Arcachon



Arcachon is a commune in the Gironde department in the Region of Aquitaine in southwestern France. It is a popular bathing location on the Atlantic coast 34 miles southwest of Bordeaux in the Landes forest. It has a fine beach, and a mild climate said to be favourable for handicapped persons suffering from lung problems.

Arcachon is known for the "Arcachonnaise", the local name for an Arcachon villa, which is the architectural style of many of the older houses built there. It is a type of Victorian architecture, and was criticized for generations, but is now considered to be charming and deeply human.

HISTORY OF ARCACHON
The future village of Arcachon had less than 100 inhabitants when, in 1823, François Legallais decided to build a hotel with a bathing establishment. In those days the healing effects of the sea-water were in fact much praised and the venture was a big success. After that initial success it was not long before the bathing establishments multiplied. The sea-water was not the only asset of Arcachon. Many doctors praised the healthy air of the region and thought that the combination of this air, rich of iodine, together with the fragrances of the pine trees slowed down the ravages done by tuberculosis. Their opinion would soon bring another wave of visitors to Arcachon.

The ever growing stream of ill people and their families was soon noticed by the well informed financiers one of whom was Emile Péreire. A banker from Bordeaux there is no doubt that Emile Pereire saw the enormous growing potential of Arcachon sooner than anybody else. In 1855 he became the largest shareholder of the "Railroads of the Midi", the owners of one of the oldest lines of France Bordeaux-La Teste, and he campaigned for the line to be extended to Arcachon. The new section was put into service in 1857 and on may 2nd of the same year, Arcachon became an independent town by decree of Napoleon III. (Until then Arcachon had been attached to La Teste) Emile Péreire was a man with vision. Arcachon kept growing, from 400 inhabitants in 1857 to nearly 4000 in 1872, and than over 8000 in the beginning of this century.

The seafront was without a doubt the first part of the town that was developed. The building there of a magnificent castle contributed largely to the prestige of that particular part of town.

More informations about the History of Arcachon on the Arcachon !

WHAT TO VISIT ?
More informations about the places to visit in Arcachon on the Arcachon !

Free Internet/Wifi Access
Here is a place where you could find some Internet/Wifi Access:


 * Maison des Jeunes-BIJ - Adress: 8, allée José Maria de Heredia - Tel: 05 56 83 19 52

COUCHSURFERS
There are about 15 Couchsurfers in Arcachon and the area, feel free to contact them by searching them on a couchsurf or by posting some messages on Regional CS Group of Aquitaine.

Meetings
There are some meetings organised in Arcachon, you can check if there is something happened or check on the Regional CS Group of Aquitaine to see if there is an event organised in the area.

Coffee or a drink
Here is a list of local couchsurfers who could be ready to show you the city or/and have a drink with you:

How to get to Arcachon

 * By Car:
 * By Train:
 * By Plane:

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY



 * Police Station:

Police Secours

Tel: 17 or 05.57.72.29.30

Adresse: 1, place de Verdun 33120 Arcachon
 * Health Urgency:
 * Baywatch:

Tél : 05.57.72.24.50 Fax : 05.57.72.24.63

21, rue Duchêne 33120 Arcachon
 * Hospital:

Centre Hospitalier d’Arcachon - Service des Urgences

Tél : 05.57.52.90.00 Fax : 05.57.52.90.20

Accueil médicalisé 24h/24

Hôpital Jean Hameau

5 Allée de l'Hôpital BP 40140 33164 La Teste de Buch Cedex
 * Fireman Station:

Tel: 18 (Urgence) or 05.57.52.58.00

Sapeurs Pompiers d’Arcachon

Adress: 3, avenue des Anciens Combattants 33120 Arcachon Tel: 15
 * Embassy:
 * Emergency Doctor:

INTERESTED LINKS</FONT>
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 * Regional CS Group: Aquitaine


 * Arcachon on Wikivoyage
 * Arcachon on Hitchwiki
 * Arcachon on Wikipedia