Lifestyled by Paula Joye

Parisians are like migratory birds.

August hits and they head south for the summer seeking sun, sand and sea.

Top of the list for those in the know is the exclusive yet quaint seaside village of Cap Ferret. It’s the summer home of stylish French film couple Guillaume Canet and Marion Cotillard… and quite simply, French beachside holidays don’t get any better than this.

Come once and you’ll return again and again. My daughter Lily (below) sums up the essence of this part of France  - Le bonheur est la crème glacée, le soleil et la mer.

Jane xx

The What.

Getting There: Cap Ferret is about one hour drive from Bordeaux airport or a three hour TGV ride from Paris followed by a ferry from Arcachon to Cap Ferret.

Where To Stay: Renting a house offers the best accommodation options with some good deals found on Homeaway. Prices start from 1,000 euros per week. My top pick for hotel options is La Maison du Bassin, 5, rue des Pionniers; 011 33 556 606 063. Double room, from about 135 euros.

What To Do: Set against the backdrop of Europe’s largest sand dune, a laid back lifestyle awaits amongst the pine forests, charming fishing villages and blue seas of the Atlantic. Cycling is the best way to get around – that or the uber fun safari style jeeps called “Mehari” – and daily food markets offer the freshest produce imaginable.

The local sweet treat, Dune Blanche is an absolute must, as is a kite surf off the Atlantic coast for the adventurous at heart. For those seeking a gentle swim, the calm blue seas of the Bassin D’Arcachon are more than inviting.

Where To Eat:
Chez Hortense (00 33 5 56 60 62 56); Famous for their mussels, this is the place to have dinner if you’re in Cap Ferret. Ask for a table with a view across the bay to the Dune du Pilat. Dinner for two from €80.

Chez Boulan (00 33 5 56 60 77 32) An authentic seafood restaurant with a laid back ambience in a stylish setting. Food is fresh, simple and delicious.

Le Bistrot du Bassin (00 335 56 03 72 46) You have to go here just for the dessert buffet alone. It’s out of this world! Dinner for two from €60.

L’Escale (00 33 5 56 60 68 17) and Pinasse Café (00 33 5 56 03 77 87) are two fantastic options for families with smaller kids. With views across the bay, kids menus, surprise gifts and high chairs, there’s a chance you will actually get to enjoy your meal and finish that rosé!

Where To Drink: The Wharf  – on the port of La Vigne, this bar serves up great music and even better Mojitos.

Best Beaches:
La Vigne for the kids. Gentle seas offer perfect conditions for making sand castles and the chance for crab spotting makes for a fun day out.

La Truc Vert offers white sand, wonderful surf and plenty of space. Sometimes your footprint feels like the only one. The wooden steps over the sand dune are a big bonus too!

Postcards From Cap Ferret.

A typical Cap Ferret wooden boat called “une pinasse”

This preppy white jacket I’m wearing on the boat is called ‘une mariniere”. The yachting must-have for any Cap Ferret dweller. 

A “mehari’ jeep

My friend Benjamin Reynaud (or a young YSL lookalike as I like to call him) who we stay with when we visit the region. Total Cap Ferret chic at it’s best. He’s eating at Pinasse (seen here at low tide).

Dune Blanche