Dune Saw is the highest dune in Europe. Desert dunes. View from space Victims of the Pyla Dune

Looking at the tons of sand on the French coast, it seems like some magician’s joke: take a piece of the Sahara and move it here, to the Bay of Biscay near the Bay of Arcachon, carefully laying it on the border of coniferous forests sixty kilometers from Bordeaux.

In fact, the largest dune in Europe owes its appearance to natural processes. Namely, the Lehr River, which diligently, from century to century, carried grains of sand into the ocean and left them on the shallows located directly opposite the current dune. And the wind, in turn, also diligently carried the sand to the shore, to the place where the dune grew year after year.

Even 150 years ago, its height was small - only about 35 meters. However, it was not possible to stop the advance of sand - today the dune adds an average of 4 meters per year, and at the same time moves somewhat from side to side, and its height, depending on the wind, varies from 80 to 107 meters.

In general, the Great Dune stretches almost 3 kilometers along the coast and another 500 meters deep into the coniferous forest, which, by the way, appeared here by the will of man - it was planted in the mid-19th century as a measure to drain the local marshy lands.

Let's take a closer look at it...

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The snow-white dune of Pyla, or Pilat (la Dune du Pyla, Pilat), located in the throat of the Bay of Arcachon (Bassin-Arcachon) in southwestern France, is considered the largest in Europe. It has a height of 108 meters, stretching along the coast for more than three kilometers. The width of the sand dune is about half a kilometer. Surrounded by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean and ancient pine forests, the Pyla Dune has a history of eight thousand years: sand hills were formed on the coast as a result of the interaction of strong winds, tides and tides. With each decade, the dune moves further into the continent, gradually displacing forest thickets, roads and private houses; moving on average five meters per year.

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Dune Pyla is one of the most popular natural attractions of French Aquitaine: for the convenience of numerous travelers, there is a staircase that can be used to climb to the top of the hill. In windy weather, however, the steps become so covered with sand that you still have to climb the dune on your own.
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In terms of volume, these sand deposits occupy one of the first places in the world. The dune has a volume of about 60 million cubic meters. Its height is 107 m, width – 500 m, and length – almost 3000 m.

The dune overcomes 5-7 meters every year, moving deeper into the mainland. At the same time, water erosion eats away the sand from the bay side. Some scientists believe that over time this unique phenomenon may disappear from the face of the Earth.
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How was this dune formed?

More than eight thousand years ago, the formation of sand deposits began. The sand came onto land for three reasons:

· Firstly, sea ​​waters retreated from the shores;

· Secondly, strong winds contributed to the onset of the desert;

· Thirdly, the constant ebb and flow of the tides exposed the coast more and more.

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The sand has a dazzling white color. On one side the waters of the Atlantic Ocean splash. From the land side, centuries-old pine forests come directly to it. The contrast is striking. It seems incredible that there is sand next to the forest thicket. This boundary of sand and vegetation is especially clearly visible from a bird's eye view.

The miniature desert in southwestern France attracts those who want to see the incredible juxtaposition of sand and pine forest. More than a million people come to these parts to make sure that there really is a real desert in France. For the convenience of travelers, a special staircase was laid from the foot of the dune to its upper part, which will help overcome a rather difficult climb. But at times when strong winds blow, the stairs are completely swept away. Tourists can only rely on the strength and endurance of their legs.

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A fantastic landscape opens up for those who decide to explore amazing place from a paraglider or hang glider. During the flight, the scale and grandeur of the sand formations are visible. Athletes who live in a neighboring town organize competitions to see who can make the longest flight over the dune.

The best time to explore the beauty of the amazing dune is in the morning. Around noon, guests from various countries arrive. The surface is covered with human silhouettes, and the untouched beauty of the small desert fades a little.

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Among the attractions of France, the sand dune in Pyla is of particular value. A piece of desert in Europe reminds guests that everything in this world is very closely intertwined. And the destruction or destruction of one section of the territory will certainly lead to its capture by another natural community.

