Cap Ferret lighthouse: visit and panorama
While you’re staying at our Biscarrosse campsite, take a trip to the Cap Ferret peninsula. The 1 hr 40 min drive takes you to the Cap Ferret lighthouse, an emblematic site that watches over the Bay of Arcachon. A true landmark of the region, it offers an exceptional panorama of the ocean, the Dune du Pilat and the Landes forest.
Your visit in brief
Here’s all the information you need to plan your day at the tip of the Cap Ferret peninsula:
| Information | Detail |
|---|---|
| Address | 4, promenade Tour du Phare, 33970 Lège-Cap-Ferret |
| Height | 53 meters |
| Ascent | 258 steps |
| Adult price | 7 € (from 13 years old) |
| Children’s price | 4 € (4-12 years old) |
| High season | 10:00 am – 7:30 pm (April-September) |
| Low season | 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm (Wednesday to Sunday) |
| Parking | Paid parking is available nearby. |
A landmark between the Arcachon Basin and the ocean
The Cap Ferret lighthouse occupies a strategic position. It stands at the northern tip of the peninsula, on the access channel to the Arcachon basin.
This landmark marks the natural boundary between the calm waters of the Bay of Arcachon and the vastness of the Atlantic Ocean.
Its primary function is that of a landing light, designed to guide sailors at the entrance to the basin’s passes.
Why is this lighthouse a monument?
The history of this Gironde site is an eventful one. The first lighthouse, completed in 1840, stood here. But it’s not the one you’re visiting today. The original building was destroyed by German troops in 1944. Today’s Cap Ferret lighthouse was rebuilt and put back into service in 1949.
For its historical value and architecture, it has been listed as a Historic Monument since 2009. Its navigation function is twofold:
- its main light, a red flash, has a range of 50 km, guiding sailors towards the entrance to the channel,
- its second fixed white light indicates a safe waiting area for boats at night, as night navigation in the passes is not recommended.
What can you see from the top of the lighthouse?
The climb is an experience in itself. You have to climb the 258 steps to reach the top platform. Once at the top, at a height of 53 metres, a 360° panorama opens up to visitors!
The view embraces the entire Bassin d’Arcachon, the Dune du Pilat, the Île aux Oiseaux with its cabanes tchanquées and the Banc d’Arguin. It’s a unique sight that reveals the two faces of the peninsula:
- On the west side, the Atlantic Ocean and its sandy beaches stretch on forever;
- On the eastern side, the Bassin d’Arcachon unveils its oyster beds at low tide and its pine forest.
What to do around the Lighthouse
A visit to the Cap Ferret lighthouse doesn’t stop with the climb. In fact, the site houses an interactive museographic space with six themed areas, including a lower gallery, a chart room and a hydrographic landing.
The garden also features a restored German blockhouse from the Second World War.
After the visit, here are some ideas for extending the day:
- La Plage du Phare: just next door, with calm waters ideal for a swim. A yacht club offers sailing and stand-up paddling, and it’s the starting point for a walk to the Pointe du Mimbeau.
- Oyster-farming villages: stroll through L’Herbe or Le Canon, admire the colorful huts, the Villa Algérienne, and enjoy oysters with your feet in the water.
- Local transport: discover the peninsula by bike, little train or pinasse, the traditional boat, to get close to the Île aux Oiseaux and the cabanes tchanquées.
After soaring over the Bassin d’Arcachon, return to the peace and quiet of the Landes. Our 4-star campsite in Gironde is the ideal place to recharge your batteries after a day of sightseeing.
