Arnaoutchot Naturist Resort
Landes, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France
A vast pine forest resort on France’s Atlantic coast, built for families, wellness and beach freedom alike.
snapshot
Arnaoutchot, known locally as Arna, is a 49-hectare clothes-free resort and campsite set in pine forest on France’s Atlantic coast in Vielle-Saint-Girons, Landes. It combines a private kilometre-long nude beach, a park and the Bassins d’Arna wellness garden with accommodation ranging from forest camping pitches to treehouses and family chalets. It suits families, couples and campers who want a self-contained coastal base with everything, from the shop to the restaurants, entirely clothes-free.
resort type
Large Campground
dress code
Clothes-Free
budget
Mid-range
When to visit
May to September
THE DESTINATION
THE DESTINATION & where to find it
Arnaoutchot covers 49 hectares of pine forest and coastal dune on the Cote d’Argent, with direct access to its own nude beach. The whole site, accommodation, pools, shop and restaurants, operates on a fully clothes-free basis rather than as a clothing-optional zone within a larger property.
The layout spreads across dense pine woodland threaded with sandy paths, so the resort feels closer to a nature reserve with built-in facilities than a conventional holiday village. Accommodation and activity zones occupy different pockets of the forest. Family-oriented areas cluster near the water park and playgrounds, while camping pitches range from serviced spots close to the centre to secluded pitches deep among the trees.
At the heart of the site, the Bassins d’Arna wellness garden creates a separate atmosphere distinct from the rest of the resort. The beach lies at the western edge, reached on foot from the accommodation areas.
THE EXPERIENCE
THE EXPERIENCE & what to expect
Arnaoutchot runs on two different registers, and which one shapes your stay depends on where you choose to be. Near the water park and the Arna Club programme, the mood is lively and family-driven. Children move between the pools, playgrounds and organised activities, while the on-site restaurants and bars stay busy through the day. Further into the pine forest, on the quieter camping pitches or in a hillside treehouse, the atmosphere drops away almost completely. You hear pine needles underfoot and not much else.
A typical day might start with the pool for laps or an aquafit class, move to the beach by late morning and finish with the sunset over the Atlantic. In between, the resort runs more than 60 organised activities across the season through its Arna Club, from craft workshops to sports and nature walks, so there is rarely a day without something scheduled if you want one.
Accommodation is the clearest expression of how flexible a stay here can be. Chalets and cottages, sleeping up to seven, give families a fully furnished base close to the centre. Treehouses and gipsy-style roulottes offer something more distinctive without sacrificing comfort. Camping pitches range from premium spots near the facilities to forest pitches set well back among the trees, where the experience edges close to wild camping. Glamping tents and mobile homes sit between these extremes, covering most budgets and group sizes.
The standout moment, by most accounts, is the beach at sunset. The Atlantic coast faces west here, so the light runs directly across the water in the evening. Standing on a kilometre of open sand with almost nothing on is the kind of thing that stays with people longer than the pools or the restaurants do.
WHO THIS IS FOR
WHO SHOULD GO & who should not
Great for
- ✓ Families wanting organised activities alongside beach and pool time
- ✓ Campers who want a choice from forest pitches to chalets
- ✓ Couples looking for a quiet wellness break inside a lively resort
- ✓ Anyone who wants a full week without leaving the property
not ideal if
- ✕ If you want a compact resort. Arnaoutchot takes real time to cross on foot.
- ✕ If you want nightlife outside the resort.
practical
GETTING THERE & what to know
getting there
The nearest airport is Bordeaux Airport (BOD), around 1h45 by car via the A63 and A65. Biarritz Airport is a similar distance and can work better depending on flight availability. The nearest train station is Dax, about 35km away, with onward travel to Vielle-Saint-Girons requiring a taxi, transfer or hire car since there is no direct rail link.
