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DUNE DU PILAT or DUNE DU PYLA
SOUTH WEST FRANCE
hamlet or tourist complex.
During my second visit I came across
an old discarded
tourist leaflet
describing a natural phenomenon - "Dune du Pyla"
which also goes
by the name of "Dune du Pilat".Totally absorbed by the
description of this natural phenomenon, it's
natural beauty and yet horrific size, I felt compelled to set off the
next morning to see if it existed for myself. After breakfast I set
off
early from La Giraudiere, map in hand, on my
quest. From Brossac I headed north along the D731
in the direction of Barbezieux which is 18 km
north of Brossac, at Barbezieux
I picked up
the N10 or route national 10 direction Bordeaux.
At Bordeaux I followed
the signs for Arcachon which lies 8km north of my
Goal - the dune.
Sixty minutes or so and some 100 kilometers into my journey I
entered the tall pine forest where French Kings once hunted and found
myself
totally surrounded by pine trees to the left, the right and as far as
the eye could see. The
sun was just commencing to
pierce the morning mist and upon opening
my window I was overwhelmed by the pungent aroma of the pine forest.
The sun was beginning to win its battle
against the morning mist which
was dispersing with all haste as I advanced nearer and nearer to my
goal. At the same time the something greater and then,
suddenly, there it was towering above the tall
pines and
standing defiantly in front of me. I
trying not to lose sight of this magnificent phenomenon
whilst
keeping one eye on the road. I followed until I saw a sun
burnt
and wind blasted statue standing some 105 meters high and over 2500
meters wide - yet it was always moving, rising and advancing inland as
though retreating from the blue ocean - yes, this natural
golden
phenomenon was truly awe-inspiring. I had arrived at the Dune
du Pilat - the largest sand dune in
Europe.After
parking my
car I embarked on the climb to the peak of the Dune and
with each rising step 
the views of the land and sea
were unbelievable and on reaching the top - "Oh what a reward!
-
the sheer
magnificence of the colours of the blue Atlantic pushing the golden
sand dune ever inland into the retreating green pine forest - a sight
which
will remain vividly in my memory for ever. The pilat dune on the Coastline south west France is a national heritage site and is listed as the highest sand dune in Europe although its height and length is constantly changing with the westerly winds. The dune receives hundreds of thousands of visitors each year and is a favorite among para gliders and sand boarders. The nearest towns are Pyla sur mer, La Test De Buch and Arcachon.
Take my word for it - this is a visit that should not be missed. landscape began to change with the pine trees appearing to lean in awe of approached slowly,
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