Best campground in western europe, perfect spot for families and paraglyding along the beautiful…read moredune of pilat. This site is the only one with direct access to the beach without having to cross the dune each time (dune's 105m high).

Lovely. Simply lovely. What once housed an old water pumping plant- is now a little boutique…read morehotel with only 12 rooms that will satisfy your every need. But first- a bit of history. Back in 1884- the main building of the complex was a pumping station for fresh water for the residents of Arcachon. This remained a working station for about 100 years and was retired in 1984. The building then fell into ruin until some visionary developers turned it into the hotel it is today in the mid 1990's. There are 12 rooms located in three separate buildings which just adds to the overall intimacy of the place. There is an amazing restaurant on property as well (I'll cover that in a separate review) as well as a pool (very interesting as is located outside but below ground level), a spa and an extremely accommodating staff that went out of their way to make sure that my visit was perfect. There is a small parking lot out front for your car. Know that the main building that you check into still has signage from the old water plant so you may think you are in the wrong place- but enter through those arched doors and the reception desk is right in front of you. I was personally escorted to my room, along a pathway laced with foliage and beautiful greenery until we arrived at my spacious room. There are three levels of rooms at the hotel- the one I had was the top end and included a large bedroom with sumptuous linens that opened out to a patio with furniture on it overlooking the gardens. The bathroom was also well stocked with fluffy towels and other amenities and there was a small desk area with free Internet. Breakfast is available every day until 10:30 and they will bring it to you or you can enjoy it in the restaurant. There is also free bottled water in the room. The location can't be beat either. It is about a 15 minute walk to the beach and shops of Arcachon, yet it is removed enough that you almost feel as if you are in a country estate. My only wish is that I had been there for more than one night as I wanted to luxuriate in my surroundings. Don't know if your travel will take you to the town of Arcachon, France, but if it does- you should try to stay at the Hotel de la Ville D'Hiver. It's worth every penny (Euro) that you pay!

On your right, the Promemade des Anglais, on your left the Anglican Lane and in front of you :…read moreFleming Square. Where in France are you ? Because YOU ARE in France although the church in your back was in inaugurated by the archbishop of London 1878. And this is not, as you might have wrongly guessed the French Riviera, this is Arcachon on the West coast and more specifically its winter town La Ville d'hiver. The place was dug into a massive dune at the end of the nineteenth century to create a village dedicated to wealthy but not so healthy people who could rent eccentric villas were everything was planned to protect their health. Here the streets are organised to prevent draughts and keep the hot or cold weather out. The layout is a succession of narrow lanes, trees and flowers and, of course villas. Most of them are now historic buildings, all of them are a feast to the eye. The English were among the first to be attracted by this labyrinth and an Anglican reverent, Samuel Radcliff, even used to advertise the place by organising rally-papers for his guests. If you decide to come here, which I strongly recommend, you will find plans and directories of the villas on the internet but ,as you walk through the winding alleyways, don't trust any plan. Most of the villas (and streets) have changed names along the years. Take the time to stop in front of the Grand Hotel de la Foret, which is now called the Regina Hotel to avoid confusion with the Grand Hotel (as I say, don't trust the names). This was the scene of a very special event when, just after WW1, it's grand staircase was used to demonstrate the ability of army vehicles to climb up slopes. Allow at least half a day for the visit.