Hello Smart Travelers. Looking for some insight on an upcoming trip in October to Bordeaux and surrounds. We'd like to cap off our travels with some time along the coast. Any thoughts on Cap Ferret and/or Arcachon during this time - i.e. stay in one area vs. the other? Ok with some calm and quiet while staring at the sea but still want a wee bit of life with a restaurant or two, a local market, some shops and of course, the beautiful coastline. To note, we will have a rental car. Any info appreciated....Merci!
Posted by
Seattle, WA & Bordeaux, France
625 posts
Both are wonderful but Arcachon will be the busier of the two that time of year, offering more options for almost every activity. You can take a quick ferry from Arcachon to Cap Ferret for an easy day trip. You can also rent bikes (if that's your thing) and ride to the Dune de Pilat. Depending on when you will be there in October, you may or may not find the stairs still installed on the Dune. Personally, I love this area in October as the days are still warm but the crowds are much less.
Posted by
Washington, DC USA
877 posts
I did a daytrip from Nice to Cap Ferrat last October, around Oct. 10. The weather was mid 70s and becautiful for coastal walks and staring at the sea.
Posted by
Somerville, MA
778 posts
I stayed in Arcachon for 4 nights in July 2024. It’s a fun place to be. The dune is a top sight - I highly recommend it.
Posted by
Long Beach, Ca, usa
3006 posts
CDinDC,
The OP is asking about Cap Ferret in the Bordeaux region. I almost misread it as Cap Ferat also.
Posted by
Washington, DC USA
877 posts
Thanks Judy for clarification.
Posted by
Zürich, Switzerland
15 posts
We visited Arcachon in early October in 2023 and loved it. It was not very busy, despite being unseasonably warm. (The ocean was 3 degrees Celsius warmer than normal that year -- but I don't think this has been as warm since.) It felt like extended summertime. We visited the Dune du Pilat and that was a true highlight. I couldn't imagine visiting it in summer as it was hot and warm enough. I would return to this area at that time of year, for sure. We didn't go to Cap Ferret while we were in the area since we prioritized Bordeaux and Saint-Émilion, and still the time was too short.