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The Atlantic coast beaches can be very wild at times.  Sadly we witnessed a young mother drown there, which was very distressing for everyone on the beach at the time and has put us off that coast.  The beaches are long, and there are cross currents, so the Atlantic coast in that area is not somewhere I would choose (now) with young children.  The beaches on the lagoon side, particularly around Arcachon, are much safer, with shallower and very warm sea.

We stayed at Le Truc Vert, at Cap Ferret,  on large sand dunes behind the beach, in pinewoods.  It was quite hilly, and very sandy, and some pitches were quite difficult to drive up to. The walk through the dunes to the beach was lovely.  It's a very long time ago, though and so I've no idea what the site is like now - though at the time it wouldn't be one that I would recommend.   I remember seeing what looked like nicer sites, with a flatter layout, on the 'Bassin' side near Arcachon, which is probably where I would choose now.

There has been quite a lot of debris deposited in the recent storms on the Atlantic beaches in that area, and the 'beach cleaners' are working hard to clean up the debris and restore the quality of the sand.  I'm sure it will be fine again for the summer.  In resorts higher up the Atlantic coast (Montalivet)  there's been the same sort of beachfront damage as the south west of England sustained in the recent winter storms and again the clean up has already begun.

Look at Maubuisson/ Hourtin as well.  The ocean beaches near there are pretty wild, but have life guarded 'bathing' areas.  These are very small and crowded though.   You can't really swim in the sea for the most part as it's very rough - more playing in the waves!  However the lake is fab for swimming, particularly at Maubuisson where there is a lovely long sandy beach - no waves and no currents, ideal for the children to use inflatable toys etc.