The history of Arcachon

Before being named as a seaside resort, Arcachon was formerly known as a small piece of paradise with a favorable climate, which is ideal to spend holidays with families ... in particular the noble one. Of course, only the important people could rub shoulders with the surroundings of the basin until the Pereire brothers decided to change the status of the place into a shopping centre and a port.

Arcachon has an interesting past born of marine air. Before being erected in a municipality, the latter has already been highly lusted after thanks to its high quality climate. It was in 1823 that a sailor by the name of François Legallais began the construction of a seaside bathing establishment looking for a more affluent and well-off clientele.

However, the Pereire brothers are also for something in changing the fate of the city. The latter, rich bankers and heirs of a railway between Bordeaux and La Teste, had the brilliant idea of ​​widening the line to Arcachon with the great conviction that they could make of the village a marina and a commercial port.

In 1857, Arcachon was declared a municipality by the Imperial decree pronounced by Lamarque de Plaisance, the first mayor of the city. The project of the Pereire brothers, which consisted in making Arcachon a commercial village, was just as successful, however, these partners in crime were more successful on the summer tourism and spa side.

Arcachon was then divided into two distinct cities: the first, located in the bay, also known as the "summer town", is destined for outings by the sea, while the second one, the "winter city" represents only the dune overflowing the site. It is especially during these periods that the city has experienced a significant growth of the multiplication of luxury establishments following the example of the famous Casino of the beach built in 1853 by the famous Deganne. As a result of all these prowess there is the success of tourism, but also that of the reputation of the city up to this day!