Europas största sanddyn - Dune du Pilat i Frankrike

Europe's largest sand dune, Dune Du Pilat, is about 3 kilometres long, 104 metres high and 500 metres wide. We are travelling through France and didn't want to miss this attraction. Join us on Europe's largest sand dune Dune du Pilat near Bordeaux, France!

Getting to the Dune du pilat

Dune du Pilat is located in La-Teste-De-Buch in the Bay of Arcachon in France. We first had a bit of trouble finding the right place to see the dune, even though we were actually very close. Eventually we found the "entrance" where there were lots of car parks, restaurants and kiosks.

Now in December it was quiet and plenty of space, but maybe there can be a lot of people during the high season. We simply chose to park and walk towards the dune, but I think there may also be guided tours and the like.

Europe's largest sand dune

Sand dunes are the result of mountain ranges - the Pyrenees and the Massif Central - eroding and transporting sand to the sea via rivers. The waves then throw the sand onto the beaches and the wind carries it inland. On land, the sand encounters obstacles, such as vegetation, and can then stop and form a sand dune.

Many attempts have been made in the past to stabilise the Dune du Pilat, but it is still moving. The dune is currently about 3 kilometres long, 104 metres high and 500 metres wide, but these figures change a bit all the time depending on how the dune moves.

READ MORE: Mortagne sur Gironde in France
READ MORE: Ile de Ré in France - holiday island on the west coast

Climbing the Dune du Pilat

It was a little sweaty to get up, but not too hard. It was enough to stop and breathe for a few moments. Once you've climbed the dune, you have a great view of the sea and the surrounding forests.

It's really fascinating that so much sand can accumulate in one place, while the surrounding landscape is so green. A different experience to come here!

19 Comments

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JoY says:

Glad you visited that sand dune. We were there a number of years ago and packed swimwear in our bag, because we thought we could get down to the sea on the other side! Had we done that, we probably would have been crawling around in the sand still, gosh it was so steep down to the sea haha.
Hugs Yvonné

18 December 2014 - 18:10

Steve says:

That's marvellous! Now I also know where it is because I follow you on the map.

18 December 2014 - 18:24

AktivaDagar says:

Wow! Awesome! And you know what! Last night I dreamt that we were renting a house that you had and then you were going to sell it and it was a wonderful house and we had the chance to buy it! It was so happy and lovely. I don't know how to interpret this, that I am jealous of your trip maybe, and also want to do one!?!!?

18 December 2014 - 19:31

Ditte says:

Was here many years ago and had a "French period" for several years. Maybe it will come back....
Nice to join you now on your trip.

18 December 2014 - 20:06

Åsa says:

We could use some of that sand here!
http://www.bortugal.se/stranden-som-forsvann/

18 December 2014 - 20:21

Comment by post author

admin says:

JoY, haha, no that project may not have been easy...!

Steve, it is so nice that you are following our journey on the map!!!

ActiveDays, how interesting, I'm glad it was a positive dream!
🙂

Ditte, we understand that you've been here a lot! Always fun to hear about your experiences!

Åsa, wow, read your post... It sounded pretty bad... and expensive!!!!

18 December 2014 - 20:43

Rolle o Carina says:

So many beautiful things you get to see and so do we 🙂 .

Take care.....

18 December 2014 - 20:44

Katarina Wohlfart says:

Fun! 🙂

18 December 2014 - 21:25

Ladies Abroad says:

Cool! Also made me think of the sand dunes we climbed when all three of us were in the Sahara!

/Lena

18 December 2014 - 21:02

BP says:

Cool! It looks like you're wearing winter clothes and it's grey. Yet I see lots of people in the background.
Like Steve, I have checked the map to see where you are. Elizabeth (Ellen the Motorhome) always draws a map so you know where they are. No idea what she does.

Oh Bordeaux - hopefully you've tried the wines there!

18 December 2014 - 22:03

s p i n d e l t j e j e n says:

Beautiful!!! 🙂

18 December 2014 - 23:19

Comment by post author

admin says:

Rolle and Carina, the French coast has had a lot to offer!

Lena, we talked about it when we climbed up yesterday! And noted that it was easier to climb here, because the sand was moist... and not dry like in the Sahara!

BP, if 5-6 other people count as lots, then yes, haha. We still have warm jackets, but yesterday we had to unbutton and take off our gloves. It's starting to get a little warmer, it's probably at least 10 degrees anyway. I also like Elisabeth's maps! Don't know how she does it either... but maybe you should think about it....

19 December 2014 - 9:01

Lena & Jan says:

Really Sahara-like pictures, sand is cool and the landscape changes easily. Then you got a real exercise trip

19 December 2014 - 11:31

Christine says:

Ohhhh how cool! 🙂

19 December 2014 - 22:58

Deciree says:

I imagine it was fantastic to stand there and look at the nice view:-)

20 December 2014 - 9:50

Matts Torebring says:

We have missed it even though we were probably very close by. Hugs

20 December 2014 - 21:15

Inga M says:

Looks exciting, a little Saharastuk! But you might get there too. Or do you ignore Africa on your trip?

20 December 2014 - 22:42

Comment by post author

admin says:

Lena & Jan, yes it was a walk uphill...
😉

Deciree, nice to come up and see the view!

Matts, it's impossible to see everything... neither do we...

Ings M, we were in the Sahara in February this year and actually climbed a sand dune there! But maybe it won't be now...

21 December 2014 - 0:19

Kors och Tvärs says:

Glad you found your way up there!

21 December 2014 - 7:13

Europe's largest sand dune - Dune de Pilat in France

Getting to the Dune du pilat

Europe's largest sand dune

Climbing the Dune du Pilat

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19 Comments

JoY says:

Steve says:

AktivaDagar says:

Ditte says:

Åsa says:

admin says:

Rolle o Carina says:

Katarina Wohlfart says:

Ladies Abroad says:

BP says:

s p i n d e l t j e j e n says:

admin says:

Lena & Jan says:

Christine says:

Deciree says:

Matts Torebring says:

Inga M says:

admin says:

Kors och Tvärs says:

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