All the seaside resorts by the ocean in Gironde!

Located below the Charente-Maritime and the Gironde estuary, the seaside resorts of this department are the first encountered after this break in the coastline. They are followed by those of the Landes, then the Pyrénées-Atlantiques, all the way to the Spanish border. This long stretch of beaches and sand dunes forms the Atlantic coast of Nouvelle-Aquitaine.

When we think of seaside resorts, we picture baths renowned for their healing properties… The quality of the fresh or sea water must be impeccable. In reality, they are often located in protected environments. These seaside towns have sprung up along the seafront. They offer comfort and a multitude of water sports, right on the beach. But many wild areas still remain. This time, there's no selection. From north to south, we follow the coast to reveal all the advantages of these fifteen resorts.

The 18 seaside resorts of Bordeaux Gironde

1. Le Verdon-sur-Mer in the Gironde estuary

About 100 km from Bordeaux, we begin our coastal stroll in the Médoc region, at Pointe de Grave, at the mouth of the Gironde estuary, in Verdon-sur-Mer. Between the river and the ocean, the setting is truly exceptional. You have access to the beaches of La Chambrette, Saint-Nicolas, Maison de Grave, and Les Cantines. But be very careful, as swimming there is dangerous.

At the Port Médoc water sports centre, you have access to all kinds of activities: flyboarding, jet skiing and towed inflatables at Flyjet33 …

2. Soulac-sur-Mer

Soulac-sur-Mer is one of the original seaside resorts. It also boasts an unusual heritage : a fortress and a German artillery battery ! Feeling lucky? There's even a casino. It's also a more family-friendly beach area: the north, central, and south beaches, as well as Amélie beach, are well -maintained and equipped.

For beginners, there are many surf schools. Alternatively, you can hop on your bike and explore the famous Vélodyssée route to reach the Dune du Pyla.

3. Grayan-et-l'Hôpital

Located in the northern Médoc region between Soulac-sur-Mer and Vendays-Montalivet, Grayan-et-l'Hôpital is a decidedly wild and unspoiled seaside resort where pine forests meet vast dunes of fine sand. Far from the hustle and bustle of city life, it attracts nature lovers, surfers, and campers thanks to its famous public beach, Le Gurp, known for its sunsets and historic bunkers perched on the sand. While the town is also world-renowned for hosting Euronat, one of the largest naturist centers in Europe, this activity remains confined to a private estate, allowing the resort to offer a dual atmosphere: a family-friendly, clothed beach experience on one side, and a haven for naturists on the other.

4. Vendays-Montalivet and its helio-marine center

Vendays-Montalivet is a resort geared towards sports: equestrian centers, surf schools, and even an adventure park with mini-golf. There's sure to be something for everyone!

As for the beach, there's plenty of choice. The north beach is wild and ideal for sports. The central beach, facing the town center, is better suited to families with its lifeguard station, shops, and restaurants nearby. The south beach is located near the heliotherapy center. Part of it is naturist. It's also a family beach, with a surf school and numerous activities available.

5. Naujac-sur-Mer, one of the wildest on the Silver Coast

Naujac-sur-Mer is an ode to ecotourism and disconnecting from the everyday. Its Pin Sec beach lives up to its name: untouched by development, it stretches out at the foot of a majestic dune ridge where the maritime pine forest plunges directly into the ocean. Located about ten kilometers from the town center and accessible by a single forest road, this renowned surf spot has managed to retain its fiercely wild character. Here, there is no concrete, only raw nature where a few temporary wooden cabins appear during the summer season, offering visitors minimal food and small shops in a decidedly bohemian and authentic atmosphere.

6. Hourtin, the 2nd largest natural lake in France

If you're torn between a dip in the sea or a swim in fresh water, Hourtin is the place to go. On Hourtin's main beach, you'll have access to all kinds of water sports : surfing, water skiing, canoeing, or Hawaiian outrigger canoeing…

Lake Carcans-Hourtin and its two beaches also offer opportunities to learn to sail or take boat trips. The children's area, with its mini-golf and playground, will be a big hit with younger visitors.

Between lake and ocean, the Contaut lagoon, in the Hourtin dunes and marshes nature reserve, is a curiosity that must be seen.

