Observatoire Sainte-Cécile, 19th-century observation tower in Arcachon, France
The Observatoire Sainte-Cécile rises 32 meters above Arcachon, featuring a single-person spiral staircase leading to an observation deck overlooking the bay.
Built in 1863 by architect Paul Régnauld, the tower received technical input from young engineer Gustave Eiffel during its construction phase.
The observatory stands as a testament to French architectural innovation, connecting the former hills of Saint-Paul and Sainte-Cécile through a 32-meter walkway.
Visitors can access the tower via the Saint-Paul walkway, which spans 15 meters above Allée Pasteur and provides direct entry to the observation platform.
The structure combines scientific observation purposes with recreational functions, offering views across the four distinct seasonal districts of Arcachon.
Location: Arcachon
Inception: 1863
Architects: Paul Régnauld
Height: 32 m
GPS coordinates: 44.65934,-1.17538
Latest update: March 4, 2025 11:05
The Bassin d'Arcachon covers 155 square kilometers along the French Atlantic coast and offers numerous subjects for photography. The Dune du Pilat rises 110 meters above sea level and forms the tallest sand dune in Europe. Oyster farming villages such as Gujan-Mestras, L'Herbe, and Le Canon display wooden huts on stilts distributed along the shores. The Cap Ferret peninsula separates the basin from the Atlantic and presents long sandy beaches on both sides. The Cap Ferret lighthouse from 1947 reaches a height of 53 meters. The Île aux Oiseaux sits in the center of the basin and hosts two traditional stilt cabins, the Cabanes Tchanquées, which are surrounded by water at high tide. The town of Arcachon displays 19th-century villas in the Ville d'Hiver, a district with over 300 buildings in Belle Époque style. The Domaine de Certes et Graveyron nature reserve includes former salt marshes and fish ponds now inhabited by herons, spoonbills, and other water birds. The beaches of Pereire and Pyla-sur-Mer provide direct views of the basin and nearby pine forests.
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