A Whale in the Bay of Arcachon?!

Yes, but no! Only the tail.
Since 2011, it’s become a tradition. A whale tail makes its appearance in the salt waters of the Bay of Arcachon, between the Thiers and Eyrac d’Arcachon jetties.
This tail, made of polyester resin and stainless steel, is the work of Emmanuel Janssens Casteels, a Belgian artist specializing in life-size reconstructions.

(South-west photo)

Here’s an image of how the tail is installed in our waters:
View the installation of the Whale tail (TVBA TV Bassin d’Arcachon YouTube video)

This emerged sculpture measures 4 metres in height with a 9-metre wingspan (the submerged part measures around 5 metres). It weighs between 2.5 and 3 tonnes, which makes it possible to hold it up, and thanks to a chain attached to the bottom of the water, the whale’s tail can float over a perimeter of 30 metres as the waves move.
This sculpture is above all a work of art, representing a marine animal of imposing size, which did not find its place in a museum but rather in its natural element: water.

Every year a new design. It is wintered in l’Aiguillon to be maintained, cleaned and repainted for the new season. It’s usually put up in spring and taken down in autumn.

Every season, the question arises: what color will the new Whale Tail be?
Ever more original styles to make a lasting impression on holidaymakers and residents of the Bay of Arcachon.

Here is an image of the artistic evolution of this Whale tail:

2011: All white, like a new page being turned.

(Photo from the “ecureuilbleu” blog)

2012: All pink, could it be a female this year?

(Photo de Alain, blogskyrock)

2013: All blue, it’s the male’s turn to make an appearance.

(Pinterest photo by Cianie)

2014: Pale green, like a reflection of water, it reflected the light absorbed during the day at night.

(Photo Pinterest Carol)

2015: All orange, as if the sun plunged into the water.

(Photo blog de Brigitte)

2016: All yellow, visible from afar!

(Photo by Taxi bateau bassin d’Arcachon)

2017: A zebra whale or a bee whale?

(Photo courtesy of vuedegironde)

2018 : Harlequin: livelier shapes and colors

(Photo TripAdvisor UBA)

2019 : A whale from the tropics

(Photo from the Vivre le bassin website)

2020: Ocean and seabed floral colors

(Photo ville d’Arcachon Facebook)

2021: Dressed in a beautiful sailor suit

(Photo ville Arcachon Facebook)

2022: A yellow heart and its dove of peace in support of Ukraine

(Photo TVBA)

2023: White and red striped with the inscription “Arcachon je t’aime”, signed with a kiss. A true declaration of love to Town of Arcachon

(Photo Facebook UBA)

This Whale’s tail is imprinted in the minds of holidaymakers for ever, a memory you won’t forget! Arcachon? Ah yes, where there’s a Whale tail!”
So if you’re staying at our Les Ecureuils campsite in Arès on the Bassin d’Arcachon, we suggest you pay him a visit…