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 Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker Nestled along the Atlantic coast in Southwestern France often overlooked by the tourists for the more popular Paris lies the small but magnificent beach town of Arcachon Arcachon truly captures the essence of coastal France Whether you want to experience slow-living and spend a leisure day at the beach or whether you want to improve your surfing and sailing skills and finish the day at the casino well into the wee hours of the morning Arcachon offers a unique blend of experiences that is both tranquil and invigorating my trip to France brought me to Paris and Bordeaux where I had the opportunity to explore numerous tourist attractions including the world-renowned vineyards of Saint-Émilion but a place whose elegance and radiance is now etched in my memory for a lifetime Arcachon is less than an hour train ride away and the Gare d’Arcachon (train station of Arcachon) is less than 100 metres away from the main beach (Plage d’Arcachon) and the city centre chic boutiques and people savouring seafood delicacies My first destination was the ‘Dune du Pilat.’ The bus Baïa ligne 3 (line 3) goes directly to the dune from the station (and back for €2/- one way) or you can bring your bikes with you from Bordeaux OR you can walk the 9 km route along the beautiful city or the beach and get your steps in with the refreshing breeze on your face- which is exactly what I chose to do! The journey finally began with a walk along the beach where the ocean’s waves generally kissed the shore The water was chilly in April but I did not seem to mind the calming feeling of my feet touching the sand and the water adding a touch of natural artistry to the landscape expansive beach and these tiny intricate details was captivating with only footprints of humans and other fauna when I started noticing a very unusual sight- several dead jellyfish lay across the beach and as I continued my walk towards the dune I came across this startling sight multiple times where I would see a shoal of dead jellyfish This raised questions in my mind and I tried asking the local people When that was unsuccessful due to the language barrier there are jellyfish that wash on the shores due to the water current due to the rising temperatures of the water This was a reminder of how quickly nature is changing due to human activities and I made a mental note to be more mindful with my actions towards the environment I continued on my quest towards the tallest sand dune in Europe Standing at the base of this natural wonder The climb to the top was not just a physical test but a playful competition among the tourists I could hear laughter and friendly banter all around me trying to be the first to reach the summit Reaching the top of the dune was a moment of triumph you can see the vast ocean on one side and dense pine forests on the other which really makes you appreciate the diversity of nature The fun wasn’t over yet as getting down the dune was an adventure in itself Everyone was either running or rolling down joyous experience that brought out the child in everyone As I made my way back to the train station I was struck by the quaint houses that lined the streets The carefully manicured gardens in each home It was as if each house was a part of a living perfectly capturing the essence of Arcachon’s charm I stumbled upon locals engaged in a game of pétanque a popular French pastime involving metallic balls to see who can throw their balls closest to the target ball but Arcachon Bay is the heart of the oyster farming industry in France which highlights another aspect of the town’s rich maritime heritage I observed lots of fresh oysters and I highly recommend the foodies to also delve into this experience with a distinct character that reflects its history as a 19-century seaside resort each named after a season: Ville d’Été (Summer Town) The district that stood out the most for me was the Ville d’Hiver (winter town) with its Belle Époque architecture winding streets lined with palm trees and lush fauna that looked right out of a Disney movie offering a treasure trove of vintage items local crafts and unique souvenirs which was put up by the senior citizens of the area The chatter and the commotion between the vendors and sellers were a reminder to live life to the fullest and enjoy every moment holding a few souvenirs and reflecting on the day’s adventures My visit to Arcachon was truly unforgettable From the majestic dunes to the charming streets and lively markets every moment was filled with beauty and wonder It was a place that seemed to capture the very spirit of France—where nature and community come together to create an experience that stays with you long after you’ve left driven by an insatiable curiosity to explore the world’s diverse cultures and hidden gems As a faculty member of Tourism and Hospitality at Jaipuria School of Business she blends her love for travel with a commitment to shaping future professionals in the industry Every journey she undertakes does not only fuel her penchant for personal discovery but also creates insights and unique stories that she shares with her students and the world making travel both a passion and a purpose Oyster farmer Olivier Laban shares tips on sailing stunning bays FoodEveryone in Arcachon is proud of our magnificent covered food hall, an example of the Baltard style of architecture found in markets all over France which was restored to its former glory 10 years ago I’ve run my own oyster bar there for 22 years. Les Halles really comes alive at the weekend: locals stop by for an apéro, I prepare seafood platters and sometimes we offer our great local produce, Aquitaine caviar Tourists often stop in the market pulling their suitcases as it is en route from the train station to the port where ferries shuttle over to Cap Ferret For a great plat du jour lunch, Le Bouchon de Marché’s owner, Fleur, grills a juicy entrecôte steak or a tender blanquette de veau stew. A couple of roads back from the beach, Pizzeria Jehenne is great for families – chef Danny has been making pizzas and pasta for 45 years and visitors never realise he’s not Italian but a local Arcachonnais I spend a great part of my life out on the water as I have been farming oysters in Arcachon since 1988 I’ll still say out on the Bassin d’Arcachon but on a sailing boat rather than my work motorboat Somehow the oyster parks and the views of Cap Ferret are different when the wind gusts into my sails Visitors can hire a boat and skipper to try this the strip of sand known as Le Conche du Mimbeau Time your trip well and you have the perfect view across to our iconic Dune du Pilat Beautiful sunsets can be enjoyed from Arcachon’s Plage du Moulleau Photograph: Andia/AlamyNeighbourhoodArcachon is neatly divided into four quarters and the neighbourhood that means most to me is the Ville d’Hiver with splendid 19th-century belle-époque villas that date back to when people from across Europe came here to treat tuberculosis with healing breezes from the sea and pine forests quiet area and I love this contrast to the busy commercial streets of Ville d’Eté The Ville d’Hiver is the greenest quarter, with lush vegetation that reminds me of a botanical garden, and my favourite place is the 1884 Hôtel Ville d’Hiver an early industrial building converted into a cosy hotel Its bistrot is perfect for a romantic dinner Île aux Oiseaux Photograph: Philippe Turpin/Getty ImagesWe are lucky for a small town to have beautifully landscaped gardens This was where the opulent casino once stood Organised excursions round the island are a good first step but you are not allowed to land Although you can hire a boat and sail over I advise against this as you need experience to navigate the bay It’s best to hire a boat with a skipper and then you can explore at leisure a brewery that also hosts artists and musicians A comfortable place worth checking out is Hôtel Home (doubles from €130 room-only) Olivier Laban is a renowned Arcachon oyster farmer who organises seafood tastings at his lively Oyster Bar Constructed and envisioned by Le Boutique Hôtels Collection Les Vagues Hôtel & Spa is a glass and ivory tower by the sea situated adjacent to a fully renovated Arcachon-style villa The 45-key hotel comprises guestrooms and suites Les Vagues is a love letter to the Arcachon Basin where he already offers villas and apartments This affection is shared by his daughter Anaïs who orchestrates a décor paying homage to seaside resorts the reception desk is inspired by mooring bollards the restaurant at Les Vagues Hotel offers a panoramic view of the Arcachon Bay the ceiling mirrors the oceans journey between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean A nautical spirit is emphasised by large propeller fans that set the tone and reinforced with white and blue pine-wood panelling from the Landes region the spa provides year-round access to the beach and an interior shoreline the heated 10m pool is surrounded by large daybeds and the facilities include a jacuzzi with a view The two beauty treatment rooms are managed by Phytomer whose protocols and products harness the benefits of the ocean the highest rooftop in Arcachon offers a unique panorama the bar is surrounded by tables and standing chairs for gathering the jacuzzi adds a wellness aspect to the terrace the 32 guestrooms offer postcard-worthy panoramas with accordion glass doors that fully open to one side breaking the boundaries between inside and outside the decor evokes a chic beach cabin with a custom-made small lounge facing the view and bed walls lined with natural or whitewashed pine-wood panelling and a thoughtful lighting design invite to contemplation The top two floors have a more nautical theme with details borrowed from the maritime vocabulary and a yacht cabin spirit bathed in daylight through a large transom window opening onto the room Registered in England and Wales with Company Number 06637145 We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings we will not be able to save your preferences This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again More information about our Cookie Policy Every product is independently selected by (obsessive) editors Things you buy through our links may earn us a commission Everyone knows that person who spends weeks sniffing around travel blogs, going deep into Tripadvisor rabbit holes, collecting Google docs from friends of friends, and creating A Beautiful Mind–style spreadsheets to come up with the best vacations and itineraries possible we find those people who’ve done all the work for you and have them walk us through a particularly wonderful especially well-thought-out vacation they took that you can actually steal Having just moved from New York City to Paris last spring, I was eager to spend the summer hopping around the French seaside High prices and rowdy crowds deterred me from the more obvious destinations in the French Riviera and Riviera glitz for rustic charms that reminded me of my childhood I grew up in a coastal fishing town in Massachusetts a small village in the southernmost point of Lège-Cap-Ferret a peninsula that splits the Arcachon Bay and the Atlantic Ocean in the southwest of France French friends had described it to me as a low-key summer destination for chic French families and friends It’s host to both swimming and surfing beaches as well as tons of al fresco seafood restaurants and oyster-tasting shacks I was able to convince some friends to join me in late July as we traversed the Bay of Arcachon for a week of oyster lunches and majestic boat trips — topping it off with an impromptu weekend in Bordeaux From Paris, my friend Anny and I took a train to Arcachon, which required a transfer in Bordeaux, making it a three-and-a-half-hour journey by train. From the train, we walked ten minutes over to the Thiers Pier (Place Thiers, 33120 Arcachon) on Arcachon Beach and boarded a boat shuttle to Cap Ferret It was a scenic 30-minute ride to cross the bay with some pretty epic views of the Dune du Pilat Pulling up to the small port of Cap Ferret we noticed the rows of oyster beds marked with sticks and got excited to feast on oysters all week Once we arrived at the port, we walked 20 minutes through the quaint sandy roads flanked by rustic ranch homes to Hotel des Dunes (119 Avenue de Bordeaux) Hotel des Dunes is the oldest hotel on the peninsula and thus has become somewhat of an institution French-born Karine Hecquet and her husband Jean-Philippe bought the property and reopened it last summer as a modern surf lodge inspired by the motels you’ll find along the California coast as the hotel’s new owners spent their summers in Cap Ferret and had also visited Hawaii before settling for a few years in New York they also spent time traveling to California surfing the best breaks in Malibu often staying in fuss-free seaside motels that would eventually become the source of inspiration when they returned to France in 2015 and rediscovered the joys of Cap Ferret they had high hopes of bringing back the laid-back surf spirit ingrained in the hotel’s history Along with the nostalgic feel of California surf motels the property seamlessly emulates the traditional architecture around the basin like the cabins on stilts typical of the Bassin d’Arcachon which are used to watch over the oyster fields there are tons of chic affordable Airbnb options for families and groups of friends The beach directly across the street from the hotel One of the things that makes Cap Ferret so unique is its geographical positioning where you can access the calmer waters on the bay side of the peninsula and the wilder waters on the Atlantic side Once we climbed through heaps of white sandy dunes flanked by tall grass we descended to a beach that looked like it went on for miles Since the water was a bit choppy on this side and we didn’t have the energy for water sports after our trip we spent the afternoon reading and napping on the soft not too hot even during the dog days of summer; it was warm and dry with a perfect breeze Then we finally made our way back to the hotel to meet our friends who had just arrived from Capri which took 30 minutes as we cut across some scenic little beaches on the bay side while the other two biked over using the bikes provided by the hotel It felt like anyone who’s anyone on Cap Ferret was having lunch at Chez Hortense so be sure to reserve at least a month in advance if you can It’s set on a shaded outdoor terrace covered in vines and greenery with views overlooking the bay It’s a nice crowd because it’s a mix of locals It was already super busy when we arrived for our 12:30 reservation and we ordered a pretty substantial amount paired with a couple of bottles of white wine We polished it off with a round of dessert: some