Banc d'Arguin Natural Reserve, Natural reserve at entrance of Arcachon Bay, France.
Banc d'Arguin is a protected natural area at the entrance of Arcachon Bay, consisting of shifting sandbanks that change size with the tides. The islands are surrounded by salt marshes and shallow waters that support large bird populations.
The government created this protected status in 1972 to safeguard marine life and coastal habitats. This action became a turning point in protecting bird populations along France's Atlantic coast.
The reserve serves as a crucial stopover point for migratory birds traveling between Africa and northern Europe. Locals and visitors view it as a living classroom where nature's rhythms guide daily observations.
The site is accessible only by boat from either Lège-Cap Ferret or Arcachon, with crossing times between 20 and 60 minutes. Check tide schedules before your trip, as they determine which areas of the sandbanks are visible and walkable.
The sandbanks continuously shift through wind and ocean currents, meaning the landscape is never the same twice. Each visit reveals a different configuration of islands and new nesting sites for the birds.
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