Gironde (Bordeaux region)

The largest ‘department’ in the south west’s ‘Nouvelle Aquitaine’ region, the Gironde is home to the spectacular city and vineyards of Bordeaux. Its renowned wine region, separated by the Gironde estuary, is made up of the ‘Left Bank’ and ‘Right Bank’ appellations (AOC) which include Saint-Emilion, Pomerol, Medoc, Saint-Estephe, Margaux, Graves, Sauternes, Entre-deux-Mer and Bordeaux, which produce some of the finest wines in the world.

Located on the Atlantic coast, the Côte d’Argent is home to the tallest sand dune in Europe, the ‘Dune de Pilat’ along with the popular holiday destinations of Arcachon, Cap Ferret and Pyla-sur-Mer, offering coastal escapes to thousands of French and international visitors each year.

Gironde’s capital, the city of Bordeaux itself, is perched on the river Garonne and is a UNESCO world heritage site, blessed with 18th Century architecture and must-see historical monuments such as the Pey-Berland Tower, the Porte Cailhau, the Saint-André Cathedral, the Grand-Théâtre and Place de la Bourse.

Only 2.5 hours from Paris by train (TGV), Bordeaux, Bordeaux Metropole and its countryside have fast become one of the most popular areas in France to live, work and enjoy life due to its buzzing culture, historical sites, and magnificent landscape.