Cap Ferret: 
A Le Collectionist Guide

A rare gem nestled between the ocean and the sea, Cap Ferret has become one of the most popular holiday destinations in the Southwest of France. Dive into our guide to uncover the “je ne sais quoi” that makes this utterly unique fishing village such a prized destination for jet-setting families.

Step aboard a traditional pinasse boat and sail across Arcachon Bay at sunset. Just as fun for children as adults, getting your sea legs is the best way to marvel at the unspoilt nature of Cap Ferret, between its crystal-clear waters, oyster farms, sand dunes, and migratory birds. Freshwater sailors, don't panic: the Bay’s currents are almost always calm, making it the ideal family cruise!

Other than boating, cycling is without a doubt native and adopted Ferret-Capiens’ preferred mode of transport. Adapt to the local culture and let our luxury concierge rent you bicycles for your excursion out to the village of L'Herbe. This ravishing fishing hamlet concentrates colourful wooden houses, flowering facades, and sandy beaches perfect for an afternoon as a family. Take a moment to wander through the picturesque streets and take a deep breath of fresh sea air.

As you may have gathered, Cap Ferret is best enjoyed as an outdoor destination where you can get active while taking in beautiful natural surroundings. And following boating and cycling, surfing is a favourite pastime here. No need to be Kelly Slater to have your Point Break moment on Horizon Beach, our favourite corner of Cap Ferret to first learn the joys of surfing. It's never too late to take to the waves, board in hand, and these lessons are open to young and old! That said, surfing is an early riser's sport, so be prepared to put on your wetsuit bright and early.

If you don’t want to miss out on any of Cap Ferret’s magnificent landscapes, we recommend you rent a Citröen-Méhari, either vintage or electric, and lead an expedition across the region’s dirt roads! Without a doubt the region’s most emblematic car, you’ll blend right into the preserved setting. Under the shade of the pines or the blazing sun along the Atlantic Ocean, there’s only one problem: you’ll want to stop at every dreamy spot you find. To be sure you don’t miss a thing, let our luxury concierge services prepare a tailor-made itinerary just for you.

Known for its unspoilt nature and untamed waves, the Southwest also boasts famed gastronomy and local produce. If you’re a gourmet, ask one of our tailors to organise a dinner at home with a local chef! From the comfort of your luxury villa in Cap Ferret, learn everything there is to know about the different ways of preparing oysters from Arcachon Bay and about the delicate pairings between wine and seafood.

In the heart of verdant nature, the point of Cap Ferret, known affectionately as “La Pointe,”and the 44 Hectares undoubtedly make up one of Cap Ferret’s most chic and discrete neighbourhoods. A stone’s throw from Mimbeau Beach or even right on the water, traditional cabin homes here are split between the shade of the pines and the oceanfront. Particularly appreciated by local families, the 44 Hectares embody the casually chic essence so unique to Cap Ferret.

If you prefer being in the heart of the action, you’ll certainly enjoy the village of Lège-Cap-Ferret, with its beautiful main street, its refined shops, and its many cafés and restaurants. The village centre gathers all the city’s pleasures on the waterfront, making it the perfect haunt for teenagers and young adults. Let the eldest enjoy a drink on the terrace while the young take their first independent steps by heading off alone to buy an ice cream at Sorbet d’Amour.

A couple hundred metres from the Bélisaire Pier, this area owes its name to the eponymous beach. A haven of peace on Arcachon Bay, perfectly seated facing the Dune of Pilat and the Cap Ferret peninsula, Les Américains beach was christened by the US Navy during World War I. Now dotted with large family villas, it's perfect for young children, who will only have to take a few steps to spend their day on the sand! That said, keep an eye out for the oyster beds nearby.

La Vigne, l'Herbe and le Canon are three oyster-farming villages neighbouring Lège-Cap-Ferret. Though smaller, they are no less charming, punctuated by pretty fishermen's huts and ravishing flower-filled streets. Plage de la Vigne is particularly well suited to young children who’ll be able to splash around in complete safety thanks to the supervised swimming. In the evening, night life is in full swing with some of Cap Ferret’s trendiest bars and restaurants!

Divided between the villages of Petit Piquey and Grand Piquey, Piquey is the perfect blend of city-centre and unspoilt nature. Built around a small dune covered in a lush pine forest, this commercial sector houses many shops and restaurants, but also magnificent beaches accessible right from the village. Of these, many consider Pointe aux Chevaux beach to be the most beautiful in Cap Ferret.

Perhaps Cap Ferret’s most emblematic beach, Mimbeau Beach stretches from Lège-Cap-Ferret’s lighthouse out to La Pointe in one long ribbon of white sand facing Arcachon Bay. Thanks to its calm waters and idyllic landscape, it’s the perfect setting for family holidays with young children. It’s also the perfect starting point for boat trips!

Also called Horizon Beach, this beach is named in reference to Cap Ferret’s small train, a stunning vintage locomotive dating back to the 1880s! To reach the beach, you’ll have to climb to the top of the dune along the duckboards, but it’s well worth the effort. Sun, white sand, and an endless panorama of the Atlantic Ocean await on the other side. Here, learn to surf and have fun between the waves in total safety thanks to supervised swimming areas.

More wild than Horizon, Sail Fish Beach is the other main oceanfront beach in Cap Ferret. Also hidden behind a dune, it reveals a preserved panoramic view over the open ocean and the warm sand. Here, you won’t find the many beach cabanas like on Petit Train Beach, but you’ll meet highly skilled surfers ready to take on the waves!