strawberries and cream and homemade ice cream we made our way around the back of the restaurant and walked left toward the quiet beaches on the bay that we had discovered on the walk over to lunch (these beaches don’t have names We found a spot with a direct view of the Dune du Pilat and hung out at the beach before the rain came the rain lasted as long as it took us to run and bike home the sun was out on our little deck at Hotel des Dunes We spent the rest of the afternoon relaxing on the hammocks and taking in the final hours of sun before dinner The super-friendly staff at the hotel had booked us a reservation at Mayzou (32 Av Mayzou serves international cuisine and has a menu that changes daily depending on the fishing or harvest of their local suppliers While we were loving our oyster-filled week We ordered almost everything on the menu that day Persian rice ,and popcorn chicken with spicy mayo Everything had so much flavor and really hit the spot I’m an early bird so after my early morning breakfast at the hotel I took a stroll over to the Cap Ferret market (Av Du Monument Saliens) as they were just setting up The market sells crafts from woven basket bags and lamps to linen clothing by local vendors One of my friends biked over to meet me when they got up and we perused the market restocking on some good linen finds before heading back to the hotel for our last day here my friends had just finished eating breakfast and we walked over to Plage du banc du Mimbeau (Av de la Conche) on the bay side since it was right by our lunch reservation swimming to the sandbar that forms when the tide is high we walked a few steps to Chai Bertrand (48 Quartier des Pecheurs) for yet another tasting of oysters then Karine offered to drive us to the port in the hotel jeep We boarded the boat shuttle to Arcachon and from there called an Uber to Villa du Pyla (4 Av a small seaside town just outside of Arcachon that sits between Arcachon and the Dune du Pilat Villa du Pyla is a cozy guesthouse-style hotel on the beach each with kitchenettes and balconies or private patios We relaxed on the beach for a few more hours of sun then did some work from our balconies before dinner We had the concierge call us a cab to take us to our dinner reservation at Hotel Restaurant La Co(o)rniche (46 Av known for its insane views of Dune du Pilat which sits just 4.5 kilometers away from the property We grabbed drinks at the bar while waiting for our table and took tons of photos of the sunset overlooking the dunes and the bay before sitting down to dinner In the morning, a breakfast basket with a fresh baguette and other baked goods and fruit and yogurt was delivered to our door. We ate on the balcony overlooking the beach and got ready for our boat day on Arcachon Bay. We took a cab to the meeting point in the harbor at Rue de Marins and met up with the crew of Des Hommes et Des Mers We booked a full six-hour day to really take advantage and see everything we wanted to (but you can also book three- or four-hour days) Des Hommes et Des Mers has the option of two boats which allows you to get as close as possible to the villages and the most inaccessible places We started our journey on the basin checking out the famous stilt houses “Les Cabanes Tchanquées,” an emblem of the basin located on L’ile aux Oiseaux which were originally built for monitoring oyster parks We then made our way closer to the Lège-Cap-Ferret peninsula and cruised along the shores of the various little fishing villages until reaching one of the most famous: L’Herbe We descended onto the beach of L’Herbe and walked up through the village, passing a few dégustation shacks until stopping for lunch at one called Kykouyou (Av exploring the village and its colorful fishing homes We made our way back onto the boat and decided it was time to swim We anchored at a beach that sits between Plage de la Vigne and La Plage des Américains for an hour of swimming before jumping back on and heading to the point where the bay meets the Atlantic Ocean called “La Passe,” which is very dangerous to cross depending on the swell and wind conditions but we wanted to feel the strength of the current so we jumped into the water and swam a bit against the wild and majestic backdrop of the dune We then cruised over to the dune and actually managed to climb up partway wanted to show us one more spot: a famous sandbank that sits in front of the Dune du Pilat that only appears for a few hours in the evening called “Le Banc d’Arguin.” We were the first to arrive just as it was beginning to poke out from the water We ran around and took in the 360-degree views of the bay just as the sun was beginning to set Patrick was able to drop us right on the beach we were staying on so we rolled onto the beach and straight into our hotel rooms After so much seafood, we were craving classic bistro food, so we went to dinner at Café Ha(a)itza (312 Bd de l’Océan) a brasserie at Hotel Ha(a)itza (our hotel helped us make the reservation the night before) We were ready for a change of pace from seafood Two of our friends left for Ibiza that morning and my friend Anny and I got a cab to the Arcachon train station to travel back to Paris but when a train delay had us held up for 15 minutes in Bordeaux we spontaneously decided to get off and finish out the weekend there so we sat at the train-station café while we sorted out a place to stay We booked a last-minute stay at Maison La Course (69 Rue de la Course) a former family home set within a 19th-century mansion around the corner from the hip Chartrons neighborhood so we lucked out as they had a cancellation The intimate nature of the home gives it a guesthouse feel with a few cozy communal spaces and tasting room (should you wish to book a tasting) There’s also a spa that we didn’t get around to checking out In the evening, we wanted to go for a glass of wine and some salted anchovies at Motto Bar (33 Rue Piliers de Tutelle), a hi-fi music bar, but we realized it was closed on Sundays, so we’ll save that for next time! Just next door, there was a place that looked great called Soif (35 Rue du Cancera) which serves a seasonal menu of small plates a really interesting tomato salad with crunch and the beef dish they were serving that day We paired the meal with some really good natural wines from the region; I loved my Merlot from Chateau Brandeau We finished the meal with some local cheese It was a perfect last meal before our two-hour train back to Paris in the morning I wore it open to the beach and buttoned up at night I never travel without my Paravel Weekender bag It has smart straps that slip over the trolley of your carry-on suitcase and a zipper for seamless lugging through unpaved roads and cobbled streets Tombolo’s One-in-a-Billion for Billion Oyster Project shirt feels like a no-brainer here if you really want to get into the spirit of the trip — I did and 15 percent of proceeds from the capsule are donated to the Billion Oyster Project to help improve New York’s harbors I love Ciao Lucia’s Zacchi pant (in white or the more festive shell print) I like to pack clothes that can work double duty They’re lightweight and easy to transition from the beach to dinner Of course, I don’t travel without SPF, but something less obvious that I don’t travel without is a tube of Biafine a French pharmacy product that has proven extremely useful to treat sunburns (or sun rashes) for when you miss a spot with the SPF By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice and to receive email correspondence from us but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change Things you buy through our links may earn us a commission Password must be at least 8 characters and contain: you’ll receive occasional updates and offers from New York The TimesA 47-year-old woman was killed when the jet ski she and her partner were riding was hit by another being driven by their 16-year-old twin daughters The woman died of head injuries a few hours after the crash in Arcachon Bay The others were taken to hospital to be treated for minor injuries and shock Jet skis are already banned or restricted in some French resorts mainly to limit noise and environmental damage but this accident has rekindled debates about safety and led to calls for tighter regulations winner of the French jet ski championship in The accident took place in Arcachon Bay off the southwest coast of France on Aug your new go-to podcast to spice up your weekday mornings with relevant news and behind-the-scenes from Brussels and beyond From the economy to the climate and the EU's role in world affairs this talk show sheds light on European affairs and the issues that impact on our daily lives as Europeans Tune in to understand the ins and outs of European politics Dare to imagine the future with business and tech visionaries Deep dive conversations with business leaders Euronews Tech Talks goes beyond discussions to explore the impact of new technologies on our lives the podcast provides valuable insights into the intersection of technology and society Europe's water is under increasing pressure floods are taking their toll on our drinking water Join us on a journey around Europe to see why protecting ecosystems matters and to discover some of the best water solutions an animated explainer series and live debate - find out why Water Matters We give you the latest climate facts from the world’s leading source analyse the trends and explain how our planet is changing We meet the experts on the front line of climate change who explore new strategies to mitigate and adapt French authorities have temporarily banned the fishing harvesting and marketing of shellfish from a bay in the southwestern part of the country after detecting the presence of norovirus in oysters Norovirus spreads through contaminated food or surfaces and can cause severe vomiting and diarrhoea As of December 27, “batches of shellfish harvested or fished in these areas must be withdrawn from sale,” regional authorities in southwestern France said “People who have shellfish from these areas are asked not to consume them and to return them to the point of sale,” they added The oysters were linked to several cases of foodborne illness But analyses carried out directly on the oysters found the presence of norovirus No serious cases of the illness have been reported to date For oyster producers the ban is hard to stomach as the shellfish is especially popular during the holidays Arcachon’s regional shellfish farming committee said in a statement that they had a “heavy heart” adding that norovirus is not naturally present in the seawater are victims of the saturation of wastewater and rainwater networks overflowing into the natural environment and contaminating production areas,” the committee said The majority of norovirus foodborne illnesses in France are linked to eating contaminated shellfish Foodborne illness can also lead to transmission between people avoid handling food when you have gastroenteritis symptoms and wash raw fruits and vegetables before eating them to limit exposure to norovirus “Preventing contaminated oysters from ending up on consumers' plates is the top priority for professionals even if it comes with very serious economic consequences,” the regional shellfish farming committee added France is the top European country that produces and consumes oysters with an industry turnover of €403 million per year because I’ve been visiting it with my family nearly every year for the past 15 years We usually rent a small apartment in Arcachon town for four or five days but such is the draw that we have been known to make a two-hour drive just to spend the day there when we’ve been in that part of the world Everything about it speaks of summer joy: the promenade thrumming with cyclists and strollers; the parade of bistros serving moules oysters and buckets of chilled rosé; families playing beach tennis on the sands; and a bay brimming with pleasure boats and ferries It’s like a scene from a Raoul Dufy painting The first day begins at Halle Baltard, the town market, where we drink coffee with brioche and croissants, then head to the bike rental shop, and always the same one (Dingo Vélos) because you don’t need a car in this largely flat landscape we buy ferry tickets at the little beach cabins on Thiers jetty to take the ferry over the bay to Cap Ferret The wait in the queue on the jetty is more Monsieur Hulot’s Holiday than huff and puff the air thick with sunscreen and anticipation Children wear inflatables around their waists and rest crab nets on their shoulders parents sport sunnies and straw hats and carry overloaded picnic bags and rugs There’s a babble of chatter as the ferry crew load bikes on the roof and passengers scramble for outside seats An overwater restaurant in Cap Ferret Photograph: Stephen Hughes/AlamyThe journey over the bay takes 30 minutes and delivers cinematic scenes of the receding Arcachon coastline the towering Dune du Pilat and ranks of oyster beds on the approach to the pier at Cap Ferret and it’s possible to explore this pine-studded headland all the way to Lège Cap Ferret using cycle lanes to avoid the summer congestion and calling in at the fishing villages of L’Herbe and Le Canon for drinks or lunch Everything about it speaks of summer joy: the promenade thrumming with cyclists and strollers it’s like a scene from a Raoul Dufy paintingWe always turn left and head to Cap Ferret market because this offers a window on to the French on holiday Cap Ferret is more understated than the glitzy Cap Ferrat on the Côte d’Azur The sand-swept roads are busy with retro Citröen Mehari beach convertibles Second-homers from Bordeaux and its surrounds sport chinos and pastel polos All of these are available at the stalls at the market But it’s enough to linger over a coffee and canelé pastry and watch the brilliant parade Wealthy people from Bordeaux caught on to the rugged, unmanicured charm of Cap Ferret in the 1950s – the wild Atlantic Ocean, the miles of unspoilt beaches and dunes, the fishermen selling the finest oysters and prawns direct from their cabins. Now those oyster farmers have turned their cabins into simple food shacks with decks overlooking the bay. At our favourite, Chez Boulan the menu is limited to what they do best: oysters paté and bread served with ice-cold white Bordeaux or rosé The Bay of Arcachon is indeed a happy place La Rédac' Le Belem et les géants des mers accostent à Arcachon pour le Salon Nautique 2025.  