Réservoirs de Piraillan

Réservoirs de Piraillan is a protected natural site on the Cap Ferret peninsula, in the municipality of Lège-Cap-Ferret, right on the edge of the Arcachon Basin. The site spans 39 hectares, of which 6 hectares are taken up by the water reservoirs themselves, split into sections by four small islets. The land is owned by the Conservatoire du littoral, the French coastal conservation agency.

Where did these reservoirs come from?

The story starts in the last quarter of the 19th century. In 1876, Frédéric Lesca and his brother Léon — landowners and developers of part of the Cap Ferret peninsula — bought the land at auction and turned a natural depression connected to the basin into a system of fish-farming ponds. This pisciculture operation ran for decades alongside other traditional local activities: pine resin tapping (gemmage) and timber harvesting from the surrounding forest.

The site received legal protection in 1943. In the 1960s, a descendant of the Lesca family opened a campsite there. In 1975 the land passed to the French state, and in 1996 it was transferred to the Conservatoire du littoral, which secured it against development and opened it to visitors as a nature reserve.

What can you see there today?

Although artificial in origin, the reservoirs have grown into a genuine natural habitat over time, supporting rich flora and fauna. The site is home to impressively old trees and vegetation typical of the Cap Ferret peninsula. Depending on the season, around a hundred bird species can be found here, including grey herons, little egrets, black kites, and swans. Fish that have bred in the reservoirs for generations also draw in waterbirds looking for food.

How to visit the Réservoirs de Piraillan

Two walking circuits have been laid out through the reserve. The shorter one covers the most interesting part of the site in about 10 minutes, while the longer route, around 30 minutes, loops around all of the reservoirs. Both paths are free to access and offer a quiet walk among old trees and water, away from the busy beaches of Cap Ferret.

Between June and September, guided nature walks are also available, lasting roughly two hours, for groups of up to 25 people. These are a good way to learn more about the pisciculture history of the site and its local wildlife from someone who knows the area well.

Frequently asked questions

Is entry to the reserve free? Yes, walking the self-guided circuits is free and possible year-round.

How long does a visit take? The short circuit takes about 10 minutes, while the full loop around the reservoirs takes around 30 minutes.

Are guided tours available? Yes, guided nature walks lasting about 2 hours run between June and September.

What wildlife can be seen here? Mostly birds — up to around a hundred species depending on the season, including herons, little egrets, black kites, and swans — along with fish living in the reservoirs.

Where do the reservoirs come from? They were created in the late 19th century by the Lesca brothers as fish-farming ponds, using a natural depression connected to the Arcachon Basin.