunset to enjoy a magnificent, colourful spectacle.

Most visitors stop at the viewpoint at the top of the steps, which is spectacular in itself, but you should know that there are hiking trails on the dune crest. These trails are between 3 and 6 km long and make for a challenging walk, but they're well worth the effort! If you're more into lazing around, don't forget to pack your swimming costume for the beach at the bottom of the dune. This beach has to be earned, of course, as you'll have to climb the dune again on the way back, but the setting is so beautiful that you'll soon forget the effort!

Finally, why not discover Europe's highest dune from the air? The Dune du Pilat is an ideal playground for paragliding. Take off from the top of the dune and enjoy a landscape that's unique in the world... The Banc d'Arguin, the Dune and the forest stretch out at your feet!

⭐ Hotel La Co(o)rniche

La Co(o)rniche is an incredible hotel that undoubtedly boasts one of the most beautiful panoramas in France, with views of the Dune du Pilat, Cap Ferret, the Banc d'Arguin and the Atlantic Ocean! Nestling among the pine trees, this 5-star hotel offers top-of-the-range facilities in a unique setting.