Car park / Fees


Entrance fee

 

Visiting of the Dune du Pilat is free, but there is a charge for parking (see below).

 

The visit can be made all year round and there are no schedules.

 

There are no marked paths to follow either. You are free to discover the dune as you wish.

 

How long does it take?

 

Well, that's up to you! You can spend hours on the dune. Even if at the entrance of the car park, it is indicated that 30 minutes of parking are "free", allow more time for your walk. In fact, it is not possible to visit the dune in half an hour! If you stay 31 minutes, you pay as much as for 2 hours. So take your time to stroll along the dune ridge, to go down to the beach (but don't forget that you have to go up again!) or to rest on the dune while enjoying the spectacular panorama.

 

Traffic jams

 

Due to the onrush of tourists, especially in summer, to Arcachon and the Dune du Pilat, there may be traffic jams. Please allow enough time for your visit!

 

Visiting the dune in winter?

 

A lot of people wonder if it is a good idea to visit the dune in winter. The answer is simple: Sure, but...

 

Follow the weather forecast to find out what's waiting for you. Choose, if possible, a day with sunshine and blue sky, so that you can really the place with its wonderful colours.

Car park

 

There is a car park available for visitors. The main car park (parking charge) is just at the roundabout near the dune. It is also equipped for coaches and there is enough place for 950 cars. 

 

From this car park you can easily access the staircase (see photo) which is installed during the season (from April to November). Distance between the car park and the dune: approx. 400 meters

 

Parking charge

Cars

< 30 mn: free

(not enough to visit the dune!) 

 

   2h: 4 €  

   4h: 6 €

New charges in 2018

 

Low season

(approx. mid-November to mid-February)

 

Cars

< 30 mn: free

   2h: 1 €  

   4h: 2 €

 

Parking spaces for buses are also available

 

Please note:

There is a fine of 50€ in case of using the car park between 2am and 5am!

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(To find parking spaces, take the Dune du Pilat roundabout in the direction of Arcachon and turn left at the next roundabout towards "La Corniche". After a few hundred meters, you will find free spaces. But beware: the access to the dune is longer and especially in high season, it's almost impossible to find a place here!

Souvenirs | Snack bars

 

Near the main car park there are some souvenir shops as well as bars and restaurants. In low season, some of them are closed.

 

There are also public restrooms.

 

Between the car park and the dune, there are also some information panels ("exhibition") with useful information about the Dune du Pilat (in French and English).

 

Google Earth - Dune du Pilat and car park
Google Earth - Dune du Pilat and car park

Click on the photo to enlarge.

If you came by car, you may have noticed the "original" spelling of the dune. So they say Pilat or Pyla? The answer is here.