le Port d’Arcachon se pare de voiles et de légendes pour célébrer la 10ᵉ édition du Salon Nautique un rendez-vous incontournable pour les amoureux de la mer et du patrimoine maritime une flotte prestigieuse de navires d’exception s’offre aux regards émerveillés et aux pas curieux : La Belle Poule les quatre Pen Duick d’Éric Tabarly… et le majestueux Belem Amarré à quelques encablures du port de pêche le Belem déploiera fièrement ses trois mâts et sa silhouette élégante témoin d’un siècle de voyages et de transformations classé monument historique depuis 1984 est l’un des derniers témoins de l’époque des grands cap-horniers De retour à Arcachon après avoir transporté la Flamme Olympique jusqu’à Marseille en 2024 il abrite aujourd’hui la lanterne olympique comme un flambeau de mémoire et de transmission Propriété de la Fondation Belem il est visitable sur réservation dans le "Pack Visite des navires" une immersion unique dans l’univers du XIXᵉ siècle marin le public pourra découvrir Le Lys Noir revenu pour la première fois à Arcachon après plus d’un siècle d'errance goélette militaire en bois ayant combattu sous les couleurs de la France libre silhouettes familières et émouvantes du mythique Éric Tabarly témoignant de la passion et de la résilience de tout un pan de l’histoire navale française Une publication partagée par Ville d'Arcachon (@villearcachon) familles et curieux pour une édition anniversaire où souffle le vent de l’aventure et de la transmission chaque jour de 10h à 18h (à partir de 11h pour le Belem le 18) l'événement attend 200 exposants et 480 bateaux exposés à flot et à terre sur plus de 30 000 m2 d’exposition il avait attiré plus de 45 000 visiteurs Billetterie Ce parc de 30 hectares avec lac protégé est le plus beau de la métropole bordelaise Plus de 100 châteaux ouvrent leurs portes tout le week-end pour les JPO de Saint-Emilion Les 5 plages les plus proches de Bordeaux Volume 14 - 2023 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2023.1250947 The parasitic species Perkinsus olseni (= atlanticus) (Perkinsea Alveolata) infects a wide range of mollusc species and is responsible for mortality events and economic losses in the aquaculture industry and fisheries worldwide most studies conducted in this field have approached the problem from a “one parasite-one disease” perspective notably with regards to commercially relevant clam species while the impact of other Perkinsus species should also be considered as it could play a key role in the disease phenotype and dynamics chesapeaki has already been sporadically described in Manila clam populations in Europe we describe for the first time the parasitic distribution of two Perkinsus species in individual clam organs and in five different locations across Arcachon Bay (France) using simultaneous in situ detection by quantitative PCR (qPCR) duplex methodology olseni single-infection largely dominated prevalence (46–84%) with high intensities of infection (7.2 to 8.5 log-nb of copies g−1of wet tissue of Manila clam) depending on location suggesting that infection is driven by the abiotic characteristics of stations and physiological states of the host chesapeaki infections were observed in only two sampling stations was distributed across four stations of Arcachon Bay and was detected in one or two organs maximum olseni largely dominated the global parasitic load chesapeaki may rely on a facilitating role of P olseni in developing a primary infection which in turn may help P philippinarum as a reservoir for a preferred host This ecological study demonstrates that the detection and quantification of both parasitic species is essential and timely in resolving cryptic infections and their consequences on individual hosts and clam populations The aim of this study was to evaluate (1) the distribution of P. olseni and P. chesapeaki parasites across five contrasted sampling areas in Arcachon Bay, a lagoon where Perkinsus spp. is particularly prevalent and abundant (Dang et al., 2008; de Montaudouin et al., 2010); and (2) the occurrence of these two parasitic protists across each organ type of individual clams from the five sampling stations and Piquey is the only one close to oyster parks and oyster reefs Distribution of infection and co-infection in whole clam body from five stations sampled in November 2018 in the Arcachon bay chesapeaki single-infection and (co-)infections determined by duplex qPCR with prevalences of Brown muscle disease (BMD) and Brown ring disease (BRD) Each prevalence was determined on a total of 50 clams per station (B) Log-qPCR infection intensities estimated on the whole-body clam are represented for each type of infection: P chesapeaki single-infection and co-infection Differences are estimated by a pairwise Wilcoxon rank sum test Differences between each parameter are represented by a and b The shell length of all clams was measured individually using a vernier calliper homogeneity of variance (Shapiro–Wilk normality test) and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were conducted in order to compare size distribution between sites before multiple comparisons of means by Tukey test Each clam was dissected on ice and each organ was weighted independently one gill was incubated in RFTM (Ray’s Fluid Thioglycolate Medium) supplemented with antibiotics (penicillin G 1x105U.L−1 and streptomycin sulphate 0.1 g.L−1 Sigma) and antimycotic (nystatin 4 g.L−1) for Perkinsus spp the foot and the remaining tissue were fixed separately in 80% ethanol and stored at 4°C for molecular analysis Prevalence (in %) for both diseases was determined for each sampling station Their distributions between stations were tested by Fisher’s exact test Hypnospores were then recovered using 1,000 × g centrifugation for 10 min The remaining pellet was washed twice in PBS and stained with a Lugol’s iodine solution (4%) The number of Perkinsus hypnospores per individual gill was assessed using an aliquot of 100 μL in a Nageotte chamber (10 lines counted in triplicate) under an optical microscope (Leica DM-IRB; x10 magnification) The counting results were expressed as the number of hypnospores per gram of wet tissue The genomic DNA (gDNA) of the six organs (gill, digestive gland, mantle, adductor muscle, foot and the remaining tissue samples) was extracted using the CTAB-based DNA extraction method adapted from Winnepenninckx et al. (1993) described by Itoïz et al., 2021 Clam tissue samples were transferred in bead beating tubes containing three different sizes of beads (2.8 mm 1.4 mm and 0.1 mm of diameter Ozyme) with 1 mL of CTAB extraction buffer (2% CTAB 100 mM TrisHCl pH = 8.0 Tissues were ground and homogenised following two bead beating cycles (45 s of bead beating at 6 m.s−1 followed by 20 s stop) in a cooling rack of the FastPrep-24 5G benchtop homogeniser (MP Biomedicals) β-mercaptoethanol (0.2%) and proteinase K (1 g.L−1) were then added to each tube and samples were incubated for 30 min at 60°C Foot tissue samples were specifically incubated 12 h due to the tougher tissue structure Lysates were mixed in chloroform/isoamylalcohol (24:1 then centrifuged at 18,000 × g for 10 min at 4°C This step is repeated twice for foot tissue samples Aqueous phases were treated with RNAse solution (10 g.L−1) (Sigma-Aldrich) for 30 min at 37°C prior to DNA precipitation with cold isopropanol overnight at 4°C dried at room temperature and resuspended in 300 μL of pure molecular grade water (Corning) gDNA samples were quantified using the Qubit dsDNA HS assay kit (Invitrogen) and stored at −20°C until further processing Real-time qPCR duplex assays were carried out as described by Itoïz et al. (2021). Briefly, P. olseni and P. chesapeaki plasmidic-standards from 2.5×101 to 2.5×106 total copy number were used to calculate infection intensity. This standard-plasmidic material was previously used in Itoïz et al. (2021) allowing for identical qPCR parameters in this study (P olseni: y = −3.33x + 39.49 limit of detection (LOD) = 2.5×101 total copies; P chesapeaki: y = −3.38x + 40.29 LOD = 2.5×101 total copies) plasmidic-standards and two negative controls (non-infected Manila clam DNA and pure molecular grade water) were run Ct value triplicates were averaged for downstream statistical analysis If one or two of the triplicates were outliers the sample was reprocessed to eliminate potential manipulation error Each gDNA per organ was processed independently allowing an estimation of concentrations of both parasites per organ The whole-body concentration was calculated by summing the parasite concentrations for all organs per clam the relationship between both methods was tested using a linear model and the Spearman correlation coefficient on infection intensities established by qPCR and RFTM from paired-positive individuals The global prevalence and infection intensities of the Perkinsus genus were calculated on gill samples using standard RFTM methodology The infection intensity means (nb of hypnospores g−1 of wet gill) measured by the two methods were compared to each other by a non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis test followed by Dunn post-hoc test chesapeaki were estimated using the duplex qPCR methodology across six Manila clam organs: gills Prevalences in each station were compared by Fisher’s exact test Infection intensity means were evaluated in each station for each type of infection (P co-infection) and compared by a pairwise Wilcoxon rank sum test The distribution of single-and co-infected individuals in the Arcachon Bay was investigated using multivariate analysis on P. olseni and P. chesapeaki infection intensities in each organ. A principal component analysis (PCA) was performed using the FactomineR and Factoextra packages on R (Lê et al., 2008; Kassambara and Mundt, 2017) Extracted coordinates (axis 1; 2) of each individual were checked for significant differences among stations by non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis test in combination with multiple pairwise comparison using Dunn post-hoc test Repartition of both Perkinsus species across co-infected host organs (gills mantle and the remaining tissue) was detailed in a visual matrix table Global infection intensities (copy number.g−1 of wet tissue) for P chesapeaki were log-transformed and classified in four levels represented with a colour gradient Infection intensity data follows a Gaussian distribution the boundaries of the four categories were delimited by: minimum 3rd quartile and maximum values of infection intensity chesapeaki cells (in %) was represented for each type of co-infected organ sample from each station chesapeaki log-transformed infection intensities from co-infected organs were plotted to investigate potential negative or positive influence of one species on the other and vice versa Based on a reduced dataset restricted to co-infected organ samples the relationship was tested using a linear model and Spearman correlation coefficient the mean concordance was 81.6 ± 5.2% (n = 5 stations) Additionally, the κ-value was calculated to determine the level of agreement between each methodology for the gill samples (Supplementary Table S2) The κ values ranged from a slight agreement The overall κ-value for all sampling stations was 0.42 indicating moderate agreement A linear regression was determined between for the qPCR-infection intensity and the RFTM-infection intensity (y = 0.56x + 4.34, y: log of qPCR-infection intensity in copy number.g of wet gill−1; x: log of RFTM-infection intensity in nb of cells.g of wet gill−1; adjusted-R2 = 0.41; n = 178) (Supplementary Figure S1) A significant positive correlation was determined using Pearson’s coefficient between the qPCR-infection intensity and the RFTM-infection intensity (r = 0.64 Global prevalence and infection intensities of single- and co-infected individuals across the Arcachon Bay were assessed by analysing the whole body of Manila clams using duplex qPCR methodology a clam is qualified as “co-infected” when P chesapeaki infect at least one of the six organs analysed The global prevalence of Perkinsus spp. in the whole body was 82% for Lanton and Gujan, 84% for Andernos, 90% for Piquey, and 96% for IAO (Figure 1A) olseni was detected in every station with prevalence ranging from 46% in Gujan (n = 23/50 clams) to 84% (n = 42/50 clams) in Andernos Co-infection was detected in all stations except Andernos with prevalence ranging from 12% (n = 6/50 clams) in Lanton to 36% (n = 17/50 clams) in Piquey with prevalence ranging from 2% (= 1/50 clams) in IAO to 14% (= 7/50 clams) in Gujan The clams were visually inspected during dissection to record the presence of symptoms associated with other diseases potentially detected in Arcachon Bay, such as BRD and BMD (Figure 1A) Brown organic conchiolin deposits classically identified as a BRD phenotype were only detected in Gujan and IAO with very low prevalence The presence of necropsies of the posterior adductor muscle identified as a BMD phenotype was retrieved in all sampling sites with low to moderate prevalence ranging from 2% in Piquey to 14% in Gujan chesapeaki infection intensities in different Manila clam organs from Arcachon Bay in November 2018 The first axis explains 24.6% of total variance of infection intensities while axis 2 explains 11.1% (A) PCA including 250 individuals coloured by station Ellipses included at least 50% of the individuals in a station Variables implied in the PCA are the shell length BRD and infection intensities specified by ‘PO’ for P (B) Individual values grouped by station on the Axis 1 and 2 of the PCA represented by infection intensities Differences between stations were indicated by letters a b and c according to multiple pairwise comparison of Dunn post-hoc test (value of p < 0.05) Infection intensities of co-infected individual clam per organs determined by qPCR duplex assays olseni repartition is represented in blue and the P Four levels of infection intensities were determined occurrence of Brown Muscle Disease (BMD) or Brown Ring Disease (BRD) chesapeaki in each Manila clam organ was investigated to more accurately evaluate potential patterns in co-infected clams clams were considered to be co-infected when both parasites are detected in at least one of the six organs (n = 50 co-infected individuals dispatched in four stations) Perkinsus olseni appeared to be distributed in all organs tested with high infection intensity reaching up to 9.1 log-nb. of copies. g−1 of wet tissue (Figures 1B, 3). In co-infected hosts, P. olseni reached a maximum of 8.3 log-nb. of copies. g−1 of wet tissue (Figure 3) chesapeaki was more heterogeneously distributed across organs with weaker infection intensity reaching 6.9 log-nb Our results highlighted four different profiles between the five sampling stations: (1) co-infection was often detected in gill tissue and characterised by medium P n = 11/18 clams); (2) co-infection was more frequently detected in the adductor muscle (53% of co-infected Manila clams; n = 8/15 clams in IAO) with moderate infection intensity (5.6 to 6.9 log-nb n = 8/15 clams); (3) co-infection exclusively detected in the adductor muscle with low infection intensity (4.0 to 5.6 log-nb n = 11/11 clams in Gujan); and (4) co-infection was sporadically detected in