Introduction
The Gironde is located in the south-west of France in the region of Aquitaine. It is a coastal department which takes its name from the Gironde Estuary. With an area of 10,000km2, Gironde is the largest department in mainland France and has a population of 1.3 million.
Blessed with 126km of coastline and a further 3500 km of rivers and inland waterways, Gironde is dominated by water. The Romans aptly called this watery region 'Aquitania'! Gironde also boasts the tallest sand dune in France. These natural resources, coupled with fantastic vineyards and an impressive heritage, are key factors in the popularity of the Gironde. Every year Bordeaux, the departmental capital, sees an influx of 3 million visitors.
History
The department of Gironde has existed for well over two centuries, created during the French Revolution and incorporating the former provinces of Guyenne and Gascony. Today, you can drive from Bordeaux to the Pais Vasco of Spain in two hours, and historically there has been a firm link with the Basques.
Major cities
- Bordeaux
- Libourne
- Lacanau
- Arcachon
- Mont-de-Marsan
Weather
The Gironde enjoys a mild and sunny climate, and the cooling influence of the Atlantic Ocean in the summer provides welcome relief. Year-round rainfall is essential for a good vintage, and it shouldn't put you off visiting – the Gironde still has fewer wet days than London!
Average temperature in Bordeaux| Period | Celsius | Fahrenheit |
|---|
| January-March | 12 | 54 |
| April-June | 20 | 68 |
| July-September | 25 | 77 |
| October-December | 13 | 55 |
Beaches
The Gironde has beaches in abundance, and their great variety and character are their hallmarks. For sunbathing, sandcastles and stripy blue-and-white beach tents, head for the family-friendly resorts of Soulac, Montalivet, Lacanau, Maubuisson and Carcans. Note that the naturist beaches are concentrated on the Médoc coast, north of Bordeaux.
To the north, the coastline is dominated by fishing, oyster farming and sailing boats. The Gironde Estuary hides a wealth of important natural sites as well as being essential for the maritime economy.
Sand dunes are most impressive south of Arcachon, flanked by pine forest where you can pick wild mushrooms and spot deer if you tire of making sandcastles. The Dune du Pyla near La Teste de Buch is the most impressive. At 107m it's the highest dune in Europe.
Tourist attractions
The Gironde's tourist attractions are largely concentrated along the coast. The Cordouan Lighthouse, in the commune of Verdon-sur-Mer, lies 7km offshore in the entrance of the Gironde Estuary. First built in 1584, the 65m high tower is an arresting landmark. It's fun to pick your way across the rock pools at low tide to this popular tourist spot.
Another attraction is the Citadelle de Blaye, situated in the Haute Gironde and built during the reign of Louis XIV. It played an important part in the 14th century wars with the English, and is today a peaceful place surrounded by rolling winelands.
Family entertainment
As well as family-friendly beaches, the Gironde boasts a number of amusement parks. Le Teich Ornithological Park is great for kids, home to over 250 species of bird. The Vital Park in the town of Lacanau is ideal for families, offering lots of free activities, including horse riding and orienteering.
Museums, galleries and culture
The region has a range of important religious sites including the abbey at La Sauve-Majeur, Bazas Cathedral and the impressive 18th century cathedral in Bordeaux. The Musée des Beaux-Arts in the same city is well worth a visit – entry is free on the first Sunday of the month.
Throughout the long French summer, the Gironde is home to a programme of events known as 'Scènes d'été'. Performances include dance, theatre, street arts and music, with special cinematic and literary events also on offer, drawing artists from far and wide.
Wine tasting
The vineyards of the Médoc are the pride of the Gironde, annually exporting 30 million bottles of wine. A coastal strip no more than 10km wide, abutting the Gironde Estuary, the Médoc has for centuries been an outstanding wine producer. The most widely used grape is Cabernet Sauvignon. You can take a week-long wine tour of the region or just indulge in one day of wine-tasting. Alternatively, combine grapes and gears on a cycling tour of the Bordeaux region.
Shopping
For antiques, lace and fashion clothing, head for Bordeaux. The Gironde's other centres have less on offer for shopaholics, but even the smallest village has first-rate food shops. Gastronomic shopping is a delight – cheese, seafood and fresh produce are available at weekly markets throughout the region, and wine can be bought direct from the vintner.
Walking
There are some great walks in the Gironde, taking in a variety of landscapes and historical sites. Over 2300km of signposted paths are now in place, creating a network of walks that stretches from the Atlantic seaboard to the hilly interior. The local tourism authority provides excellent free walking guides, which you can order online.
Other activities
The Gironde is perfect for cycling, with over 500km of cycle routes and plenty of quiet lanes for independent tourers to explore.
The department has 14 golf courses, and is ideal for water sports including sailing, water-skiing and surfing. Arcachon Bay is a popular scuba diving area, with two major dive sites at Hortense and Saint Yves. Divers can enjoy great marine fauna and flora, especially seahorses, and several wreck sites.
For the more adventurous, courses in paragliding are available from Sunsoar Paragliding. A good excuse to spend your time around the sand dunes!
Food and drink
The Gironde has a feast for all seasons, and local eateries abound. Although restaurants take their food seriously, prices are reasonable. Plenty of traditional cuisine is on offer, including succulent Pauillac lamb, beef from Bazas and freshly caguht sea bream. Other highlights include cèpe mushrooms, oysters and asparagus from Blaye.
The Gironde has high quality wines, as well as red and white wine, you will find the sparkling Crémant de Bordeaux widely available.
Ease of access
You can fly to Bordeaux from several UK airports, on Air France, bmi baby, British Airways, easyJet or Flybe. You can also reach the Gironde by train - three hours from Paris on the TGV. Alternatively, take a cross-channel ferry to a northern French port and drive to the Gironde. This is a good option for a family holiday but it's a long drive – 850km from Calais to Bordeaux.
Value for money
The Gironde is not an expensive region, the beach resorts being much less pretentious than their cousins on the Côte D'Azur. A lot of activities focus on the natural environment, so they are often free. Families can keep costs down by staying in one of the 160 campsites that the Gironde has to offer, many of which are effectively small holiday villages.
Summary
Visitors to the Gironde are spoiled for choice. With stunning natural landscapes, great food, world class vineyards, outdoor activities and historic cities the region offers something for everyone.