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Best time to visit the Pyla dune - until ten in the morning, when you can still find free parking spaces and relatively deserted landscapes of sand hills and the picturesque Bay of Arcachon. Around noon, dozens of cars and buses with tourists arrive here - and walks along the sands at this time are unlikely to be solitary. More than one million guests visit the natural attraction every year.

The throat of the Arcachon Bay is occupied by dozens of oyster farms, whose products go straight to local restaurants. Therefore, when you go to see the landscapes of the Pyla Dune, take some time to visit coastal cafes and taste French seafood.

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How to get there

Dune Pyla is located 60 kilometers southwest of Bordeaux. If you are traveling by car, you can reach the Bay of Arcachon via the A63 and A660 motorways. When leaving Bordeaux, take the A63. After about 24 kilometers, at the junction, turn right onto the A660. Continue along the motorway for about 20 kilometers until you reach the exit for the N250. After four kilometers, take the D259 road, following signs for Biscarrosse/Dune du Pyla.

You can also get to the Pyla dune from the resort town of Arcachon, located 8 kilometers to the north. When leaving Arcachon towards the dunes, follow the signs for Bd de la Côte d'Argent. Next, continue along the scenic D218 highway along the bay. You can leave your car at a special free parking, located at the northeastern tip of the dune.

A bus service connects Arcachon with the Pyla dune. Buses depart from morning until late evening from the city railway station. Travel time is less than half an hour. In addition, there are many rental offices in Arcachon where you can rent bicycles for a few hours, a day or several days. When going for a nice bike ride along the bay, be aware of the strong winds that characterize the Atlantic coast.

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The dunes were “built” by the wind. This is a very slow but persistent builder. The sand is constantly moving. And the shape of the sandy high-rises is changing.
In addition to height and shape, giants also differ from each other in color. There are up to 16 shades of red, pink, yellow, orange.

Not all of the sand mountains are allowed to be approached or driven up. Self-will is punishable by a substantial fine.

Dune called Big Daddy with a height of 325 meters

More often the dunes here are not given names, but simply assigned a number. The highest dune is dune number 7, its height is almost 390 m.

Sossusvlei are like waves - some lower, some higher. The dunes here come together, preventing further flow of the Tsauchab River, about 60 km east of the Atlantic Ocean.

Endless play of light and shadow. Dunes of perfect shape. Sharpened dune ridges. Bright sky. Surreal world...

The black gnarled trunks of acacias that dried out a thousand years ago are the Dead Valley - Dead Vlei.

For many years, the dunes were formed under the influence of winds.

The dunes have different colors: from red to chestnut brown, from pale yellow to fiery scarlet, from apricot to orange.

Experienced tourists say that in Sossusvlei you need to see at least one sunrise and one sunset to see all the sandy shades: from pale yellow-pink to orange, then to rich yellow, red and deep purple in the shade...

Climbing the dunes is arranged for tourists. Climb on

I don’t have a quadcopter, so I had to borrow the first picture from the Internet, all the other photos are mine. This natural wonder is located in the south of France near the city of Arcachon. This sand dune is called Pyla Dune.

02. Dune Pyla is very popular among tourists from all over the world. Pay attention to the information plate. The air temperature at the time of our arrival was 34 degrees, and it continued to rise. Naturally, this is in the shade, which is practically non-existent there. There is a small amount of shade in the parking lot, as well as on the approaches to the dune.

03. We leave the car in the parking lot and start moving towards the Pyla Dune. I read on the Internet that you can’t climb the dune with dogs, but the reality is different. I saw several visitors with dogs there, but I didn’t see any prohibiting signs.

04. Before going up, you can leave your shoes downstairs, or you don’t have to leave them. It seems that some group of schoolchildren decided to go barefoot.

05. The dune is located on the shores of the Bay of Biscay; from the land side its profile is quite steep.

06. Of course, you can climb on foot directly along the sand, but it seems to me that a more convenient way to climb to the top of the dune would be to climb the stairs.

07. But you can go down on foot. These are probably the same schoolchildren who left their shoes downstairs.

08. The height of the Pyla dune is approximately 130 meters. Climbing to the top in such heat is not at all easy.

09. After getting up, the dog was breathing so hard that I was afraid that she would have a heart attack, but everything turned out okay.

