Gironde

Home of the Bordeaux wine region, with the Port of the Moon, the châteaux of Saint-Émilion and the Atlantic dunes and beaches.

Gironde lies in southwestern France, where the Garonne and Dordogne rivers join to form the Gironde estuary. It borders the Atlantic to the west and is the largest department in mainland France, with Bordeaux as its capital. Bordeaux's historic 'Port of the Moon' is a World Heritage Site, with the Miroir d'Eau and the Cité du Vin among its signature sights. The surrounding wine regions, including the Médoc and Saint-Émilion, are dotted with châteaux, and the town of Saint-Émilion is also a World Heritage Site. The Arcachon Bay is known for its oysters and the Dune du Pilat, the tallest sand dune in Europe. Summer suits the seaside, and the autumn harvest is a good time for wine tasting. Bordeaux–Mérignac Airport is the main gateway, and Bordeaux is about two hours from Paris by TGV.

Destinations

• Bordeaux

Itineraries

• Bordeaux Wine Country and Arcachon Bay – Using Bordeaux as a base, this trip links the old town, the Médoc, Saint-Émilion and the Dune du Pilat.
• Dordogne Valley Châteaux and Caves Road Trip – Five nights in Sarlat, with day trips to the Lascaux caves, the valley's châteaux and Rocamadour.
• Poitiers to Bordeaux Atlantic Family Trip – Head south from Futuroscope through the marshes, La Rochelle, Île de Ré and Cognac to Bordeaux.