8 May 1945 Square

Place du 8 Mai 1945, inaugurated in 1980, commemorates the end of World War II, a date that holds special meaning for Arcachon, which was under German occupation from 1940 to 1944. The creation of this square in the post-war years was part of an ambitious urban renewal project designed to connect the Summer Town with the heights of the Winter Town in a seamless way. At its centre stands an elegant fountain featuring Woman Playing with a Dolphin, a 1952 stone sculpture by Claude Bouscau. Born in Arcachon in 1909, Bouscau went on to win the prestigious Prix de Rome in 1935. This 1.3-metre piece captures a fluid sense of movement, blending woman and dolphin into a harmonious whole. Walk around it to appreciate every detail. Facing you is the Parc Mauresque elevator, in service since 1948—a unique piece of urban engineering that whisks visitors effortlessly up to the Winter Town. Look up at its striking pediment: a ceramic bas-relief, also by Bouscau, depicting a Faun Chasing Two Nymphs. Restored in 2005, its colours mix classical inspiration with local touches, including Arcachon’s pines and palms. This square perfectly captures the spirit of Arcachon’s post-war rebirth, where historical memory, technical innovation, and artistic creation come together in harmony.