7. Carcans, a wild space between lake and ocean

Carcans offers a unique dual character in the Gironde region, ideal for lovers of watersports and nature. On the freshwater side, the resort shares the largest natural lake in France with Hourtin and boasts three major beaches:

• Maubuisson, the dynamic and family-oriented;
• Bombannes, a true haven for outdoor activities;
• Le Montaut, more secluded.

It's a paradise for water sports, where you can enjoy water skiing or wakeboarding, rent a boat, and explore the many cycle paths winding through the pine forests around the lake. On the ocean side, Carcans-Plage boasts two magnificent fine sandy beaches (the central and southern beaches) stretching for nearly 15 kilometers. Although access requires a short walk through the dunes and pine forest, which might be a bit strenuous with children, the reward is well worth it: a wild and unspoiled ocean, world-renowned for its waves, where numerous surf schools welcome both beginners and experienced riders.

8. Lacanau, a famous surfing spot

Located 60 km from Bordeaux, Lacanau has many facets. Three very different worlds await discovery in this unmissable seaside resort.

1. A dynamic and festive atmosphere in Lacanau-ville with its shops, restaurants and nightlife.
2. A sporty atmosphere reigns in Lacanau-Océan. The North, Central, South, Super-South, and Lion beaches are renowned for surfing. The further south you go, the more natural and wild the environment becomes. However, swimming can be dangerous due to strong currents. Of course, the beaches are equipped with everything you need to learn to surf.
3. Family atmosphere in Lacanau-lac, on the beaches of Moutchic and Grande Escoure, where many activities are available.

9. Le Porge, in the heart of the forest

Le Porge is the ultimate haven for lovers of unspoiled nature and wide-open spaces. Here, the Gironde coast expresses its full freedom : on the vast central beach of Gressier, no shops or permanent structures break the year-round horizon. Restaurants, surf schools, and small seasonal boutiques are discreetly tucked away at the edge of the forest, behind the dune ridge, leaving the coastline completely pristine. Connected to the village by a long, straight road winding through a majestic pine forest, the resort also offers an even wilder and more secluded haven: La Jenny beach, an internationally renowned spot entirely dedicated to naturism in perfect harmony with the ocean.

10. Lège-Cap-Ferret, the charm of a peninsula

The Lège-Cap-Ferret peninsula is a natural site in an exceptional setting. Its eleven beaches are all magnificent. From Grand Crohot beach to Pastourelles beach, there's something for everyone. Historically very popular with tourists, the activities are so numerous that we can't list them all here.

Three natural sites are worth a visit:

• The Salt Meadows Nature Reserve ;
• The tip of the cape ;
• The Piraillan reservoirs.

11. Ares, on the edge of the Salt Meadows

With Arès, you enter the unique world of the Arcachon Basin, far removed from the ocean's tumult. The town's jewel is its vast nature reserve, the largest salt marsh in Aquitaine, a fascinating ecosystem where land and water merge with the rhythm of the tides. Here, the coastline is better suited to shore fishing and contemplative walks than to diving.

For swimming, the natural site of Saint-Brice offers a peaceful setting, ideal for enjoying the calm waters of the Bassin. Authentic and welcoming, the village cultivates a convivial atmosphere that is truly refreshing: its old train station has been reinvented as a lively pétanque court, which has become the essential meeting point where locals and holidaymakers like to gather to share a relaxing moment.

12. Andernos-les-Bains at the heart of the Gallo-Roman villas

Andernos-les-Bains perfectly blends historical charm, cultural vibrancy, and the relaxed lifestyle of the Arcachon Basin. Its famous Gallo-Roman remains lend an undeniable character to the resort, which comes alive each summer with its jazz festival, offering memorable musical evenings under the tamarisk trees.

On the beach front, the town boasts a wonderful diversity of atmospheres: from the authentic charm of the oyster port to the lively Jetée beach, passing through Bétey and Mauret. Perfectly equipped with nautical centers and dedicated children's areas, they offer a fantastic playground for learning to sail, enjoying a seaside getaway, or taming your first waves thanks to the surf schools. Finally, to extend your exploration, simply rent a bicycle and cycle through the shade of the pine forest.

