Davises Do Europe: Dune Du Pilat the largest Sand Dune in Europe

From Lacanau we head our way south down the coast to Arcachon and the town of Pyla Sur Mer.
We head to our campsite at the south end of the dune Du Pilat and are amazed to see that we are about 50 meters from the base of Europe's largest sand dune as it rises some 100m above us. We start the ascent one foot forward three feet backwards. Harley however seems to be quite proficient at dune climbing nad has enormous fun launching himself 20 meters down a sand avalanche.

At the top of the dune its quite surreal as if you are in a large desert with the top of the dune stretching out towards to sea and further up to the summit. Its a good training ground for the marathon des Sables.

The summit conquered...bring on the Pyrenees

The dune is a magnet for hand-gliders and parponters as it seems quite a safe place to learn...well its only sand if you crash or worse the sea if you really screw it up..and maybe a pine tree if you are really rubbish.

As the weather had been kind we decided to watch the sun set at the top of the dune and watched the paraponters play in the evening wind.

The view out to sea was governed by a massive sand bar which in some areas were homes to oyster and mussel farms. As the sun began to set the big camera came out so I apologise now in advance of the number of sunset shots.