Pyla Dune (Dune du Pilat) Tours and Tickets

Q: How much does it cost to visit Pyla Dune (Dune du Pilat) in 2024?

While it’s free to visit the Pyla Dune (Dune du Pilat) independently, plenty of affordable tours can help you learn more about the sand dune. Activities at the dune, including surfing lessons, start at €61, while half-day trips from Bordeaux begin at €132 and full-day trips at €351.

Q: How high is the Pyla Dune, and how difficult is the climb?

Europe’s tallest dune, the Pyla Dune, measures 357 feet (109 meters) high. While the climb to the top is relatively arduous, whether you take the stairs or simply make your way up the sandy slopes, the expansive view makes it all worth it.

Q: How do I get to the Pyla Dune from Bordeaux?

The Pyla Dune is located south of the Bay of Arcachon, 41 miles (66 kilometers) southwest of Bordeaux. It’s roughly 1 hour by car via the A63 and A660. Local TER trains also run between Bordeaux Saint-Jean and the Gare d’Arcachon, a 20-minute taxi trip away.

Q: What is the best time of year to visit the Pyla Dune?

While the Pyla Dune makes a grand impression all year, the best times to visit the dune are in June and September, when the weather is likely pleasant, but you’ll miss the peak summer temperatures and crowds. If you do visit in summer, aim for early morning or sunset.

Q: Can I swim or do other activities at the Pyla Dune?

Yes, you can swim and do other activities at the Pyla Dune. Swimming and surfing, as are sports like windsurfing, are popular in the area. Hiking tours of the region are another option. That said, if you’re after a relaxed experience, you can picnic, sunbathe, visit local cafes, and more.

6 results

Best Seller

Dune of Pilat, Oysters and Arcachon ! What else?

I offer an unique excursion at the Arcachon Bay. Welcome to the tallest sand dune in Europe, you will enjoy the wonderfull view of Landaise Forest, Cap Ferret, Ocean and the Bay. The guide stay with you during the Dune and take time with each person to enjoy the best. After the Dune, Stop to the belvedere tour in Arcachon to enjoy the panoramic view of the birds island, oysters farmers and Arcachon town. A Professional guide and the driver are at your service. Finish to the La Teste-de-Buch port, it is a picturesque and authentic place protected from mass tourism You are all the time with a guide and during the Oysters Tasting you have a choice of 6, 9 or 12 Oysters per person and a glass of rosé or white wine. If you don't like Oysters we have some shrimps, porc pâté or winkle. It's a family atmosphere and professional.

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5.0

(43)

Dune of Pilat, Oysters and Arcachon ! What else?

5 hoursFree Cancellation

from $156

Arcachon Bay Full Day Trip from Bordeaux with lunch and Pyla Dune

4.7

(96)

Arcachon Bay Full Day Trip from Bordeaux with lunch and Pyla Dune

6 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation

from $191

Visit Dune du Pilat in a fun and immersive way

Become Guardian of the Pilat Dune with this interactive digital game! Immerse yourself in a fun and autonomous experience around the iconic site of the Dune. YOUR MISSION: thwart a secret industrial project that threatens this unique place! Take on visual challenges, answer correctly and learn more about the Dune, its fauna, flora and history. 2 titles are at stake; Become Coastal Protector or Guardian of the Dune if you stand out from the others by reaching 700 points! ...and you enter the monthly draw to win our local stocked cart. How does it work? Very simple, after your Reservation, you receive the game link and access codes, no download is necessary! click on the link, enter the codes and let's go!‍‍‍ ⏱️ Duration: about 1h15/1h30 Book now on any time slot and start the game whenever you want!

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5.0

(24)

Visit Dune du Pilat in a fun and immersive way

1 hour 30 minutesFree Cancellation

from $30

Per group

Likely to Sell Out

Private Arcachon Full-Day tour, from Bordeaux

Discover some of France’s most celebrated coastal scenery on this private, full-day tour from Bordeaux to Arcachon Bay. Depart in the morning from central Bordeaux in a private vehicle and head to a nature reserve, where you’ll sample oysters and local white wine (own expense). Next, head to Arcachon for lunch (own expense) and sightseeing before continuing to the Dune of Pilat—climb to the summit for unbeatable views.

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5.0

(4)

Private Arcachon Full-Day tour, from Bordeaux

9 hoursFree Cancellation

from $413

Price varies by group size

Private Sightseeing Flight above the Arcachon Bay

UP, UP, and AWAY! Experience the fun of flying PRIVATELY in a small aeroplane. Discover the stunning Arcachon region from above with a local private pilot who shares his passion for aviation and area with you. Plan the flight route with your pilot while adhering to local safety guidelines, meeting directly at at either Andernos-les-Bains or Arcachon Aerodrome. Your pilot is key to this adventure, sharing the flights' direct cost, not making a profit. After booking, we will match you with a pilot, and send you all flight details when confirmed. Departure airfields can't be chosen beforehand as it depends on pilot and aircraft availability. Experience time capped at 4 hours for flexibility, with flights scheduled at any hour in your chosen morning or afternoon slot. Safety is our top priority! To ensure a smooth booking process, we request essential security details. Missing one detail could delay matching you with a pilot, so stay connected with us once you’ve booked.

