Editing Arcachon (section)

==<FONT COLOR="#339900">'''HISTORY OF ARCACHON'''</FONT>==

The future village of Arcachon had less than 100 inhabitants when, in 1823, François Legallais decided to build a hotel with a bathing establishment. In those days the healing effects of the sea-water were in fact much praised and the venture was a big success. After that initial success it was not long before the bathing establishments multiplied. The sea-water was not the only asset of Arcachon. Many doctors praised the healthy air of the region and thought that the combination of this air, rich of iodine, together with the fragrances of the pine trees slowed down the ravages done by tuberculosis. Their opinion would soon bring another wave of visitors to Arcachon.

The ever growing stream of ill people and their families was soon noticed by the well informed financiers one of whom was Emile Péreire.
A banker from Bordeaux there is no doubt that Emile Pereire saw the enormous growing potential of Arcachon sooner than anybody else.
In 1855 he became the largest shareholder of the "Railroads of the Midi", the owners of one of the oldest lines of France Bordeaux-La Teste, and he campaigned for the line to be extended to Arcachon. The new section was put into service in 1857 and on may 2nd of the same year, Arcachon became an independent town by decree of Napoleon III. (Until then Arcachon had been attached to La Teste)
Emile Péreire was a man with vision. Arcachon kept growing, from 400 inhabitants in 1857 to nearly 4000 in 1872, and than over 8000 in the beginning of this century.

The seafront was without a doubt the first part of the town that was developed. The building there of a magnificent castle contributed largely to the prestige of that particular part of town.

'''''More informations about the History of Arcachon on the [[wikipedia:Arcachon]] !'''''