Activities for children in South Gironde

Discovering nature in South Gironde’s Sensitive Natural Areas

Cadaujac

The Garonne Bocage is one of the most extensive areas of bocage in Gironde still preserved.
Association LPO
+33 5 56 91 33 81

Saucats-La Brède

The Saucats-La Brède Geological Nature Reserve takes you on a journey back in time – 20 million years back, in fact, when the region was covered by the Atlantic Ocean – to discover sedimentary rocks and fossils of sharks, coral and tropical shells.
Réserve géologique de Saucats
+33 5 56 72 27 98 www.rngeologique-saucatslabrede.reserves-naturelles.org

Louchats : The Gât-Mort Lagoons

Made up of clearings and lagoons lying intact in the midst of the pine forests, the dunes help us better understand what the Grande Lande was like during the Ice Age.

CDT 33 - Danièle Schneider

Hostens

The Domaine Départemental Gérard Lagors is located on an old lignite surface mine and invites you to take to its marked-out pathways in exploration of its marshland, ponds and lakes.
Domaine Départemental Gérard Lagors
+33 5 56 88 70 29

Bazas

Lake Prade is of major ornithological interest. A footpath leads to an observatory where birdwatchers can enjoy their hobby to the full.
Guided visits on the theme of orchids.
+33(0)5 56 25 25 84
www.tourisme-bazadais.com

Auros

The Monceau botanical pathway winds through the heart of limestone hillsides where a wide variety of wild orchids flourishes.
Conservatoire Régional des Espaces Naturels Sensibles d’Aquitaine +33 5 53 81 39 57
Discovering nature in the Landes de Gascogne Regional Nature Park

Maison de la Nature du Bassin d’Arcachon is labelled as a “Permanent Centre for Initiation into the Environment” and has three major tasks to fulfil: the study and management of natural environments, environmental education, and development of ecotourism. Its activities include organisation of events for schoolchildren, awareness-raising with regard to ornithology, canoeing on the Leyre and sea kayaking. It also offers accommodation facilities and group stays.

Belin-Beliet

Located where the Way of Saint James of Compostela crosses the River Leyre, the Centre du Graoux initiates visitors into the secrets of Gironde’s Haute Lande, with a programme of nature activities including a “Discovery of biodiversity itinerary”, on foot, by bike or by canoe.
Centre du Graoux
+33 5 57 71 99 29
www.parc-landes-de-gascogne.fr

Observing grey cranes
In early autumn, the grey cranes gathered in Scandinavia set off on their journey south, stopping off in these wetlands and feeding on the corn left over from the harvest.
Day-trips and weekends are organised in January and February.
La Maison du Parc
+33 5 57 71 99 99
www.parc-landes-de-gascogne.fr

Getting the legs moving

On foot

The coastal pathway runs alongside the shores of the Arcachon Basin and the vast preserved expanses of the Leyre; accessible from the Le Teich port.
3 tours, and 10 local loops for in-depth discovery of the Pays du Val de l’Eyre.

By mountain bike

The Park’s trails are ideal for bicycles and mountain bikes alike, and cycling is an ideal way of getting around in discovery of churches and local rural heritage (fountains, washhouses, pigeon-hunters’ huts, etc.). Among the many routes on offer, the cycle track from South Gironde to the Arcachon Basin runs along a former railway line, crossing the north of the Park for almost 80 km.

Well worth trying is the “Ecocyclo” route, an itinerary that takes you, stage by stage, to accommodation providers involved in the ecotourism approach.
www.ecotourisme-landes-de-gascogne.fr

By Canoe

The Leyre’s nickname, “little Amazon” is a well deserved one – oak, ash and willow trees make up an immense gallery forest reigned over by the majestic Royal Osmunda fern. Vast stretches of wetland border the river and are home to a precious multitude of land and water fauna, including dragonflies, otters, mink, herons, kingfishers and European pond terrapins (a protected species).
+33 5 56 88 02 68

Canoë Ciron Nature
33730 VILLANDRAUT
+33 5 56 25 38 65 www.cc-villandaut.fr

Bommes Nautique (kayaking)
33210 Bommes
+33 5 56 76 61 42 - +33 6 82 83 17 26
www.bommes-nautique.new.fr

CDT33 - Jean-Joel Le Fur

On horseback

Gallop your way through heath, furze and broom in unenclosed forestland – the Park is a real paradise for horseback riders! There are a number of marked riding trails in the northeast of the Park (continuing on towards the Graves and Sauternais regions).
For single-day outings or longer stays: +33 5 56 88 02 68

“Accro-branches” treetop adventure and multi-activity centre

Accro d’Aventures 33
Balisac
+33 5 56 25 34 61 - +33 6 80 61 53 63

The Domaine Départemental de Sports et de Loisirs Gérard Lagors, in Hostens, is a 600-hectare estate (listed as a Sensitive Natural Area) laid out for discovery of the natural milieu and for leisure activities in the midst of nature (mountain biking, canoeing, archery, climbing and tennis, among others)

Supervised beach from June to September

In addition, 6 marked-out footpaths lead walkers to explore the Gât Mort Lagoons, remarkable testimony to the Ice Age in the Gironde. The estate also includes “Escalad’arbres”, a mixed foldaway forest trail made up of ropes and cables.
Qualified supervision from April to October.
33125 HOSTENS
+33 5 56 88 70 29

SUD’AERO: “accro-branches” treetop adventure trail
Bommes
+33 6 77 52 98 63 - +33 6 85 16 05 23

And also...

Aillas

La Toison Douce
Angora goat breeding farm – “Bienvenue à la ferme” label
+33 5 56 65 32 74 www.laine-mohair.com

Bazas

Ferme de Gipon
Goat breeding farm – visits, cheese tasting, explanation of wool processing (carding, spinning and weaving).

+33 5 56 25 15 11

Barie

Discovery of the willow fields and presentation of the ways in which willow branches are worked (in basketry and cooperage). Park of woven vegetable creations and living willow maze. “Bienvenue à la ferme” label.
L’Oseraie de l’île
+33 5 56 61 21 50 - +33 6 78 86 77 06

Brannens

Ferme Baylet Guided tour of the farm, old tobacco drying house, farmyard animals , calves, pigs, observation of the vegetable production cycle, early-learning garden, and forest trail. “Bienvenue à la ferme” label.
+33 5 56 65 44 19