The Hamptons of Bordeaux - A Secret Spot for Tourists to France

As the labor day holiday weekend approaches and 2.5 million Los Angeles citizens are getting ready to flee the city, I sit here and dream of a time spent 2 years ago in France in a little known area (by tourists that is) just 40 minutes west ( based on traffic and its never 40 minutes as it always crawls) to get out of the city of Bordeaux.
The area is known as the Bay of Arcachon or you could cal it, The Hamptons of Bordeaux. The setting is so enchanting that Napoleon III decreed it a bathing resort in 1857. The aristocracy duly flocked. Their legacy is an enclave of 230 palatial villas in the ‘winter city’ where Bordeaux’s elite spend their holidays. It’s not trendy, not by a long shot; it’s a look at the past, the past of 1899 France. It’s quiet and serene, but great sea views.

The bay is known for producing 60% of the oysters eaten in France. There are scores of oyster fisherman shacks all along the La Teste de Buch and one can sample their finds; try Angelika Herman in hut 166 for her catch right off the boat. There is even an oyster museum. Seaside cafes line the beach ( Café de la Plage being the oldest since 1915) and there are lovely boats rides in the large bay.

Nearby is the fantatic and largest sand dune in Europe, the Pyla-sur-Mer and a new hotel has just opened next to it, designed by Phillippe Starch called La Coorniche.

I dream of sitting near the bay, watching the birds sweep in and out over the azure blue water and putting down a dozen or two oysters.