the digestive gland Proportions of P. olseni and P. chesapeaki in different compartments (gills, digestive gland, adductor muscle, mantle and remaining tissue) were assessed based on mean infection intensity (nb of copy number. g−1 of wet tissue) in order to estimate their spatial distribution within host tissues (Figure 4A and Table 2) olseni dominated all co-infected organs with a mean proportion of 92 ± 6% the mean proportion was estimated at 8 ± 6% olseni were detected mainly in IAO (n = 3) with 77% of occupation while it was up to 96% for Piquey (n = 12) and Lanton (n = 3) olseni were detected in Gujan (n = 9) and Lanton (n = 1) olseni distribution took up over 90% of the total space (n = 18) chesapeaki infection intensities (copy number.g−1 of wet tissue) from co-infected organ samples (n = 50) The linear relationship corresponds to the equation model: y = 0.51 x + 2.2 and explains 64% (adjusted-R2) of the variability mantle and remaining tissue) were represented with coloured circles ‘***’ value of p < 0.001 At the Gujan sampling station, P. chesapeaki was only detected in the adductor muscle (Figure 3) we were not able to weigh foot samples before molecular analysis The intensity of infection for these samples is thus missing only for this station no co-infection has been detected in foot samples in other individual clams from other stations we can therefore assume that this trend might be similar for P This relationship revealed that co-occurrence of both parasitic species within the same organ concerning 96% of co-infected hosts (n = 48/50 co-infected clam) occurred in a restricted range of infection intensity from 4.5 and 6.9 log-nb olseni single-infection and co-infection in different organs (n = 2) were observed The development of the duplex qPCR methodology allows the quantification of infection intensity and prevalence of both parasitic species, P. olseni and P. chesapeaki, in each organ of Manila clams from populations of the Arcachon Bay, as described by Itoïz et al. (2021) (Figure 1 and Supplementary Figure S1) The concordance parameter (81.6 ± 5.2%) and the linear regression (y = 0.61x + 4.34 R2 = 0.41; Spearman correlation coefficient: r = 0.64 value of p < 0.001) strengthen the reliability of this molecular method to assess prevalence of Perkinsus species from in situ samples we decided to discard samples with Ct values below the quantifiable range (2.1×101 total copies) thus underestimating the number of low infection intensities that could however be quantified using the RFTM methodology we observed that 14% of samples (n = 36 / 250 gill samples) were negative to qPCR assays but positive in RFTM assays and conversely 4% of samples were positive to qPCR assays but negative in RFTM assays (n = 10/250 gill samples) One explanation could be the asymmetric distribution of the parasite within the two gills these results lead to a slight to substantial agreement between both methodologies depending of sampling sites only qPCR assays allow for a distinction between P there is no clear distribution of co-infection between stations except for Piquey chesapeaki in gills appear to depend on clam shell size suggesting a higher primary infection of the parasite due to higher clearance activity chesapeaki seems here to be a secondary infection in Manila clams In this study, the prevalence of Brown muscle disease (BMD) and Brown ring disease (BRD) phenotypes were quite low compared to previous monitoring results in Arcachon Bay (Lassalle et al., 2007; Dang et al., 2008; Binias et al., 2014). However, our results show here that BMD and BRD, both of which can be responsible for Manila clam mortality (Dang et al., 2008) are not correlated with Perkinsosis distribution across sampling sites the question of their viability after phagocytosis remains unclear it is still uncertain whether these parasites propagate extracellularly or within hemocytes or both olseni infection appears to be homogeneously distributed across all tissue samples chesapeaki is often restricted to one or two organs We identified here three major detection patterns of co-infected clams: P chesapeaki detection (1) is mainly prevalent in gill tissues in the Piquey station clams (n = 11/18 clams) ranging from 5.0 to 6.4 log-nb g−1 of wet tissue; (2) is present in the adductor muscle mainly in Gujan (n = 11/11) and IAO (n = 8/15); (3) displays a moderate level of infection in the digestive gland mantle and remaining tissue (5.9 to 6.9 log-nb g−1 of wet tissue) distributed homogeneously across stations our results suggest a competitive exclusion of P olseni infection intensity due to direct or indirect interspecific competition for resource or space within host tissues Low throughout-tissue spreading and infrequent detection of infection in Ruditapes species maintains the hypothesis that these clams are a “sub-optimal” host for P The recent detection of two Perkinsus species highlights recurrent cryptic infections in host clam populations olseni and appear along an environmental gradient corresponding to its optimal proliferation conditions chesapeaki is recurrent in Manila clams across five sampling stations with moderate and low prevalence in co-infection and in single-infection the organ-targeted infection pattern seen with P chesapeaki compared to more widespread whole-body infections by P philippinarum may not be the preferred host of P olseni facilitates the opportunistic infection of P chesapeaki or whether this secondary infection is independent chesapeaki was introduced in Europe alongside other bivalves’ species and confirms the need to monitor these parasites which are able to spill over to new indigenous host populations using a combination of histological and molecular analyses It is now urgent and timely to expand our view of the host range of Perkinsus species and investigate the sympatric benthic fauna for hot-spots of co-infections the co-infection process is a Pandora’s box justifying the need to shift from the study of isolated pathogens to a more integrated approach The original contributions presented in the study are included in the article/Supplementary material further inquiries can be directed to the corresponding authors All authors drafted the article and approved the final version of the manuscript The author(s) declare financial support was received for the research SI was funded by a French doctoral research grant from Ecole Doctorale des Sciences de la Mer (EDSM) and Region Bretagne SM was founded by the SAD region Bretagne (No PLASPERK 948348) and received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie grant agreement No BIENVENÜE 899546 EC was funded by a French doctoral research grant from Ecole Doctorale 227 “Sciences de la nature et de l’Homme: évolution et écologie.” This research was funded by the ANR—Agence Nationale de la Recherche Grant PANIC ANR-21-CE02-0025—and the French National program EC2CO (Ecosphère Continentale et côtière) project N°13046 Samples were performed with Planula 4 vessel (CNRS-INSU Flotte Océanographique Française) Lavesque for his significant help during the sampling campaigns The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher The Supplementary material for this article can be found online at: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2023.1250947/full#supplementary-material One Perkinsus species may hide another: characterization of Perkinsus species present in clam production areas of France Auzoux-Bordenave In vitro sporulation of the clam pathogen Perkinsus atlanticus (Apicomplexa Perkinsea) under various environmental conditions Google Scholar Perkinsea) parasite of the clam Ruditapes decussatus from Portugal The pathobiome in animal and plant diseases Early host-pathogen interactions in marine bivalves: evidence that the alveolate parasite Perkinsus marinus infects through the oyster mantle during rejection of pseudofeces Environmental factors contributing to the development of brown muscle disease and perkinsosis in Manila clams (Ruditapes philippinarum) and trematodiasis in 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This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY) distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited in accordance with accepted academic practice distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms *Correspondence: Philippe Soudant, cGhpbGlwcGUuc291ZGFudEB1bml2LWJyZXN0LmZy; Aurélie Chambouvet, YXVjaGFtYm91dmV0QHNiLXJvc2NvZmYuZnI= Disclaimer: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher 94% of researchers rate our articles as excellent or goodLearn more about the work of our research integrity team to safeguard the quality of each article we publish As a travel writer with a love of all things luxury and Provence to be upscale French destinations that exude elegance But when I visited the town of Cap Ferret with my family last summer I saw a whole new side of wealth and luxury in France Friends and locals called it "The Saint-Tropez of the Atlantic" and after spending time in the gorgeous I agree and will be returning the first chance I get I saw many signs of wealth and luxury that have me wanting to plan another trip back Cap Ferret is located on a narrow peninsula that extends from the coastline of France into the sea the region is a 1.5-hour drive from the city of Bordeaux and a 2.5-hour drive from the Basque country border of Spain which is spelled with an "e," is not to be confused with Cap Ferrat which is spelled with an "a," that is located on the Mediterranean Sea near Nice The drive from Bordeaux to Cap Ferret takes roughly 90 minutes by car without traffic like getting to the Hamptons on a summer weekend the traffic can significantly increase the time it takes I instantly knew why the French find it to be a respite for relaxation I watched the road bend through forest and sand dunes and thought it felt dreamy and peaceful like we were driving through a nature preserve Near it is the neighborhood of Ville d'Hiver, which is the most exclusive and wealthy part of the Arcachon Bay where I saw stunning homes with intricate architectural details Ferries that take roughly 30 minutes connect the two high-end communities; you can also drive but taking the ferry saves an hour.  though I thought they had a more secretive vibe than I've seen in the Hamptons While most high-end homes in the Hamptons are tucked behind high manicured hedges for privacy I noticed that the landscape of Cap Ferret incorporated more thick natural forest which I thought was a unique way to shield the homes for added privacy.  I thought that these homes had an elegant but understated look and though perhaps different in style from Hamptons homes they conveyed the same message: massive wealth via glamorous pools in the yard and luxury cars parked in the driveway I've spent a lot of time in France and predominantly only see small Citroen and Peugeot cars on city streets I find SUVs to be much rarer here than in the US So I was surprised to arrive in Cap Ferret and see so many Range Rovers and Land Rovers They felt to me like a dead giveaway of Cap Ferret's ample wealth.  I also saw many boats docked in neat rows near the shore I noticed many of these boats appeared to be handsomely restored for personal use Prior to my visit, I didn't realize Cap Ferret was such a favorite among A-listers. But like the Hamptons, celebrities are reported to blend in easily here Compared to the Hamptons where I've noticed new hotels popping up all the time I was surprised that there are just a handful in Cap Ferret I thought that added to an overall sense of exclusivity With just 11 rooms, La Maison du Bassin is close to Cap-Ferret's charming white-and-red painted lighthouse and its restaurant with a romantic outdoor terrace came highly recommended to me by friends Beach-inspired guest rooms have wood details like shiplap and dark wood paneling in a restored residence that is just steps away from the beach Cote Sable is another contemporary Cap Ferret hotel where rooms have private outdoor spaces or terraces and some have large soaking tubs with views of the sea.  Cap Ferret is a very exclusive place to rent a home for the summer — much like the Hamptons told me that many people plan to secure summer lodging far in advance I noticed many dates were already blocked off for this upcoming season and a glamorous modern villa for $1,703 a night Meanwhile, an exclusive 9-bedroom seafront villa with a cinema room and sauna can be booked for $6,500 a night in high season The oysters I had in town were all grown in Cap Ferret and I thought they tasted excellent with a delicate flavor and firm I saw many examples of the oysters being grown in estuaries in the sea a charming scene outside many of the numbered cabins where they're served where I highly suggest a reservation because tables are limited.  Surprisingly I thought it was incredibly well priced at 7 euros each and bottles of wine easily cost over $50 a bottle.  I really enjoyed the laidback-yet-upscale shopping in Cap Ferret including upscale women's swimwear and cover-ups for lounging in the sun at your Cap Ferret home or on a yacht.  Other merchandise I saw at Hedonic included high-end Leica cameras while a chilled magnum of wine bottle greeted guests on the bar — another giveaway that prices here would include a few extra zeros I can often find pop-ups of boutique fitness studios that are trendy in New York City Despite clearly being a destination associated with wealth I was surprised that Cap Ferret felt so laid-back and relaxed I think the beautiful beach setting helped contribute to this overall feeling While there are plenty of beautiful sandy beaches in the Hamptons, nothing, in my opinion, compared to the gorgeous sands at Dune du Pilat.  This popular attraction in Cap Ferret is a giant sand dune that you can climb upon for sparkling views over the sea I saw many couples and groups of friends there relaxing on blankets with spreads of wine I accessed Dune du Pilat up what is essentially a few flights of stairs that have been anchored into the sand I was even able to carry my small dog up to the top so he could enjoy the view and run around The surrounding park had some luxe facilities too including a fancy food stand selling gourmet ice cream I thought Cap Ferret had luxurious experiences in spades and I can see the destination becoming much more popular with American tourists in the coming years As a travel writer and a regular visitor to France and I cannot wait to return to discover it further The dates displayed for an article provide information on when various publication milestones were reached at the journal that has published the article activities on preceding journals at which the article was previously under consideration are not shown (for instance submission Environmental PollutionCitation Excerpt :For each spectrum an ATR-correction was applied and the baseline was manually corrected Matching of spectra was done using a spectral database containing 6528 spectra from six industrial libraries and one environmental library created for the ARPLASTIC project (see Lefebvre et al. 