| A well-stocked tourist office, esplanade Georges-Pompidou (July & Aug 9am–6pm, Sun 10am–1pm; Sept–June Mon–Sat 9am–12.30pm & 2–6pm, Sun 10am–1pm; tel 05.57.52.97.97,), can be reached by following avenue Gambetta back from seafront place Thiers. In summer boats leave the jetties of Thiers and Eyrac on various cruises, including the Île aux Oiseaux (2hr; €11.43), an exploration of the Arcachon basin with a look at the Dune de Pyla (2hr 30min; €11.43), and a visit to an oyster farm with tasting (1hr 15min; €9.91). There's also a regular boat service from here to Cap Ferret on the opposite peninsula (30min; €9.15 return). You'll be hard-pushed to find an inexpensive hotel, but a couple of reasonable ones are the small, friendly Le Pergola, 40 cours Lamarque-de-Plaisance (tel 05.56.83.07.89, fax 05.56.83.14.21; €40–55), and the St-Christaud, 8 allée de la Chapelle (tel 05.56.83.38.53; €30–40; half-board only July & Aug, €70–85), further out of town. Pricier options include the Marinette, 15 allée José-Maria-de-Hérédia (tel 05.56.83.06.67, fax 05.56.83.09.59; €55–70; closed mid-Nov to mid-March), and the luxurious Villa Térésa, 4 allée Rebsomen (tel 05.56.83.25.87, fax 05.57.52.22.41; €70–85), both in the ville d'hiver. Alternatively, there are many holiday apartments to rent; ask for the booklet Clévacances from the tourist office. Camping is another option, with plenty of sites around the Arcachon basin, though only the three-star Le Camping Club, allée de la Galaxie (tel 05.56.83.24.15), is actually within the town; set in an expanse of bird-filled woodland beyond the ville d'hiver, it's worth the high summer prices. A great restaurant to sample some of the local seafood is the colourful, jam-packed La Marée, 21 rue de Lattre-de-Tassigny (menus from €8.38 for weekday lunches, and €15.09 in the evening; closed Dec & Jan, also Mon & Tues evenings out of season); not only is it inexpensive, but if you're lucky you can sit out on one of two tiny wrought-iron balconies. Another good option, just round the corner at 17 rue Jehenne, is La Plancha, serving tapas (from €1.83 per dish), paella and other Spanish fare.
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