The Syndicat Mixte de la Grande Dune du Pilat, under the leadership of its President, Nathalie Le Yondre, in the presence of the Sub-Prefect, the Aquitaine Delegate of the Coastal Conservatory and members of the Syndicate Committee, launched the 2025 summer high season with a focus resolutely on the preservation and sustainable management of the site.
A reinforced team for the reception and preservation of the site
As summer approaches, the Dune manager's staff increases significantly with the arrival of non-permanent staff dedicated to reception, technical management, mediation and visitor awareness. The objective: guarantee both the quality of the welcome, the maintenance of the spaces and an educational approach to visitors of all ages (activities, workshops, discovery cabin, etc.).
Manage attendance without increasing it
Far from seeking an increase in the number of visitors, the strategy is based on that of the national approach of the Grands Sites de France.
“It is not a question of increasing attendance, but of controlling it, of distributing the flow in space and time, and of promoting practices that respect the site, biodiversity and the local living environment.”
Concretely, this involves:
- The development of eco-mobility and encouraging responsible ways of visiting.
- Access control thanks to infrastructures designed to avoid saturation of the site.
- The Annual Pass for residents and regular visitors, allowing easier access while limiting illegal parking and contributing to the protection of the Dune.
- Diversification and spread of activities, notably thanks to a rich program of free nature activities, educational support and mediation.
Join a forward-looking approach
Sustainable management of the Grands Sites de France involves:
- Collective and concerted governance involving all stakeholders in the region.
- The diffusion of tourist flows, extending the length of stays and promoting the local economy.
- Creating a unique visitor experience, where each visitor becomes an actor in the preservation and ambassador of the landscape.
As such, the launch of the summer season at the Dune du Pilat is an invitation to (re)discover the site differently, with a heightened awareness of the need for its long-term preservation.
