Location: Andernos-les-Bains
Top Things to do in Andernos-les-Bains
Top Restaurants in Andernos-les-Bains
Countries
Top 10 Things to do in Andernos-les-Bains, France
Andernos-les-Bains in France, from Europe region, is best know for Other Food & Drink. Discover best things to do in Andernos-les-Bains with beautiful photos and great reviews from traveller around the world here!
Restaurants in Andernos-les-Bains
1. Stephane Boucher
Overall Ratings
5 based on 60 reviews
Discover my oyster farm in the Arcachon bay, 20 miles south from Bordeaux. You come with me in my boat to see how the oysters grow, pick up some oysters by yourself, walk around the "Birds Island" with its old fishermen houses and then enjoy fresh oysters with a glass of white Bordeaux wine.
Reviewed By CRayeC - Homburg, Germany
My husband and I chanced upon a brochure for a "authentique" visit with an oysterman, and we jumped at the opportunity. We called to make a reservation and were lucky to have got anything-- Stephane was booked up until our last day in Andernos. He gave us good instructions for what food and clothes to bring, and we even had a chance to meet during a summer evening fete at the Port Ostreicole.
The tour itself was unlike anything we were expecting. A small group of us, only 4 tourists, and we felt like we were out with a friend on his own boat. It was a absolutely beautiful day-- we sampled fresh oysters both wild and from the "farming areas" operated by Stephane, we learned so much about the geography and history of the Basin, and we especially enjoyed learning about the techniques to grow oysters naturally. It is so incredible to be out in the center of the Arcachon Bay on a small dune during a period of low tide, eating oysters fresh from the sea! We even visited Bird Island and looked at the traditional houses there.
We knew we would be a burden to our guide because we speak very little French, but Stephane was more than happy to oblige, and he thoughtfully shifted between French and English to accommodate all. Stephane is a joy to be around, good-humored and energetic, and we felt as if we were in the company of an old friend. Here we thought we were veteran oyster eaters, and he taught us so very much-- it really makes you appreciate your food more, and enjoy this area in a way most other tourists simply never see.
Thanks for everything, Stephane! We appreciate you showing us the muscle of the lemons, and ensuring we have a unique souvenir from our trip! :)
2. Domaine de Certes et Graveyron
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 46 reviews
Reviewed By injun - Galway
This is well worth a visit and indeed repeat visits - for walking, cycling but particularly for the Summer nature and wildlife tours they provide. The tours are really, really good - with the use of telescopes and binoculars you can see nesting herons, cormorants, a plethora of migrating ducks, swans and the beautiful black kites seem to be constantly hovering overhead. While we were there, we were invited to release a couple of young kestrels back into the wild after they've recovered from injury, which was pretty special.
The guides are extremely friendly and knowledge - they're generous with their time in explaining not only the wildlife and flora but its survival as a sustainable protected environmental area.
The Domaine de Certes is also home to roe deer, wild pigs, mink and otters and water rats :-)
Would highly recommend anyone in the area to visit here - first to take a guided tour (they are free - and you can phone to organise one) to be informed of the area and to return again in your own time. It's a very pretty, calm, special place - make sure to fit it in.
p.s. Part of the path around the grounds is on the Camino de Santiago through France on its way to Spain.
3. Office de Tourisme d'Ares
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 43 reviews
Hello ! The Tourist Office of Ares is essential to prepare your holiday on the "Bassin d'Arcachon". What to do? Where to go? Where to eat? Or sleep? The unmissable places? We are here to help you!
Reviewed By Matthew P - London, United Kingdom
We found the place very easy to use the staff were very helpful and knowledgeable. Nothing seemed to much trouble, there is ample parking and it is a 5 minute walk to the beach. Loads of restaurants close by and the beach is clean and...MoreThank you very much Matthew! See you soon :D
4. Jetee d'Andernos les Bains
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 333 reviews
Reviewed By auntieshaz21 - Lanton, France
The actually jetty itself is nothing to write home about. It loads and unloads visitors from Arcachon and around the bassin when the tide is right. It's the square that joins the jetty that has the character and favour of France. There are bars and restaurants around a massif old Cyprus tree in the middle. Plenty of space to hide under when hot or relax under a restaurants canopy with a drink or something to eat and enjoy the wonderful views of the bassin. In high season the place can be a little crowded but who cares - you are on holiday! There is a beach and when the tide is in you can paddle, the water never gets very deep. Knee high if you are lucky.
