We chose to stay in Verdalles as this was a central location between Arcachon and Gujan-Mestras, the oyster capital of the Bay area. Arcachon Bay is purported to have a mild climate and it did not disappoint as the sun shone through the day and provided some brilliant sunsets (along with the occasional thunder storm late evening).
Cycling into Arcachon the next day was a great way to take in the scenery and the fresh air. We followed the bike paths along the coast, passing through wooded areas and small villages. The ride was not too hard, but we needed to be careful of the traffic at some of the roundabouts.
If there is one thing that stood out is the quality of the cycle lanes through the residential areas, with clearly marked areas and often straight and tree lined (we even managed to see the Adams Family summer house).
Arcachon itself is a charming seaside town with its market square, modern shops, vibrant atmosphere and a beautiful sandy beach. The beach of Arcachon is not exposed to the full might of the Atlantic waves, being on the edge of a large inlet, the Bassin d’Arcachon, rather than facing the sea directly. This makes the beaches particularly calm and sheltered.
Cycling back, we decided to take a slight detour to visit the port area to see the famous oyster farmers, so we could compare against Gujan-Mestras, the oyster capital of the Bay area.
The cycle ride into Gujan-Mestras the following day did not disappoint. We chose to take the coastal route with views across the wetland areas and riding on the board walks on its edges, was amazing. Whilst the oyster farmers lining the port area was a sight to be seen (and smelt).
