Basin of Arcachon

The basin of Arcachon (in Occitan Gascon Laced it of Arcaishon ) is an extent of salt water located in the Gironde, between the towns of Test-with-Buch with the south, Light-Cape-Tag in north and the Atlantic Ocean in the west. The basin, located on the Aquitanian coast (Coast of Money), is a true small inland sea of 155  km ² with high tide and of 40  km ² with low tide.

Presentation

The basin of Arcachon belongs to the Pays of Buch, it is located in the middle of the Landes of Gascogne, halfway between the Pointe of Low register and Capbreton. The basin of form triangular, is delimited by more 80  km of coasts punts or dune wooded. With the difference of the Big lakes landais (Hourtin, Lacanau, Cazaux, Parentis) it is largely open on the the Bay of Biscay and the Marée makes penetrate and leave the considerable water masses twice a day. The basin is partially isolated from the ocean by a dune cord in particular including the Cape Ferret, the Dune of Pilat and the bench of Arguin (classified Natural reserve). The opening on the Atlantic Ocean is done by a single access, the “master keys”, a whole of channels of approximately three kilometers broad allowing the circulation of water between the basin and the ocean. Mobile sand banks chariés by the marine currents modify the layout unceasingly of it. The force of the currents of flow and backward flow make delicate crossings of these master keys, especially with the tides of great coefficients.

These master keys, therefore, and the benches of Sable evolve/move during time particularly at the time of strong storms but also more simply and unrelentingly under the effect of the Marée S (approximately 370 million cubic meters of water are exchanged between the basin and the ocean each day, at a mean velocity of approximately 2  m/s, carrying sand being on the edges of the master keys) and marine Running (skirting the littoral of north towards the south, it carts approximately 600  000 cubic meters of sand per annum). These factors make the master keys particularly dangerous for the Navigation; accidents fatal of experienced sailors are regularly noted. The localization and the structure of the master keys follow a cyclic evolution of which the period is of approximately 80 years: the master keys are in fact two channels roughly speaking parallel (the southern Master key and the northern Master key) whose layout moves in direction of south-east (Cape-Tag towards the dune of Pilat). When the master key more in the south reaches the beach with the foot of the dune, it narrows then “disappears” whereas a new master key is formed towards north, on the side of the Cape, thus transforming the old “northern Master key” into a new “southern Master key”. The beaconing (buoys of navigation) is unceasingly corrected and the sea charts require a permanent update.

In the center of the basin “the island with the birds” and its tchanquées huts is.

Hydrography

In addition to receiving - with Hume - water coming from the Lake of Cazaux (via the Channel of the Moors) and - in Lège - that coming from the Lake Lacanau (via the channel of the Ponds) and all its circumference from surface waters via several brooks or some crastes, the Basin is also supplied with fresh water by the Eyre. This small 80 km length coastal river, resulting from the forest of the moors, is at the origin of the formation of the basin of Arcachon. While bringing a continuous water flow, it contributes to prevent the obstruction of the master keys by the sands come from the ocean.

Climate

Climate of the basin of Arcachon east under the influence of the ocean with a balanced mode of winds and precipitations. The basin enjoys of more than: 2200 hours of sun per annum and has low thermal amplitudes from one season to another (13°C on average). This microclimate makes it possible the basin to have seldom rigorous winters and seldom canicular summers. This lenient climate made the reputation of the basin of Arcachon.

History

History of the basin of Arcachon east for a good part that of the Country of Buch. As of 1823, one comes to Legallais, one of the first hotel ones of Arcachon, to strengthen its health by taking sea bathings. Until 1950, cures of air are recommended in the Town of winter of Arcachon to fight the Tuberculose.

detailed Article: History of the basin of Arcachon

Activities

The economy of the basin is mainly turned towards the Ostréiculture and the Tourisme. One practices there in particular the fishing and of the nautical Sport S. One can in addition observe there many species of Oiseau X.

Ostreiculture

See also: Ostreiculture arcachonnaise

Ostreiculture developed at the 19th century with the development of the collection of Naissain on limed Tuile. Initially, the gravette, the Oyster punt of Arcachon Ostrea edulis , was the common variety of the basin. In 1920, this species was decimated then quickly replaced by “Portuguese” oyster Crassostrea angulata which had in its turn to suffer from a fatal epizooty in 1970. It was then an extremely difficult period for local ostreiculture. An attempt at establishment of a “Japanese” oyster Crassostrea gigas succeeds extremely fortunately, giving results more than satisfactory. The basin of Arcachon produces approximately 18  000  T per annum on close to 1  800  ha. The seed oyster collected on the spot feeds from many producing areas.

The basin of Arcachon is the greatest center European oyster naissor. The majority of oysters raised in France are from the basin. The softness and the quality of its water, the richness of its funds and the leniency of the climate indeed offer ideal conditions for the reproduction of hollow oysters. Each year, more than 3 billion young oysters are dispatched towards the oyster parks of Brittany, of Normandy, Charente and the Mediterranean.

On the basin of Arcachon, four vintages exist corresponding to their geographical locations of breeding in the basin, contrasted between north and the south. This situation influences the taste of the oysters which is a Coquillage, a Mollusque, whose food (Plancton) is directly taken in its natural environment:

  • the oysters of the bench of Arguin have a sweetened, lacteous and marine savor.
  • the oysters of the island to the Birds offer a powerful character with vegetable and mineral flavors.
  • the oysters of the Cape-Tag have delicate fresh vegetable flavors and citrus fruits.
  • the oysters of the Large Bench have savors of white fruits and hazel nuts roasted.

Pisciculture

The Pisciculture is applied with Audenge and the Teich in tanks isolated by dams.

Tourism

Inheritance

  • the Forêt of the Moors includes the basin of Arcachon.
  • the Gemmage was practiced there during more than 2000 years.
  • the tchanquées huts are the constructions on pile established in the middle of the basin of Arcachon on the island with the birds. They were used for the origin with the monitoring of the oyster beds.
  • the Phare of the Cape-Tag is not some 53 meters observation high from where one can admire the basin, the ocean and the forest.
  • the Town of winter to Arcachon is a district located on the heights of the city. Many villas of Basque, Moorish influence or anglochinoise are visible there. The residences of the Town of winter are classified picturesque site.
  • the oyster ports surround the basin and are typical area.
  • the Norway pines of the basin are typical boats of the basin.

Localities

The seaside resorts bordering the basin are:

The other cities are:

See too

External bonds

Regional gate

Official site

Site related to the District council of Aquitaine: geography, geology, nature

Site of information on the dune of Pilat by CNRS

Arcachon and its history

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