Villas in Arcachon
Arcachon suits couples and small families who want a sandy seaside town on Arcachon Bay, with the Dune du Pilat a short drive away. Homes are grouped close together and are mostly small apartments rather than family villas. Summer traffic is the drawback: the A660 into town is congested at peak times and all summer.
- Villas
- 127
- From, per week
- £282
About Arcachon
Arcachon is a town of about 11,000 on Arcachon Bay, 55 km south-west of Bordeaux. It became a separate municipality in 1857, when fewer than 400 people lived here and the railway arrived the same year. The beaches are sandy, with Plage Thiers in the centre often crowded and Le Moulleau as an alternative. The Ville d'Hiver, a hilltop district of old Arcachonnaise villas, looks over the bay, and the waterfront Ville d'Été has palm-lined boulevards and a covered market. Our homes sit within a couple of kilometres of each other, and few are large. Winters are mild and somewhat rainy, and snow is almost unknown.
Is Arcachon right for you?
- Best for
- Couples and small families wanting a bay-side town with oysters nearby
- Not for you if
- You dislike summer traffic, as the A660 and the roads towards the dune and Cap Ferret jam.
Near Arcachon
Dune du Pilat
Europe's tallest sand dune, about 107 m high and nearly 3 km long, around 12 minutes by road or on bus line 1.
Cap Ferret
A headland between the Atlantic and the bay, known for oyster farming. Passenger ferries run from Arcachon, with shuttles from the Jetée Thiers all year.
Île aux Oiseaux
A landmark in the bay that you reach by guided boat tour.
Le Teich bird reserve
Réserve ornithologique du Teich is a bird reserve with observation cabins.
Getting to Arcachon
Bordeaux-Mérignac is the nearest airport, around 50 minutes by road, with easyJet from Gatwick, Luton, Bristol and Manchester and British Airways from Gatwick. Trains from Bordeaux run about hourly to the station in the town centre, so you can arrive without a car. A car or bus line 1 is needed for the dune.
When to go to Arcachon
Peak season runs from June to late August, when the bay is busy and driving is very slow; a trip to Andernos can take nearly three hours in the early evening. Late May and September have good weather and fewer people. Winters are mild and somewhat rainy. On the open Atlantic side, rather than in the bay, follow lifeguard warnings about the baïne current.
Villas in Arcachon
3-star property
3-star property
3-star property
3-star property
3-star property
3-star property
3-star property
2-star property
Villa Béatrice
Arcachon, Gironde, France
3
1
0
DishwasherMicrowaveParking+5 more
from£74
per night
2-star property
3-star property
2-star property
3-star property
2-star property
2-star property
3-star property
3-star property
le Galion
Arcachon, Gironde, France
4
1
0
MicrowaveParkingWashing Machine+6 more
from£88
per night
2-star property
2-star property
3-star property
3-star property
3-star property
3-star property
Le Patio Mauresque
Arcachon, Gironde, France
6
2
0
ParkingDishwasherMicrowave+7 more
from£85
per night
2-star property
2-star property
Arcachon villa holidays: questions answered
Is the Dune du Pilat close to Arcachon?
Yes, about 12 minutes by road, and bus line 1 also reaches it. The dune is Europe's tallest at about 107 m and nearly 3 km long.
Can you get from Arcachon to Cap Ferret by boat?
Yes. Passenger shuttles to Cap Ferret run all year from the Jetée Thiers pier in Arcachon, and tickets can be bought online or until 15 minutes before departure. This avoids the congested roads round the bay in summer.
Is Arcachon walkable?
Yes, in the centre. The old town and waterfront have pedestrian-only streets, the Ville d'Été and covered market are on the front, and bicycles suit the bay. A small local bus network, Baïa, also runs in town.
Is Arcachon busy in August?
Yes. Peak season runs from June to late August, when visitor numbers are highest and traffic is heavy. Driving is very slow, and the A660 from Bordeaux is congested all summer. Late May and September are quieter.
Which beach is best in Arcachon?
Plage Thiers is the central beach and is often crowded, while Le Moulleau is the alternative. On the open Atlantic side, a tidal current called the baïne has caused deaths, so follow lifeguard warnings.
Nearby towns to Arcachon
Written by the TrustedVillas team. Last reviewed October 2026.
Find Your Perfect Villa in Arcachon
Our villa experts are here to help you find the ideal property for your vacation. Contact us for personalized recommendations.