10. A little rest after the climb and continue our way along the dune. Further on there is also a small difference in height, but it is practically not felt after the tiring climb up the stairs.

11. On the left is the Bay of Biscay of the Atlantic Ocean, on the right is Arcachon. You can see the town of Cap-Ferret ahead. I recently spoke about the visit.

12. There are a lot of young people on the dune. It was mid-June. I don’t know whether the school year for French schoolchildren had ended by this time or not.

13. The length of the Pila Dune is approximately 3 kilometers, but there are very few people willing to walk through such heat to the opposite edge of the dune.

14. The bulk of tourists hang out in the first five hundred meters. Some are sitting on the sand, many are taking pictures or taking pictures of the surrounding landscapes.

15. The descent to the water is more gradual than on the opposite side of the dune, but almost no one goes down to the ocean either, because then you will have to either climb up the sand or go around the perimeter of the dune to get to the car left in the parking lot.

Unfortunately, it is traditionally more difficult for a Russian traveler to get to France than, for example, to Italy or Spain. There are few direct flights, poor flight geography (mainly Paris, Nice and Marseille), high average cost - about 15 thousand rubles. It is not surprising that for the sake of the sea, cultural events and gastronomy, Russians choose Spain or Italy instead of France.

The situation has changed greatly this summer - Ural Airlines launched two direct flights to France: to Bordeaux and Montpellier. At the same time, all summer and autumn the airline pleases with very pleasant fares. So, in the summer you could find round-trip tickets to Bordeaux for autumn for 8-9 thousand rubles. We at PRTBRT are glad that now France is becoming closer to travelers.

We tell you why Aquitaine and Bordeaux can be a great destination for your autumn trip.

Bordeaux Airport is located in one of the largest regions of France - New Aquitaine. It includes several departments: Dordogne, Gironde, Landes, Lot-et-Garonne and Pyrénées-Atlantiques. This is one of the most picturesque regions of France: pine forests, sand dunes, coastline stretches along the Atlantic Ocean (almost 300 kilometers), medieval cities and, of course, vineyards. In our material we will not touch upon the entire region - it is too large and interesting - but will focus on the first acquaintance and a circular journey with an arrival in Bordeaux.

Bordeaux itself is a French top city

Bordeaux is an excellent example of modern French city. The vibrant historical center is adjacent to the modern embankment and art quarter. The famous Bordeaux houses (échoppes bordelaises) and ancient vineyards coexist quietly with modern architecture and the futuristic Wine Museum (Cité du Vin). In such cities, one can be sincerely surprised at how easily public opinion labels the French snobs. Bordeaux is the perfect example of anti-snobbery and a modern take on a city with a huge history.

Historical Center Bordeaux

Historical center of Bordeaux

What is especially striking is the lack of excessive reverence for historical buildings and the desire to create public spaces that the city needs right now. So, opposite the Port of Luna, near the Exchange Palace and the Customs Museum, a huge “Water Mirror” appeared in 2006. This is an entire area filled with several centimeters of water. It gives an incredible reflection effect, literally turning the landscape upside down. Periodically, the fountain releases suspension from the water, creating the effect of fog and water mist. It is not surprising that this is one of the most favorite places not only for city residents, but also for tourists. Another great example of rethinking a historical space is the arthouse cinema and cafe Utopia. The cinema occupied the space of an ancient church in the very center of the city. The interior hasn't changed much, so it's definitely worth a look.

Water mirror (Place de la Bourse)

Cinema and cafe Utopia

Bordeaux has an amazing concentration good museums. If you happen to be in the city for just a couple of days, then we recommend visiting our main favorites: Cité du Vin Wine Museum, museum contemporary art CAPC and, of course, cultural BETASOM, located on a former Italian submarine base.

Cost entrance ticket to the Wine Museum - 20 euros. This price includes the museum visit itself, an audio guide and even a tasting of one wine of your choice. observation deck museum.

