Maison du Bassin

Cap Ferret? Isn’t that in the south, down on the Côte d’Azur? Even in France it’s amazing the confusion you will encounter between Cap Ferret and Cap Ferrat. Cap Ferret is on the west coast, below Bordeaux and above Biarritz. It is laid-back, simple and unspoiled. It reminds me of the coast of New England: naturally spectacular and very popular with the ‘boat shoes, chinos and polo shirt’ set.

Cap Ferret’s Maison du Bassin is one of those places that get everything exactly right. Varnished wood, weathered leather furniture, painted timber, pictures of boats, white linen, model ships, pebbles, shutters, wicker baskets and the traditional light blue paint of beach-side cabanas add up to a decor that seems spontaneous and ingenuous.

Have breakfast here and you’ll see what a difference a truly excellent boulanger can make.