Located in the heart of the Landes du Médoc, Lake Hourtin-Carcans is, with its 5,667 hectares, the largest freshwater lake in France! It is 4 km away (Hourtin Port beach) Enjoying a preserved natural environment consisting of wild marshes, sand dunes and pine forests, this huge body of water lends itself perfectly to outdoor activities such as sailing, swimming, water skiing, windsurfing, canoeing, fishing, Kitesurfing, pedal boating, walking and cycling along the trails and bike paths that line the lake. Supervised in summer, the pretty sandy beaches of Carcans-Maubuisson and Hourtin are for their part the delight of lovers of idleness, but also toddlers who can here enjoy the calm waters of the lake in complete safety…

Labeled Famille Plus, the resort of Hourtin particularly enchants the little ones with its Île aux Enfants, a 10-hectare leisure park dedicated to children from 3 to 12 years old!

Nestling at the edge of the Atlantic Ocean, in the municipality of Carcans, in the Médoc Landes, the pleasant little seaside resort of Carcans-Plage attracts lovers of sunbathing as well as surfers and swimmers. Its beautiful sandy beaches that run along the Silver Coast (Côte d'Argent), its surfing and bodyboarding spots, its small shopping centre and its cycle paths dotted about the pine forest are among the attractions that make it a popular destination with holidaymakers.

Known all over the world for its prestigious great wines, such as Saint-Estèphe, Margaux, Saint-Émilion, Pomerol and Sauternes, the Bordeaux vineyard, with its 117,200 hectares of vines, 8,000 châteaux and nearly 10,000 wine-growers, is also the biggest AOC vineyard in France! Comprising six main terroirs, the Médoc, Libournais, Sauternais, Graves, Entre-Deux-Mers and Blayais-Bourgeais, which are in turn divided into several appellations such as Saint-Estèphe, Saint-Julien, Margaux, Moulis-en-Médoc or Pauillac for the Médoc region, the Bordelais vineyard has no fewer than 57 different appellations! Red wines make up around 80% of the production and mainly come from the Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc grape varieties. The rest of the production consists of dry and sweet white wines made from the Sémillon, Sauvignon and Muscadelle grape varieties, as well as rosé wines from the same varieties as the red wines.

Many wine estates open to the public offer cellar tours and tastings. For instance, this is the case with Châteaux Siran, Margaux, Lanessan, Mouton Rothschild, Lafite Rothschild and Loudenne in Médoc, or the Châteaux of Yquem and Filhot in Sauternes. It's also a chance for gourmet visitors to go from château en château, discovering the scenery and architectural attractions that have made this vast land so famous.

A big mountain biking trek combining wine and sports, La Médocaine takes place at the end of May every year, with thousands of participants in costume travelling along the Médoc roads in a party atmosphere!

A famous seaside resort on the Atlantic Coast, Lacanau is also a top surfing destination. Its vast sandy beaches, surfing spots popular with fans of board sports, and especially festive and lively summer atmosphere, make it a very popular holiday destination. While the beaches and waves attract many vacationers eager to enjoy the ocean, Lacanau also appeals to lovers of green countryside, with its pine forest dotted with bike trails, and unspoilt lake that's ideal for sailing, windsurfing, fishing or canoeing.

Every year in August, Lacanau-Océan welcomes the world's top surfers for Lacanau Pro, an event that's part of the professional world surfing championship!

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.

A family resort on the Atlantic coast, both fun and sporty, Soulac-sur-Mer enchants sunbathers, Belle Époque architecture lovers and water sports enthusiasts alike. Its pleasant waterfront, numerous 19th-century villas, seven kilometres of sandy beaches, shops, restaurants and cafés, as well as the many on-site activities such as surfing, sand yachting, swimming, horseback riding, yoga, cycling, tennis and pétanque are some of the attractions that make this place a destination of choice.

Buried by the sand several times during its history, the Basilica of Our Lady of the End of the Earth (Notre-Dame-de-la-Fin-des-Terres), today listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO as part of the Ways of St. James, is a great example of 12th-century Romanesque art!

