🗣️ See Klingon version of the article
Arès, Bassin d'Arcachon. Picture: you're an alien in a flying saucer, after light-years of travel, and when it's time to land on Earth… nothing. Not one spot to park quietly. Luckily, since 1976, Arès has thought of everything.
It's on the initiative of the mayor at the time, Christian Raymond, and Bob Cotten - UFO enthusiast and Mérignac airport employee - that this crazy-yet-genius idea was born: build a UFO port on Esplanade Georges Dartiguelongue, right on the beach edge. The inauguration happened with pomp (and oyster shells) on August 15, 1976, during the Oyster Festival.
A joke? Oh no...
An… intergalactic setup
At the time, it was just a cleared space, ready to welcome the first passing saucer. Today, the Ovniport sports:
- An engraved stele (installed in 2006) to mark the moment.
- A flying saucer sculpture, work of local artisans, brand new since its January 2024 renovation.
- A multilingual sign welcoming aliens - you never know.
All facing the Garonne… sorry, the sea, with an unobstructed view for little green men.
Between sci-fi and local celebration
Officially, no UFO has yet requested parking permission. But unofficially, the Ovniport draws each year:
- Curious and photographers coming to immortalize this improbable monument.
- Ufologists who, between two Roswell debates, come by for a selfie.
- Kids who turn the saucer into an interstellar playground.
And of course, the Oyster Festival stays the chance to mix oysters, white wine and… discussions on extraterrestrial life. A unique cocktail on the Bassin.
This project, halfway between marketing stunt and galactic wink, perfectly reflects local humor and creativity. Some see a welcome touristic curiosity, others a useless extravagance - especially since we know the new saucer cost about €10,000.
But whether you love it or find it totally nuts, the Ovniport is now a little piece of popular heritage, a postcard in its own right of the Bassin d'Arcachon.
Whether you're skeptical, a dreamer or a simple oddity fan, the Arès Ovniport is a must-stop. Here, we take the unusual seriously… but with a big smile. After all, if aliens land one day, at least they'll know where to park.
The comments are sometimes epic!
📍 Where? Esplanade Georges Dartiguelongue, Arès (Gironde).
📅 When? All year round, with record crowds in summer.
💡 Bonus: Perfect for an offbeat photo, before heading off for oysters.
🛸 Tip for E.T.: no parking badge needed, but watch the tides.
