Dune du Pilat

On the Atlantic coast of France, about 60 kilometres southwest of Bordeaux, the Dune du Pilat rises above the entrance to Arcachon Bay. It is the tallest sand dune in Europe, about 107 metres high (measured in 2018), around 2.7 kilometres long and 500 metres wide.

A dune on the move

The Dune du Pilat holds about 60 million cubic metres of sand, brought by the sea and pushed up by the westerly winds. It runs parallel to the shore and moves slowly inland, burying parts of the pine forest behind it, and even old roads and wartime bunkers.

Wind and wings

The steady sea breeze that shapes the dune also makes it one of the best paragliding spots in France. On a clear day, paragliders float above the crest while walkers enjoy views over the ocean, the sandbanks of the bay and the forest.

Visiting tips

• In summer a staircase is usually installed on the forest side to help you climb.
• Walk barefoot on the crest, but keep shoes for the hot sand in the afternoon.
• Stay for sunset over the Atlantic, one of the best views on the coast.

Key facts