Europe’s largest estuary

Under the constant influence of the Atlantic tides, the Estuary has become a world unto itself, and a remarkable profusion of birdlife and other fauna lives in the marshes and wet grasslands that surround it, including storks, white spoonbills, harriers, grey herons, otters and European mink.

Along its banks lie the “mattes” or polders reclaimed from the Estuary as a result of major drainage operations carried out by Dutch master workers in the 17^th century.

Two major activities have developed on them alongside the extensive breeding going on – fish farming and production of rushes, which are essential to winegrowing.

The entire estuary carries the stamp of France’s most renowned king, Louis XIV, and his faithful architect Vauban, whose skills were put to the test in 1685 by the building of the Blaye Citadel, which was intended to protect Bordeaux against sea invasion.

The Blaye Citadel, along with Fort Pâté on the island of the same name and Fort Médoc on the left bank, make up the defensive arsenal created by Vauban. The 3 fortresses are listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites under the name “Verrou Vauban” (Vauban’s Lock).

Fishing, focusing mainly upon migratory species, continues to be a major activity in the Estuary, and shad, lamprey, sturgeon, eels and elvers, and white shrimp are regularly on the menus of local bistros and open-air cafes, as well as on market stalls, alongside such other local produce as Macau artichokes, Blaye asparagus and Pauillac lamb.

The Gironde is the only estuary in the world up which European sturgeons swim to spawn.

Crossing the Estuary

Links between the Estuary’s two shores are provided by two ferries, running several times a day all year round, Royan-Le Verdon or Blaye-Lamarque.

For times and fares:

+33 5 56 52 61 40

The “mascaret – a sight to be seen!

During the equinox tides (April / September), a long wave, the Mascaret, rolls up the Estuary for some 150 km at a speed of almost 30 km an hour. An altogether remarkable sight, the breaker is an irresistible attraction to surfers bold enough to take it on, as well as to the spectators who flock to the little ports of Vavres and Saint-Pardon on the Dordogne.

Find out more about the Estuary

Estuary – right bank

Saint-Ciers-sur-Gironde: guided tours – on foot or by barouche – to the Nouvelles Possessions Nature Reserve.

Blaye Citadel (17^th century) built by Vauban

Rendezvous at the Estuary Conservatory (in the Citadel), which organises guided tours in discovery of the Estuary’s flora and fauna.

Plassac : the village contains three Gallo-Roman villas (1^st and 5^th centuries) as well as an archaeological museum.

Bourg-sur-Gironde : Anne of Austria, Louis XIV and Mazarin stayed here for six weeks, to escape the Fronde.

 Estuary – left bank

Le Verdon-sur-Mer : gateway to the left bank and departure point for a whole range of crossings and cruises of the Estuary (and out to sea). Port-Médoc has recently been developed, and is now the Atlantic’s first “green” yachting harbour.

Saint-Vivien-de-Médoc: the old oyster-farming port now accommodates two fish farms devoted to summer production of Mediterranean prawns. You’ll need to take a 4-km detour if you want to go and have a look at the Vensac Mill.

Jau-Dignac-et-Loirac : fine panoramic views over the Estuary and the Médoc countryside are to be had from the top of the 18-metre Richard lighthouse (which you can get to on “La Bohême” motor launch departing from Le Verdon port). A snoop in the museum of Estuary life will round off your visit nicely.

Valeyrac: Goulée is a typical left bank port, and still a haven for fishing boats with nets shaped like dragonfly wings – hence their name “bateaux libellule” (dragonfly boats).

Bégadan: Port of By and Château de la Tour de By.

Saint-Christoly-de-Médoc: port and ruins of the 15^th -century Fortress of Castillon, which watched over the Estuary’s main navigation channel up until the First Empire.

Saint-Germain-d’Esteuil: Barbehère dolmen, and the Brion archaeological site.

Saint-Estèphe : Château Cos d’Estournel has a surprise in store for visitors, with its wine storehouses topped by exotic pagodas!

Pauillac: having the advantage of a particularly high draught, the port of Pauillac has always been one of the most active in the Estuary. It was also the reason that La Fayette chose to set sail from there in 1777 on his voyage to the Americas. Well worth a visit in the surroundings are the Artiques cave – a miniature replica of the Lourdes cave – and Château Mouton-Rothschild. And a must in springtime for lovers of good food – the famous Pauillac lamb (fed exclusively on its mothers’ milk).

Saint-Julien-Beychevelle : well worth seeing is the Château de Beychevelle (also known as “baisse-voile” – French for “lower sail” – as legend has it that vessels sailing past the château had to lower their sails as a sign of allegiance).

Cussac-Fort-Médoc: the 17^th -century fort is the third component in the Estuary’s defensive system as designed by Vauban (along with the Blaye Citadel and Fort Paté). Also well worth a visit is Château Lanessan, for its horse museum and superb rose garden.

Lamarque : it is possible to get to Blaye from the port. Château de Lamarque stands in the heart of the village and is one of Gironde’s oldest castles (10^th century).

Moulis : Tiquetorte fortified mill.

Cantenac : the port of Issan offers fine views of Île Margaux