Taussat brings together the history of a seaside resort, villas on the shore of the Bassin d’Arcachon and activities on the water. When choosing where to stay, this raises a specific question: would you like to explore the town’s history, plan a walk by the water, or focus on a water-sports activity that depends on bookings and the tides? These priorities can help you choose a place that suits your travel interests.
Villas and the development of the seaside resort
The de Courcy family bought Taussat in 1830 and shaped it into a seaside and tourist resort. The first houses were built from 1838 onward. Bordeaux merchants and prominent citizens had splendid villas built on the shore of the Bassin d’Arcachon, known as “Les belles de Taussat.” The opening of the roads in 1860 and the railway in 1884 helped the town prosper.
Villa Bagatelle is also part of Taussat’s history: Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec spent two months there each year from 1895 until his death in 1901. The villas and this biography offer different perspectives on the town’s past—from its development as a seaside resort to a specific stay in the late 19th century.
Old port and waterside routes
The Vieux port de Taussat was dug by hand in 1855 and inaugurated in 1878. The coastal path begins at the Port de Fontainevieille and passes the Vieux port de Taussat. This makes it possible to include the old port in a waterside walk. As route conditions can change, check the path before planning your walk.
The Port de Taussat is a tidal harbour with 55 berths. The depth ranges from 1 to 1.80 metres, depending on the tides. If boating is part of your stay, check the practical details in advance: the number of berths and the depth are specific factors to consider, and the depth here is expressly tide-dependent.
Sailing lessons, rentals and day trips
The Taussat-Cassy Nautical Club offers sailing lessons for children aged six and over and for adults. Classes are available in Optimist sailing, windsurfing and catamaran sailing, as well as in 420 and RS FĂ©va dinghies and team boats. Activities depend on bookings and the tides.
During the summer season, the club rents out stand-up paddleboards, catamarans and dinghies; these rentals also depend on bookings and the tides. Depending on the tides, the club also offers day trips around the bird islands, which are likewise subject to booking and tidal conditions. For planning purposes, it makes a difference whether you are looking for lessons, a seasonal rental or a day trip. Check the specific activity you want and the corresponding tidal conditions.
A museum open at weekends
The Écomusée Gardarem is open all year round on Saturdays and Sundays. Check the current opening hours before travelling. Alongside the town’s history and its links to Villa Bagatelle, the museum offers another cultural point of interest if you do not want to focus your stay solely on activities by the water.
Discover more destinations: Preignac, Génissac, Villandraut, Léognan, Saint-Aubin-De-Blaye, Arès, Floirac, Saint-Pierre-d'Aurillac
For the broader travel guide: Gironde.