Driving is the most practical option for most visitors, and a car is close to essential once you arrive, given how spread out the surrounding area is. Parking is available on-site near reception and the accommodation areas. Vielle-Saint-Girons is a small coastal town with limited public transport, so most guests arrive and get around by car.
where to stay
Arnaoutchot’s accommodation runs from forest camping pitches through mobile homes, glamping tents and roulottes to fully furnished chalets and cottages sleeping up to seven. Treehouses add a more distinctive option for couples or small families. Pricing falls in the mid-range band overall. Camping pitches are the most affordable route in, while the larger chalets and cottages command a premium, particularly in July and August. Most rentals include a terrace and come fully equipped, so self-catering is straightforward.
when to go
Arnaoutchot opens from April to late September, with the water park and beach lifeguard service running roughly mid-June to early September. July and August are the busiest months, when the Arna Club programme is at full capacity and the resort feels sociable and full of families. May, June and September are quieter, with fewer organised activities but easier access to the pools, beach and wellness garden.
what to know
Nudity applies across the entire resort, including the shop, restaurants and reception, not just the beach and pools. The wellness centre, Bassins d’Arna, is restricted to guests aged 16 and over. Lifeguard cover on the beach runs from mid-June to the start of September only, so early and late-season swimmers should treat it as unsupervised. A weekly market in high season sells local produce and crafts, and a rotating cast of regional producers, including a fishmonger and a beekeeper, visits regularly. New water slides are scheduled to open at the water park for the 2026 season, adding to the existing three-pool setup.
plan your visit
Book at Arnaoutchot Naturist Resort
Book several months ahead for July and August or for the more distinctive accommodation like treehouses and roulottes.
virtual visit
HAVE A peek inside
Sometimes a two-minute watch tells you more than a page of text. Our video visit covers the setting, the facilities, and what the atmosphere actually feels like on the ground.
keeping you busy
FACILITIES & amenities
●Pool
Three pools including one heated, covered pool at 26C, plus a spa pool and a children's paddling area. New Pool and slides opening in 2026
●Restaurant
Three on-site options: Landais Gourmand for local dishes, La Tapita for seafood and Le Pizzaiolo for pizza and takeaway. Extra outlets open in summer.
●Spa
Bassins d'Arna wellness garden with sauna, hammam, jacuzzis and treatment rooms. Adults aged 16 and over only.
●Beach
Naturist beach around 1km long, directly accessible on foot, lifeguard supervised mid-June to early September.
●Shop
On-site grocery, bakery and daily visiting regional producers. Nudity applies here as everywhere else on site.
beyond the resort
NEARBY VISITS
Bordeaux Airport (BOD)About 1h45 drive
Dax train stationAbout 35km
Vielle-Saint-Girons town centreA few minutes by car
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FAQ
most asked questions
Is Arnaoutchot suitable for first-time naturists?
Yes. The resort suits a wide range of comfort levels, with quiet forest pitches for those who want space and a busy family zone near the pools for those who want company. Staff and other guests are used to first-timers, and nudity is the norm rather than something that needs explaining.
Is Arnaoutchot family-friendly?
Very. The resort runs more than 60 organised activities through its Arna Club during the season, alongside playgrounds, a water park with a dedicated kids' area and family-sized accommodation. It is one of the more family-focused naturist resorts on the French Atlantic coast.
What is the best time of year to visit Arnaoutchot?
July and August offer the fullest activity programme and the liveliest atmosphere, but also the biggest crowds. May, June and September are quieter, with the beach, pools and forest largely to yourself, though some facilities including the spa run reduced hours outside peak season.
How do I get to Arnaoutchot from the nearest airport?
Bordeaux Airport is the closest major option, around 1h45 by car. Biarritz Airport is a similar distance. There is no direct rail link to Vielle-Saint-Girons, so a car is the most practical way to arrive and get around once there.
Is nudity mandatory at Arnaoutchot?
Nudity is very much encouraged. The entire site operates as clothes-free, including the shop, restaurants and pools, not just the beach. This is a fully naturist resort rather than a clothing-optional one.
Is there a water park at Arnaoutchot?
Yes. The resort has three pools, including a heated indoor pool and two outdoor pools built around a spa pool, plus a paddling pool for children. New water slides are scheduled to open for the 2026 season.
Do I need a car at Arnaoutchot?
Practically, yes. Vielle-Saint-Girons has limited public transport, so most guests drive both to reach the resort and to get around the wider area once they are there.
