Discover one of the most beautiful villages on the Bassin d’Arcachon: L’Herbe

In the heart of the Bassin d’Arcachon, in the hollow of the Cap-Ferret peninsula, two villages that came close to secrecy could have remained so, but their charm over the years has made them a success.

The village of L’Herbe, located between Canon and Port de la Vigne, is the only village in the Arcachon Basin to be listed as a “Site pittoresque de France”.

A unique identity for this small village on the Bassin d’Arcachon, with the soul of a fishing and oyster-farming village.

The history of this little village on the Cap Ferret peninsula is linked to Léon Lesca, the public works contractor best known for building the port of Algiers. This construction enabled him to make a fortune, and in 1860 he was able to buy half the peninsula for a pittance, 15km of coastline from Claouey to Bélisaire.

Léon Lesca was a French industrialist from La Teste de Buch, where he was mayor in the 19th century.

(Photo courtesy of baladebateauarcachon)

So he became an active citizen of the Gironde region, participating in local development by exploiting the forest, building schools and railroads, and trying his hand at winegrowing (hence the village name “La Vigne”). When he arrived on the peninsula, Cap Ferret and the surrounding area were virtually deserted, with no housing and no activity. But thanks to his investment, he helped to colonize the area and build and install fishermen’s huts.

It was also Léon Lesca who created the main work of the village de l’herbe in 1865: La Villa Algérienne (which no longer exists) and its Chapel, Moorish-style buildings accompanied by a large garden planted with trees, in homage to his years spent in Algeria.
Today, only the Chapel remains, which can also be visited.

(Photo from bassindarcachon.com)

 

(Wikipedia photo)

La Chapelle is located on the Boulevard de la Plage, on the edge of the Bay of Arcachon. It faces the sea, so to speak! You can contemplate it on foot, but also from the water, thanks to boat expeditions organized by various service providers from Cap-Ferret or Arcachon.
A relaxing and appreciable landscape, where you can feel the iodized air, the wind grazing your face, the sun warming you… For this, take the time to rest on the little bench below this original and atypical tree.

(Photo Charlotte.C)

The fishermen’s huts in the village of L’Herbe were built at the end of the ^19th century. They were invented to make life easier for oyster farmers and fishermen: store, process and store everything on site, so they no longer need to return to the port of Gujan. Today, these huts are also their homes.

Cabanes, which have been modified and improved but remain today a magnificent heritage of the Bassin d’Arcachon.

(Photo by Pierre Baudier)

You’ll fall under the spell of this village from another era. Narrow streets covered with oyster shells, colorful huts, falling flowers, and between the huts splendid views over the blue waters of the basin. It’s a truly peaceful and relaxing atmosphere…

(Blog photo waitandsea)

If you’re on the Bassin d’Arcachon, you’ve got to visit this wonderful little village. It’s a lively village (especially during the summer season) where you can enjoy oysters and a glass of white wine against a splendid backdrop, and if you keep your eyes peeled, you’ll even see the Dune du Pyla in the distance!

(Photo Charlotte.C)