The Great Dune of Pyla

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Great Dune of Pyla, viewed from the South. On the left, the Atlantic ocean; to the north, in the background, the entrance to Arcachon Bay

Aerial view of the Great Dune of Pyla

The Great Dune of Pilat (French: la Dune du Pilat) is the largest sand dune in Europe. It is located in La Teste-de-Buch in the Arcachon Bay area, France, 60 km from Bordeaux.

Pilat is sometimes spelled Pyla, hence the alternative name "dune of Pyla". More accurately, Pyla is the name of the closest town, Pyla-sur-Mer, which is part of La Teste-de-Buch municipality in the Gironde department. The correct and original name of the Dune is the Dune of Pilat, but because of the confusion that occurred, both are now considered correct.

[edit] Size

The dune is about 60,000,000 m³, measuring around 500m wide (from East to West) by 3km long (from North to South). Its height is 107 metres above sea level.

[edit] External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Dune du Pyla

• (English)The Great Dune of Pyla web site

Coordinates: 44°35′24″N 1°12′42″W / 44.59°N 1.21167°W / 44.59; -1.21167