Cabane Bleu

Le Moulleau is one of the most desirable ‘quartiers’ of Arcachon, an appealing collection of contemporary holiday homes, grand 19th-century villas and little shops and restaurants that cluster around a fine sandy beach. Cabane Bleu is ideally located just 300 metres from the heart of this district and its beach, which means no need for a car, navigator or designated driver!

Tucked away in a small group of apartments, this three-bedroom, ground floor suite has everything you need for a relaxing seaside break. The gardens are the charming owner’s pride and joy, with eastern-inspired plants lending an exotic air, and plenty of outdoor lounging and dining space away from the relative hubbub of Le Moulleau. And after a day at the beach, exploring Arcachon or tackling the famous Dune du Pilat, you can relax and enjoy a lovely bubbly Jacuzzi in the privacy of your own garden patio. There’s ample room for a family, and Le Moulleau appeals to all ages, with boutique shopping for style-conscious teens and a superb beach sheltered from the big Atlantic swells and therefore ideal for younger children. Arcachon centre is around three kilometres away, easily reached by bicycle or public transport, or you can take the ferry directly from Le Moulleau over to Cap Ferret, another of this region’s real gems.

The local area

Cabane Bleu is located on a quiet residential street, a short walk from the beach, a few shops and a couple of cafés and restaurants. To the north is Pereire and another excellent beach backed by a tree-lined promenade, whilst to the south is the Dune du Pilat, Europe’s tallest sand dune. Le Moulleau itself is within very easy reach of Arcachon centre, but it has its own beach, jetty and distinctive character. Quieter than the main resort, Le Moulleau works especially well for families and couples looking for a more low-key atmosphere that still gives easy access to fantastic beaches.

Days out

Take the ferry from Le Moulleau over to stylish Cap Ferret and then catch the Petit Train to l’Horizon beach, one of the most wildly beautiful on this stretch of coastline, with lifeguard presence in the peak summer months. Even if you’re not keen to get into the water, the train trip itself is well worth it for the wonderful peninsula views and magnificent Atlantic rollers. The foot ferries run quite late in the evening, so you could have dinner in Cap Ferret before the short boat trip back to Le Moulleau. For little ones who prefer a calmer alternative to the surf, there are lovely bathing lakes surrounded by shady forest a little further down the coast at Sanguinet and Biscarrosse.

In Arcachon itself you can take a wander through the eclectic architectural jumble of the Ville d’Hiver, then pause in the shade of the Parc Mauresque while you watch a game of boules and enjoy the view. Continue your exploration with a walk down to the Belvédère viewing platform, with 360-degree views back over the town. There are lots of lovely spots to eat and drink in town, but for a real Arcachon experience, visit one of the many oyster farms at Gujan-Mestras or one of the villages on the Presqu'Île.

Arcachon bay supports a huge variety of birdlife, with reserves at the Parc Ornotholigique du Teich and Île aux Oiseaux, accessible by ferry from Arcachon. Finally, no visit to this area is complete without an ascent of the Dune du Pilat; the 100-metre climb is well worth it for the views, especially if you are able to get there for sunrise or sunset.

Our choice of French properties is diverse, ranging from simple charm to genuine luxury and style. Much of our portfolio is privately owned, and price alone is therefore not a universal guide. We contract all our accommodation in person, and each property has its individual appeal.

To help you make the right choice based on your own priorities, we have devised a simple grading guide to be considered in conjunction with each individual property description, awarding up to a maximum of five stars for the below categories.