THE WEST COAST OF FRANCE
By no means do we claim to be a beach resort! However, a day trip to the incredible west coast is a very doable adventure from your base at Le 1500. Located around 100 minutes away, the closest stretch of the coast is the other side of Bordeaux, near to Arcachon. Or if you want to set off early and make a full day of head further south to the stunning long stretches of sand that head all the way down the coast, south, towards Biarritz and the Spanish border.
​
Here's a few highlights that are amongst our favourite spots.
​
​
ARCACHON & THE DUNES DU PILAT: the ultimate Edwardian coastal resort where you'll find an abundance of fantastic seafood restaurants perched amongst the glorious turn of the Century villas. A 10 minute drive from here you'll find Europe's largest sand dune at Pilat - an utterly incredible volume of sand that is worth the stopping to climb.
CAP FERRET: with empty Atlantic beaches and shellfish shacks among the dunes, Cap Ferret offers a relaxed alternative to it's flashier near-namesake, Cap Ferat. We'd recommend lunch at the Chez Hortense restaurant. Alternatively just pop into one of the many shacks on the bay side for a basic but uniquely authentic oyster experience. In the summer months it's quicker and more fun to head by car to Arcachon and jump on the regular ferry that heads to the Cap from the harbour in the town centre.
MIMIZAN: one of an abundance of basic but awesome seaside surfer villages, Mimizan Plage offers the ultimate in laid-back beach hang-outs. Watch the surf - or the surfers - and grab a beer from one of the pop-up beach bars. You'll feel like you're 20 all over again.
HOSSEGOR: join the young and beautiful summer crowd who flock to Hossegor and other surfer paradises like St Jean de Luz. Miles of gorgeous sandy beaches await you after this 120 minute drive. More developed than some of its smaller village neighbours, Hossegor offers a whole ocean of excellent eateries and bars. Worth an overnight if you can squeeze it in.
SAN SEBASTIAN, SPAIN: we've been known to get up early and head down to Spain for lunch. It's a bit mad but entirely doable from your base at Le 1500. What awaits you at around 180 minutes from Saussignac, is an entirely different culture; a beautiful seaside resort with calm bay, grand houses, surf beaches, historic old town, stylish shops and, of course, a plethora of incredible tapas bars. Definitely worth the effort.