Only accessible via boat, Banc d’Arguin is a marine marvel in the middle of Arcachon Bay. At the foot of the Dune of Pilat and facing Cap Ferret’s point, this natural reserve is a paradise for birds, with the bay on one side and the ocean on another. Very popular in summer, unofficial tradition would have it you dock your boat here and savour a picnic with a view!

If there’s one restaurant in Cap Ferret to visit, we strongly recommend stopping in at the historic Chez Hortense. A family-run establishment, perfectly located at the heart of the 44 hectares and facing the Dune of Pilat, Chez Hortense has attracted locals and celebrities for generations. However, don’t expect any fanfare here; savour delicious cuisine made up of seafood and fresh fish in a no-frills environment.

Chez Hortense
Avenue du Sémaphore, 33970 Lège-Cap-Ferret

Locals will tell you that it’s impossible to visit Cap Ferret without sharing a platter of oysters fresh from the Bay seated by the water, preferably washed down with white wine in a fisherman’s hut. Among the peninsula’s many oyster shacks, our favourite is la Cabane du Mimbeau, with its colourful terrace. Be prepared though, we're not the only fans of its guinguette spirit, so it's best to book in advance!

A new venture in the Cap Ferret landscape, Java is the latest undertaking by Arthur Vonderheyden and Pierre Deleume, creators of Gigi in Bordeaux. Perfectly located at la Pointe, facing the Dune of Pilat, Java is a meeting point for epicureans where the chef trained under Joël Robuchon. Here, you can travel between Japanese, Oriental, and Mediterranean influences, and enjoy an extraordinary selection of wines!

Mere steps away from Mimbeau Beach, Mayzou blows a refreshing breeze over Cap Ferret. Decorated in natural materials and neutral tones with cuisine by Juliette Lacroix, this restaurant makes the most of fresh, local, and seasonal produce. We recommend you share a plate of the homemade “tapiasettes” paired with a signature cocktail. 

Somewhere between a tapas bar and a southwestern guinguette, Chez Pierrette is our favourite spot for an aperitif. This traditional Basque home, converted into a seasonal restaurant, is renowned throughout Cap Ferret for its excellent mojitos and laid-back atmosphere. Come here with friends or family, letting your children run freely between the tables under string lights.

In Cap Ferret, Sail Fish is to nightlife what Hortense is to dinner: a classic haunt that we never get sick of. At the entrance of the eponymous beach, this immaculately decorated restaurant also serves as a night club reminiscent of Saint-Tropez’s soirées blanches. The comparison ends there, though; this isn’t the Riviera. Dress well but renounce bling, as parents and young adults dance the night away together.

Despite what the name may suggest, Wharfzazate might just be the most glamorous bar-restaurant in Cap Ferret. Located on the port of la Vigne, find your way in by weaving between the tops of palm trees before reaching a vast terrace covered in white tents, concealing the calm restaurant’s baroque decor. After dinner, watch the lights dim as the party really starts out on the dancefloor.

At once a restaurant, bakery, and ice cream shop, Frédélian is our favourite address in the heart of Lège-Cap-Ferret, delighting young and old with a delicious breakfast on the terrace after pursuing the market or with an afternoon snack after the beach! Completely renovated in 2022 by chef Jean-François Feuillette, this local institution has reclaimed its art deco aura in homage to the original 1940s-era Frédélian. A bonus? The new terrace offers a magnificent view over the Dune of Pilat.

Between local traders, artisans, and regional producers, you and your children will be full of wonder weaving through the market. We particularly recommend you explore the indoor market and the fresh fish stalls which are sure to impress the little ones. Be warned, the markets can get very busy over the summer, so we recommend you get there bright and early.

Like a rite of passage, climbing up the Dune of Pilat is a must-do for children in Cap Ferret. It’s easiest to take a boat from Cap Ferret and drop your anchor near the shore beside the tallest dune in Europe! Don’t forget to bring a water bottle, sunhat, and plenty of sunscreen, because you’ll have to earn the view. Once you reach the top, it’ll certainly be worth the effort: the panorama of the ocean on one side and pine forest as far as the eye can see on the other will leave you all awe-struck!

In general, Cap Ferret is a favourite destination for families where your children can take advantage of every joy the seaside and nature have to offer. To learn more, consult our selection of the best things to do with family in Cap Ferret.

Take a Dubourdieu ride on Arcachon Bay

Discover southwestern riches with a wine tour in Saint-Emilion

Explore the other side of the Bay with lunch at la Corniche

When springtime comes, Cap Ferret reaches its cruising rhythm. Summer crowds haven’t arrived yet, but locals and regulars are already getting back into the swing of things as the temperatures start to warm up. It might still be too cool for swimming, but it’s the ideal time to enjoy Cap Ferret in total privacy.

Summer is undoubtedly the peak season for Cap Ferret. Summer visitors flock here, temperatures are mild, the sun shines, and it's always time for a swim. During these beautiful days, restaurants and shops all open their doors and nightlife is in full swing.

In autumn, weather begins to cool down and Cap Ferret regains its tranquillity. Indian summer is our favourite season to live the Cap Ferret experience like a local. And you can still enjoy a plate of oysters at the Bay, provided you bring a cardigan!

In winter, Cap Ferret hibernates. The vast majority of restaurants and shops are closed for the season, and only locals and regulars come to the peninsula to enjoy the reigning calm. You’ll feel alone in the world among nature. To learn more, check out our guide to winter in Cap Ferret.