What are the unmissable natural sites of Gironde? The Dune du Pilat, Terres d’oiseau, the Contaut lagoon, and many others! Overview of natural sites that invite you to discover but above all to disconnect.
Top 10 nature spaces in Gironde
- We start in style on the Arcachon Bay with The Grand Site of the Dune du Pilat in La Teste-de-Buch. At the top, between dune and forest, the view is breathtaking. But for us the best way to discover it remains the activities with the nature guides: walks at sunset, receptions posted with telescope at the crest of the Dune, story walks for families, or even a hike from the Dune to the bench. 'Arguin.
→ Get there by bike.
- We continue a few kilometers with Les Prés Salés Ouest in La Teste-de-Buch. Here, the landscapes oscillate between marshes, dunes and beaches. The spectacle is everywhere: look in the distance, a heron, an egret and below, in the mudflat, the kingfisher is playing hide and seek with the curious!
→ Get there by bike.
- If birds fascinate you, don't miss out the ornithological reserve of Teich. More than 323 species can be observed here. The reserve offers you more than 6 km of walks and around twenty cabins designed to observe them. Tip: as a family, take the Rouge Gorge trail, it has been specially designed for children.
→ Get there by bike.
- We end our tour of the Arcachon Basin with the National Nature Reserve of the Arès Salt Meadows – Lège Cap Ferret. It is home to exceptional fauna and flora, and who better than Alexandre, a passionate nature guide to accompany you on his paths. With him, you might even see the little darling of the reserve, the pond turtle!
→ Get there by bike.
Good deal alert: all year round, the Department of Gironde offers guided outings (mostly free) in nature to learn to see the fauna and flora differently. Outdoor escape game, twilight walk, forest bath… book your unusual nature moment without further delay!
5. We continue our wandering, heading towards the north of Bordeaux. The Bruges Marshes National Nature Reserve awaits us. What we like here is the 2,4 km of trail, punctuated by 3 observatories, with free access (Saturday to Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 18 p.m.), and the free guided tour per month to try to See in particular the 32 pairs of storks that live here.
→Get there by bike.
6. In South Gironde the Ciron belvedere in Bernos-Beaulac is our little favorite. A green setting that can be discovered thanks to a 2,2 km loop and an interpretive trail along the water's edge. Don't miss the departures of canoe trips nearby.
→Get there by bike
7. In the Médoc, the Contaut Lagoon is accessible to all, thanks to a wooden footbridge which ensures a comfortable discovery. Take the time to stroll around and why not go on a treasure hunt nearby with the app Tèrra Aventura.
→Get there by bike
8. Don’t stop there and come and discover the Etang de Cousseau National Nature Reserve. Here, the star is the European Otter, which shares its living space with deer, wild boar and even badgers. On the bird side, we can observe more than 200 species.
→Get there by bike
9. We quietly finish our top 10 with Terres d'Oiseaux on the edge of the estuary, a unique place where you can observe nature in its purest form. Stroll along the trails and soak up the tranquility of the place. Curious young and old will be challenged with a Tèrra Aventura enigma trail and many activities.
→Get there by bike
10. The youngest is directly accessible from the Roger Lapébie slope, in Entre-deux-Mers, it is the Pimpine woods in Latresne. On the hillside, on old underground quarries, it overlooks a large pond located below and opens its doors from October 13. Come celebrate the opening with us !
→Get there by bike.
Whether you are a passionate ornithologist, a hiking enthusiast or simply looking for tranquility in the heart of nature, the Gironde is full of natural treasures to discover. Prepare to experience unique moments in its exceptional sites. Don't wait any longer, go on an adventure.
