Parc Mauresque visitor guide

Visit Parc Mauresque, France

Parc Mauresque is a large garden and park between the Ville d'Eté and the Ville d'Hiver in the seaside resort of Arcachon in south-west France.

The parc gets its name from the style of the 19th century casino that stood in the gardens until the 1970s (when it burned down). There is now a scale model of the casino in the park as a small reminder of what an impressive example of moorish architecture it was.

Explore Parc Mauresque in Arcachon

France This Way review: Parc Mauresque is a popular and well maintained park in Arcachon, where you can find an occasional welcome respite from the crowded streets and beaches in the town below

The Parc is quite large and pleasant to explore, and easily reached by the stairs or elevator at the end of the Rue du Maréchal de Lattre de Tassigny (the road with the Casino supermarket). The model of the original casino is in a glass case near the entrance as a reminder of the history of the park.

From the entrance to the park, and from the platform behind the lift, you have lovely views across the roofs of Arcachon and across the sea to Cap Ferret.

In the centre of the park there is a large garden area with many flowers and two rows of palm trees, in front of a statue that is above the war memorial for Arcachon. This statue is unusual, I will let you decide for yourself what you think when you visit...

Another part of the Park Mauresque near the entrance has more flower beds as well as a small boat (where the casino once stood) to remind you that you are in a seaside resort.

Elsewhere in Parc Mauresque there is a round rose garden, recently renovated and replanted, a traditional bandstand, and a small area with ponds and a bridge. There are plenty of shady places where you can enjoy a picnic.

Elsewhere in Parc Mauresque there is a large childrens playground and two areas set aside for petanque: one for the more experienced players and one for casual enthusiasts, as well as an area of woodland. Petanque contests take place in the park quite often, when all the alleys in the park are used for games, which is quite an impressive sight!

You can see a small building near the main petanque court in stripes of red brick and white stone, which is interesting because it has a moorish style doorway, another small reminder of the casino that once stood here.

Attractions nearby

You will notice several very grand villas around the edges of the park, that were built here in the 1860s when the resort was first establishd. We recommend you walk around the outside of the park in order to appreciate these villas.

The park is the 'gateway' to the Ville d'Hiver in Arcachon: its beautiful streets of 19th century villas are one of the principal attractions in the town. You should ask for a map of the Ville d'Hiver in the Arcachon Tourist Office because otherwise you are likely to overlook many of the most imposing villas.

There is also a 19th century ironwork tower, the Observatoire Saint-Cécile, that is 25 metres high and has lovely views across the town and the Bassin d'Arcachon - although it sways a bit as you climb it, which is a bit scary for some visitors!

About 100 metres beyond Parc Mauresque there is a second park, much quieter and which also has a bandstand. Officially it is called the Place Fleming although because there are lots of palm trees it is often called the Place des Palmiers.

See our Arcachon guide for lots more attractions in and around the town.

Explore elsewhere in the Bassin d'Arcachon. You can find more travel ideas in the Gironde guide and the Aquitaine guide.