The Basilique Notre-Dame-des-Passes stands at the western end of the Ville d'Été, looking out towards the bay and the les passes — the narrow channels through which the Atlantic tides enter the Arcachon basin. The church is relatively modest in scale for a basilica, built in the late 19th century in a Romano-Byzantine style, but its location gives it a commanding presence over the sea.
The venerated image inside — Our Lady of Arcachon, Star of the Sea — has been associated with the town's fishing community since the mid-19th century, when the town was still primarily a fishing village before the arrival of the railway and the health tourists. The church is worth visiting for its position and interior decoration; the terrace in front gives one of the better views along the bay shoreline.