You don't have permission to access the page you requested What is this page?The website you are visiting is protected.For security reasons this page cannot be displayed News source Le Figaro has revealed its list of the top 50 towns in France to retire to - factoring in housing researchers studied towns with over 10,000 inhabitants that currently attract the most retired people in France the list features predominantly small and medium-sized cities with accessible services and affordable housing prices The basin of Arcachon has remained at the top of the list since 2019 with both of the top two cities located in the coastal area south of Bordeaux with local mayor Jean-Yves Rosazza telling Le Figaro: “We attract mostly young They come to spend the first 20 years of their retirement with us then go to Arcachon [second on Le Figaro’s list] which has more hospital infrastructure and buildings with lifts.” the mayor hopes the town’s number one rating will not attract too many new retirees and drive up property prices Andernos-les-Bains has seen a rise of 36.3% in property prices in the past four years Vannes (Brittany) and Narbonne (Occitanie) were also rated highly in last year’s list Nearby Challans is a new entry to the 2020 list told Le Figaro one thing that attracts retirees to the town is its location Challans is 15km from a rocky coastline that is appreciated by local walkers Mr Pascreau said: “We are lucky to have a hospital for a town with 21,000 inhabitants - not forgetting our quality sports facilities Cannes has fallen from third place last year to seventh in 2020 the town still holds many attractions for retirees not least its location on the French Riviera The CanneSéries television festival is currently underway and there are many other cultural events throughout the year as well as good general services in the city Limoges (Nouvelle-Aquitaine) has retained its place as the only city with over 100,000 inhabitants to make the top 10 in 2020 Deputy mayor Samia Riffaud said: “Housing prices are affordable to the point at which our retirees can sell their houses in the countryside in Haute-Vienne to move closer to the town even if that means buying a smaller property.” In addition Ms Riffaud said the city is a haven for nature lovers with 50m2 of green space for each inhabitant Other high-ranking cities with over 100,000 inhabitants on the 2020 list include Caen (Normandy) in 11th place and Nice (Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur) in 17th place Closing out the top 10 in joint ninth place are Agde in Hérault and Saint-Malo in Brittany Agde was also in ninth place in the 2019 list said the town’s top-ten ranking “proves that our seniors are happy here and that the town is responsive to their needs” He added that many retirees are Bretons who return to the region after forging their careers elsewhere Saint-Malo has proportionally gained the most retirees coming from other towns than any other place in the top 10 on this year’s list Besançon was the highest-ranking north-eastern town in 22nd place which still places it in the top five for cities with over 100,000 inhabitants Mayor Anne Vignot said towns in the north east did not rank higher in the list as “there is a complex image to overcome” In reality [Besançon] is a clear and bright town that is a gateway to the mountains and to neighbouring European countries.” Dordogne still area of France after Paris with most Britons New French pension scheme open to all workers Brexit checklist to complete before December 31 The prefectural ban is set to remain in place until at least December 31 The geographical spread of Canadian nationals follows a similar pattern to Americans Her body was found outside initial search area by a walker over the weekend Last Updated on 28th February 2024 by Sophie Nadeau Situated right in the middle of the crescent of the Bassin d’Arcachon Andernos-les-Bains is around midway between the towns of Arcachon and Cap Ferret and makes for a great base from which to explore the wider region Here’s a guide to the best things to do in Andernos-les-Bains Andernos les Bains was originally known as Andernos and became Andernos-les-Bains in 1897 on account of its many wonderful beaches The town truly rose to propserity during the end of the 19th-century and even today many villas from the Belle Epoque can be spied across town There are several distinctive parts of the town: the residential part and the oyster village where little wooden chalets serve up the catch of the day paired with local wines The town is midway between the towns of Cap Ferret and Arcachon in Basin of Arcachon, which is otherwise known as the Bay of Arcachon It is also a short drive away from the Dune du Pilat Andernos les Bains is a town steeped in history with roots going back to at least Roman times The town has a population of around 11,000 inhabitants though this number swells significantly during the summer time when the settlement is popular among French tourists looking to soak up a little of the summer sun I would personally say you only really need