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All rights reserved an idyllic region on France’s Atlantic coast may be one of the country’s best-kept secrets a triangular body of tidal water on France’s Atlantic coast is so physically impressive it takes time before you notice that what’s absent is almost as appealing the Dune of Pilat—the tallest sand dune in continental Europe nearly two-mile-long natural wonder—the bassin is a contender for the most magical place in coastal France where the bar for “phenomenal” is already set quite high Marine Pollution BulletinCitation Excerpt :Similarly the number of boats alone is an insufficient indicator of microplastic pollution and activity nature playing crucial roles (Lusher and Pettersen Distance from coastal cities and main shores may not be definitive determinants either given the complex nature of coastal environments and the multiple pathways through which MPs enter these areas (Lefebvre et al. The lack of correlation in proximity to the seaward fringe or behind mangrove beaches may stem from the variability in microplastic sources and transport mechanisms as well as the specific characteristics of the mangrove ecosystem (Burt Science of the Total EnvironmentCitation Excerpt :Rainfall and surface run-off has been shown to be one of the main drivers of high plastic concentrations in the coastal waters (Gündoğdu et al. Tidal fluctuations transport particles between the beach and the sea as well as affect their concentration distributions and fate within the coastal zone (Lefebvre et al. Kumar and Varghese (2021) conducted a 3-year monitoring study at the Calicut beach/India and reported a statistically significant correlation between the microplastic concentrations and surface winds and significant wave heights based on only 21 samples All content on this site: Copyright © 2025 Elsevier B.V. You may have seen Cap Ferret without ever having been there It was the backdrop for the French film Les Petits Mouchoirs in which a group of self-centred Parisians go on holiday while their mutual friend lies dying in hospital It is a good movie - full of Gallic emotion and dramatic revelation - but perhaps the best thing about it is the lovely setting and the taken-for-granted lifestyle: the rapier loaves of bread that materialise for breakfast located on the coast about an hour's drive due west of Bordeaux The road grows slower and lazier as you move further along it and when it turns south into the peninsula The cape is exposed on its western side to the Atlantic while its eastern shore looks out on the Bassin d'Arcachon shallow lagoon that is tailor-made for the business of ostréiculture The cape supplies all of France with oysters and so this is a working stretch of coastline and no attractions apart from (obviously) the beaches and the chance to live the French life for a little while a destination restaurant - Chez Hortense - where it would not be a surprise to see the rumpled face of the actor Jean-Paul Belmondo looking back at you across the populous tables.) Cap Ferret is akin to the Côte d'Azur - but without the bling and the desperate exhibitionism You might say it is a kind of European Martha's Vineyard: exclusive Arcachon's ville d'étéHelen CathcartBy far the best place to stay in Cap Ferret is La Maison du Bassin This hotel would be a find anywhere in the world down a tiny street in the village des pêcheurs (fishermen's village) It is just marvellously chic and comfortable The rooms are quite small and there are no televisions but these are not shortcomings: they make the space feel doubly cosy in an old-fashioned My room was lined with plain wooden panelling so it was like sleeping in the captain's cabin on some luxurious tea clipper was constructed from what looked like polished concrete - just as simple as the bedroom The entire hotel pulls off this same trick of reconciling desirable opposites: it is simultaneously stylish and homely The bar is full of locals and regulars - you can tell because nearly everyone who comes in receives a welcoming kiss on both cheeks from the barmaid I sat weaving imaginary narratives around the rather dapper white-haired gentleman who came in each evening with his lapdog you will surely be tempted to move through to La Maison's bistrot for dinner Le Bistrot du BassinHelen CathcartThe food is as straightforwardly elegant as everything else in the hotel Try the daurade rôtie sur un lit de tomates with some of the faultless house frites The bistrot claims to lay on 30 desserts daily which sounds like an idle boast until you see them set out beautifully: an astonishing array of tarts You wander up and help yourself to whichever dish or dishes take your fancy the terrace at La Maison du Bassin is one of the nicest places you could hope to eat - in France Sailing in the Bassin d'ArcachonHelen CathcartIt is only a few steps to the bassin itself The lagoon is sailable when the tide is in the boats languish on their sides like fallen goldfish on a sitting-room carpet The tide is transformational; it turns the Bassin d'Arcachon from a damp desert into a big boating lake and back again The effect is like watching someone you love trying on a range of outfits for some special occasion: every time you look Across the lagoon from Cap Ferret town is the Dune du Pilat you can see that it is sometimes teeming with people climbing or descending its soft seaward face like purposeless termites on a giant mound is dominated by the tall staves in the water that mark out the oyster-beds rectangular forms looking like well-tended Oysters are revered here; they are not so much a local delicacy as a kind of tribal religion I popped into a bar in Cap Ferret town for a glass of wine and asked to see the menu monsieur,' said the waitress with a shrug and a smile But if you like I can open some oysters for you.' Oyster-farming on the cape is nearly always a family business because the beds are passed down from one generation to the next you are likely to be waited on by the wife or the daughter of the oyster-farmer who brought your meal ashore There are waterside restaurants that serve almost nothing but oysters and are located no more than a dozen strong strokes of the oar from the beds One such institution is the very charming Chez Boulan in the fishermen's village and it's as busy as a bucket of crabs every lunchtime A lighthouse sits at the hub of Cap Ferret town and be rewarded with a great view of the peninsula This is where to get an idea of the strange topography of the place Look east and there is the town of Arcachon beyond the drained sink of the bassin; look west and you have the turbulent Atlantic its white-headed waves launching their twice-daily assault on the remains of a crumbling German gun emplacement part of the same sea - but only in the sense that Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde are the same person: le bassin and la mer are temperamental opposites: one placid and calm Surfers at Atlantic BeachHelen CathcartThe ferry for Arcachon leaves from a long jetty at the northern end of town I caught the first crossing of the day; the tide was out and in the sand below the pier there was a single set of Man Friday tracks I clambered aboard the little boat with the keen birdwatchers the Lycra-clad cyclists and the taciturn anglers We all squeezed onto the two rows of benches like day-trippers on a floating charabanc (which is more or less what we were) which has more of a seaside feel than Cap Ferret It was developed as a resort in the 19th century and the promenade is populated with large hotels On the lagoon in Cap FerretHelen CathcartThe big hotels the shopping streets behind them and the wide sandy beaches in front are all part of the ville d'été (summer town) the district of Arcachon designed to accommodate and amuse Victorian holidaymakers arriving on the train from Bordeaux towards the great sandy massif of the Dune du Pilat and you find yourself in the ville d'hiver (winter town) It consists mostly of large villas built for rich French consumptives Many of the houses are splendid neo-Gothic edifices all turrets and steep roof lines; some of the later ones feature Art Nouveau half-moon windows The shady streets of the winter town are a good place for a quiet stroll This little arboretum on a hill once accommodated a large casino built to resemble the Alhambra and is reached by a lift and the next morning hired a bike to explore the places I'd seen from atop the lighthouse - the nearby villages of L'Herbe and Le Canon L'Herbe consists of a stretch of promenade at the end of which is the small L'Hôtel de la Plage where you can stop for a reviving glass of something The hotel marks the start of L'Herbe's main street - if you could call it a street at all It is a row of traditional houses that are part-bungalow They are all painted bright colours; some are half-timbered like a misconstrued Gallic take on the British mock-Tudor semi others feature decorative gables carved in wood that make them look like dinky Russian dachas Duck down the alleyways between the houses to sample oysters in a less formal setting than at the brasseries in Cap Ferret town Take a seat and watch while the sea-farmer affects a few sharp twists of a knife squeezes half a lemon over the opened shells and places before you the archetypal Cap Ferret lunch The village of L'HerbeHelen CathcartFrom Le Canon (the next village up) you can catch a boat to Ile aux Oiseaux (Bird Island) This is where you will find the so-called cabanes tchanquées two picturesque little houses standing on stilts to raise them above the oscillating tide The cabanes are enchanting in a bizarre kind of way and they are the very symbol of Cap Ferret They were built on this shallow spot as a base from which the oyster-men could keep an eye on their watery domain constructed to ensure that no conchological scrumper could make off with the lucrative crop The cycle paths on the cape pass through dense pine forest under the action of the powerful west wind like neat italic handwriting inscribed on the powder-blue notepaper of the sky I pedalled off in search of a coastal spot called Le Truc Vert just because the name intrigued me: 'the green thing' I abandoned my bike when the pathway got too soft and sandy and walked the last quarter of a mile to the ocean which had been as hot and yielding as fresh-baked bread at the landward side grew firmer and colder as I approached the water the sun was reflected in the saturated sand like a carelessly dropped doubloon The roar of the waves was unceasing; they were rolling in as if from an industrial production line The noise had a strange isolating effect: although I could see other people on the vast expanse of sound Stranger still was the fact that the wind and the waves had somehow conspired to create a chilly the sea mist cloaked the beach in blurry darkness It was as if a cold night were loitering with intent to mug the bright It seemed to me that only I could see this strange phenomenon It added up to the oddest and most memorable quarter of an hour I have ever spent beside the sea Terrace at La Maison du BassinHelen CathcartBest Cap Ferret hotelsLa Maison du Bassin (00 335 56 60 60 63) is a tiny hotel with immense panache in Cap Ferret Côté Sable (00 33 5 57 17 07 27) is a stylish modern hotel and spa with views of the bay Oysters at Chez BoulanHelen CathcartRestaurants and barsLe Bistrot du Bassin (00 335 56 03 72 46) offers indoor and outdoor dining at La Maison du Bassin Reservations are also necessary at Chez Hortense (00 33 5 56 60 62 56); ask for a table with a view across the bay to the Dune du Pilat Chez Boulan (00 33 5 56 60 77 32) is an authentic oyster restaurant on the southern side of town Au Bureau (00 33 5 56 8322 21) is a pleasant café-bar in Arcachon's ville d'été The bar at L'Hôtel de la Plage (00 33 5 56 60 50 15) in L'Herbe is a locals' haunt in one of the cape's prettiest villages Le Mirador (00 33 5 56 60 64 19) is a decent café-restaurant at the end of the cape From May to July when the average daytime temperature is 23°C a network of 15,000 concrete bunkers that stretched from France to Denmark The building was responsible for protecting the Arcachon Basin those who lived through the war were familiar with the location of the underground bunker it was buried to protect from the bombardement and direct fire “It was probably a HQ bunker and central to the defense of the Arcachon basin,” said Marc Mentel indicates you that if you damage equipment or if you bring down the important telephone system … It would be really a bunker designed originally for the cantonment about 20 soldiers or two battle groups Its walls and ceiling are not more than 2 meters thickness just to resist the bombings and maintaining communication between the different positions of the Arcachon Basin The municipality is clarifying its intentions and is talking about restore it to their former glory in the duty of remembrance for tourism use and for educational purposes Huge fan of war history and rural history and a motorbike rider facebook.com/jack.beckett.73 instagram.com/history_bloke_on_a_bike/ linkedin.com/in/jack-beckett-56a76520/ The Cruising Association says the welcome changes "will make cruising to and from France this summer much easier and more attractive for all." Arcachon is among the locations that can handle boats arriving from or departing to outside of the EU/Schengen area French officials have announced a new ‘protocol’ for small boats to enter France from outside of the European Union (EU) Normally boats would have to arrive at and depart from a Port of Entry (PPF) although last year there were a few ports with a special derogation which allowed entry for a limited period The new ‘protocol’, which came into force on 1 June, grants some 53 marinas (which are not PPFs) the rights to handle boats arriving from or departing to outside of the EU/Schengen area Below is the list of PPFs and other marinas or ports for Channel France Skippers of these boats will need to email a specific completed form to the relevant port in advance of arrival or departure These forms will then be processed by local officials, and the Cruising Association (CA) anticipate the stamped papers may be picked up on arrival or emailed in the case of departure (as last year for those few ports) “Further details for the Channel area but also applicable more widely, can be viewed by members on the France – Channel – Entry Procedures and Ports of Entry “This announcement will make cruising to and from France this summer much easier and more attractive for all The CA and cruising community is grateful to the