The Estuary’s islands

9 spits of land lie in the heart of the Gironde Estuary – the islands of Patiras, Bouchaud, Nouvelle, Fort Pâté, Verte, Nord, Cazeau, Margaux and Macau.

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9 spits of land lie in the heart of the Gironde Estuary – the islands of Patiras, Bouchaud, Nouvelle, Fort Pâté, Verte, Nord, Cazeau, Margaux and Macau.

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The islands are preserved natural sites as well as resource centres for agriculture (Patiras) and for fishing and viticulture (Margaux and Ile Verte). Fort Pâté harbours the fortress built by Vauban in 1690.

A range of excursions to the islands are on offer every summer, departing from the ports of Bordeaux, Bourg, Blaye and Pauillac.

Not to be missed: Tales of the Estuary’s Islands

From May to October, on Île Nouvelle and Île Patiras, theatre, narrated visits, “cinesites” and cineconcerts pay tribute to the history of the Estuary and its people.

Information: Maison du Tourisme, Gironde

Zoom in on Île Nouvelle, a natural setting well worth discovering Reduce

Zoom in on Île Nouvelle, a natural setting well worth discovering

Created by the fusion of Sans-Pain and Bouchaud islands, Île Nouvelle now belongs to the Conservatoire du Littoral. Inhabited for over a century (almost 150 “islanders” lived there), Île Nouvelle was gradually depopulated in the 1960s and 70s. The well, school, houses, vathouse and wine-maturing cellar still exist, moving testimony to an age gone by.

Opened to the public in 2008, following an extensive renaturation programme enabling reconstitution of milieus typical of the Estuary’s islands, Île Nouvelle now counts over 150 bird species, including the grey heron, the black kite, the little egret and the widgeon.
Access to this protected site is by guided tour only.

Visits:
July and August
From Blaye Tuesdays and Thursdays, departure at 2 p.m. – return 4:30 p.m. Saturdays, departure at 2 p.m. – return 5:30 p.m. (Island + tour of “Vauban’s Lock”).
From Pauillac Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, departure 9:30 a.m. – return 2:30 / 3 p.m. Plan for a picnic.

June and September
Contact: Comité Départemental du Tourisme de la Gironde +33 5 56 52 61 40

Note: As Île Nouvelle is a sensitive natural area, dogs are not allowed on the island. For the visit, bring water and wear walking shoes and a hat.

Stop-offs with Gens d’Estuaire Reduce

Stop-offs with Gens d’Estuaire

Based in Pauillac, this collective brings together a number of the Estuary’s tourist service-providers, and organises a range of combined activities on the islands, the Estuary, and its banks: cruises aboard “La Ginette”, cultural and gastronomic stop-offs on Île Patiras or at the foot of the Blaye Citadels, wine-tasting sessions in Médoc at Château Loudenne, and more besides.

+33 5 56 59 09 34 or +33 6 31 65 29 46
contact@gensdestuaire.fr
www.gensdestuaire.fr

The “Sorellina”

Property of Gens d’Estuaire, the “Sorellina” can carry up to 75 passengers to the Estuary’s islands, for rambles, soirées and cruises.
From Bordeaux Cruise of the islands “à fleur de nature”: “Grands Crus”, “Island” and “UNESCO” formulas
Information: Maison du Tourisme, Gironde +33 5 56 52 61 40

From Pauillac “Culs Noirs”
soirées on Patiras Stop-off at Patiras “2 Islands’ Day Île Margaux
Information: Maison du Tourisme et du Vin, Pauillac +33 (0)5 56 59 03 08.

From Blaye “Culs Noirs” soirées on Patiras “2 Islands” Day
Information: Blaye Tourist Office +33 5 57 42 12 09

In September, lecture-debate-tapas evenings are held turn and turn about in each of the Estuary’s ports – Bordeaux, Pauillac, La Maréchale, Lamarque, Libourne, Blaye, les Callonges, Margaux and Bourg en Gironde.
For details of event programming: Gens d’Estuaire

+33 5 56 59 09 34 / +33 6 31 65 29 46
contact@gensdestuaire.fr
www.gensdestuaire.fr