Property Gironde - Buy, Rent & Stay in the Gironde, France

Gironde

Gironde is located in the Aquitaine region of southwestern Franceand and is surrounded by the departments of Landes, Lot-et-Garonne, Dordogne, Charente and Charente-Maritime and the Atlantic Ocean on the west. It is the largest department in France (Department Number 33). There are some 72 miles of sandy coast, backed by 480,000 hectares of pine trees to the east. Inland there are numerous lakes and approximately 2170 miles of rivers.

Gironde is home to 1.3 million people. It was named after the estuary that was formed by the Garonne and Dordogne rivers and created during the French Revolution from parts of the former provinces of Guyenne and Gascogne. The department is most famous for its beaches, mussels and fine wines. Summer is hot, with the occasional storm and winter is usually mild. Gironde is packed with traditional villages, many set among acres of vineyards.

The department is rich in nature and wildlife. The calm lakes combined with the glorious coastline means that a whole range of water sports are covered. Etang d'Hourtin and Etang de Carcans form the longest lake in France. Otters, which are becoming increasingly rare across France, are often sighted here. The Gironde estuary is the largest in Europe and is the only place you'll find the endangered sturgeon species.

This is wine country with Bordeaux, Gironde’s capital, at its centre. In total there are 57 wines labelled AOC - Bordeaux, Sauternes, Medoc & St-Emilion to name but a few. Bordeaux, a bustling city, is where the main wine industry is located. The atmosphere here contrasts with the traditional atmosphere found in the wine-producing communities and the town is home to a magnitude of elegant shops and fine restaurants, great for sampling a glass or two of local produce.

Tourist Attractions in the Gironde:

Blaye

Located on the right bank of the Gironde estuary and 35 miles north of Bordeaux is Blaye. In ancient times Blaye was a port of the Santones. Tradition states that the hero Roland was buried in its basilica, which was on the site of the citadel. It was early an important stronghold which played an important part in the wars against the English (who burnt it in 1352) and the Religious Wars. The duchess of Berry was imprisoned in its fortress in 1832-1833.

The town’s citadel, built by Vauban on a rock beside the river, embraces the ruins of an old Gothic château. The latter contains the tomb of Charibert II, king of Aquitaine and son of Clotaire II. Blaye is also defended by the Fort Paté on an island in the river and the Fort Médoc on its left bank, both of the 17th century.

Langon

The port town of Langon is located in the southeast of the department on the left bank of the Garonne river, near the border between a wine-growing region (Premières côtes de Bordeaux) and the forest of Landes. It is the highest point on the river Garonne and is subject to the coming and goings of the tide. Its gothic cathedral contains a fantastic painting by Zurbaran, discovered by accident in 1966.

Libourne

The wine-making capital of northern Gironde, located at the confluence of the Isle and Dordogne rivers.

Formally Leybornia founded as a “bastide” by Roger de Leybourne (of Kent) in the Middle Ages, under the authority of King Edward I of England. It suffered considerably in the struggles of the French and English for the possession of Gironde in the 14th century and joined France in the 15th century.

The Gothic church, restored in the 19th century, has a stone spire 232 feet high. On the quay there is a machicolated clock-tower which is a survival of the ramparts of the 14th century; and the town-house, containing a small museum and a library, is a quaint relic of the 16th century. There is a statue of the Duc Decazes, who was born in the neighbourhood.

Parc Ornithologique - Le Teich

A marvellous sanctuary for some of Europe's rarest birds. Bird watchers can take one of two walks for further observation.

Musee des Beaux-arts – Bordeaux

The Hotel de Ville is home to the Musee des Beaux-Arts where you'll find a fantastic collection of works by Rubens, Delacroix, Renoir, Matisse and others

Wine tasting – Maison du Vin near St-Emilion

Visit one of the 5000 chateaux or wine properties where grapes and grown and harvested or take wine-tasting classes in the summer.

Dune du Pilat

Site copyright © WebOneUK.com 2006 - Web Design & Marketing

Part of the Home France group of Web Sites