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- Waters of plenty
Waters of plenty
Le Cap-Ferret vu du ciel
Gironde is the “Land of mixed waters”: 126 km of beaches, the largest estuary in Europe, great lakes ideal for water activities for the whole family, two rivers, the Garonne and the Dordogne, 400 km of watercourses open to sailing enthusiasts, and a far-famed inland sea, the Arcachon Basin.
Going with the flow of Gironde’s waters means setting off for a cruise around the Estuary and its islands, mounting an assault on the Cordouan Lighthouse by motor launch, exploring the Arcachon Basin by sea kayak, and canoeing the waterways winding through the Landes de Gascogne Regional Nature Park.
Living to the rhythm of intense maritime and river activity, the Gironde county also has a wide range of water sports on offer – surfing the Atlantic waves, sailing on the coastal lakes and the Arcachon Basin, fishing in the Estuary and the rivers, and canoeing through protected areas. The choice is endless!
Taking to Gironde’s waters or walking their shores is to set out in discovery of the history of the county, its people, and its picturesque local heritage – fishing nets cast along the Estuary, oyster beds in the Arcachon Basin, and much more besides.
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Taking to the waters and all the joys of boardsports
Gironde means 126 km of beaches devoted to surfing, kitesurfing, bodyboarding, sand- yachting and sea kayaking. It also means great lakes and an inland sea – the Arcachon Basin – ideal for family sailing outings, 400 km of navigable waterways to be explored by pleasure boat, and rivers like the Leyre or the Isle to discover by canoe.
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The Arcachon Basin
Gironde’s top spot for bathing tourism, the Arcachon Basin has taken care to preserve its natural heritage intact, as an integral part of the Landes de Gascogne Regional Nature Park.
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Waters of plenty – An unparalleled coastline
From the Cordouan Lighthouse to the Arcachon Basin and its far-famed Great Dune of Pilat, 126 km of fine sandy beaches stretch as far as the eye can see, protected by an uninterrupted line of dunes – an area where freedom reigns supreme, perfect for surfing or simply lazing away the day, whichever seaside resort you decide to head for.
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The great lakes
Sheltered by the coastal dunes, three great lakes lying in unspoilt natural settings make an ideal destination for families in search of safe bathing, water-sports enthusiasts, ramblers and anglers alike.
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Europe’s largest estuary
With a surface area of 600 km², the Gironde Estuary is the largest in Europe and the best protected. Born of the confluence of the Garonne and the Dordogne, the Estuary has something of the Mississippi about it, stretching between islands and marshes and bordering Médoc’s renowned winegrowing estates and the vineyards of Blaye and Bourg.
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Rivers and streams
Its wines may have made Gironde famous, but its waters have also done much to contribute to its development. When a Celtic people, the Biturigi Vivisci, settled on the banks of a meander of the Garonne in the 3rd century BC, a port grew up on the river, known as Burdigala – the present-day Bordeaux.
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Sensitive Natural Areas
Open to the public for unaccompanied visits or for tours led by nature guides, Gironde’s Sensitive Natural Areas shelter a heritage of great biological diversity including lagoons of Ice Age origin, salt meadows, and marshes – so many fragile ecosystems that make for fascinating exploration.
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With the kids
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The water in festival
The water in festival in Gironde
