Arcachon

Arcachon is absolutely amazing - not the city itself, but the dune (Dune de Pilat), Europe's highest and largest sand dune.

The way there by bike had some surprises, as the beautiful Komoot bike tour had to be canceled because the entire forest area behind the dune is burned. I had to ride 10 km back to find another way there, and I could see how dry the forest is and how wide strips are being cleared to prevent the fire from spreading further inland. The view from the dune was even more shocking - the campsites behind the dune have also burned down.

But the view of the water and across the dune landscape is simply stunning. I couldn't decide whether I wanted to swim in the sea or look at it from the top of the dune, so I did both repeatedly until my feet were blistered from the fine sand.

Because this place is so beautiful, I'm going to stay another day and enjoy the dunes and the Atlantic Ocean again tomorrow.