Every year in early June, Soulac-sur-Mer recreates the early days of sea bathing for a weekend, at the Soulac 1900 festival. This includes an old-style market, shows and activities on the beach and in the streets of the resort, all in a fancy-dress atmosphere!

Designed in the 17th century by the famous military architect Vauban as a true walled city to protect Bordeaux from sea invasions, the imposing Blaye Citadel stands proudly on a rocky promontory majestically overlooking the Gironde estuary. A listed Historic Monument, this place is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the Major Vauban Sites! The ramparts, fortified gates, barracks, prison and gunpowder magazine are evidence of the defensive system that visitors can see on a tour. A trip to see the Blaye fortifications is also a chance to admire magnificent views of the largest estuary in Western Europe! And to learn more about the history and heritage of Blaye, you can choose between the Museum of Art and History of the Pays Blayais, with varied collections, a guided tour of the citadel and its underground passages, or a guided tour on the little tourist train.

To stock up on fresh produce, head to Blaye market, which takes place every Wednesday and Saturday morning on the Allées des Soupirs. A renowned theatre festival is held every year in late August-early September, at the heart of the Vauban citadel.

At the north end of Médoc, the Grave headland (Pointe du Grave), between the Gironde estuary and the Atlantic Ocean, offers extensive views of the mouth of Europe's biggest estuary, as well as Royan, a famous seaside resort on the Charente-Maritime coast. In the middle of the sea near the headland stands the famous Cordouan Lighthouse, the oldest working lighthouse in France, which can only be visited after crossing the sea by boat from Le Verdon-sur-Mer harbour…

For those who don't have great sea legs or would like to find out more about this historic monument, head to the Grave headland lighthouse, which as well as offering lovely views of the Gironde estuary, also has a museum about the history of the famous lighthouse in the sea and the operation of the lighthouses and beacons.

Nestling on the banks of the famous Arcachon Bay, the pleasant little seaside resort of Andernos-les-Bains delights holidaymakers who like swimming and sunbathing as well as oyster-loving gourmets.

Its famous pier, which stretches over 230 metres, is one of the longest in France and offers a superb view of the unique landscape of Arcachon Bay from the end. Its beautiful sandy beaches, sailing club, casino, shops, restaurants, and its oyster farm, which has a small oyster museum and offers fresh oyster tastings, are sure to delight you!

As you walk along the seafront, do not miss the ruins of the 4th-century Gallo-Roman villa, a listed Historic Monument at the foot of St. Eloi Church...

A pleasant and picturesque small town perched on the banks of the Dordogne… Come and discover the town of Bourg and the attractions that make it so charming! The citadel castle, with its horse-drawn carriage museum "Au temps des calèches", French formal gardens and terrace overlooking the lower town and surrounding landscape, the Moorish house built in the 18th and 19th centuries, the 18th-century Jurade mansion complete with bell tower, covered market and 19th-century washhouse, and the river harbour are some of the local heritage attractions you can see on your outing.

The famous Gironde cliff road runs for around ten kilometres between Bourg and Blaye. Dotted with stone houses and pretty, flower-adorned cave dwellings, this charming road also reveals wonderful views of the Gironde estuary!

In the middle of the sea, at the mouth of the Gironde estuary, off the coast of Royan and the Grave headland, the famous Cordouan Lighthouse, built between 1584 and 1611, is the oldest working lighthouse in France. Known as the Versailles of the sea, this imposing sentinel of white Saintonge stone, a listed Historic Monument, stands 67.5 metres tall and has six storeys in the Renaissance style.

Only accessible after a boat ride of about 45 minutes - be prepared to wade through the sea upon landing! - Cordouan Lighthouse can be visited from April to November, departing from Royan or Le Verdon-sur-Mer. Note that visiting hours may change daily depending on the tides and weather conditions... A climb of this must-see landmark's 301 steps will lead you up to the lantern balcony, from which you can enjoy an exceptional view of the ocean, coastline and the largest estuary in Europe! When visiting this prestigious lighthouse with its unique architecture, you will have the opportunity to admire the King's apartment adorned with pilasters on the first floor, the majestic chapel with stained glass windows on the second floor, and the Girondins room paved with grey and black marble on the third floor.

