The evening show on the water
The beach at Arcachon offers one of the finest natural spectacles in the southwest of France. The main event happens at the end of the day when the sun begins its slow descent toward the Atlantic ocean.
The entire sky goes through a dramatic transformation. The blue canvas dissolves into a deep and brilliant red colour that looks almost artificial. The setting sun reflects perfectly on the surface of the sea which turns the water into a giant glowing mirror.
The boats stationing in the harbour add a perfect touch to the scenery. Dozens of yachts and fishing vessels bob gently in the calm water. Their masts form long dark silhouettes against the fiery backdrop. It looks like a classic painting except you do not have to pay an art museum admission fee to see it.
The perfect spot for a lazy dinner
This dramatic view provides the ultimate setting for a relaxed summer evening. You do not need to book an overpriced restaurant table with a tiny portion of food to enjoy the atmosphere.
Many smart travellers simply grab a takeaway pizza and head straight for the sand. Sitting on the beach with a warm box on your knees is arguably much better than any formal dining room. You can dig your toes into the cooling sand while the red sky puts on its final performance.
It is a remarkably cheap way to experience five star romance. The combination of melting cheese and a glowing horizon is tough to beat. Just make sure to finish your meal before the local seagulls realise what you are eating.
Life away from the summer madness
The summer months bring large crowds of tourists who pack the shoreline with towels and screaming children. It can get a bit hectic when everyone tries to capture the exact same sunset photo for their social media accounts.
The real magic happens when you visit outside the peak holiday season. The beach becomes a haven of tranquility once the mass tourism drops off. The people who remain on the sand are actually rather civilised.
You can walk along the water without dodging flying beach balls or stepping on discarded ice cream wrappers. The locals and savvy travellers take their time to appreciate the view in peace. The sunset remains just as spectacular but you do not have to fight for your square metre of sand to enjoy it.
