The biggest sand formation of Europe.

"If nature becomes big, very big..."

The Dune of Pilat, situated at the entrance of the Bay of Arcachon, opposite the Point of Cap Ferret, is the biggest sand formation of Europe. Measuring 105 meters* high, 2700 meters long, 500 meters wide and with a volume of 20 million cubic meters of sand, the "Big Dune" is the most visited spot of the coastal area, with over 1 million visitors per year. It has been declared an "important national site" in 1978.

(* according to the measurements performed by the Institut de Geologie du Bassin d'Aquitaine in 1980).

-- Forming of the Dune of Pilat --

Contrary to what one might think, the Dune of Pilat is of reasonably recent origin. In 1855, it was only 35 meters high. According to experts, its origin is due to the disappearance of an enormous sand-bank that, in the 18th century, used to lie before the coast, and also linked to the permanent supply of sand by the wind.

-- Evolution --

The supply of sand continues even nowadays, thanks to the Sandbank of Arguin, although on a lesser scale. But the slow movement of the south channel to the south means a decrease of this phenomena, that appears to produce its effects now rather at "Gaillouneys" (between the beach of Petit-Nice and the Dune of Pilat).

In spite of this decrease in sand supply, the Dune of Pilat is still moving, and what it looses to the Ocean on the west side, it gains at the eastern side to the forest, at the rate of some 4 meters a year.

More information about the Dune of Pilat (access, visits..) is available at the section "tourism" at the pages about the village Pyla-sur-Mer.