Ocean or lake? Arcachon Bay is the distinctive chunk out of the long Côte d’Argent, a paradise for birds and holidaymakers alike among the pine trees. At its centre the Île aux Oiseaux (bird island) is surrounded by oyster beds. The wooded shoreline has numerous protected sites and oyster-farming villages. From Cape Ferret to Dune du Pilat via L’Herbe, Andernos, Gujan-Mestras and Arcachon, there is much to see around the shores of this maritime incursion into terra firma.