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3.7

(3)

Private Sightseeing Flight above the Arcachon Bay

1 to 4 hours

from $179

Price varies by group size

From Arcachon to Biscarrosse, passing by Pyla sur Mer and the Dune du Pilat, discover the beauty of our landscapes by immersing yourself in surfing and stand-up paddling. Pyla Surf School has an exceptional team of teachers dedicated to helping students succeed with maximum enjoyment. Our team provides advice and support for each student to meet their needs. Passionate by birth and long experienced, BPJEPS graduates by the French State and the French Surf Federation, our instructors also have a Federal Initiator's Certificate and an ISA (International) and all the qualifications required to share our sport in a fun way , educational and safe.

2 hoursFree Cancellation

from $72

What are people saying about Pyla Dune (Dune du Pilat)

Arcachon Bay Full Day Trip from Bordeaux with lunch and Pyla Dune

Deborah_B, Apr 2026

Thank gods for the stairs 🥰

Well, what a nice break from the lovely wine tours. A perfect day of strolling and a bit of challenging climb to the top of the dunes for an endless view of the French coast of Arcachon. The Playa dunes were much larger than I had imagined. The walk up the dunes was made easier by the stairs. Then we had a lunch of the freshest, and sweetest oysters, virtually right off the boats. Fabian was a very considerate and knowledgeable tour guide. Enjoyed the entire day

Arcachon Bay Full Day Trip from Bordeaux with lunch and Pyla Dune

Christopher_H, Dec 2025

Great Day in Arcachon

Couldn't recommend this trip more! Mel was such a fun guide and her English was exceptional. The views from the top of the sand dune were worth the hike and the little shops had great souvenirs. I wish we had time to walk through downtown arcachon a bit more, but we got a drive through tour, which covered a lot more ground. The lunch at the end was so delicious as we watched our ousters get shucked almost right in front of us! Highly recommend this one.

Arcachon Bay Full Day Trip from Bordeaux with lunch and Pyla Dune

David_B, Aug 2025

Climbing the Dune du...

Climbing the Dune du Pilat was an unreal experience — absolutely breathtaking and unlike anything else. The views of the Atlantic Ocean on one side and endless pine forest on the other made it unforgettable. Very cool! Unfortunately, the rainy weather cut our visit to Arcachon short, so we weren’t able to walk around and explore the town. It looked charming from what we saw, and I’d definitely love to come back in better weather

Arcachon Bay Full Day Trip from Bordeaux with lunch and Pyla Dune

Gary_S, Jul 2025

Wonderful scenery and...

Wonderful scenery and history. Excellent seafood, especially thé oysters. Loose Sand was difficult walking for older people

Arcachon Bay Full Day Trip from Bordeaux with lunch and Pyla Dune

Angela_C, Jul 2025

Dancing down the Dune

Regis was a fabulous guide for this trip with a true connection to the area and love of history. Climbing the Dune was a worthwhile challenge, unique experience and even more fun racing down the massive hill of sand! We enjoyed closing the trip with a driving area tour and fresh oysters on the harbor! Highly recommend!

Arcachon Bay Full Day Trip from Bordeaux with lunch and Pyla Dune

Lori_S, Aug 2023

Great excursion from Bordeaux to see more of the area

Nice trip to see the coastline. Climbing the dune is a must if you take this trip, but it is not an easy climb even with the stairs. The view from the top is amazing. The little ton we went to for oyster tasting s great, as were the oysters ( or so every one on the tour said- I am not an oyster fan). I went on the tour to see the area, and thoroughly enjoyed it.

Arcachon Bay Full Day Trip from Bordeaux with lunch and Pyla Dune

Mark_S, Sep 2023

The view from the dune is only part of the attraction

I highly recommend taking this half-day trip from Bordeaux to the sea coast at Arcachon to climb the Pyla sand dune. Yes there’s a hour-and-a-half drive from Bordeaux’s tourist office. But our guide, Dorian, turned that time into a wonderful education on the wines of the region. Ask him about his favorite wine movie, Sideways. ;-) The climb up the fiberglass stairs is easy enough and the dune offers a beautiful view of the ocean. BTW, it’s best to be barefoot. A glass of wine on the summit followed by about 20 minutes to take pictures iOS followed by the descent, and running is very easy. A quick 20-minute ride to the picturesque oyster farming company’s water-side tasting center ends with oysters or shrimp and a glass of wine. All of this was capably overseen by Dorian, who is well-versed in the region’s history, viticulture and is fluent in English, Spanish and Portuguese.