Discovering a Hidden Gem in Europe on My Tenth Visit

✔️Recently, I’ve been staying in Bordeaux. Although I’ve visited France several times, my knowledge of the country was limited to Paris and the South of France. When it came to Bordeaux, I knew nothing beyond its wine region. ✔️The housekeeper told us, “You absolutely have to visit the Dune of Pilat.” The word “dune” piqued our interest. She mentioned that its slope exceeds 110 meters. “Can you see the sea?” I asked. She replied, “It’s not just a sea—it’s the ocean.” ✔️Getting to the Dune of Pilat isn’t very convenient. From Bordeaux train station, it takes a 90-minute train ride, followed by a one-hour bus journey that only runs once an hour. ✔️It was a weekend with bright sunshine, and many locals were there with their dogs, enjoying the sun. This spot isn’t well-known in my country, and we didn’t encounter any Chinese tourists along the way. ✔️The ocean can often feel monotonous, but the Dune of Pilat is different from any other seascape I’ve seen. The terrain and topography create a rich, layered effect. On one side is the ocean, on another side is the sand, and on the third side is a forest, all in a perfect 1/3 ratio. ✔️It’s such a unique sight that it’s hard to describe—it feels like something out of a movie. To get closer to the ocean, we walked all the way down from the top of the dune. The sand was warm and soft, incredibly comfortable. But climbing back up was exhausting… caution is advised.🙏 ✔️After leaving the Dune of Pilat, we drove 15 minutes to the nearby town of Arcachon for dinner. The oysters here are incredibly cheap; apparently, you can get a dozen for just 20 euros at some seafood stalls. ✔️However, we arrived a bit late for dinner and ended up at a sea-view restaurant called Grand Café Victoria-Trattoria. Five of us ordered a seafood platter, seafood risotto (so delicious we ordered a second one), seafood pasta, and grilled sea bass, along with wine pairings. The total came to an average of 45 euros per person. Compared to Parisian French cuisine, where you often pay 50 euros per person and still leave hungry, this was a great deal. ✔️Arcachon is a charming town to explore. The houses are small and painted in bright colors, with some areas having a distinctly Southeast Asian flair. ✔️On Saturday, everyone was shopping in the town center. Many stores were having sales, and there was even a second-hand clothing store with everything priced at just five euros. We all left with bags full of purchases. ✔️If you’ve visited Europe a few times or are looking to avoid the tourist crowds, the Dune of Pilat and Arcachon make for a highly recommended off-the-beaten-path itinerary. #Bordeaux #France #FrenchLife #FrenchTravel #Europe #EuropeanTravel #HiddenTravelDestinations #Beach #Seaside