The local area :
Carcans has the essential supermarket but also the traditional French shops and local market. The 'cave' is well stocked with Bordeaux wine and there is a very good baker, butcher and fishmonger. Maubuisson is ten minutes' drive away and there you will find sandy beaches, cafes, restaurants, sailing, wind surfing and safe swimming. Ten minutes beyond Maubuisson is the Atlantic Ocean, with miles of unspoilt beaches and breakers for surfing and invigorating swimming. There is golf, cycling and horseriding within easy driving distance including wonderful cycle tracks from Maubuisson through pine forests to the Atlantic beaches.
Further afield:
Bordeaux with its fine architecture, museums, art galleries and shops is forty minutes' drive away to the south east. St Emilion with its narrow streets, medieval history and famous vineyards is just over an hour's journey by car. The Medoc with its rolling countryside covered almost every inch of the way with vines lies twenty minutes to the east of Carcans. Arcachon is also easily accessible and offers a range of activities including Aqualand, a zoo and nature reserves and the Pyla Dune- the highest sand dune in Europe
The immediate area :
The tiny hamlet of St Helene de L'Etang consists of nine houses including ours which is at the end of the road opposite a small farm which has camping facilities in the summer. Beyond our houses, the road becomes a sandy track leading to the largest freshwater lake in France which is accessible on foot (20 minutes) or by bike (10 minutes) but this area of the lake is a nature reserve and the main lake beaches for swimming etc are 10 minutes' drive away at Maubuisson . Very little traffic passes our house making it ideal for children. Wildlife abounds including frogs, toads, rabbits, deer, lizards and a wide range of birds.
Golf:
There are four golf clubs within easy driving distance and two offer two 18 hole courses. The nearest golf course is Golf de L'Ardilouse at Lacanau with a beautiful 18 hole course through the pine forests and featuring several water hazards. Close by is Golf de la Mejanne which is a challenging 9 hole course. Within 30-45 minutes' driving distance are Golf du Medoc with two 18 hole courses ( including the wonderful les Chateaux course) and Golf de Bordeaux Lac with two 18 hole courses. There is also a great family par3/9hole course at Lacanau
