Why Atlantic Coast

The Arcachon Bay, the top spot for bathing tourism, has taken care to preserve its natural heritage intact, as an integral part of the Landes de Gascogne Regional Nature Park. It is tidal by nature, the daily withdrawal of the Atlantic Ocean ensuring the release of health giving ions into the atmosphere from the depths of the sea bed and the replenishment of clean, fresh, invigorating waters.

126 km of beaches devoted to surfing, kite surfing, body boarding, sand-yachting and sea kayaking.

Sheltered by the coastal dunes, three great lakes lying in un-spoilt natural settings make an ideal destination for families in search of safe bathing, water-sports enthusiasts, ramblers and anglers alike.

The 600 km² 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.

Its wines may have made Gironde famous, but its rivers and streams have also  contributed much to its development. When 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, UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2007. 

4200 km of hiking trails, including 2300 km of marked-out routes, wind their way through  vineyards and pine forests,  and alongside the coast and the Estuary. Gironde has progressively become France’s number one cycle tourism destination.

The Landes de Gascogne Regional Nature Park was created in 1970 and is part of the largest forest in Europe. It covers over 315,000 hectares and can be explored on foot, by mountain bike, on horseback, or by canoe along the Leyre, a river that winds through the heart of the pine forest before flowing into the Arcachon Basin.

Bordeaux, with its ornate architecture and rich history are half an hour away from the villa and offer almost endless cultural attractions. Bordeaux is also famous for food and fantastic restaurants are a plenty.

St Emilion, A town that needs no introduction, centre-point for history of French wine making, full of surprise and fascinating history.

Citadel de Blaye, “In the 17th century, Louis XIV ordered Vauban to strengthen the existing fortifications at the Citadelle de Blaye to protect the city of Bordeaux, located up-stream of the estuary on the Garonne River. As the cannons at the time did not have sufficient range to cover the 3 km width of the river - and thus prevent the enemy from reaching the city - Vauban built two more forts. With Fort Paté, Fort Médoc and the improved fortifications of the Citadel of Blaye, Vauban was able to set up cross-fires and prevent enemies from sailing up to Bordeaux.“