Ville d'Hiver, Neighborhood in Arcachon, France
Ville d'Hiver is a neighborhood in Arcachon, France, made up of a dense collection of villas built on a wooded hill above the bay during the 19th and early 20th centuries. The houses display a wide range of styles, from Swiss chalets and Gothic facades to Moorish pavilions, with decorated balconies, turrets, and carved wooden details.
The neighborhood was developed in the 1860s by brothers Émile and Isaac Pereire, who wanted to turn Arcachon into a resort for wealthy winter visitors. Doctors recommended the fresh pine forest air as a remedy for tuberculosis, which led to homes being built with large windows and open verandas to let in as much air as possible.
Almost every villa in the Ville d'Hiver carries its own name, such as Villa Teresa, Villa Toledo, or Villa Alexandre Dumas, and each name reflects the taste or origin of its former owner. Today, many of these buildings house small hotels, bars, and pubs where visitors can have a drink or a meal inside a place with real history.
The neighborhood is best explored on foot, as the curved streets were designed to avoid drafts, making walking through them easy and comfortable. Guided tours run from April to October, but audio guides and other activities are available throughout the year.
In the 1930s, the neighborhood had a ski slope that used a carpet of pine needles instead of snow, and races were held on it. The slope stayed in use until the 1970s and drew visitors from across France.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
