Arcachon (Arcaishon in occitan) is a popular sun bathing location. It has a fine beach, and a mild climate said to be favourable for disabled people suffering from pulmonary illnesses.

Arcachon is known for the "Arcachonnaise", the local name for an Arcachon villa, which is the architectural style of many of the older houses built there. It is a typical Victorian architecture, and was criticized for generations, but is now considered to be charming and deeply human.

At its southern entrance from the Atlantic ocean, Arcachon Bay is crowned by Europe's largest sand dune, the Dune de Pyla (or du Pilat), nearly 3 kilometres long, 500 metres wide, reaching 107 metres in height, and moving inland at rate of 5 metres a year.