The ultimate cardio workout of the peninsula
The lighthouse of Cap Ferret is a massive red and white concrete tower that dominates the flat landscape of the peninsula. It stands proud at over 50 metres tall and acts as a giant tourist magnet for anyone visiting the area. If you want to see the spectacular view from the top you have to earn it with a “serious” physical effort.
There is no luxury lift inside this historic monument to save your legs. You have to climb exactly 258 steps up a spiral staircase that feels like it will never end.
The interior gets incredibly warm and cramped during the busy summer months. You will find yourself marching in a tight line behind dozens of heavily panting holidaymakers. It is a highly demanding exercise that makes you deeply question your holiday choices before you finally reach the exit door at the top.
A giant sea of green pine needles
The moment you step out onto the windy observation balcony the leg pain disappears instantly. The view looking back towards the mainland reveals a truly spectacular and lush green environment. You realize that the entire peninsula is actually covered in a massive forest of maritime pines.
The thick green canopy stretches out for miles in every direction and hides all the multi million euro villas from your sight. It looks like a completely wild jungle that has managed to survive right next to the Atlantic Ocean.
The contrast between the dark green pine needles and the bright blue water of the bay is absolutely beautiful. The forest looks incredibly peaceful from this height even if you know it is currently packed with tourists fighting for parking spaces. It gives the region a wonderfully wild character that explains why the property market here is so completely insane.
The shifting maze of the muddy basin
When you look in the other direction you get a front row seat to the entire bay of Arcachon. The perspective from the lighthouse balcony shows you exactly how complex this watery landscape really is. You can see the massive sandbanks shifting and changing shape in the shallow water below.
The famous Dune of Pilat looks like a giant yellow monster sitting on the opposite shore. You can also spot the tiny wooden cabins of the oyster farmers sitting on their stilts out in the middle of the basin.
The view changes completely depending on the state of the daily tide. At high tide you see a glorious lake of crystal water. At low tide the whole area transforms into a massive muddy puzzle that confuses unexperienced boat captains. It is a beautiful natural spectacle that is highly entertaining to study from a safe distance.
The long thin strip of luxury sand
The lighthouse view also gives you a clear understanding of the narrow peninsula itself. You can see exactly how thin this strip of land really is as it slices between the open ocean and the calm bay. It looks incredibly fragile against the massive power of the Atlantic waves.
The balcony lets you look down on the tiny streets and the expensive seafood restaurants that line the shore. It is the perfect spot to take a panoramic photo to prove to your social media friends that you did some exercise on your holiday.
Once you have taken your identical photos you have to face the long dizzy descent back down the 258 steps. You can head straight to the nearest café for a cold drink while feeling very satisfied that you saw the entire bay from the absolute highest point.