French authorities as well as the ports and marina officials for their work to enable this outcome.” The Cruising Association shares its advice on what you need to know for a stress-free… What could go wrong while crossing the Channel Ken Endean considers possible difficulties Boat owners whose yachts are not registered in the European Union are able to stay in Greece for longer than… Chart showing the French Channel Ports of Entry (PPFs) This updated list details all the ports which are included in the new protocol (as at 2 July 2024) Look at the other options when making your plan Please upgrade your browser to improve your experience We're always trying to bring you more amazing hotels But not every hotel can immediately connect their reservation system with ours we provide real-time rates and availability via a partnership with Booking.com You'll still enjoy the full fabulous MICHELIN Guide experience when you book including our legendary service and delightful style Our 20-point scale is based on post-stay ratings from verified MICHELIN Guide guests and plays a role in helping us decide whether or not a hotel should remain in our selection This hotel offers rates & availability on request only Submit a request below and a travel specialist will assist We’re not currently taking reservations for this hotel Please explore other hotels in our selection Non-members can add the privileges at checkout through our 30 day free trial By continuing I accept the Terms & Condition and Privacy Policy. I would like to receive Newsletter from MICHELIN Guide Save lists of your favorite restaurants & hotels it’s time to think about getting out of the city for a little while and explore what the region has to offer The following locations are some of the best day trips to take from Bordeaux @czapp_arpad / Unsplash View Tours Bordeaux locals surely love a weekend gateway to the Arcachon Bay on the weekends and the area is one of the most popular spots among French celebrities in the summer (don’t be surprised to run into Academy Award winners like Marion Cotillard or Jean Dujardin) the Arcachon Bay is a peaceful heaven to visit all year around make sure to taste some to-die-for oysters and mussels @auroraborealisme/likes / Unsplash View Tours Saint-Émilion is definitely a must for wine lovers but this town located ocated at the crossroads of Bordeaux showcases the Bordeaux region is more than just the home of some of the best wines in the world makes fools of lords by turning loafs into logs This formidable city that remarkably preserved its medieval vestiges became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999 import PrebidBidService from "/v1/js/PrebidBidService.js"; import AmazonBidService from "/v1/js/AmazonBidService.js"; window.addEventListener('intersecting',async (e) => { const element = document.querySelector('[data-id="in_article_1"]'); const slot = element.getAttribute('id'); if(e.detail.slotName !== slot) { return; } let promises = []; if(window.canRunPrebid) { const prebidService = new PrebidBidService(); promises.push(prebidService.requestPrebidBids(null [slot])); } if(window.canRunAmazon) { const amazonService = new AmazonBidService(); promises.push(amazonService.fetchBids(null [slot])); } if(promises?.length) { await Promise.all(promises).then(() => { googletag.pubads().refresh([window.addSlot[slot]]); }); } else { googletag.pubads().refresh([window.addSlot[slot]]); } }); Périgord noir Historical Landmark The Périgord is laden with history, so don’t want to miss out on a fantastic day trip to this area very close to Bordeaux. Start with Lascaux and its famous caves that are considered the cradle of prehistoric art often cited in France’s most beautiful villages list Spend some time in Sarlat and wander around the small streets and the Renaissance District before trying some delicious food at Sarlat’s gastronomy market @stevenrsl / Unsplash View Tours Day trippers might want to stay for two days here in order to really appreciate the incredible scenery of l’Île de Ré and La Rochelle. Start off at l’Île de Ré and check out its breathtaking landscape One smart way to see a lot in a shorter time is to rent bikes and ride through the cute streets and charming little squares Sign up to our newsletter to save up to $800 on our unique trips See privacy policy After days of walking around and experiencing the tourist attractions in Bordeaux Jump on one of the frequent trains to Dax and spend a day in one of France’s top thermal destinations very well-known for their healing properties Lacanau is a perfect place for anyone who loves outdoor activities Lacanau is a great alternative for surfers who might not have the time to go all the way to Biarritz but still want to ride the ocean while in Bordeaux Those who’d rather stay on land should plan an excursion to visit the chateaus of some of the most emblematic Bordeaux wines such as Château Margaux Go back to the beach and watch an incredible sunset before hitting the road back to Bordeaux import PrebidBidService from "/v1/js/PrebidBidService.js"; import AmazonBidService from "/v1/js/AmazonBidService.js"; window.addEventListener('intersecting',async (e) => { const element = document.querySelector('[data-id="in_article_4"]'); const slot = element.getAttribute('id'); if(e.detail.slotName !== slot) { return; } let promises = []; if(window.canRunPrebid) { const prebidService = new PrebidBidService(); promises.push(prebidService.requestPrebidBids(null [slot])); } if(promises?.length) { await Promise.all(promises).then(() => { googletag.pubads().refresh([window.addSlot[slot]]); }); } else { googletag.pubads().refresh([window.addSlot[slot]]); } }); Cognac She is also a former professional tennis player She is the founder of The Speech House which helps people (in English and French) to overcome their fear of public speaking and become better communicators You can follow her on Instagram @jennifer_migan and on her storytelling platform Unique Stories @uniquestories.co Guides & Tips Scenic Road Trips to Take From Biarritz See & Do The Best European Cities to Visit in Autumn Guides & Tips This Is Europe's Ultimate Road Trip Guides & Tips The Best European Cities to Visit in December Guides & Tips The Best European Cities to Visit in November See & Do 10 French Theme Parks You Should Be Visiting Instead of Disney Guides & Tips Beat the Crowds with these Alternative Summer Destinations See & Do The Best European Cities to Visit in September See & Do The Best European Cities to Visit in July See & Do The Best European Cities to Visit in Summer See & Do The Best European Cities to Visit in October Architecture A Brutalist Architecture Tour of Marseille US: +1 (678) 967 4965 | UK: +44 (0)1630 35000 tripssupport@theculturetrip.com © Copyright 2025 The Culture Trip Ltd Renting a waterside cabin and an open sportsboat is a great way to explore the sunlit beaches of the sheltered natural basin of Arcachon Arcachon is an extraordinary inland sea on the French Biscay coast 70 miles south of Royan and the mouth of the Gironde The dead straight shore between Royan and Arcachon is one continuous golden beach backed by dunes and vast pine forests The final approaches to Arcachon are fantastic – a complex delta of shallow channels and shifting banks spread out below the famous Dune du Pilat a mountain of white sand looming 360ft above sea level window._taboolaSlots=window._taboolaSlots||[];window._taboolaSlots.push({"mode":"thumbnails-a-mid","container":"taboola-mid-article","placement":"Mid Article","target_type":"mix"}); but only on glassy days after studying weather and swell forecasts 60-square miles of fascinating tidal water cry out for exploration On our previous visits we’d determined to come back by car charter a boat and winkle out the nooks and crannies of this unique area Arcachon itself has a sheltered 2,600-berth marina with first-class facilities diminutive rustic harbours serve as picturesque bases for the flat-bottomed barges you see working the oyster beds that give Arcachon its tangy estuary atmosphere Enjoying a cool glass of rosé in the cockpit of the Four Winns HD 240 You can charter a range of boats here, from whizz-about RIBs to sizeable cruising yachts. We looked at a Fountaine Pajot Highland 35, with conveniently light draught and two 110hp Volvo diesels; a sleek Beneteau GT40 was another option A key decision factor was that Jane had broken her right leg last Christmas and She fancied a fast sportsboat for exhilarating day trips and lounging off beaches but preferred to come ashore each evening to a comfortable gîte a proper bed and handy restaurants where we could tuck into Arcachon oysters and other local delicacies A French friend had waxed lyrical about Port de Larros one of the colourful oyster ports a short drive east of Arcachon town we could rent a traditional timber cabane right on the waterfront of this delightful harbour attractively secluded but with a mouth-watering choice of seafood bistros This turned out to be a perfect solution and one of the best house rentals we’ve ever experienced For our boat we went to L’Agence Nautique, run with great charm and efficiency by Michel Vanhove and his daughter Charlotte. We chose a Four Winns HD 240, a stylish American-built sportsboat, even though the brand is now owned by the Beneteau Group Her 225hp Yamaha outboard easily reached the 20-knot Arcachon speed limit and out at the entrance we sneaked up to 35 knots for a quick burst in the dramatic setting The roomy bowrider area was a stunning vantage point underway and gloriously decadent at anchor for drinks and lunches This very likeable boat proved ideal for our forays in the basin and was shallow enough to reach a snug pontoon in Port de Larros Approaching the anchorage below Dune du Pilat in our chartered Four Winns 240 On our first morning we drove the few miles into Arcachon to pick up the boat L’Agence Nautique operate from a commercial pontoon just east of the marina and we parked on Quai Goslar Michel and Charlotte gave a detailed briefing over excellent coffee including a run-down of the main channels through the banks The basin can be a little tricky to navigate and you must keep track of the tides through the day At low water some of the banks dry to enticing sandy islets, where in quiet conditions you can land for a Robinson Crusoe picnic. The boat has a GPS plotter and you can also download an Arcachon navigation app onto smartphones or tablets where the cartography is regularly updated but Michel emphasised the tilt switch for when we were creeping through shallows Charlotte took the helm for a familiarisation trip during which Michel pointed out crucial beacons dangerous oyster beds and several anchorages we could sample during the week Off the marina entrance we struck north through quite a wide marked fairway before turning west around a low expanse of wetland called Île aux Oiseaux Perched high on stilts here are two distinctive timber cabins once used by shellfish workers but now a cherished part of Arcachon’s heritage The history of oyster growing in the basin is vividly presented at La Maison de l’Huître in Port de Larros Shellfish workers tending succulent Arcachon oysters Bassin d’Arcachon is enclosed on its seaward side by the long peninsula of Cap Ferret whose inner shore has a string of picture postcard villages backed by pine woods Charlotte edged well in and then headed south past two miles of enviable villas and converted oyster shacks towards the pretty village of Le Canon Even the simplest ‘fishermen’s huts’ here are now very chic and Michel told us that one of the smallest had changed hands for over a million euros We moored at a pontoon and Jane and I wandered ashore down a dusty lane between motley timber houses Narrow alleys gave glimpses of the basin and the air was fragrant with jasmine and oleander At a bar we polished off two cold beers before taking the next pair more slowly The warm sunshine was a treat after England’s gloomy winter and spring Coming well south had been a grand idea and the forecast looked promising for the week A traditional fishing village on Cap Ferret Jane took the helm and Charlotte gave her one-to-one pilotage tuition inside some lurking banks almost awash to starboard Then we sped back to L’Agence Nautique’s base for a lunch of moules-frites and cold rosé wine at the Bistrot du Port Later we lazed on our bowrider cushions before pottering out on our own for an hour to get the feel of the boat We nosed into the marina for auld lang syne Last time we were here was on a cruise down to the Basque coast of Spain a halcyon summer when we’d set aside six weeks for getting to San Sebastián and back Then we kept inshore off Arcachon town for a while before returning to the hire base and driving back to Larros Tomorrow the weather looked good for a passage to the fabulous beaches and strangely cocooned anchorage opposite Dune du Pilat The tricky shifting sand banks in the Arcachon approaches As we cut a swathe past Arcachon next morning the sun lit up the beaches and villas on Cap Ferret and when I swung south the open sea glittered beyond the sandbanks that make this entrance so fickle with only an occasional flicker of white over the outer shoals I followed the plotter religiously because Michel had said we could cut through the banks west of Arcachon so long as we used the safe gap he’d marked with a waypoint Now I headed for a tongue of deeper water on the east side of the entrance reaching the peak of Le Pilat opposite a flat crescent islet that protected the beach from swell and provided an idyllic anchorage in theatrical surroundings The Dune had few tourists and the hang glider thermals hadn’t got going yet Later these steep shimmering sands would look like a desert mirage and a caravan of camels might easily appear the ocean was calm though we still had to find a fairway buoy before closing with the coast I imagined I saw eagles circling the dunes but through the glasses Jane realised they were hang-gliders hovering over the hot sand she suddenly squeaked: ‘They’re nudist gliders!’ The pilots were indeed wearing helmets and safety straps but little else This time we anchored right under the dune in a more relaxed mood and swam in limpid water sipping cold drinks from the fridge box between dips modified bit-by-bit by the wind and weather I skirted outside the banks for a panorama of this amazing resort invented from scratch in the 19th century by a consortium of bankers The arrival of the railway secured Arcachon’s future and popularity first with the haute bourgeoisie of Bordeaux and later with wealthy Parisians A seaside ‘summer town’ grew around the low coastal strip and the more aristocratic Ville d’Hiver developed on the hill behind a soothing area of grandiose villas and parks We could see these opulent residences through the binoculars so beyond the marina we picked up the skimpy Chenal de Gujan marked here and there with red or green poles so ahead and to port lay apparently open water with an occasional church spire on the invisible horizon To starboard we could see the red roofs of several oyster ports and The navigation app kept us on track and we throttled back to an idle Larros has an ornate crucifix on its west jetty useful because these harbour approaches all look similar On the east side was a row of timber huts and ahead we could see our own homely cabane The vibes of this working port were charming and the zest of shellfish wafted on the breeze but the tide was still rising and we easily reached our slightly rickety pontoon belonging to an oyster restaurant called La Baraque à Huîtres We’d eaten well there on our first night and the genial Patronne had kindly allowed us to use her berth during our stay Our boat looked content at her new base and would sit there comfortably over low water We wandered ashore for a shower and drinks on our balcony Next morning we visited the iconic cabanes tchanquées on Île aux Oiseaux (tchanquée is an old Gascony word meaning ‘built on poles’) The air was absolutely still and mist hung over the basin oyster withies and no obvious line between water and sky Edging towards the cabane tchanquée on Île aux Oiseaux but even they were quiet on this ethereal morning The cabanes only took shape when we were quite close and I was reminded of shacks on stilts we’d seen on the Maine coast when fog was drifting about The first on Île aux Oiseaux was erected in 1883 by an oyster farmer and the pair we were now gazing at ahead are protected by conservation orders We almost reached the steps of the red-shuttered cabin but fell back a little to anchor in this wonderful spot The silence was profound with the engine off but we soon heard the strange croaking of egrets and the trill of a curlew We lingered in this magical place until the ebb chased us into deeper water A mouth-watering picnic aboard a Pinasse d’Arcachon elegant motor boats particular to Arcachon Originally they were open cutters with large square mainsails used for line fishing and tending oyster beds The modern motor versions are still built of wood in the traditional way and look beautiful with their shiny paint and gleaming varnish Les Pinasses du Bassin run skippered day trips to some of the remotest corners of the basin and we couldn’t resist joining a party to learn more about Arcachon pilotage Principal Stéphane Lalande showed us how to dodge round oyster beds in practically no water Stéphane and three of his skippers speak English Contact: Stéphane Lalande, Les Pinasses du Bassin, Pontoon 14, Arcachon Marina, +33 (0)6. 88.08.32.94, contact@pinasse-bassin-arcachon.com Five minutes stroll from our cabane in Port de Larros is the well-known Dubourdieu yard It was founded in 1800 by a young Arcachon carpenter who built rowing boats for local fishermen but after six generations of Dubourdieus at the helm Emmanuel and Béatrice Martin bought Dubourdieu in 2000 and started building bespoke timber motor yachts and picnic boats for discerning clients The semi-planing hulls have sophisticated profiles fashioned by skilled shipwrights We chatted with Emmanuel in his office and saw plans and photos of his current range from 33ft dayboats to 40ft passenger vedettes for trips Emmanuel hosts haute cuisine picnic cruises aboard his boat Contact: Chantier Naval Dubourdieu, Port de Larros, 33470, +33 (0)5.56.66.00.55, boat@dubourdieu.fr We hired our Four Winns from L’Agence Nautique and could have chosen their Beneteau GT40 We were looked after royally by Michel and Charlotte who were excellent company and very helpful The Four Winns special MBY price for five continuous bareboat days is €2,250 The MBY daily rate is €450 (either present a copy of the magazine or mention my name) Contact: Michel Vanhove, L’Agence Nautique, +33 (0)6 08.01.75.83; agence-nautique@orange.fr our cabane sleeps six people but was just right for two of us The balcony looks across a branch of the harbour where the water is retained by a lock gate The view was totally restful and the lake is a haven for all kinds of birds Out of the front door we were right on the harbour with menus galore to choose from Contact: Monsieur Nicolas Schirr-Bonnans, 12 Boulevard Pierre Dignac, Port de Larros, 33470; julie.schirr-bonnans@orange.fr Arcachon is awash with eateries, but try these five first: A visit to Arcachon wouldn’t be complete without sampling the local huitres You don't have permission to access the page you requested. 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October 2003Save this storySaveSave this storySaveThe name “Cap Ferret” had already been knocking around the outer rings of my brain for a little while when suddenly it showed up on my Instagram feed An old acquaintance now living an enviable expat life in Paris had posted a photo of a red picnic table laden with platters of glistening oysters on the half-shell it remains a quiet little village whose biggest claims to fame are its booming oyster farming industry and its magnificent view across the Arcachon Bay to the towering Dune du Pilat Oysters and sand: not a bad synopsis of the Cap Ferret experience as I learned when I showed up for a weekend getaway with my fiancé ahead of a week biking around Bordeaux If Cap Ferret has anything in common with Long Island it would be better compared to the low-key North Fork than the party-hardy South Fork it feels something like the scene-repellant understated beach towns of Massachusetts or Maine Photo: Courtesy of Julia FelsenthalMany of the houses are not gigantic made of weathered-looking wood and tucked behind thatch hedges that line winding roads strewn with pine needles On the eastern side of the peninsula is the bay bobbing with fishing boats and pleasure craft and bordered by bathing beaches and oyster shacks that face onto the famous looming its gusty swells catnip for surfers and kite surfers sloping beaches protected from development and traced inland by a meandering nature path When we fought the wind to walk a couple kilometers along the shore there were stretches where the only sign of civilization were crumbling old World War II bunkers psychedelically graffitied and perched on sandy bluffs high above the water Things in Cap Ferret are almost comically picturesque we watched a fisherman delight a throng of children by attaching a fish head to the end of his line and using it to lure crabs Nearby a very large French gentleman cooed at his very small French dog a rough-haired dachshund with the same long tapered snout and low-hanging belly as his owner women in breezy dresses pedaled bikes through town At one of the shacks lining the Quartier Ostréicole—where you slurp equal quantities of rosé and alarmingly plump raw oysters plucked fresh from the sea—even a gaggle of French girls in matching shirts assembled for a bachelorette party seemed uncommonly charming but you certainly don’t need to: Everything is within walking distance and the streets are such a tangle that you’re unlikely to wander down the same route twice One night we booked dinner at the opposite end of town and made our way there down a series of back roads so we lumbered over the dunes at dusk—which falls past 10 pm near the solstice—June bugs dive-bombing our heads and watched a full moon rise in the periwinkle sky There are actual things to do in Cap Ferret: the aforementioned surfing and kite surfing; bike rides to the neighboring village of L’Herbe by all accounts very quaint; boat rides across the bay to see the Victorian resort town of Arcachon and to scramble up the massive Dune du Pilat But I couldn’t figure out why anyone would want to do anything but eat seafood my best recommendations for how to accomplish just that: La Maison Du Bassin: Suppose your grandfather was an old French sea captain with unusually beautiful taste: this might have been his house surrounded by tropical ferns; dinner in the nautically appointed dining room; drinks in an open-air bar under a canopy of sails and glass doors that opened onto a balcony Walk: For the best view of the Dune du Pilat head to La Pointe du Cap Ferret on the Southwestern tip of the peninsula Walk back along the nature trail that runs about 4 kilometers parallel to the ocean At low tide wander out onto the sandy flats of the bay around the boats that end up beached as the water recedes the pier where the ferry to Arcachon docks Swim: Stick to the bay side; the Atlantic currents seemed fierce where French families splashed around in the shallows Chez Hortense: This is Cap Ferret destination dining an upscale seafood eatery near La Pointe du Cap Ferret with spectacular views and a menu of decadent comfort food served in portions so generous you might forget you’re in France Oysters topped with slivers of foie gras felt like overkill but our heaping bowl of mussels was deliciously garlicky and the grilled lobster was simple and sweet.Avenue du Sémaphore Chai Bertrand: This plein air oyster shack is as rustic as rustic gets pointing toward the water just off the restaurant’s front railing World Subscribers only 'A Pope in the tradition of Francis': From New York to Ghana Catholics hope for continuity at the Vatican World Subscribers only Chancellor Merz's diplomatic first week 2025."> World Trump's proposal to reopen Alcatraz deemed 'absurd' in San Francisco World Subscribers only Founder of Sant'Egidio community fears next pope could undo Francis's legacy Opinion Subscribers only 'Russian gas and Europe is an old story that ended badly Economy Subscribers only Europe's steel industry flattened by crisis World Subscribers only How European countries plan to fund defense efforts France Subscribers only Macron announces citizens' convention on school schedules France Subscribers only 21 charged over French prison attacks as investigation narrows in on drug traffickers France Subscribers only French mosque stabber was driven by 'morbid fascination,' prosecutor says France Subscribers only At the trial of Kim Kardashian's robbers Videos World expos: From Paris 1855 to Osaka 2025 Videos How the Trump administration is attacking scientific research in the US Videos Tesla cars set on fire in Las Vegas as calls to boycott Musk's company grow worldwide Videos Can France's nuclear deterrent protect Europe Opinion Subscribers only 'It is pointless to imagine a significant wave of American academics leaving' Opinion Subscribers only 'The American dream is dying' Opinion Subscribers only 'The trade war creates new opportunities for Europeans and France' Magazine Subscribers only Tracking down the pianos taken from French Jews during the Nazi Occupation Magazine Subscribers only Eve Rodsky the American helping couples balance the mental load Magazine Subscribers only Desecration or more glory Joan Didion's private diaries are revealed Magazine Subscribers only For Jewish cartoonist Joann Sfar 2025."> Pixels Subscribers only Golden Owl solution is revealed but leaves players of 31-year hunt disappointed Pixels Subscribers only Secrets of decades-long Golden Owl treasure hunt to be revealed Lifestyle Inside Chanel's French leather workshops Culture Subscribers only The marvelous bronzes of Angkor on display at the Musée Guimet in Paris Lire en français GalleryThe two fires in La Teste-de-Buch and Landiras have ravaged nearly 21,000 hectares in the last few days The images below were taken on July 17 and July 21 Satellite view of the Arcachon basin and the two forests of La Teste-de-Buch (left) and Landiras (right) with a smoke cloud of which 13,800 hectares have already gone up in smoke Close-up view of the La Teste-de-Buch forest Satellite image of the La Teste-de-Buch forest and the Arcachon basin Wider satellite view of the Gironde estuary Translation of an original article published in French on lemonde.fr; the publisher may only be liable for the French version Lecture du Monde en cours sur un autre appareil Vous pouvez lire Le Monde sur un seul appareil à la fois Ce message s’affichera sur l’autre appareil Parce qu’une autre personne (ou vous) est en train de lire Le Monde avec ce compte sur un autre appareil Vous ne pouvez lire Le Monde que sur un seul appareil à la fois (ordinateur En cliquant sur « Continuer à lire ici » et en vous assurant que vous êtes la seule personne à consulter Le Monde avec ce compte Que se passera-t-il si vous continuez à lire ici Ce dernier restera connecté avec ce compte Vous pouvez vous connecter avec votre compte sur autant d’appareils que vous le souhaitez mais en les utilisant à des moments différents Nous vous conseillons de modifier votre mot de passe Votre abonnement n’autorise pas la lecture de cet article merci de contacter notre service commercial The 5-year old Westfalian licensed stallion Arcachon has moved from Johann Hinnemann's stable to Dorothee Schneider's yard for further training Arcachon is a 2015 born and Dutch bred stallion by Apache x Hotline x Sunny Boy The bay became the reserve champion of the 2017 Westfalian Stallion Licensing and moved into training with Stefanie Wolf at Johann Hinnemann's Krusterhof in Voerde the stallion won bronze at the 2019 Bundeschampionate in Warendorf The Heicke family recently decided to move their stallion from Hinnemann so that Dorothee Schneider can continue his development The Heicke family are long-time collaborators with Schneider who also rides their Grand Prix horse Fohlenhof Rock 'n Rose The ride on the stallion is now allocated to Dorothee's assistant Hannah Milena Rother who presented him at the 2020 Stallion Sport Test in Verden last weekend Arcachon scored 7,82 points (7.5 for wwalk and 7.7 for rideability and general impression) "This beautiful son by Apache is not yet long in our stalion so the happier I am with Hannah and this talented bay," Dorothee took to Instagram "Of course I drove to Verden to support them and am now looking forward to the further development of this heart breaker." Photo © Equitaris Related LinksFashion in Black Named Champion of the 2017 Westfalian Stallion LicensingEscorial Q, Damaschino, Saniola, Destello are the Riding Horse Champions of the 2019 Bundeschampionate Stalls for Rent at Durondeau Dressage in Peer, Belgium Exceptionally Well Located Equestrian Facility in Wellington, Florida Well-built Equestrian Estate With Multiple Business Opportunities in Sweden Stable Units for Rent at Lotje Schoots' Equestrian Center in Houten (NED) For Rent: Several Apartments and Stable Wing at High-End Equestrian Facility Stable Wing Available at Reiterhof Wensing on Dutch/German border Real Estate: Well-Appointed Country House with Extensive Equestrian Facility in the U.K. Rémi Blot rich wildlife and splendid panoramic views (Matt Munro)The largest bay in southwest France is not only the capital of French oysters but also has a laid-back coastal lifestyle the Dune