The “Cabanes Tchanquées” at Île aux oiseaux

These cabins on stilts are considered as very important to the locals, they are quite like the Eiffel Tower to the Parisians or the Pyramids to Egyptians: the cabins are more than just a landmark, they are part of the soul of the Bassin.

The cabins on stilts can be seen from l’Île aux oiseaux (the birds island, the island belonging to birds).

The meaning of the word “tchanqué”

Tchanqué comes from the Gascon word tchanca which means “mounted on stilts, fixed on stakes”.

(Gascon a.k.a Gascogne which is an old district of the Bordelais region).

There is an existing 2 in the Bassin d’Arcachon.

The first cabane tchanquée was built in 1883 by Martin Pibert, it was used by oyster farmers so they could monitor their oyster beds and prevent theft, without having to be dependant of the tide. The original hut is not standing today as it was destroyed in a storm in 1943. A new cabin was built a few years later by a local carpenter named Mr Landry, not far from the original cabin. In 1948, the deputy mayor of Arcachon, Julian Longau, obtained authorisation to build another stilt cabin named hut 53. It now belongs to the state and to the conservatory of the Littoral.

Discover the huts

There are many excursions available to visit this unique setting. It is also a lovely way to enjoy the peacefulness of the Bassin d’Arcachon. If you are wanting to get close to the cabins, it is recommended to go at high tide as boats will have more trouble approaching in low-tide.

Would you like to stay a night in one of the huts?

Who hasn’t dreamed of spending a night above the water, in a cabin on stilts?

You will certainly find your dream holiday home among our seasonal rentals with sea views in Pyla or Cap Ferret.