Overlooking Arcachon Bay, Andernos-les-Bains is a picturesque commune west of Bordeaux. It’s renowned for its oyster farms, thriving fishing industry and beautiful stretch of sand, all within a stone’s throw of Europe’s largest sand dune.
Things to do in Andernos-les-Bains
In the heart of Andernos-les-Bains is the Maison Louis David, which was completed in 1908 as a residence for the local mayor. Upon his death, the house was transformed into a space for exhibiting artworks and includes a museum dedicated to the history of the town. Browse the paintings, sculptures and photographic works on display, then visit the garden tomb of Louis Theodore David.
Stretching along the waterfront of Andernos-les-Bains is the Plage de la Jetee, where you can swim in the refreshing waters of Arcachon Bay. At its western end are the remains of a Gallo-Roman villa that were discovered in 1850. Adjacent to the ruins is the elegant Eglise Saint-Eloi, a Romanesque church that’s topped by a late-19th-century bell tower.
Andernos-les-Bains makes an ideal base for visiting the Great Dune of Pilat, which lies where Arcachon Bay meets the Bay of Biscay. It is the tallest sand dune in Europe and a famous paragliding spot due to its exceptional soaring conditions. Artefacts dating from the Iron Age have been discovered at the foot of the dune, as well as ancient camps related to sea salt mining.
Getting around Andernos-les-Bains
Andernos-les-Bains is around a one-hour drive from Bordeaux and 40 minutes from Bordeaux–Merignac Airport, which has flights to destinations across Europe and North Africa. Regular buses connect to Andernos-les-Bains and the town centre is compact enough to explore on foot. Renting a car is the most convenient way of getting around the region.