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Visit Dune du Pilat: Europe's largest dune
Experience the wonder of Europe's tallest dune at Dune du Pilat. Adventure awaits on this natural wonder overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.
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Visit Dune du Pilat: Europe's largest dune
Dune du Pilat is a play paradise for children and adults alike, and the perfect place for both an active and quiet day during the holidays. It is Europe's largest and highest dune, located in the south-west of France. Influenced by wind and sea, Dune du Pilat has been changing for centuries - and will continue to change. Curious about this place? Read more soon!
Why is Dune du Pilat so unique?
When we say 'big dune', we mean a strip of sand 110 m high, 500 m wide and 2.7 km long. Dune du Pilat, also called Dune du Pyla, was not always this big. In the 19th century, there was a smaller dune on this spot, which grew as sand particles blew into it. Even now, the dune is constantly changing. The mountain of 60,000,000 m3 of sand moves inland bit by bit due to wind and tide, swallowing up the houses, roads and forest around it. Moreover, the wind makes the dune look different every day, and it is always a surprise what the landscape looks like.
What can I do while visiting Dune du Pilat?
You can do all sorts of things at Dune du Pilat: swimming, sunbathing, hiking, enjoying the views of the sea and pine forests, paragliding and more. Children can clamber and play freely there. Arcachon and Bordeaux are within driving distance of the dune, making it easy to combine a day at the beach with a visit to a city. Don't mind getting up early or leaving late? Then enjoy the setting or rising sun from Dune du Pilat!
What is the best way and when to visit Dune du Pilat?
Dune du Pilat is free to visit all year round. To get there, you have to pay parking, the proceeds of which are spent on nature maintenance. Planning to go to south-west France outside the high season? Even then, Dune du Pilat offers an experience not to be missed. Even with fog, snow and some wind, the dune looks spectacular.
Want to take a look at Europe's largest dune?