Dune du Pilat
La Teste-de-Buch, France
Europe’s tallest sand dune, over 100 m high, between pine forest and the Atlantic.
The dune at the mouth of the Arcachon Basin, about 60 km south-west of Bordeaux, is the highest in Europe: it measured 101.7 m in 2025, down from 106.6 m in 2018. It is almost 3 km long, up to 500 m wide and contains some 55 to 60 million m³ of sand. Each year it creeps 1 to 3 m inland, pushing into the pine forest.
From the crest you look out over the Atlantic, the Banc d’Arguin sandbank, the Landes forest and the basin. Allow one to two hours for the climb, the walk along the ridge and the descent. From Easter to All Saints' Day a staircase makes the climb easier; the rest of the year you have to slog up through the sand. With nearly two million visitors a year it gets crowded, so mornings and evenings are quieter. Access is via the D218 towards Pyla-sur-Mer, and there is a pay car park with shops and toilets at the foot of the dune.
- Nearest town
- La Teste-de-Buch, France
- Category
- Nature & parks
- GPS
- 44.5890, -1.2125
- Editor's pick
- ★
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in April, July–August and November. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Getting there
- France: Motorway tolls. Tolls on most autoroutes; the limit drops to 110 km/h in rain. Motorway limit for cars: 130 km/h.
Sources
Featured in these trip guides
Photo by Lucas Gallone on UnsplashLa Rochelle to the Dune du Pilat
© Andy Mendyk · CC BY-SA 3.0Landes: surf, pine forest and hidden lakes
Photo by Juan Di Nella on UnsplashPine forest, shifting dune and the Basque Country – by motorhome along the Atlantic coast to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port
Nearby
.jpg){kind=link}
Campsites nearby
- Panorama du PylaCampsite2 km from Dune du PilatTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToilets
- Aire de service d’ArcachonMotorhome stopover9 km from Dune du PilatMotorhomesDrinking waterWaste disposalDogs allowedFree
- Camping municipal de VerdalleCampsite10 km from Dune du PilatTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalWi-Fi
- Aire BiscarrosseMotorhome stopover15 km from Dune du Pilat · 87 pitchesMotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterWaste disposalDogs allowedWi-Fi
- Camping municipal Les PastourellesCampsite18 km from Dune du PilatTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposal
- Le BraouCampsite20 km from Dune du PilatTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposal
All campsites in France · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Dune du Pilat?
Dune du Pilat is in La Teste-de-Buch, France, at GPS 44.5890, -1.2125. It is about 7 km from Cap Ferret.
Can you camp near Dune du Pilat?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Camping de la Dune, about 1 km away; within 25 km there are 80 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Dune du Pilat?
Dune du Pilat is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: La Rochelle to the Dune du Pilat, Landes: surf, pine forest and hidden lakes and Pine forest, shifting dune and the Basque Country – by motorhome along the Atlantic coast to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port.
What is there to see near Dune du Pilat?
Places worth a stop nearby: Marquèze Ecomuseum (62 km), Fort Médoc (71 km), La Sauve-Majeure Abbey (74 km) and Citadel of Blaye (74 km).
When is the best time to visit Dune du Pilat?
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in April, July–August and November. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)