a full day to experience Andernos Begin your day by strolling around the town centre and wandering along the pier before heading out on a cycle ride or hike to enjoy local nature relax on the sandy beach before watching the sun set over the Atlantic Ocean The pier of Andernos-les-Bains is one of the longest in France and offers breathtaking views across the bay of Arcachon Just don’t make the mistake we did and be sure to visit at high tide as opposed to low tide when the bay certainly doesn’t look or smell its best the pier is known in French as Jetée Louis David (named for an old Mayor of the town) and is 232 metres long it’s possible to see across the bay to the lighthouse of Cap Ferret The Pier of Andernos is also one of the best places in town to enjoy the sunset Though not as charming or attractive as Cap Ferret Andernos-les-Bains has a fairly large town centre which comprises of several pedestrianised streets Tourist shops selling goods such as water sports equipment and summer clothing can be found in abundance One of the greatest joys of a long weekend in the West coast of France is to see the sunset you’ll have magnificent views over the bay come sunset then it’s even possible to swim in the warm water while the sun goes down Andernos les Bains has been inhabited since the Neolithic Period and today vestiges of the past can be found in the form of Roman ruins which lay alongside the church though are thought to have been a 4th-century Roman Villa you’ll find the church of Andernos-les-Bains This simple romanesque structure is constructed out of buttery stone and dates back to the 11th-century it’s just a few minutes walk or cycle ride away from the oyster village Be sure to head inside (the ecclesiastical building is free to visit) in order to enjoy the remains of 15th and 17th-century murals The bell tower is rather unusual because it was reconstructed in 1897 after being hit by lightning in a fake medieval style Those who wish to learn even more about the history of Andernos-les-Bains and its surrounds would do well to head to the town museum Set against the backdrop of a former palatial home known as Maison Louis David including some which showcase finds from the Roman ruins next to the church While oysters can be consumed any time of the day we preferred to end our days by visiting oyster bars These are common all around the Bay of Arcachon and serve up simple menus The authentic cabins are known as ‘ostréicole’ in French and no 68 in the village is actually a small museum dedicated to oysters As well as oysters (which are purchased by six), there is the option to have shrimp or meat paté served up alongside some French baguette The wine menus in the oyster bars are also fairly simple often with only a couple of choices on the menu we had an apéro of oysters and wine at Le Tamariou which I recommend booking in advance as tables fill up fast As well as several supermarkets and convenience stores in town there are several markets which take place on a weekly basis in town As well as a covered market at Place Camille Goubet there are outdoor markets on Place du 14 Juillet (which takes place all year) and Place de l’Étoile (which takes place from Mid June to Mid September) There is an artisanal market every Sunday morning on Place du 14 Juillet from 9 AM to 1 PM The easiest way by far to get around Andernos is by bicycle parking is a bit of a nightmare and the town is spread out enough that walking can take a while to allow you to get anywhere Thanks to its status as a popular summer resort among the French Andernos les Bains can get pretty busy and its hotels can fill up fast Here are some of the best places to stay in town based on web-reviews and amenities: Mid-range: Although a little further out of town, this beautifully appointed hotel boasts free parking and free Wi-Fi, as well as a restaurant on site. Check prices and availability here. Luxury: This 4-star hotel is a stone’s throw away from the nearest beach and boasts amenities such as a seasonal outdoor pool and a bar onsite. Some rooms offer bay views and/ or free-standing tubs. Check prices and availability here. Enjoyed reading about the best things to do in Andernos-les-Bains Sophie Nadeau is a full time travel writer and photographer focused on cultural experiences in Europe and beyond When she's not chasing after the sunset (or cute dogs she sees on her travels) she can be found reading and website in this browser for the next time I comment Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed. I started this site back in 2015 with one mission in mind: I wanted to create useful travel guides with a historical and cultural focus Today it has blossomed into my full time job and together with a small team of writers (including my husband and sister) we craft articles to help you travel better throughout Europe © 2015- 2025 Sophie Nadeau. Nadeau Pasquier LTD. All Rights Reserved. solosophie participates in various affiliate marketing programs. solosophie is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Privacy Policy The Bassin d’Arcachon