Still inhabited by guards, the Cordouan Lighthouse has fully automated since 2006, and continues to protect and guide sailors, night after night...

If you have not been able to go to the king of lighthouses or if you simply want to learn more, take a trip to the Museum of the Cordouan Lighthouse and the Lighthouses and Beacons, located at the foot of the Grave headland, which has a collection of plans, models and documents telling the story of the famous monument in the sea, and describing the operation of the lighthouses and beacons.

There's more to the seaside resort of Meschers-sur-Gironde, in Charente-Maritime, than just its beaches: its limestone cliffs, overlooking the Gironde estuary, actually contain cave dwellings.

Located 15 kilometres from Royan, the Régulus Caves were originally natural holes created by the sea, 75 million years ago. They were then developed by humans for use as dwellings. They are named after a ship called the Régulus which, during Napoleon's reign, was scuttled by its captain in front of Meschers to avoid surrendering to the English. The site also provided a place of refuge for Protestants during the Wars of Religion. The municipality bought the caves in 1980 then had them restored before opening them to the public in 1986. This exceptional heritage attraction was extended in 2003 with the acquisition of its neighbours, the Fontaines Caves.

Mannequins in costume, objects and tools brought new life to each of the caves. A wide range of activities are also organised, for children (La Cagouille Rally, Minidik scavenger hunt) and for all ages (Night Tours and Night Walks).

As for the privately owned caves of Matata, named after a legend, their owners have made the most of them and their exceptional site. The pancake house there has a very attractive feature: a terrace in the cliff offering a sublime view of the Gironde estuary. The site also has an eco-museum, with an audioguide about cave dwellings over the centuries.

So Meschers-sur-Gironde offers two attractions in one: you can visit this unusual and remarkable heritage, while enjoying the five sandy beaches and the surrounding pine forest!

Perched on its rocky promontory, Talmont-sur-Gironde certainly deserves the three certification labels awarded to it: "Most Beautiful Village in France", "Small Town of Character" and "Village of Stones and Water". Along with its nicknames of "Pearl of the estuary" and "Gem of Saintonge", this gives you an idea of the charm this small fortified village exudes.

Its Romanesque Church of St. Radegund, which overlooks the Gironde estuary, is one of the most beautiful in the region. Built from 1094 onwards, it has been a listed Historic Monument since 1890. You can admire the carvings on its northern portal, its choir adorned with carved arches, the profusion of motifs on its capitals and its small seaside graveyard with views of the surrounding landscape. At low tide, you can go down to the rocks, at the foot of the cliff on which the building stands. The approach to the church is a superb sight, especially when the sun sets on the estuary...

The flowery side streets and alleys are a delightful place for a stroll, past the typical low, white houses adorned with hollyhocks. Guided tours are organised to discover the secrets of this little gem of Charente, and the little Talmont Museum has an exhibition of traditional kites.

The carrelets are part of the landscape and heritage of Charente-Maritime. They are large, square fishing nets suspended above the water and connected to picturesque wooden huts on stilts. This hand-operated fishing system operates at high tide, with a winch that lowers the net into the sea and then raises it, by a counterweight effect, using a pulley. These fishing huts belong to the maritime public domain, which is responsible for issuing their owners with permits to operate for a 5-year period.

Along the Gironde estuary and on the Charente coast, these colourful huts are everywhere. They can be found on the Grande Côte cliff at Saint-Palais-sur-Mer, or on the Fouras coastal path, along the Source du Paradis path. You can also admire them in Talmont-sur-Gironde or in Meschers-sur-Gironde, on Madame Island and Oléron Island, or simply on a walk along a seaside path. With the sun and the light, they form sublime scenes to the delight of walkers and photographers...