The Regional Nature Parks
Of the 54 Regional Nature Parks in France, Gironde is home to 2 of the 5 Regional Nature Parks in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region.
Created in 1970 on 263,000 hectares around the Leyre valleys, the Landes de Gascogne Regional Nature Park 's mission is to preserve and enhance the region's natural, cultural and landscape heritage. It's a veritable paradise for nature lovers. It currently covers 41 communes, 20 of which are in Gironde. The park's headquarters are in Belin-Béliet. The Landes de Gascogne Regional Nature Park is characterized by three types of landscape: pine forests covering 90% of the territory, the maritime landscapes of the Arcachon Basin, and the Leyre Valley, home to an ecosystem in its own right, with its wetlands, deciduous forests and riparian forests (also known as gallery forests) along the watercourses. Home to a wide variety of species, the Leyre delta, where the fresh waters of the river meet the salty waters of the ocean, lies on one of Europe's most important migration routes. A veritable land of birds, nearly three hundred species migrate or nest on the Réserve ornithologique du Teich. The Leyre delta is also characterized by its mosaic of salt meadows, to be discovered along the coastal path and on the Domaine de Certes et Graveyron. Vestiges of the original moorland, nestling in the heart of the forest massif, the Gât Mort lagoons at Louchats, classified as a protected natural site, are one of the highlights of the natural and human heritage of the Landes de Gascogne.
Bordered to the east by the Gironde Estuary, of which it is an integral part, and to the west by the Atlantic Ocean, the Médoc Regional Nature Park stretches from the Bordeaux metropolis to the Pointe de Grave. Between nature reserves, wetlands, marshes, dunes, lakes and forests, this 240,000-hectare natural park, classified by decree on May 24, 2019, is marked by a remarkable diversity of landscapes.
National Nature Reserves
Gironde is home to 6 of the 21 National Nature Reserves. In the Médoc Regional Nature Park, the Réserve naturelle des Dunes et Marais d'Hourtin covers an area of 2,150 hectares. A favorite playground for the European mink and otter, the reserve boasts a rich diversity of flora and fauna, including 9 nationally protected species. Adjacent to the coastal dunes, the Etang de Cousseau Nature Reserve lies between the Grands Lacs of Carcans-Hourtin and Lacanau. To the north of the Arcachon basin, the Prés Salés d'Arès et de Lège-Cap-Ferret nature reserve is an important area for the migration, wintering and breeding of many wetland birds. Black kites, herons and egrets can be seen here in all seasons. Marking the entrance to the Arcachon Basin, the Banc d'Arguin Nature Reserve stretches out opposite the majestic Dune du Pilat. This oceanic, sandy islet shifts and changes with the winds and ocean currents. With a flora typical of south-western coastal environments, the Banc d'Arguin is a major nesting ground for protected birds. Inland, some twenty kilometers from Bordeaux, the Saucats - La Brède geological nature reserve features outcrops of solidified shell sand. Here, the European kingfisher and numerous species of dragonfly are frequently encountered. With three rivers running through it, the Marais de Bruges Nature Reserve aims to protect what remains of the Grands Marais de Bordeaux-Bruges. Here too, the site is located on an important migratory route, notably for the white stork.
Forest environments
Nouvelle-Aquitaine is France's leading forestry region. Nearly 90% of forest area is privately owned. Gironde ranks second among French départements in terms of wooded area (4,800 km²). With an afforestation rate approaching 50%, Gironde is also one of the most densely wooded departments in France. Maritime pine forests dominate the region, particularly on the Gironde moors. The Landes plateau is Europe's largest forest massif. The Entre-Deux-Mers plateau stands out for its fragmentation and its predominantly deciduous stand of pedunculate oak. The dune forests along the coast towards towns such as Arcachon and Lacanau remain forests with a strong tourist appeal. Behind the Pilat Dune, the state forests of Lège-et-Garonne at Cap Ferret and La Teste-de-Buch were awarded the Forêt d'Exception label in 2018; a distinction unique in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region. In the heart of the Landes de Gascogne forest massif, the Forêt d'Art Contemporain has the distinctive feature of blending art and nature. In Gironde, these forests offer a veritable playground for families and sports enthusiasts alike.
Natural marine parks
Of the 9 marine nature parks in metropolitan and overseas France, Gironde is home to 2. Many species find refuge here.
The Parc naturel marin de l'Estuaire de la Gironde et de la mer des Pertuis is one of the largest in mainland France. Created in 2015, it stretches from the mouth of the Payré in the Vendée to the Bec d'Ambès on the Gironde estuary, via the Charente-Maritime region. The diversity of its environments explains its biological wealth, which is of European and worldwide interest. The Park's marine and estuarine ecosystems are nourished by the freshwater and nutrient inputs from its rivers, which generate high planktonic production. It is also a major area for migratory bird and fish species. What's more, the Gironde Estuary is the only one in Western Europe to be home to all 11 species of Atlantic amphibian fish, including the last natural population of the European sturgeon. Further south, the Parc naturel marin du bassin d'Arcachon boasts a unique natural, landscape and cultural heritage. Born of the meeting of sand and ocean swell with the Leyre delta, it covers the entire Arcachon basin and part of the Atlantic coast between Le Porge in the north and Biscarosse in the south. As a result, the park boasts a highly varied lagoon and ocean ecosystem.