is a delightful corner of South West France which is characterised by its little fishing villages and its enviable position overlooking the Atlantic Sea The area is most famous for its oysters and fancy resorts Best visited during the summer when the weather is at its best and everything is actually open here’s your ultimate Arcachon Bay travel guide The Arcachon Basin is also known as the Bay of Arcachon the area is known as the Bassin d’Arcachon Arcachon is in the historic Aquitaine region (now a part of Nouvelle-Aquitaine) The Bay of Arcachon covers 150 square kilometres (60 sq mi) at high tide and is around 80 km in circumference It would take around an hour and a half to drive around the bay if there was no traffic. The Basin is roughly a one hour drive from the city of Bordeaux Though the best time to visit is during the summer then you can consider planning a visit during the late spring or early fall The best time to head to the Bassin d’Arcachon is undoubtedly during the summer months when everything is actually open You should aim to make your trip between May and September as this is when the best weather can be found (one of the best ways to enjoy the area is by bicycle or on foot) and everything is open the depths of winter) then many of the local eateries will be closed for the season Arcachon is also a pretty outdoors destination where you can enjoy some of the best sunsets in France and so you’ll want to maximise the amount of good sunsets you can experience by visiting during the summer Cap Ferret lies on a peninsula surrounded by the sea in the Bay of Arcachon A windswept landscape with low lying houses shadowed by towering pine trees and surrounded by sandy dunes stretching as far as the eye can see it’s one of the most popular summer resorts in France Some of the top highlights of a visit to Cap Ferret include climbing the 300+ steps to reach the top of the lighthouse and enjoy the view onto the Dune du Pilat shopping at one of the many boutiques in town and going in search of Space Invader mosaics (the iconic anonymous artist from Paris has hidden no fewer than 10 mosaics around town) There are two smaller towns which lie within the Arcachon Bay on the road between Andernos les Bains and Cap Ferret Le Canon and l’Herbe are two charming little settlements which overlook the sea and are home to a smattering of oyster bars They are pleasant to wander around for an hour or two but offer little by the way of major tourist attractions Situated right in the middle of the crescent of the Bassin d’Arcachon, Andernos-les-Bains is around midway between the towns of Arcachon and Cap Ferret Andernos is a resort town with roots dating back to Prehistoric times Though the town centre itself is a little less aesthetically pleasing than that of Cap Ferret the town boasts a myriad of attractions and things to do the church of Saint Eloi features 15th and 17th-century murals while the oyster village has plenty of chalets where visitors can sample the local seafood and sip on local wine The name ‘Arcachon’ is not only of the Bay but also of the most southerly town on the bay which are named for the seasons of the year one of the simplest pleasures of a visit to the Bay of Arcachon is to swim in the bath warm bay at sunset it’s possible to swim just off of one of the many beaches which line the Bay of Arcachon You can’t visit this part of the world without heading to the beach at least once the best beaches to visit are on the west side of the Bay as the beaches to the east are less beautiful and less interesting One of the more popular beaches is The Plage du Truc Vert which is around a half an hour drive away from Andernos les Bains lies on the wild and windswept Atlantic coastline and is favoured by surfers and those who love to lie on sandy beaches alike you don’t feel like consuming many hot meals and so we headed to Chez Pascal (there are a number of the stores around the Bay of Arcachon) for some sandwiches and local delicacies which is a kind of cake that originated in Bordeaux and is oh-so delicious.  If you want to discover even more about local food in the Bay of Arcachon, then you would do well to book a guided tour like this one which will give you a greater insight into how the Oyster producers work and live The largest sand dune in Europe is to be found in the form of Dune du Pilat which is situated just a short drive away from the Bay the Dune is over 100 metres in height and is almost 3 km long Don’t worry about climbing up all of that sand though- there are steps which you can climb to reach the top of the Dune where you’ll be rewarded with beautiful views of the entirety of Arcachon Bay Just be sure to wear comfortable footwear such as trainers The best time to visit the dune is in the shoulder seasons in the late spring or early summer when the weather isn’t too hot and yet the weather is pleasant (read: there’s not too much rain) during my recent trip to south west France it wasn’t possible to see the Dune du Pilat at all due to forest fires Enjoyed reading about the best of the Bay of Arcachon