Arcachon (French: [aʁ.ka.ʃɔ̃] ; Arcaishon in Gascon) is a commune in the southwestern French department of Gironde. It is a popular seaside resort on the Atlantic coast 55 kilometres (34 mi) southwest of Bordeaux, in the Landes forest. It has a sandy beach and a mild climate said to be favourable for invalids suffering from pulmonary complaints.
Arcachon is twinned with 5 cities.


The name "Arcachon" comes from the Basque word "arkaitz", meaning 'the beach' (compare with the Spanish place-name, Arkaia). The area had been inhabited since prehistoric times and by the time of Roman colonization was a Maritime Republic ruled by Bocchus I. In 1020, Bocchus I founded Arekkoa on an island in Arcachon Bay.
In 1025, Duke William II of Aquitaine married his daughter to Henry of Burgundy resulting in him becoming Count of Gascony.

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