Arcachon Bay Discovery Full Day Trip From Bordeaux (private)
Highlights
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Taste Fresh Oysters Directly From the Local Oyster Sheds
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Lunch At Any One of the Local High Quality Seafood Restaurants
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Hand-Picked Guides Only. English-Speaking, Local Experts
Summary
8.50am - Pick up by your driver / guide at your hotel or accommodation in Bordeaux or surrounding.
9.00am Depart from Bordeaux
10.30am Visit & Wine tasting at local Oyster Shed on the Arcachon Bay
11.30am Depart for the seaside resort of Arcachon
12.00am Free time for personal discovery and lunch in Arcachon
2.00pm Optional boat tour on a traditional Pinasse or Dune du Pyla visit
4.00pm Depart for Bordeaux
5.30pm Arrive in Bordeaux
9.00am Depart from Bordeaux
10.30am Visit & Wine tasting at local Oyster Shed on the Arcachon Bay
11.30am Depart for the seaside resort of Arcachon
12.00am Free time for personal discovery and lunch in Arcachon
2.00pm Optional boat tour on a traditional Pinasse or Dune du Pyla visit
4.00pm Depart for Bordeaux
5.30pm Arrive in Bordeaux
Tour info
Duration
8 hours
Group Size
8
Pricing (From)
Adult:
(18-99 years)
€590.00
Commentary
Meeting Point
Dropoff location
Why take this tour?
Arcachon Bay - Home to Europe’s Largest Dune
Arcachon is a popular bathing location on the Atlantic coast 55 kilometers (34 miles) southwest of Bordeaux. It has a fine beach and a mild climate said to be favorable for invalids suffering from pulmonary complaints. The town of Arcachon is only 150 years old. Not long before 2 May 1857, when Emperor Napoleon III signed its official “birth certificate”, it was just a forest of pine trees, oaks and strawberry trees (arbutus), with no road links, and home – mostly when the weather was expected to be warm, and more in wood huts than in real houses – to fewer than 400 people, mostly fishermen and peasants.
In earlier years, when some hygienists began to recommend sea bathing, three sea establishments were laid out by some entrepreneurs especially for the Bordeaux bourgeoisie. At its southern entrance from the Atlantic ocean, Arcachon Bay is crowned by Europe’s largest sand dune, the Dune de Pyla (or du Pilat), nearly 3 kilometres long, 500 metres wide, reaching 107 metres in height, and moving inland at rate of 5 metres a year. Today depart from Bordeaux and head towards this land locked sea known as “The Arcachon bay”.
Your Arcachon Private Tour
Upon arrival, discover the oyster sheds that are laid in rows one next to each other and that belong to the local oyster farmers that make this destination so well known to all French oyster aficionados. Here you will have the opportunity to taste some oysters accompanied with fresh baguette, lightly salted butter and white wine of course.
For lunch, your guide will certainly suggest one of the many high quality sea food restaurants located along the shore.
Finally, why not indulge yourself to a unique boat ride on board a local “Pinasse”, the traditional boats of the Bay of Arcachon. All built out of wood, mention of the boats date back to the 1500’s at a time when they were used only for fishing. This pleasant ride will have you see the numerous oyster farms and admire ‘Birds Island’ with its “Tchanqués” huts built on wooden piles. If the boat ride is not to your taste, then we will take you to the Pyla sand dune where you will have a stunning view over the Bay. It will be possible for you to also take some refreshments in a local venue that also has thrilling views over the Bay.
This private tour ensures you enjoy full attention from your guide.
What’s included?
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Hotel pick up from Bordeaux or surrounding area. -
Enjoy live commentaries from your expert guide. -
Reservations for a tasting session at an Oyster Shed. -
Travel in recent, comfortable and fully equipped minivans. -
Bottled water in the vehicle. -
Free WiFi access on board. -
Tasting fees at the Oyster Shed.
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Meals and drinks.
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Personal insurance, expenses.
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Optional Boat ride on the Bay
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Gratuities for the Guide
Things to know
Before you book
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Price is per group, not per person.
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This product is on request. We will confirm availability within the shortest possible time after we receive your order.
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Tour requires minimum 2 passengers (adults) to operate.
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Tour is operated in English, other languages on request.
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This tour is not recommended for persons with reduced mobility.
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Not wheelchair accessible.
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Currency is in Euro.
Before you go
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Please be ready 10 minutes prior to departure time.
Covid Policy
- Face masks required for travelers in public areas
- Face masks required for guides in public areas
- Social distancing enforced throughout experience
- Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized
- Guides required to regularly wash hands
- COVID-19 vaccination required for guides
Cancellation Policy
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Operator strictly adheres to its cancellation policy and will make no exceptions to the policy. If Guest chooses to cancel his or her reservation, Operator must receive written notice of said cancellation in writing via certified mail, fax or e-mail sent to [email protected] (with confirmation of receipt from Operator), and Guest shall be subject to the following cancellation fee schedule:
Ophorus requires full payment by credit card, internet payment (through our website) or wire transfer (Wire transfer fees at the charge of the Guest) to make a reservation. We accept payment by AMEX, Visa and Master Card. There is no charge or service fee for processing credit card payments except with American Express +3%.
For any cancellation, the following fees will be deducted from the refund:
Up to 48 hours prior to departure: no cancellation fees except the booking fees.
48 hours prior to departure and less > no refund.
No show - no refund.
Redemption information
If any hotel or predetermined meeting place changes, notify Orphorus immediately. Otherwise be at location 10 minutes prior to pick up time.
Your voucher will be collected or scanned on redemption
Operated by:
About operator:
Ophorus Tours is both a licensed Tour Operator, member of Atout France and ETOA, and a Transportation company with headquarters in Bordeaux. We operate since 2005 and conduct Walking Tours, Day Trips, Private Tours, Shore Excursions and multi-regional Tours throughout France.
Our multilingual office staff is made up of France Travel Experts that design unique itineraries for both individuals and groups. Their perfect knowledge of the destination allows them to suggest carefully crafted programs to professionals of the Travel Trade all over the world.
Our in house team of licensed, multilingual Tour Guides are local Experts that can conduct any type of tours including (but not limited to) Cultural & Historical, Food & Wine, Luxury, Battlefields, Active, Family friendly, Faith-based etc...
Our multilingual office staff is made up of France Travel Experts that design unique itineraries for both individuals and groups. Their perfect knowledge of the destination allows them to suggest carefully crafted programs to professionals of the Travel Trade all over the world.
Our in house team of licensed, multilingual Tour Guides are local Experts that can conduct any type of tours including (but not limited to) Cultural & Historical, Food & Wine, Luxury, Battlefields, Active, Family friendly, Faith-based etc...
