The many facets of the Cap Ferret peninsula
The Cap Ferret peninsula is made up of a large number of villages, all with their own unique characteristics. The villages of Lège, Claouey, Le Four, Les Jacquets, Petit Piquey, Grand Piquey, Piraillan, Le Canon, Lherbe, la Vigne and le Cap Ferret. But how do you choose the ideal village for your needs? Camping Les Écureuils, a three-star campsite in Arès on the Bassin d’Arcachon, shares with you the different aspects of the beautiful villages of the Cap Ferret peninsula.
The village of Lège
We start with the village of Lège, the most northerly on the peninsula and the first to be encountered on arrival from Bordeaux. In addition to Le Corbusier’s Cité Ouvrière, admirable from afar, and the Prés Salés nature reserve shared with our beautiful town of Arès, the village of Lège lies between beach and forest. Get back to nature and your spirit ofadventure by discovering the many activities on offer in the village of Lège.
The villages of Claouey, Le Four and Les Jacquets
More the sporting type? Claouey, Le Four or Les Jacquets offer a wide range of activities. You’ll be spoilt for choice.
Les Jacquets
Try your hand at fitness trails at the Parcours Vita in the village of Les Jacquets, a 2.5 km forest trail. Accessible via the Truc Vert road, it leads down to the Atlantic coastline. It’s a great way to get a breath of fresh air in the heart of nature.
Claouey
Claouey, the second village you come to when you arrive from Bordeaux, has a reputation for being very sporty! This is mainly due to the fact that many of Claouey’s coastal beaches are linked to the town, making it ideal for a wide range of water sports. These include sailing with the Club Nautique de Claoueybut also the Cabane à gliss’a center offering free or guided kayak or paddle trips for young and old alike.
Le Four
Le Four, the smallest village on the Cap Ferret peninsula, is not to be outdone! Here you’ll find the Parc de Loisirs du Four, present for over 18 years in a magnificent protected natural site in the middle of the forest.
The villages of Piraillan, Grand Piquey and Petit Piquey
The villages of Piraillan, Grand Piquey and Petit Piquey offer a wide range of activities for anyone wishing to venture out.
Le Piraillan
Piraillan boasts 39 hectares of nature reserve, home to birds from all horizons, and offers a gourmet getaway with its many oyster huts.
Le Grand Piquey
Grand Piquey and Petit Piquey, although sharing a common name, are quite different. Le Grand Piquey is a mecca for maritime life on the peninsula and in the basin. It is home to the only diving center as well as a succession of beautiful, colorful oyster huts.
Le Petit Piquey
Le Petit Piquey is a very commercial village, where lovers of decoration, fashion and local creations will easily find what they’re looking for. Le Petit Piquey is also the starting point for a number of nature trails.
The villages of Lherbe and Canon
Looking forauthenticity? Two villages meet this requirement perfectly. They are Lherbe and Canon.
Lherbe
The village of L’herbe is considered to be the most beautiful village on the peninsula and is classified as a ” picturesque site “. Its narrow streets lined with colorful huts, still occupied by fishermen and oyster farmers, provide the calm and authenticity you’re looking for. If you head towards the southern end of Boulevard de la Plage, you’ll come face to face with the sublime Chapelle Sainte Marie-du-Cap, also known as Chapelle Algérienne. Completed in 1885, it has been listed as a historic monument since 2008. Its nickname is closely linked to the career of its patron, Léon Lesca, a public works contractor born in La Teste de Buch, who made his fortune in Algeria but also in the Basin, coming from a line of distinguished entrepreneurs.
The Canon
The village of Le Canon offers an unforgettable view of the peninsula, the coastline and the Dune du Pilat. This small fishing village, with its multicolored wooden huts, brings you the charm and authenticity you’re looking for. It’s also a haven for oyster lovers, as the village is home to numerous oyster farmers.
The village of La Vigne
The marina in the small village of La Vigne was built in the 1960s on the site of former fish tanks created by Léon Lesca in 1870. Far from accommodating huge cruise ships or oversized yachts, this small marina offers a tranquility and discretion much sought-after in the area. Unsurprisingly, the village owes its name to a vineyard originally developed around the old fish reservoir, but which ceased to exist many decades ago.
The village of Cap Ferret
Do you prefer to soak up the sun on a terrace or enjoy a busy day’s shopping? Look no further than the village of Cap Ferret. At the very end of the peninsula, the village nicknamed the Saint Tropez of the Atlantic remains very authentic, where calm and simplicity are still king. Nevertheless, the village has evolved, and markets and boutiques have developed in the respect and tranquility so dear to the inhabitants of the peninsula. You’ll find plenty of stores and boutiques along the Boulevard de la Plage. A little further down the road, numerous bars, cafés and restaurants await you for a moment on the sunny terrace! Perfect for relaxing after a busy day. And don’t forget to visit the Cap Ferret lighthouse.
The Cap Ferret peninsula offers you a multitude of choices with its eleven villages. Let yourself be tempted by a visit to the villages that make up the peninsula by staying at Les Écureuils campsite, which gives you easy access to this superb area.
