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| 75km long and up to 12km wide in places, the estuary of the Gironde, with a surface area of 635km2, is the largest of its kind in Europe. Downstream, the maritime region of the Gironde estuary begins at the limit of the Pointe de Suzac and the Pointe de Grave. The Pointe de la Négade, Cordouan Lighthouse and Bonne-Anse border the mouth of the estuary. The lower estuary followed by the upper estuary – the island area can be found upstream. Beyond that is the fluvial part of the estuary. |
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 A historical waterway
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An open gateway to Bordeaux, the Gironde estuary is a historical maritime route. After Henry Plantagenet’s accession to the English throne, the estuary became, and remained for three centuries, the maritime access route of England to Aquitaine. A number of conflicts took place here, as well as violent between privateers. In order to protect it and guarantee access to the Gironde capital, military and maritime constructions were built, notably the Tour de Cordouan, the oldest lighthouse of France, built in the 13th century. |
Sturgeon and wildlife |
With an ecosystem characterised by a small number of species but in large numbers, the Gironde estuary contains white shrimps, flecked gobies (indigenous fish) and sturgeon. It is the only species of sturgeon that can be found naturally in Western Europe. In the 20’s, caviar production began, which grew to up to 5 tonnes per year by the 50’s. Today, at risk of extinction, the species is protected.
The Gironde estuary is also a very important migration and nesting site for birds. Grey herons, cormorants, black-headed gulls, and many more can all be found here.
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