Best Aquitaine Beach Holiday Resorts

The Aquitaine coastline stretches from Biarritz to Arcachon, and just the very mention of those two places are enough to get me booking my tickets to this classy, sassy stretch of Atlantic coastline. There are four separate tranches to these eclectic shores. Just above Arcachon lies the Médoc, a stunning peninsula renowned for its wines, chateaus and magnificent pale sandy beaches that are lined by pine forests and wild dunes. A little further south lies the Bay of Arcachon where Europe's largest sand dune, called the Dune of Pilat drifts into a sparkling turquoise lagoon. Then there are the shores of Landes and the Silver Coast, named after the thrashing ocean spray that washes it.

This string of huge Atlantic beaches that line the Aquitaine coast reach all the way to the Basque Coast. At this point the coastline changes from perfect strips of sand to a rugged, cliffy coastline with a variety of sandy, rocky bays. It all sounds like paradise and I haven't even mentioned the bit about the quirky little fishing villages that tout each of these region's charming flavour and character, not to mention the cuisine... oh the seafood! But which one do you choose I hear you ask. Well let me introduce you a little further to each of these four very different chunks of the Aquitaine coastline and I'm sure that you’ll dedicate your next summer holiday to discovering your favourite.

Let’s start with the Médoc region, a blissful peninsula 50 miles long and three miles wide. To the East lies the calm Gironde estuary, to the west the ocean and in between dense pine forest, which acts as a buffer to Atlantic winds and provides shade on sweltering summer days. The famous Haut-Médoc region, where cabernet sauvignon is born, is in the south. There are some very pretty villages here, but somewhere in the middle of this paradise, on the coast is the classic Medoc village of Montalivet. The village is lovely and has plenty of amenities, bars, cafes and a mere 4 minutes' walk to one of the best beaches in the area.

Next stop, Arcachon, a bay of such extraordinary beauty that it is considered to be therapeutic. Many people come here to relax and enjoy balneotherapy. But there is so much more going on here, including visiting the Dune of Pilat, feasting on local oysters, cycling along picturesque coastal paths and just taking in the fabulous atmosphere of the Aquitaine's hippest resort.

Cap Ferret could be considered Arcachon's twin town, as it is as beautiful and popular and lies on the entrance to the Arcachon Basin, at the tip of a stunning cape. Neither resort has suffered over-development and both are surrounded by enormous dunes, sandy beaches backed by pines and some top quality surf. The majority of the visitors here are Parisian or Bordelais, along with a few savvy holidaymakers. It is a cultured place that enjoys an unpretentious vibe. People come to enjoy the elements, the oysters and the outdoors, which offers breathtaking natural beauty, especially from the seat of your bike or from the top of the colossal dunes.

Neighbouring Landes is famous for its perfectly straight beaches that offer excellent waves for surfers. The favourite has to be the resort of Hossegor, which seems to be geographically positioned to receive the best waves in the world! The beach offers miles of sandy heaven and it has a laid-back, trendy feel. The town itself is pretty and vibrant in the summer months and behind it lies the most beautiful pine forest. Other stunning resorts include cosmopolitan Biscarrosse, which lies within an immense forest and offers a lake district, tree lined beaches and more perfect waves. Some of the beaches also offer shallows and fun dunes where families can play safely and there are plenty of beach terraces from which to relax and watch the sunset. A slightly wilder surfing spot is Seignosse, home to a number of surfing championships and a charming, un-spoilt holiday resort. The village is classically Landes and gives visitors a real, authentic taste for the regions treasures. Whilst it doesn't have the same vibe and long list of tourist attractions as its neigbours, they are so close that you can be sliding down a waterpark slide or dancing the night away within minutes.

Entering the Basque Coastline from the North really reveals the contrast between the open, linear beaches of Landes and the rugged terrain of the South. Everything here seems more rustic and earthy. Even the sparkling, hip 'surfing resort' of Biarritz has a relaxed, natural vibe about it. This was once a royal holiday resort, but somehow those thrashing Atlantic waves had their way and softened its grand edges transforming it into one of the world's most prized surfing resorts. It's quite a spectacle seeing the chic promenades transformed into the cool catwalks for the latest trendy surf gear. Then there's the colourful camper van car show that lines La Côte des Basques, one of the wilder beaches from Biarritz’s collection of six captivating shores.

Last stop, between Biarritz and the border with Spain, lies the last and most idyllic of the resorts on this Atlantic coast, St Jean de Luz. This is the quintessential Basque resort, oozing charm and tradition in every way. The stunning 17th and 18th century town surrounds the almost perfect bay with simply delectable beaches. It is the ideal holiday destination for families and the Basque's answer to the Bay of Arcachon, which its matches easily, whilst adding a unique and understated dollop of bucolic charm.

So there you have it; a quick run down on the best places to stay along the Aquitaine Coast in the South West of France. If you haven’t been before, it’s definitely one of those European family holiday destinations with a twist, that’s not to be missed.