Vacationers gradually make their way back to French bay near massive wildfire

The sun shone brightly over a beach in southwestern France on Sunday as some holidaymakers began returning after a massive wildfire tore through nearby pine forests for more than a week.

A few people strolled along the seafront, and colorful parasols dotted the sandy beach in the town of Arcachon. Julien Daufresne, 42, was delighted to see tourists after firefighters this weekend gained the upper hand over France's largest wildfire since 1949.

"It's good to see people again," said Daufresne, who lives in Arcachon but works as a jewelry and watch salesman in the nearby winemaking capital of Bordeaux.

A massive fire across the Arcachon Bay started on July 22, forcing 220 people to flee their homes to safety. The fire went on to incinerate some 42,000 hectares (104,000 acres) of pine forest along the Atlantic coastline, destroying some 240 homes in its wake.

In Arcachon, Daufresne and others did not have to evacuate. "What was impressive was seeing the seafront boulevard completely empty. No cars, no passersby, nothing," he said. "Now, there's a bit of traffic again," he added, smiling.

Luisa Nogues and Rosa Pinto, two sisters aged 61 and 66, said they had just arrived on holiday when the fire started. "It was horrible," said Nogues. "It didn't feel like a holiday at all anymore." But, said her sister, now "you can feel things coming back to life a little. People are less hunched over."

A waitress climbs the stairs leading to a restaurant’s terrace to serve customers in Lacanau, on August 1, 2026, during wildfires in the Gironde region, southwestern France. Firefighters on August 1, 2026 had managed to stem the advance of a fast-moving blaze in the southeast of France, as the country's largest wildfire in more than 70 years remained contained but not yet under control in the southwest. France has for weeks been battling wildfires after a series of deadly heatwaves that have dried up riverbeds and vegetation, in extreme weather events scientists have linked to human-made climate change. (Photo by Philippe Lopez / AFP)

Business owners hope for a rebound

Joaquim Fajarnes, an ice cream parlor owner, said the fire had seriously hurt his business. "It hasn't really picked up yet," said the businessman, who also owns two souvenir shops, one in town and another near Europe's tallest sand dune, the Dune du Pilat, a short drive away.

But "we're going to be positive," he said, after Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu on Saturday urged holidaymakers to show solidarity and return to the area.

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Tourism generates 7% of the wider Gironde region's GDP, and employs 40,000 people, according to the local authorities.

Bruno Spinosa, a 67-year-old retiree, said he was only "half relieved," as firefighters continued to douse flames that were still active in several areas.

He said he was shocked by people who are starting to have picnics again with a cigarette in their mouth. "I'm a bit worried because with the drought we've had this year is extraordinary," he said. And "you just need a tiny cigarette butt" for it all to erupt in flames again.

August 03, 2026 11:45 AM GMT+03:00