It's close to the Bay of Arcachon, and about an hour on the local train to Bordeaux.

There's LOADS of shifting sand - see the big Pyla dune - but also good windsurfing on the Atlantic coast. The bay of Arcachon is calmer water, and is home to loads of delicious oysters.

It should be hot while you're there, but beware of sudden thunderstorms.

If you are driving, the Bordeaux ring road and the road along the bay can be very slow going in the heat of summer (this area is popular with the French too) so take plenty of water and try not to get too het up.

You might like to get in touch with the local tourist offce - they'll have lots of leaflets and info - try feeding Arcachon and Pyla Sur Mer into a search engine. Bonnes vacances!