La Foulée des Baïnes

Face the current... the current? 🏃‍♂️

Running on the paradisiacal beaches of Cap Ferret is what "La Foulée des Baïnes" offers in September. And yes, one of the Gironde's best assets are its vast stretches of sand lined by the Atlantic Ocean and its imposing waves 🌊. And what about its famous pine forests that smell of vacation 🤩? If you accept the challenge we’re proposing, you’ll run in this idyllic setting, under always pleasant temperatures. But beware of the wind, which could bring a bit of difficulty (or refresh you if we want to see things in a positive light 😉)!

The day’s program is pretty simple: 3 distances are offered to discover every corner of this much-loved place. You’ll have the choice between the 11 km that will take you to the north of Grand Crohot beach, the Grand Crohot, the 22 km to connect this same beach to the one at the Truc Vert, and finally the 31 km that will let you do the first two routes in a single race 🏖. For all 3 events, you’ll do a one-way run on the beach with its baïnes, then a return through the surrounding forest trails to make this course 100% nature 🌿. What? You don’t know the baïnes? You must not be from around here 😅. Typical of the southwest of France, they are small geological formations created by the current that look like a natural pool between the coast and a sandbank visible when the tide goes out. And it’s perfect because your start time coincides with low tide so you can enjoy the best possible view of the baïnes, observe them but also run on the sandbanks formed by the current. 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️

Your routes will weave between Jenny-le-Porge Beach and Aniston Beach, Grand Crohot Beach and the one du Truc Vert, which is also in our top 10 beaches to run this summer. Trust us, you’ll have a blast! Traversing deserted dunes, with the sound of waves and the only horizon the vastness of Cap Ferret’s wild ocean beaches, is impressive! After enjoying this paradise of fine sand, you’ll head back through the Forêt Domaniale de Lège et Garonne, the largest dune forest massif in Europe 🥇! You’ll run on its trails laid out by the pine avenues endlessly with their resinous and woody scents, characteristic of Ferret culture until you return to the beach where you’ll cross the finish line in a friendly and festive atmosphere 🎊.

After your race, you’ll be able to enjoy the pleasures of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine coastline, keep escaping toward the Bassin d'Arcachon, or push your strides to Lacanau to enjoy the numerous water activities available there. You can also wander in the seaside towns and nearby villages to soak up even more of the local culture. Speaking of terroir, it would be silly to leave without tasting a glass of Gironde wine accompanied by a seasonal seafood platter 🍤. You’ll really find plenty to do in this corner of France and you’ll have a hard time leaving.

But ... when summer ends, on the beach, you might have to part ways perhaps forever ... 🎶