5. O Bains d'Ares
Overall Ratings
5 based on 20 reviews
Reviewed By cindykala - savigneux
N'hésitez pas à vous accorder un moment privatif dans ce spa ( jacuzzi, hammam, sauna et une douche à jets ), d'une propreté irréprochable. Il est spacieux, harmonieux et magnifiquement décoré pour créer une ambiance relaxante. L'ensemble du personnel s'évertue, vraiment, chaque fois, à transformer chaque visite en un moment magique.
La cerise sur la zenitude est de conclure par un des modelages de la talentueuse Maïwenn... et la détente est absolue ! Vous ne serez jamais déçus....
C'est bien simple, quand on en sort, on a juste envie d'y retourner... très vite ;-)
6. Golf des Aiguilles Vertes
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 6 reviews
Reviewed By auntieshaz21 - Lanton, France
It's a dull, flat little course. There are no hazards to upset you and the fairways lie beside each other, so beware of big hitters and wild balls. Can be a tad dangerous when crowded. There are no tee off times, just turn up, pay your dues and play. There is a practise area, toilet and the staff are very friendly.
7. Eglise Saint Eloi
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 127 reviews
Reviewed By Elizabeth F
Beautifully restored church with ceiling painting and modern stained glass windows which reflect the sunlight making unusual patterns on the pillars
8. Ile aux Oiseaux
Overall Ratings
4 based on 141 reviews
Reviewed By NotMolly - Canberra, Australia
PROS: An interesting trip especially once we sailed past the small villages. Many houses had been closed up for the coming winter...Wealthy people's holiday houses/mansions with boats moored nearby etc. The landscapes changed along the way & we enjoyed that too. Glad we saw the dunes from the sea as I don't think an organised bus trip or similar would have been all that interesting? (See CONS)
It was good to be on the sea after a long (approx 1.5 hr) bus trip from Bordeaux. We gather that the train is available on the weekends only? Anyway, it was a Monday & there were trains available for the return journey.
CONS:
Our trip was delayed by 10 min so after being out on the wharf/boat for almost 2 hours it would have been good to have been offered a glass of water - preferably free but even just the option of buying a bottle. When we bought the ticket there was no mention of the commentary being only in French. In most places in the world if the person doing the commentary isn't able to speak English they at least offer an English guidebook/photocopied info with photos etc. It was frustrating as half way through the trip I noticed another passenger (from Spain) Reading a guidebook so I asked for a turn to look at it. It would have been good to know that from the start.
THE DUNES: not all that exciting...as a child we had similar (maybe larger) dunes on our doorstep in Sydney - Kurnell...with added interest of it being where Captain Cook first landed in 1770 + Aboriginal history for tens of thousands of years before that...some of which is available on tours not dissimilar to this one. Back to this one...there were only a couple of sentences about the sand dunes in the guidebook which I finally glimpsed when sharing with another non-French speaker on the boat.
Hopefully the French are caring for their sand dunes better than our Government...ours are being destroyed by greed - property development, mining etc.
TO SUM UP:
We loved our day to the picturesque seaside village of Archachon (via bus/train mid wk). The boat trip was very enjoyable but could be better as mentioned. There are a few lunch places but take your French/English guide book to help read the menu if necessary although we were able to work out a baguette with jamon, fromage & ...there's v little English in the shops & restaurants + on the boat (ok at ticket office) but with a few v basic French words & greetings it all went very well and we saved ourselves a huge amount of money as the organised tours from Bordeaux are expensive. A fun day!
9. Chapelle Saint Louis
Overall Ratings
4 based on 1 reviews
10. L'ere Salee
Overall Ratings
4 based on 5 reviews
Reviewed By seafare74 - SF, California
Nice place to relax and take in the view while enjoying the woderful and large Oysters they raise and serve.
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