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Campsites with swimming near Bordeaux guide
Where to go
Landes de Medoc
Storied chateaux and prestigious wine estates dot the vine-clad countryside of the Médoc region, which unfolds along the Left Bank of the Gironde Estuary, northwest of Bordeaux. After an epic wine-tasting road trip (designate your driver in advance!) along the Route de Chateaux, you’ll find some of Bordeaux’s best beaches right nearby. Insider tip: Lacanau and Hourtin have both lakeside and oceanside beaches.
Côte d'Argent
The “Cote d’Argent” or “Silver Coast” is the highlight of Gironde, nicknamed for its idyllic white-sand beaches. Little over an hour from Bordeaux, Arcachon Bay is the top choice for a camping holiday, where you’ll find sandy beaches, traditional oyster farms, and the Dune du Pilat—Europe’s highest sand dune. The sprawling Landes Forest runs around the bay and along the Cap Ferret peninsula, harbouring miles of hiking, biking, and horse riding trails.
Bordeaux wine region
East of Bordeaux, the wine regions of Saint Emilion, Entre-Deux-Mers, and Graves are peppered with family-run wineries, rural market towns, and mediaeval hilltop villages. This is the spot for leisurely bike rides through the vineyards, fishing and paddling along the Garonne or Dordogne Rivers, and—of course—plenty of wine tasting.
When to go
Summer is popular along the Atlantic Coast, and campsites book up fast for July and August. To dodge the crowds and make the most of wine tasting, plan a late spring or early fall camping trip—the city’s wine fairs are held in April and May, as the vines begin to flower, while September-October is harvest time. If you’re lucky, it’ll also be warm enough for a few beach days.