Aire du lac

La Teste-de-Buch (Gironde, France)

La Teste-de-Buch stretches along the southern shore of the Bassin d’Arcachon, between the town of Arcachon and the vast Dune du Pilat. Both a maritime and forested commune, it combines oyster farming activities, Landes pines and seaside neighborhoods such as Pyla-sur-Mer. It is a convenient entry point to explore the basin, its cabins and coastal panoramas. Local life is shaped by the port, the market and outdoor leisure.

Heritage and history

The town center preserves traces of a past oriented toward the sea and oyster farming. The Église Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption modestly overlooks the village. The port of La Teste remains an active place where barges and oyster parks testify to an old know-how. The local market enlivens daily life and showcases seafood and regional products.

Nature and landscapes

The commune borders the spectacular Dune du Pilat, the highest sand formation in Europe, accessible from Pyla-sur-Mer. Behind it, the forêt domaniale des Landes offers long walks in the shade of the pines. The basin’s shores allow observation of tides, sandbanks and, in the distance, the cabanes tchanquées on the Île aux Oiseaux.

Outdoor activities

La Teste is ideal for cycling on bike paths, hikes in the pine forest and boat trips in the basin. Oyster farming inspires on-site tastings and visits to oyster parks. The beaches near Pyla-sur-Mer are suitable for relaxing as well as for water sports.

Not to be missed

• Dune du Pilat: climb and panorama over the basin and the ocean.
• Port de La Teste: observation of oyster parks and embarkations.
• Pyla-sur-Mer: beaches and direct access to the dune.
• Forêt domaniale: shaded trails for hikes and mountain biking.
• Marché de La Teste: local and seafood products.