Cap Ferret: The Atlantic’s Answer to St Tropez

Cap Ferret has emerged as a chic, upscale destination, rivaling St Tropez for affluent French holidaymakers seeking luxury and exclusivity.

Once a quiet fishing village, Cap Ferret has transformed into a sought-after retreat for France’s elite. Its blend of natural beauty, understated luxury, and exclusivity has positioned it as a preferred alternative to the more ostentatious St Tropez.

The Real Estate Boom in Cap Ferret

Cap Ferret’s real estate market has undergone a dramatic transformation over the past two decades. What was once a discreet summer retreat for local families has become one of the most exclusive property markets in France. The average price per square meter now reaches around €19,561, a figure that clearly positions the area among the highest in the country. Top-tier properties, especially those with direct access to Arcachon Bay or panoramic ocean views, can exceed €38,000 per square meter. These prices rival — and sometimes surpass — those found in Saint-Tropez or Paris’s 16th arrondissement.

This inflation is driven by a combination of scarcity and demand. Construction is heavily regulated in the Lège-Cap-Ferret municipality. The urban plan limits new developments, protects the forested dunes, and restricts the height and footprint of homes. As a result, available land is extremely limited, and buyers are competing for existing stock, often prepared to pay well above the asking price to secure a desirable address.

Current listings reflect this pressure. A 300 m² villa with garden and pool near the Plage des Américains is on the market for €5.8 million. Another listing shows a 94 m² apartment with sea view and private terrace offered at €1.49 million, placing it above €15,800 per square meter despite the smaller size. These are not isolated examples — most waterfront homes command asking prices starting at €3 million, even for modest bungalows.

Many buyers are wealthy Parisians and entrepreneurs from Bordeaux or Lyon who want to escape the visibility and overexposure of Saint-Tropez. Their interest lies not only in prestige but in privacy, natural surroundings, and discretion. This rare combination of attributes continues to push Cap Ferret’s market to levels once considered exceptional — now the norm.

A Shift in French Holiday Preferences

Over the past ten years, Cap Ferret has become the preferred summer destination for France’s wealthy class, overtaking Saint-Tropez in both perception and choice. This shift is not driven by trends but by a deeper reorientation in the lifestyle and expectations of affluent French vacationers. While Saint-Tropez remains synonymous with showmanship, parties, and yachts, many high-net-worth individuals now seek quiet, privacy, and authenticity — all attributes that Cap Ferret offers in a more measured and less exposed setting.

The clientele has changed, and so have their habits. Cap Ferret attracts business leaders, media executives, discreet celebrities, and heirs of major French fortunes. Many are now avoiding the hyper-commercial atmosphere of the Riviera, preferring instead the pine forests, protected dunes, and oyster farms of the Arcachon Bay. The town offers a rare combination of natural beauty, informality, and control over visibility. In Cap Ferret, a luxury SUV might go unnoticed next to an old bicycle parked in the sand — and that’s the point.

The absence of nightclubs and large-scale luxury hotels is part of the appeal. Holidaymakers rent or buy private villas, often hidden behind wooden fences, and move around by bike or boat. This discretion is highly valued. According to local rental agents, demand for private waterfront properties has risen by over 30% in the last five years, particularly for August bookings. Weekly villa rentals regularly exceed €15,000 to €20,000 for well-located houses, with waiting lists in place for the busiest periods.

This new dynamic marks a deliberate withdrawal from ostentation. For many wealthy French families, Cap Ferret now symbolizes a lifestyle of control, intimacy, and understated wealth — a sharp contrast with the performative luxury long associated with Saint-Tropez.

Culinary Excellence and Leisure Activities

Cap Ferret’s appeal is not limited to real estate or discretion — it is also anchored in its local gastronomy and lifestyle. The town has become a culinary destination in its own right, drawing visitors not only for the food itself but for the experience surrounding it. Many of the most sought-after tables in the region are set in open-air cabanes, wooden oyster shacks along the Bassin d’Arcachon, where guests enjoy freshly opened oysters with a view of Île aux Oiseaux.

The most famous addresses — Chez Hortense, located at the tip of the peninsula, and La Maison du Bassin, a charming boutique hotel with a highly regarded restaurant — remain essential stops. Chez Hortense is known for its moules frites served in cast-iron pots, while La Maison du Bassin offers a more refined, seasonal menu with local produce. Prices remain high by local standards: dinner for two with wine can easily exceed €130, not including premium dishes or champagne.

Cap Ferret’s oyster culture is not a gimmick, but a genuine economic and social foundation. There are over 300 oyster farmers operating on the Bassin, many of whom offer direct sales and tastings. Visitors cycle or walk between the cabanes in villages like L’Herbe or Le Canon, where they can sample oysters for as little as €8 a dozen, usually accompanied by a glass of white wine from Entre-Deux-Mers. The experience is simple, local, and prized.

Beyond food, leisure activities in Cap Ferret center around nature and low-profile luxury. Surfing is popular on the Atlantic side, particularly around Horizon Beach and Truc Vert, with summer wave heights reaching 1.5 to 2 meters. Paddleboarding and kayaking are common on the calmer bay side. Boat owners enjoy direct access to the Banc d’Arguin or make short crossings to Arcachon. There are no golf courses or beach clubs like those in Saint-Tropez — a deliberate absence that reinforces the area’s ethos: comfort without spectacle.

Cap Ferret’s evolution into a luxury destination reflects a broader trend among affluent French holidaymakers seeking exclusivity without the overt glamour of places like St Tropez. Its unique blend of natural charm, high-end real estate, and refined lifestyle offerings solidify its status as the Atlantic’s answer to the Riviera’s traditional allure.

XperienceFrance is your travel specialist in France.