13. Lanton in rhythm with the tides

Lanton perfectly embodies the gentle pace of life and the peaceful rhythm of the Arcachon Basin, a resort where the landscapes are constantly reinvented with the tides. At high tide, the charming beaches of Cassy, Taussat, and Suzette invite relaxation and sunbathing, while at low tide, the foreshore is revealed, much to the delight of young and old alike who enjoy shellfish gathering.

For those who prefer not to be tied to the lunar cycle, the seawater pool at Lanton offers an ideal and safe swimming area at any time of day. Finally, to truly experience the local atmosphere, a visit to the tourist office can help you plan some fantastic adventures, from a nature-focused and eco-friendly canoe trip to a traditional port-to-port cruise aboard an authentic pinasse.

14. Audenge and its wetland

Audenge charms visitors from the outset with the authenticity of its typical small oyster port and its exceptionally well-preserved natural environment. It's the ideal starting point for magnificent hikes in the heart of the renowned Domaine de Certes-Graveyron, a remarkable wilderness area nestled between former salt marshes and fishponds, stretching to the edge of the Teich Bird Sanctuary. Here, the landscape lives to the changing rhythm of the tides, making open-water swimming possible only at high tide. To overcome this limitation, the resort has acquired a unique feature: a huge open-air seawater pool located directly on the port, perfect for a safe dip at any time of day.

15. Gujan-Mestras and its oyster ports

Gujan-Mestras is the undisputed capital of oyster farming on the Arcachon Bay, famous for its unique layout and its seven traditional ports that have remained deeply authentic. Here, there is no large concrete seafront, but a succession of colorful wooden huts where you can enjoy ultra-fresh oysters with your feet above the water, particularly on the very lively port of Larros which also houses the fascinating Maison de l'Huître (Oyster House).

Bordered by the coastal path and magnificent salt marshes, the resort offers a lovely, relaxed lifestyle conducive to cycling, while also offering a real diversity of activities: La Hume beach welcomes families and kitesurfing enthusiasts at high tide, while its huge leisure complex, including Aqualand, Kid Parc and Bassin Aventures, makes it the leading destination for family entertainment in the region.

16. Arcachon

Arcachon remains the undisputed queen of seaside resorts on the Bay, captivating visitors for over a century with its timeless elegance and vibrant atmosphere. It's the ideal starting point for exploration, whether on a guided boat tour, by renting your own boat, or by setting off on a cycling tour of the Bay.

Protected from the fury of the ocean, its beaches offer calmer and warmer waters, ideal for families, through an incredible diversity of atmospheres: from the quiet intimacy of Aiguillon to the lively promenade of Eyrac leading to the port, passing through the effervescence of the central beach in the heart of the city.

For lovers of wide open spaces, the majestic Pereire beach unfolds its fine sand facing Cap-Ferret, while the Abatilles and the very chic Moulleau beach offer, on the edge of the Dune du Pilat, a spectacular and unforgettable panorama.

17. Pyla-sur-Mer and its immense dune

Pyla-sur-Mer is an exceptional resort, world-renowned for being home to the majestic Dune du Pilat, whose ascent offers an unforgettable spectacle amidst pine forests, fine sand, and the ocean. But the town is much more than its sand monument: it boasts a string of seven magnificent beaches, ranging from the peaceful Daniel Meller beach to the wild and unspoiled Salie Sud, catering to every desire for relaxation or swimming. It is also an extraordinary playground for thrill -seekers and outdoor enthusiasts, who can enjoy sand yachting on the foreshore, try scuba diving, or soar over the breathtaking landscapes of the Arcachon Basin in an ultralight aircraft or paraglider, riding the dune's updrafts.

18. La Teste-de-Buch at the foot of the Landes

La Teste-de-Buch is one of the largest municipalities in France and the true geographical heart of the South Basin, with a spectacular concentration of Gironde landscapes. A multifaceted territory, it shelters on its maritime domain the emblematic Île aux Oiseaux and its famous stilted huts, as well as the wild ocean beaches of Petit Nice or La Salie, a surfer's paradise.

On the land side, its traditional oyster port and its XXL covered market vibrate with a strong local authenticity, while its immense exceptional forest hides the peaceful lake of Cazaux, whose soft and transparent waters bordered by fine sand offer an ideal and safe alternative to the ocean for families and lovers of paddle or sailing.

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