Bordeaux Day Trips: Dune du Pilat, Lascaux & Biarritz
Escape Bordeaux's city limits on spectacular day trips—climb Europe's tallest sand dune at Pilat, kayak the Arcachon oyster bay, explore prehistoric Lascaux cave art in the Périgord, tour Cognac distilleries, and reach the surf beaches of the Basque Country.
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Dune du Pilat – Europe's Tallest Sand Dune
The Dune du Pilat rises 106 metres above the Atlantic coast near Arcachon—Europe's tallest sand dune, stretching 2.7 km long and 500 metres wide. Climb the wooden staircase for views across the Landes forest and the Bassin d'Arcachon, or descend the Atlantic face to a wild beach backed by pine trees with no development in sight.
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Arcachon Bay & Cap Ferret
The triangular Bassin d'Arcachon is an inland sea 15 km wide. On its western tip, the Cap Ferret peninsula—reachable by ferry from Arcachon town—offers a different world: low wooden oyster cabins, natural dunes, and the famous lighthouse. The ferry crossing takes 20 minutes and delivers you to one of France's most unspoiled coastlines.
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Périgord & Lascaux Cave Paintings
The Dordogne département north-east of Bordeaux contains the greatest concentration of prehistoric art in the world. The Vézère Valley shelters Lascaux (with its replica Lascaux IV international cave art centre), Font-de-Gaume, and over 150 decorated caves. Combine with visits to the medieval fortified villages of Les Eyzies and Sarlat-la-Canéda.
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Cognac & Armagnac Distillery Tours
One hour north of Bordeaux, the town of Cognac is home to the world's most famous brandy—produced in the cellars of Hennessy, Rémy Martin, Courvoisier, and Martell. To the south, Gascony's Armagnac—France's oldest eau-de-vie—offers a more rustic, terroir-driven counterpoint. Both towns offer distillery tours and tastings year-round.
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Basque Country & Biarritz Day Trip
Two hours south of Bordeaux, the Basque coast around Biarritz and Saint-Jean-de-Luz offers a completely different culture—a distinct language, cuisine, and architecture. Biarritz's Belle Époque casino and surfing beaches, the coloured timber facades of Saint-Jean-de-Luz, and the Spanish border town of Hendaye are all accessible by TGV from Bordeaux.
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Cycling the Médoc by Bike
The Médoc's flat terrain and quiet lanes make it ideal cycling territory. The 'La Vélodyssée' and local vineyard loops connect châteaux, estuary viewpoints, and village auberges across the peninsula. Bike hire is available in Bordeaux, and several companies offer guided vineyard cycling tours with château tastings included in the itinerary.