Mostly tourists spend time on the left bank of Bordeaux. This is a big omission: on the right there is an important point of attraction - the Darwin art quarter. Former military barracks were transformed in 2002 into a huge modern space with shops, cafes, a skate park, co-working space and music clubs. It is best to come here for a specific event or festival - in weekdays It can be a bit empty here. For example, on September 6–8, the large eco-festival Сlimax will be held here.

Wine Museum (La Cité du Vin)

Darwin Art District

Biarritz is the surfing capital of Europe. And it's really cool here

A relaxed and sunny city filled with retirees and surfers in equal measure. If we talk about the famous French bon vivantism, then this is where it is concentrated to the greatest extent. Biarritz is completely devoid of pretentiousness and gloss, which are so abundant on the French Riviera (yes, hello, Nice and Cannes). On the contrary, here ancient villas and a luxurious casino rather serve as nice decorations for local life. Given the small size of the city, there is always something to do in Biarritz: walk along the beaches, go surfing, drink wine by the lighthouse, dine in fishermen's cafes, visit the public pool with a gorgeous view of the ocean.

Biarritz

Biarritz

If you have never tried surfing before and are sure that it is not for you, then Biarritz is perfect place to gather strength and try this sport. This city is the birthplace of European surfing. In 1956, Hollywood screenwriter Peter Wertel came to Biarritz to make films. He noticed that the local bay has a unique bottom structure, which allows the formation of waves of the size needed for surfing. He regularly surfed here, and then donated his board to local guys, who became enthusiasts of this movement. People even called them “uncles of the surf” (Les Tontons Surfeurs). By the way, the most famous surf school on this coast was founded - Jo Moraiz - by one of these guys.

Biarritz

Learn and experience French wine

If you have long wanted to begin to understand at least a little about French wine, then Bordeaux will be the ideal destination for you. The scale of production, traditions and culture of wine here will awe and stupor even those who are seriously immersed in wine culture. Wine is the basis of the cultural code of Bordeaux, which can be read everywhere - from ancient chateaus with huge vineyards to the ultra-modern Wine Museum. The museum, by the way, tells not only about the history of winemaking, but also about how and who makes wine in other countries now. The editors, for example, were pleasantly surprised by how widely Georgia is represented in the museum.

In Bordeaux, there are many educational and entertainment activities related to wine: from a wine half-marathon to serious courses dedicated to world winemaking. In Cité du Vin, for example, a special tasting room has been built, where you can not only try Chilean or Georgian wine, but also immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the region itself: through video, specially recorded sounds and even smells. The travel website Bordeux Wine Trip has a whole section with developed routes through the vineyards. You can even visit them by bike!

Wine Museum (La Cité du Vin)

The Basques are not only in Spain. This is where you can get acquainted with their amazing culture

The Basques are perhaps one of the most interesting and original peoples living in Europe. Traditionally, the Basques settled in the south of France and the north of Spain, inhabiting the steep slopes of the Western Pyrenees. The isolation to which some mountain peoples are prone has led to the fact that the Basque culture has remained original and unusual. Just look at the famous Basque language. It has no analogues in the world and does not belong to any classical group of languages.

Due to radical views and the terrorist organization ETA (Euskadi Ta Askatasuna), the world has heard more about the Spanish part of the Basque Country. But it is in the southwest of France that there is a large number of traditional villages and towns where you can immerse yourself in the unusual Basque culture.

Basque pelota

For rustic flavor and traditional Basque architecture, head to the small villages scattered throughout southwest France. So, half an hour’s drive from Biarritz is the picturesque village of Ainhoa. By the way, it is included in the list of the most beautiful villages in France. Enoa is famous for the fact that it is here that Basque buildings have been preserved as much as possible - the center of the village consists entirely of traditional white and red houses.

Bayonne

Ainhoa

Another village that is definitely worth a visit is Espelette. This is where the famous Espelette red pepper is produced. It is used in many traditional dishes region and, of course, sell for export. The heat of this pepper is not very high: on the Scoville scale it does not exceed 4 thousand units. The best time to visit this place is late summer and autumn. Firstly, in autumn the houses look as colorful as possible - they are all hung with peppers that are drying in the sun. Secondly, at the end of October there is a grand festival of pepper and Basque culture.

