A tourist phenomenon as natural as it is unmissable, the Dune of Pilat has, once again, broken attendance records. According to the latest figures from the joint association that manages the site, more than 1,5 million people walked the sands of the famous Gironde dune in 2024, a spectacular figure that confirms its rank among the most visited sites in France. Everything is measured, counted, and analyzed. Nothing escapes the field teams: neither the access points used, nor the means of transport, nor even the geographical origin of the visitors. And the result is clear: 1 visitors passed through the main reception area, to which are added the 123 who took the Corniche staircase. Not counting those who came from Petit Nice beach, the campsites, or the surrounding trails, the actual attendance easily exceeds one and a half million.
A popular site in all seasons
The dune doesn't wait for the summer holidays to seduce. Whether it's raining, windy, or drizzling, visitors are there. August 15, 2024, remains the busiest day of the year with 13 recorded visits, but May 144 and 9 also attracted more than 10 visitors. Even in the middle of winter, some don't hesitate to brave the cold to climb this giant of sand and admire a sunset over the Atlantic. After contrasting years, notably due to the pandemic in 12 and the fires in 000, the dune has found its audience again. And if the craze continues unabated, it's perhaps also because, beyond the panorama, the Dune of Pilat continues to offer a unique sensory experience, between sky, sand, and sea. A postcard setting that, visibly, never tires.
