Cap Ferret, Coastal headland in Lège-Cap-Ferret, France
Cap Ferret is a narrow peninsula on the French Atlantic coast in the Gironde département, stretching between the open ocean and the sheltered waters of Arcachon Bay. The sand formation shifts its contour with tides and wind, while pine forests inland provide dense greenery.
The first beach houses appeared in the 1860s, when wealthy families from Bordeaux began building summer cottages along the sandy shore. In the following decades the settlement grew steadily and became a favored retreat for upper society.
The name refers to iron-rich sediment in the sand that gave the area its distinctive color centuries ago. Today you can see oyster beds all along the bay side, where local growers sort their shells and visitors sample fresh seafood right at the water's edge.
You can reach the peninsula by road from the north or by passenger ferry from Arcachon, which crosses several times daily. Once there, a narrow-gauge train runs along the coast and bicycle rentals help explore the sprawling area.
The lighthouse built in 1947 stands 52 meters (170 feet) tall and offers a panoramic view over two different bodies of water after climbing 258 steps. From the top you can clearly see where the Atlantic waves meet the calm surface of the bay.
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