Between Gauriac and Bourg, the corniche road runs along the Gironde Estuary, sometimes at the foot and sometimes at the top of the cliff. Numerous troglodyte houses dot the landscape. You can see them from the road or walk past them on the hiking trails, but you cannot visit them: some are still inhabited! This picturesque road is also nicknamed the flowery cornice or the captains' route. During your walk you will be able to admire beautiful houses built by ancient long-distance sailors who brought back exotic species from their travels that are still visible in the gardens. This 10km route is punctuated by explanatory panels called windows on the estuary: the tidal bore, the islands, the fish, the wrecks... all the stories will be revealed to you. You can also see the squares up close and rent one!
Blaye and its UNESCO citadel
Imposing and majestic, the citadel of Blaye is today, within the Network of major Vauban sites, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site with the Vauban lock. Marked by the history of France and by illustrious figures, it invites you to discover magnificent panoramas of the largest estuary in Europe, the Gironde.
It preserves intact the defense system put in place by Vauban with its 1,5 km of ramparts, its gates and its underground passages as well as the buildings necessary for the proper functioning of a garrison: former convent, prison, barracks, powder magazine, etc. 1 500 soldiers at the time of Vauban, more than 30 hectares of fortifications, the citadel of Blaye perfectly bears its motto: star and key of Aquitaine. From the song of Roland de Roncesvaux to the cap of General Bugeaud, the rocky promontory chosen by Louis XIV to build the citadel has always played an important role in the history of France.
The citadel promises you a pleasant stroll through its streets to meet its artisans, restaurateurs and traders. Do not hesitate to follow one of our guides duringa guided tour of the citadel through the underground passages to understand its entire history.
Plassac and its Gallo-Roman villas
Plassac, nestled along the Gironde estuary, is a mosaic village.
From the first century was built a Gallo-Roman villa whose decorations are still visible. You can also enter the museum which offers a video reconstructing the site and which preserves all the objects found during the excavations. As you stroll through the alleys, admire the contemporary mosaic works created by locals and Emilie Baudrais, an art craftsman located in the town.
We suggest you take a break at the port of Plassac and walk along the sea wall to take a closer look at the squares. Before leaving, climb to the Montuzet virgin, perched at the top of the village: a remarkable view over the Gironde estuary.
Roque de Thau and its pier
There is a place where you can walk on water…
At the start of the Corniche road you can walk onto the Gironde estuary thanks to the pedestrian pontoon. Surrounded by squares, this pier is the ideal place to admire the incredible sunsets over the Gironde estuary.
It is right next to an “estey”, a small typical estuary port, where boats run aground during the tides…
Cave houses
At Marmisson, look up at the cliff. Behind the houses on the front line you can see houses nestled in the cliff. These troglodyte houses line the entire Corniche road and are for the most part still inhabited. One of them has a triangular pediment engraved in stone and decorated with a star.
Wreck of the Frisco
Depending on the tides you will be able to see the top of the Frisco boat.
In Furt, the “Fenaille et Despeaux” oil depot receives oil from Russia and transports it via barges to the Bègles factory.
During the occupation of 1940-44, the Germans took various measures to deny access to the estuary to the Allies, by setting up disused boats at each pier or wharf in the estuary. In the event of an invasion, the latter were to be scuttled on site, prohibiting any use of port installations by the allies. This is the case of the Estonian or Lithuanian cargo ship, the Frisco. Following a Resistance operation, the Germans scuttled the boat.
From Mayanne to Vitescale
Locate the paths that climb the cliff: Chemin de la Mayanne, Chemin de la Virginie… You will discover unusual places hidden by the beautiful vegetation and you will often have a breathtaking view of the Gironde estuary. Be careful, however, to respect the residents!
Bayon Church
There were two churches in the 12th century.
Only the Notre Dame church is preserved.
It was restored in 1872 and its bell tower crowned with a beautiful statue of the Virgin and Child was added in 1877. The statue dominates the estuary, reaching 65 m high!
Observe the modillions decorated with geometric and zoomorphic bas reliefs: owls, cats, pigs, foliage, barrels, people…
Bec d'Ambés in front of Château Eyquem
The Dordogne is formed in the Puy de Dôme and flows over 483,3 km. The Garonne has its source in the Spanish Pyrenees and flows for 647 km. It is here that they join to form the Gironde estuary, the largest estuary in Europe with its length of 75 km and its width of up to 12 km!
Bourg, medieval village
Perched on a great cliff, the village of Bourg, whose origins date back to the Gallo-Roman era, is classified as an “Ancient Village”. Fortified by the English and surrounded by ramparts, it is entered through gates, three of which are still visible today.
Bourg developed on two levels connected by a maze of stairs and alleys: the upper town (shops, craftsmen, old citadel) and the lower town (port, wash house, nautical activities). Several tour options allow you to discover the lovely attractions of the village of Bourg in a fun, family-friendly way.