When in France, do as the French do?

Summer in France is magical. Summer in France at the beach is like something out of a Guillaume Canet film.

Being “half French”, we try to visit Matt’s motherland at least once a year. And if we could choose anywhere in France to visit every year, it would be Cap Ferret.

This beach village, set on a peninsula on the west coast of France, is known for being a frequent set choice for film-makers, as well as a hot spot for holiday homes to the famous! We’re not going to lie, we totally geeked out when we saw internationally renowned designer, Philippe Starck, at the fish market.

Now despite this exciting picture that we have just painted for you, this area is the perfect spot for a bit of rest and relaxation. So if you are looking for a quiet and tranquil time away, here is our advice on making this dream destination vacation spot a reality:

Plage de la torchère, Cap Ferret.

Accommodation:

Now, rental pricing in this village can be pretty steep, so if you know a guy who knows a guy, you might get lucky and find affordable accommodation. And if you don’t know a guy who knows a guy, well then we recommend renting a house with a group of friends and booking a good few months in advance.

Transport:

The quickest way to get to Cap Ferret, from anywhere other than a French city, is by flying into the airport at Bordeaux. From the airport, you can either rent a car (although the traffic along the peninsula is hectic) or as we would advise, catch the bus into the village (it’s only a 1-hour drive) and then rent bicycles! The area is very small, and cycling through the pine forest to get from A-to-B is utterly relaxing and enjoyable. Bike paths are clearly marked, although you could also get adventurous and attempt a cycle through the sand dunes.

Beaches:

Cap Ferret is famous for its squeaky clean beach, yes the sand literally squeaks! And there is so much to do once you get there. Kitesurfing, regular surfing, swimming and even scuba diving are all activities that you can expect to enjoy. Most exciting of all though is the paragliding on the Dune du Pilat. If you are lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of the lone, friendly sea lion that has made his home in the quaint coastal village.

Marché Cap Ferret:

If you have ever visited any city or village in France, you will know that a visit to the fresh food market is mandatory. The Marché Cap Ferret is open every morning from around 8 am until 1 pm in the afternoon. Here, you can buy the most incredible fresh seafood, delicious local wines, cheeses and more. A must-try when in Cap Ferret is the traditional Dunes Blanches from local boulangerie, Chez Pascal. These little cream-filled choux pastries are reason enough to visit!

Looking for more information about Cap Ferret or want to collaborate with us?
Then mail us:  [email protected]

Trip tip:

If you are planning on staying in one spot of a prolonged period of time, consider renting bikes. They are way cheaper to rent than cars, and kinder to the planet! #globalwarmingisreal

Get inspired to plan your next trip by viewing our Landscapes Gallery.

Have you ever visited Cap Ferret? Let us know what you thought of this French peninsula in our comments section!