Museum
Tuesday to Friday
11 am - 5.30 pm.
Saturday & Sunday
Noon - 5.30 pm.
Closed on Monday.
Boutique
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10 am - 6.15 pm.
Closed on Sunday
2007 is a special year for Arcachon which celebrates its 150 years. A century and half ago, on May 7th 1857, Napoleon III anounced an imperial decree : Arcachon became an independent town. The celebration of 150 years permits to advantage common values, to touch all the "Arcachonnais" (inhabitants of Arcachon) or the people who like Arcachon. Consequently, the town has a public image of user-friendliness and festivals for the children and adults.
Fifty years after the celebration of the Arcachon's centenary, it seems important to celebrate the Arcachon's foundation. Arcachon in 1957 and Arcachon in 2007 are very different. Its population is culturally more diversified. The town has a new public image, more dynamic, and which is known throughout France.
Historic date, the town wishes to transform this birthday as a popular "rendez-vous" to celebrate with festivities throughout the whole year. All manifestations, since the beginning of the year, are a direct echo with this birthday.
Contact Monnaie de Paris
Four important moments characterize by this year wich depends official, republican, festive and emotional moments.
MAY 2ND: ANNIVERSARY OF THE CREATION OF ARCACHON
A protocolar and traditional manifestation with an official ceremony, the inauguration of "L'Espace 150 ans" (a place in wich there were a permanent exhibition about Arcachon's history with pictures regarding the last 150 years, short exhibitions and several conferences), a parade where the clothes of Napoleon III's era, floats regarding Arcachon's history, the participation of 1000 children of Arcachon's schools, and the tasting of a giant birthday cake.
MAY 12TH AND 13TH: ARCACHON CELEBRATES ITS 150 YEARS THROUGH THE "PLAGE AUX ECRIVAINS"
It's a literary and original event where famous writers in vogue in a exceptional environment. May 12th, at the same time, there was the shooting in live of "Escapades" (it's the same world in english), a broadcast of France 3, a french TV channel. The day was especially punctuated by a giant and free tasting of 60 000 oysters and an enormous pyrotechnical show during the evening while Jacques Chancel told the history of Arcachon. 20 000 people came to admire this feeric show.
MAY 19TH: "LA PATROUILLE DE FRANCE" AND THE OFFICIAL STAMP OF 150 YEAR OF ARCACHON
30 000 people came to celebrate the 150 years of the town by admirating the figures executed by the planes of the "Patrouille de France", in spite of the deplorable weather conditions. The first sale of the official stamp of 150 years of Arcachon, called "First day", attracted people : more than 300 people came at the "Espace 150 ans" at 8.30 am to buy it, whereas it opened at 10.00 am.
SEPTEMBER 15TH AND 16TH: THE DAYS OF HERITAGE "150 YEARS OF HISTORY OF THE TOWN"
At the heart of these days, there are"rendez-vous" created around Arcachon's history and its inhabitants. During this week-end, visits and animations will take place to demonstrate the patrimonial wealth and the evocation of its famous past. In this same objective, a movie was created with beautiful pictures of archives and photographies of artists, retelling the astonishing history of Arcachon and its formidable development. With historical and emotional dimension, its first diffusion will take place at the Velodrome of Arcachon.
For the last week-end of "Days of Heritage" which is the end of festivities of the celebrations of 150 years, the Tourist Office proposes week-ends starting 88 euros per person.
Informations : Tourist Office of Arcachon - Reservations available at 00 33 (0)5 57 52 97 70, Website