Espelette

See the largest sand dune in Europe

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The most real one sandy desert can be found in France. This is the famous Pyla Dune. Millions of tons of golden sand, as if by a magic spell, were transported here from the Sahara.

general description

Dune Pyla is the highest dune in Europe. Its highest point lies at a level of 130 meters. But this value is not constant; strong winds affect it, periodically adjusting it in one direction or another.

The sand strip has a fairly regular rectangular shape. The width of the dune reaches 600 meters, and the length is almost 3 kilometers. The volume of sand is estimated at approximately 60 million cubic meters.

By the way, a similar sand phenomenon can be observed in Japan. There is approximately the same desert called Tottori

Where is the Pyla Dune located?

Geographic coordinates 44.589167, -1.214618

The French desert is located near the town of La Teste de Buch in the southwestern part of the country, right on the Atlantic coast.

This region is known as New Aquitaine, and the area in which the dune is located is called the Gironde. Nearest Big City Bordeaux is 60 kilometers northeast. Dune Pyla is located right at the entrance to Arcachon Bay.

Features of the Pyla Dune

Dune formation

Due to its geographical location, in this area westerly winds prevail, which carry sand from the coast. This explains the shape of the dune. On the ocean side it has a gentle slope, but on the opposite side it is quite steep. This is why climbing the sand mountain from the eastern side is very difficult.

Due to the influx of tourists, stairs are installed here in the summer. Climbing with their help to the top of the hill, an impressive view opens up to you - to the west Atlantic Ocean, in the east there are pine forests, and when the weather is clear, in the south you can see the Pyrenees Mountains on the border with Spain.

Dune movement

Under the influence of winds, the sand of the dunes moves steadily inland, slowly absorbing the forest, covering houses and roads. The speed of movement is not constant. Sometimes it is as much as 10 meters per year, and sometimes less than one meter per year. Over the past 57 years, the dune has moved approximately 280 meters. Thus, its speed was 4.9 meters per year.

Victims of the Pyla Dune

The movement of the dune has already swallowed up about two dozen houses. Every year, sand covers approximately 8,000 square meters of nearby pine forests.
In the northeastern part of the dune, the road was blocked in 1987, and in 1991 it was completely buried under a layer of sand.
In 1928, a family from Bordeaux built a villa in the southeastern part of the dune, and in 1936 the entire house disappeared under the sand.

Sand islands near the Pyla dune

Just 1 kilometer west of the dune, in the waters of the Atlantic, is located sand island Banc d'Arguin. It has similar dimensions (4.5 km by 700 meters) and stretches almost parallel to the dune. But behind this island (and again about 1 km to the west) there is another islet called Banc du Toulinguet. It is much more modest in size (approximately 700 by 400 meters). Both islands are very popular among travelers. There are always a lot of boats, boats and tourists here.

Many names for one dune

On the Internet, guidebooks and tourist brochures you will find several names for this attraction: Dune du Pilat, Dune du Pyla, Grande Dune du Pilat.

Usually outside of France the name Pyla Dune is used, but few people know that the official (and therefore correct) name of the attraction is Dune du Pilat (Pilate Dune). At least, this is the name used in all official French documents. It is derived from the Gascon word "pilhat", which means "heap" or "mound".

The seaside resort of Pyla sur Mer, founded in 1920 and part of La Teste de Buch, extends north of the dune. The first part of its name led to confusion in names.
Despite official name dunes, road signs have different names. The main thing is, don’t be embarrassed or worry, they all lead to the same place.

1. Dune Pyla is quite a famous and visited attraction in France. More than a million tourists storm its dunes every year.
2. On January 24, 2009, during a storm on the Pila dune, a maximum speed winds 175 km/h. As a result of this storm, the dune was significantly damaged
3. Due to the strong winds in the dune area, there are ideal conditions for paragliding. This is what many fans of this entertainment take advantage of.