du Pilat is the largest sand dune in Europe This majestic wall of sand is as steep as an Olympic ski jump providing the perfect launch pad for local paragliders The Dune du Pilat is one of many stretches of sand around the Bassin d'Arcachon Sprawling for 1,000 hectares between Arcachon and the headland of Cap Ferret this is the largest bay in southwest France closer to a tropical lagoon than an open sea Celebrated for its laid-back coastal lifestyle Thierry Beaugendre is one of around 300 ostréiculteurs (oyster farmers) working from rickety wooden shacks scattered round the bay his skin burnished leather-brown by the sun he comes from a long line of Arcachon fishermen "I never considered any other job," he explains "I've been working the oyster beds since I was a boy I didn't really like the taste to begin with," he winks "I had to grow up before I could appreciate that." Oyster farming has been a feature of life in Arcachon for more than 150 years Napoléon III licensed the first man-made beds in 1857 simultaneously establishing Arcachon as a fashionable seaside resort for thalassothérapie (salt-water bathing) Although much of modern Arcachon's architecture is more Costa Brava than Belle Époque there are still many lavish 19th-century villas dotted round town built as sumptuous seaside retreats for wealthy Bordelais The town even has its own cast-iron hilltop observatory built in 1863 by the engineer Paul Régnauld which locals cheekily like to claim inspired the Eiffel Tower Spiral steps climb up to the 25-metre-high viewing platform which provides a bird's-eye view across the town's ochre rooftops and the cobalt blue waters of the bay beyond "Life in Arcachon still revolves around the tides," explains Thierry I couldn't imagine living far from the sea." Cruising to the Cap Ferret lighthouse in the early morning sunlight Once a water-treatment plant, the Hôtel Ville d'Hiver is now Arcachon's most fashionable place to stay Built in 1884 in the crimson-and-cream stone characteristic of Arcachon's stately villas the hotel sits in the heart of the respected neighbourhood of Winter Town Rooms combine the building's heritage architecture (A-frame beams king-size beds and pretty balconies (from £104) Cafés and bistros line the coastal strip in Arcachon, but the standout choice is Café de la Plage Cappuccinos and light lunches are served in the café while the next-door restaurant serves the best seafood in town: blackboards crammed with the best of the day's catch and seafood platters arranged on beds of crushed ice (mains from £15; 1 bld Veyrier Montagnères) Further information: www.arcachon.com Rome's most stunning optical illusions revealedFrom the Malta Knights keyhole to a set of vanishing columns, discover the Eternal City's visual secrets. 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Nouvelle-Aquitaine) are now back on sale (and can be fished again) after a ban had stopped all oyster fishing and sales in the region due to water pollution farmers in the Arcachon basin have once again been allowed to sell their oysters the Gironde prefecture said following analysis from the department’s health committee Oysters from this area typically make up 10% of those sold nationwide each year The basins of Calvados (Normandy) and Landes (Nouvelle-Aquitaine) have also seen their temporary ban lifted after several cases of gastroenteritis were reported over Christmas The problem was linked to water pollution and the presence of norovirus in the water as a result of drainage issues after unusually heavy rainfall rather than bad practice among the producers themselves Read more: Wastewater in sea blamed for oyster ban in France An inquiry into the issue was opened in Bordeaux after an environmental association lodged a complaint about water “pollution and poisoning" that were "endangering others" had "known this was [making the] oysters unfit for consumption" as early as November Morbihan and Landes were also suspended from sale president of the Comité régional de la conchyliculture Arcachon-Aquitaine said that the re-authorisation was “excellent news” “28 days of closure is a very long time in the life of a business,” he said in an interview with FranceInfo “We [now] have the guarantee that our products conform [to regulations] and the wave has passed My colleagues were waiting to go back to work; this is what we wanted.” He also said that the producers were “victims more than anything else” because “this wasn’t linked to bad practice from farmers it’s part and parcel of the risks of the job.” Mr Laban also said there was “no certainty” that the problem would not arise again as it was due to water network issues brought on by heavy rainfall But he added that “we will be stepping up the controls” and said that while local authorities need to work to stop the same problem happening again oyster producers also need to “make progress with researchers to develop more efficient purification processes to get through this type of episode” He estimated that around 1,300 tonnes of oysters had not been sold during the ban the equivalent of a turnover of €7 million for producers “That’s what the oyster farmers have lost,” he said At the time of the ban, the president of the industry’s regional committee, Thierry Hélie, said that the norovirus contamination was not due to producer failings, and that farmers in Normandy last year had in fact obtained the IGP label as a sign of good practice. “We will not foot the bill for wastewater treatment plants,” he said, adding that it is up to the government to “face up to its responsibilities” to prevent the problem from happening again. Recent power cut in Spain and Portugal is warning to holidaymakers to ensure they are prepared for worst-case scenario The resort is set to remain open to the public and not only to professionals Japanese pastry chef Mori Yoshida creates refined cakes and desserts, some in the classic French style, others with a unique flourish or twist there has been newfound interest in the wine capital But travelers would be doing themselves a disservice by not carving out a day in their itineraries to visit the seaside town of Arcachon Known for its oyster harvest and golden beaches it’s been an escape for the Bordelais since the early 19th century One of the most well-known and family-friendly attractions is the Dune of Pilat Hike to its peak and take in exceptional views of the Arcachon Bay and even the Pyrenees in the distance on a clear day It's just a 40-minute train ride (or one hour and a half drive) away and you can rent bikes from the town of Arcachon and ride along the ocean-facing trail to reach the dune run by Bocuse d’Or-winning chef Thibaut Ruggeri followed by a meal at one of the site’s four restaurants including Louison by Gerard Passedat (of the three Michelin-star restaurant Le Petit Nice in Marseille) or Francis Mallmann’s namesake restaurant redesigned by Swiss firm Herzog & de Meuron (which worked on the Tate Modern in London) An extension has been created just over the Sinn Canal to include works by Picasso and others in an above-ground gallery space that evokes the original building’s 13th-century architecture the preferred country residence of French monarchs spanning eight centuries picnic after a hike through the Forest of Fontainebleau or spend the day bouldering among an international pool of rock climbers who flock to the forest throughout the year The Chateau is located a short walk away from the Fontainebleau Avon train station and trains depart from Paris’s Gare de Lyon every hour home to the second-largest collection of Impressionist works after the Musee d’Orsay; and the city’s suspended gardens set on the site of an old fortress take the hour-long drive to Pointe du Raz and the Cap Sizun cliffs This region’s wild beauty inspired works by Victor Hugo and Gustave Flaubert Opt for a guided hike or cycle tour to reach the point and take in the moody scene of crashing waves against the soaring cliffs and look out for the Île de Sein and its famed Ar Men lighthouse a historic monument that took over thirty years to build up-to-the-minute voice in all things travel Condé Nast Traveler is the global citizen’s bible and muse We understand that time is the greatest luxury which is why Condé Nast Traveler mines its network of experts and influencers so that you never waste a meal or a hotel stay wherever you are in the world Only the 110m high Dune du Pilat, Europe’s tallest sand dune, star of guidebooks, posters and postcards, stands in our way. With its silky texture and deep honey tones, it looks as though it has been By 2021-04-30T13:00:00+01:00 FRANCE: Taking advantage of the forthcoming liberalisation of domestic passenger services open access operator Le Train has applied to transport regulation authority ART for powers to run regional high speed services in the southwest Envisaged as the first private high speed operator in France Le Train was established in February 2020 by Charente industrialist Tony Bonifaci who heads up Société Nouvelle de Travaux Publics et de Génie Civil Its Managing Director Alain Getraud is a former Director of Major Projects for SNCF Réseau in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region Getraud told local media that Le Train was looking to operate over the LGV Sud-Europe Atlantique from the timetable change on December 11 2022 although he accepted that this would depend on ‘the evolution of the health situation’ He confirmed that the company intends to procure a fleet of ‘about 10’ high speed trains with 350 seats comparable to SNCF’s original single-deck trainsets which he described as ‘fairly standard’ he did not explain how Le Train intended to source its rolling stock According to a notification published on the ART website on April 28 Le Train envisages operating a ‘main axis’ linking Arcachon – Bordeaux – Angoulême – Poitiers – La Rochelle with some weekend services extended to Nantes and Rennes LGV SEA was built by the Lisea consortium under a PPP concession and the concessionaires have previously expressed interest in attracting additional business to the line including a putative London – Bordeaux service Other operators that have registered their interest in entering the French high speed market include Trenitalia on the Paris – Lyon – Milano corridor and RENFE on the Paris – Barcelona and Lyon – Marseille routes Trenitalia-backed Spanish operator ILSA is also bidding to run a Madrid – Montpellier service FRANCE: Aspiring open access operator Le Train has raised a further €8m to support its plans to launch passenger services from Bordeaux to Angoulême The funding was raised from Aquiti Gestion FRANCE: Le Train Managing Director Alain Gétraud tells Railway Gazette International about the open access start-up’s plans to acquire a fleet of 330 km/h Talgo Avril S106 high speed trains customised to its requirements FRANCE: Three factors have led Le Train to postpone the launch of its planned open access high speed services in southwest France from mid-2023 until early 2024 Site powered by Webvision Cloud Essential digital access to quality FT journalism on any device Complete digital access to quality FT journalism with expert analysis from industry leaders Complete digital access to quality analysis and expert insights complemented with our award-winning Weekend Print edition Terms & Conditions apply Discover all the plans currently available in your country Digital access for organisations. Includes exclusive features and content. See why over a million readers pay to read the Financial Times. Designed by naval architects Mer et Design 19.89- by 4.8-metre Askea will be operated as a shuttle ferry as well as a boat for private excursions off the coast Space is available for up to 98 passengers in addition to the crew of two "Askea is a variant of our hybrid passenger vessel design that boasts enhanced passenger comfort and reduced operational costs," ODC Marine told Baird Maritime "The vessel also benefits from new developments including a new generation of propulsion batteries for increased range and reduced charging time and modular deck arrangements with adjustable seats and tables to accommodate passengers with limited mobility." The vessel's operational area encompasses Arcachon Bay a famed tourist destination just off France's western coast president of local boat operators' organisation Union des Bateliers Arcachonnais (UBA) had wanted a vessel that combined passenger-carrying capability with reduced noise and vibrations to minimise environmental impact ODC Marine said the installation of the foldable bicycle loading platform was also deliberate as Mr Lambert wished to encourage more people to use bicycles as a means of getting around we realised the viability of the foldable aft platform It will thus become an optional feature on our future newbuilding projects." The only major issue encountered during the construction of the vessel lay in the financing aspect as ODC Marine said the Covid-19 pandemic forced banks to operate at reduced capacity making them hesitant to support newbuilding projects local bank Banque Populaire provided the necessary support Askea was designed to be capable of reaching a maximum speed of 20 knots and a cruising speed of 17 knots The hybrid propulsion includes an all-electric mode that will enable zero-emission sailings for more than two hours at six knots This navigation mode will be utilised when navigating in harbours and near protected areas The Bureau Veritas-compliant hybrid propulsion setup includes two Cummins QSL9 main diesel engines that each produce 335 kW at 2,100 rpm The engines drive a ZF arrangement that includes four-bladed S-class propellers connected to gearboxes The electric propulsion meanwhile consists of two 80kW brushless motors powered by 88kWh lithium-iron phosphate batteries "The batteries feature 60 per cent improved energy density and a charging time of only four hours," ODC Marine told Baird Maritime A 10kW bow thruster from Side Power provides added manoeuvrability for navigating in more restrictive waters such as those in harbours Steering is done with the aid of an electro-hydraulic system from Lecomble and Schmitt Askea's navigation electronics include a Simrad radar and an Airmar depth sensor Monitoring of these and all other systems including those related to propulsion is done from the helm station with the aid of a tailor-made system supplied by Marinelec Technologies The interior spaces meanwhile have Flexiteek synthetic teak decking including one designed for use by individuals with limited mobility Mäder water-borne low environmental impact paint was meanwhile used for the exteriors A Survitec liferaft is also available for when evacuation of the vessel becomes necessary Click here to read other news stories, features, opinion articles, and vessel reviews as part of this month's Passenger Vessel Week.