ARCACHON  , a

coast town of south-western France, in the department of Gironde, 37 in . W.S.W. of Bordeaux on the Southern railway . Pop . (1906) 9006 . Arcachon is situated on the southern border of the lagoon of Arcachon at the foot of dunes covered with splendid pine-woods . It comprises two distinct parts, the summer town, extending for 22 M. along the shore, and bordered by a firm sandy beach, frequented by bathers, and the winter town, farther inland, consisting of numerous villas scattered amongst the pines . Owing to the mildness of its climate the winter town is a resort for consumptive patients . The principal industries are oyster-breeding, which is conducted on a very large scale, and fishing . The port has trade with Spain and England .