The white sand kingdom
The French Atlantic coast is a magnificent stretch of wilderness that puts most other European shorelines to shame. If you are tired of cramped pebble beaches and concrete marinas this is the place for you.
The coastline is famous for its massive and beautiful white sandy beaches. These are not tiny artificial bays created for luxury hotels. They are giant natural landscapes shaped by the powerful forces of the ocean.
The sand seems to stretch on forever. You can walk for kilometres alongside rolling waves and deep green pine forests. It feels grand and untamed. It is the perfect antidote to modern city life.
The charm of the Petit Nice
A perfect example of this coastal beauty is the beach of the Petit Nice. This lovely spot sits just south of the famous Arcachon basin and right near the massive Dune of Pilat.
The beach is a stunning mix of soft white sand and calm blue water. It sits in a slightly protected position so the waves are much friendlier than on the open ocean. It is an ideal place to spend a lazy afternoon doing absolutely nothing.
The surrounding pine trees provide a wonderful fresh scent that mixes with the salty sea air. You can park your car under the shade of the forest and stroll straight onto the wide beach. It feels like a secret paradise even though it sits next to some of the biggest attractions in the country.
Winning the space race
Of course these beautiful Atlantic spots are no longer a complete secret. The local car parks certainly get very full during the hot summer months. The main paths can feel quite busy with families carrying heavy coolers and surfboards.
Yet even in the absolute peak of July and August the situation is still much better here. The Atlantic coast is vastly less crowded than the chaotic Mediterranean holiday resorts.
On the French Riviera you are practically forced to sit on your neighbour’s lap just to see the water. The private beach clubs take up all the space and the public areas look like a packed train station.
The Atlantic coast solves this problem through sheer scale. Because the beaches are so incredibly wide you can always escape the worst of the madness. You just need to walk for five minutes away from the main entrance to find your own peaceful kingdom of sand.
