CAP FERRET
A LE COLLECTIONIST DESTINATION GUIDE

A rare gem stretched between the Atlantic and Arcachon Bay, Cap Ferret has become one of the most sought-after holiday destinations in the Southwest of France. Dive into our guide to uncover the “je ne sais quoi” that makes this former fishing village so utterly unique.

Step aboard a traditional pinasse and let a local skipper guide you across Arcachon Bay. Just as much fun for children as for adults, it’s the best way to take in the unspoilt nature of Cap Ferret: oyster beds, the stilted cabanes tchanquées of the Île aux Oiseaux, sandbanks and migratory birds. Sheltered from the Atlantic swell, the bay makes for an ideal family cruise, but its tidal currents run strong, especially in the passes, so leave the helm to a skipper who knows them by heart.

Other than boating, cycling is without a doubt local's preferred mode of transport. Adapt to the local culture and let our luxury concierge rent bicycles for your excursion to the village of L'Herbe. This 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 air.

As you may have gathered, Cap Ferret is best enjoyed outdoors where you can get active while taking in beautiful natural surroundings. Surfing is a favourite pastime here. No need to be Kelly Slater to have your Point Break moment on Horizon Beach, our favourite spot 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! Surfing is an early riser's sport, so be prepared to put on your wetsuit bright and early.

To take in all of Cap Ferret’s landscapes, ask our luxury concierge to arrange a Citroën Méhari, the peninsula’s most iconic beach car. In the shade of the pines or along the Atlantic dunes, you’ll want to stop at every dreamy spot, so let us plan 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 our concierge 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.

The point of Cap Ferret, known affectionately as La Pointe and the 44 Hectares is undoubtedly one of the region'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 love the village of Cap Ferret, with its beautiful main street, refined shops and many restaurants. Gathered along the waterfront, the village centre is the perfect haunt for teenagers and young adults. Let the eldest enjoy a drink on a terrace while the younger ones take their first independent steps, heading off alone for an ice cream at Ô Sorbet d’Amour on Boulevard de la Plage.

A couple hundred metres from the Bélisaire Pier, this area owes its name to the emblematic 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! 

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 area 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 all Cap Ferret.

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 the peak season for Cap Ferret. Visitors flock here, temperatures are comfortably warm, the sun shines and it’s always time for a swim. Restaurants and shops all open their doors and nightlife is lively. In high summer, forest-fire rules are strictly enforced: no barbecues in the woods, and stay on the marked trails.

In autumn, weather begins to cool down and Cap Ferret regains its tranquillity. Indian summer is our favourite season to experience the region 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. Most restaurants and shops close for the season, although the market still sets up every Wednesday and Saturday (apart from a short break in January), and only locals and regulars come to savour the calm. You’ll feel alone in the world among nature. To learn more, check out our guide to winter in Cap Ferret.

At once a restaurant, bakery, and ice cream shop, Frédélian is our favourite spot in the heart of Lège-Cap-Ferret, delighting young and old with a delicious breakfast on the terrace after perusing 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.

With nearly 120 traders, from oyster farmers and fishmongers to local producers and artisans, the market is a joy to wander with children. Head for the covered hall and the fresh fish stalls, and get there early in summer, when it gets very busy.

Like a rite of passage, climbing up the Dune of Pilat is a must-do for families. It’s easiest to take a boat from Cap Ferret and drop your anchor near the shore beside the tallest dune in Europe! Reaching the top is certainly worth the effort with the panorama of the ocean on one side and pine forest as far as the eye can see on the other!

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.

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 known as Horizon Beach, Petit Train Beach owes its nickname to Cap Ferret’s little open-air train, which has carried beachgoers from Bélisaire jetty to the ocean since 1952, on a line first travelled by horse-drawn trams in the 1870s. Climb to the top of the dune and an endless panorama of the Atlantic Ocean awaits on the other side. In summer, lifeguards watch over the supervised swimming area and surf schools set up on the sand: the perfect place to learn to surf.

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 by boat, the Banc d’Arguin is a marvel in the middle of Arcachon Bay, at the foot of the Dune of Pilat and facing Cap Ferret’s tip. This protected nature reserve is a paradise for birds, with the bay on one side and the ocean on the other. In summer, boats may drop anchor by day in the designated zone: bring a simple picnic, leave the chairs, tables and the dog behind, and take nothing home but photos.

If there’s one restaurant to visit in Cap Ferret, it’s the legendary Chez Hortense. Run by the same family for four generations and facing the Dune of Pilat at the tip of the peninsula, it has drawn locals and celebrities since the 1930s. Don’t expect any fanfare: just the famous mussels, made to a closely guarded family recipe, and wild fish in a wonderfully no-frills setting.

Chez Hortense
26 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, 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!

Opened in 2022 by Arthur Vonderheyden and Pierre Deleume, the duo behind La Gigi in Bordeaux, Java sits in a lush garden at la Pointe, facing the Dune of Pilat. The menu travels between Japanese, Levantine and Mediterranean influences, with a fine wine list to match.

Mere steps away from Mimbeau Beach, Mayzou is 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 is renowned throughout Cap Ferret for its excellent mojitos and laid-back atmosphere. 

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 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.

At the very tip of the peninsula, Le Mirador is the place to toast the sunset, feet in the sand, with cocktails and tapas and the Dune of Pilat straight ahead. No bookings: arrive early.

Take a Dubourdieu ride on Arcachon Bay

Discover south-western riches with a wine tour in Saint-Émilion

Explore the other side of the bay with lunch at La Co(o)rniche