With a surface area of 600 km², length of 75 kilometres and width of 12 kilometres at its mouth, the Gironde estuary is the biggest estuary in Western Europe!
Formed by the confluence of the rivers Dordogne and Garonne, this wild estuary full of remarkable wildlife stretches between marshes and wet meadows, the prestigious vineyards of the Médoc and limestone cliffs of Meschers-sur-Gironde. To add to the charm of the place, traditional quaint liftnet fishing cabins are dotted along the unspoilt banks of the estuary...
This is an exceptional natural environment where wild birds such as the Grey Heron, Little Egret and White Stork, and migratory fish, such as sturgeon, eel and lamprey, all have their place. The Gironde estuary can also boast of being the only estuary in the world where European sturgeon travel to breed!
To protect Bordeaux from sea invasions, Vauban, the famous military engineer to King Louis XIV, devised a defensive arsenal, with the Blaye Citadel, Fort Pâté and Fort Médoc, three places which are now UNESCO World Heritage sites...
To get from one side to the other, you have a choice of two ferries that provide a service between Le Verdon-sur-Mer and Royan, and between Blaye and Lamarque daily.
