Gironde Wildfires FAQ: Travel Information for visitors to Médoc Atlantique

Médoc Atlantique remains accessible by road, train, air and ferry. Only a small number of temporary restrictions related to the Gironde wildfires may affect certain routes.

Travelling by car

Road access to Médoc Atlantique remains available, although some roads may be temporarily closed for safety reasons.

For visitors travelling to the southern part of the destination (Lacanau, Carcans and Hourtin), the main restriction concerns the temporary closure of the D6 road. A signed diversion via Castelnau-de-Médoc and Brach allows visitors to reach these resorts.

Before leaving, we strongly recommend checking the official live road map showing road closures and diversions.

Live road conditions:
https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=1mkbauGezF012FMQxq_4J7s51Rr4wthM&femb=1&ll=44.893718731453205%2C-1.1243090182148463&z=10

Travelling by train

Rail services to Médoc Atlantique are currently operating.

The Bordeaux – Le Verdon-sur-Mer railway line is running normally, serving destinations including Soulac-sur-Mer and Le Verdon-sur-Mer.

Some disruptions may affect rail services between Bordeaux and southern France (except routes towards Agen and Toulouse). Travellers are advised to check train times before departure.

Live SNCF travel information:
https://www.sncf-connect.com/en-en

Travelling by air

Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport is open and operating normally.

From the airport, visitors can reach Médoc Atlantique by rental car, train or public transport depending on their destination.

Live flight information:
https://www.bordeaux.aeroport.fr/en

Travelling by ferry

Ferry services across the Gironde Estuary are operating normally.

The following ferry crossings are currently available:

• Royan ↔ Le Verdon-sur-Mer
• Blaye ↔ Lamarque

These ferries provide convenient access to Médoc Atlantique from Charente-Maritime and northern Gironde.

Ferry timetables and live information:
https://www.gironde.fr/deplacements/les-bacs-girondins-ferries

No. There is currently no ash falling anywhere in Médoc Atlantique.

Depending on wind direction and weather conditions, smoke may occasionally be visible in the southernmost part of the destination, particularly around Lacanau and Carcans.

No smoke is currently reported across the rest of Médoc Atlantique, including Hourtin, Soulac-sur-Mer, Le Verdon-sur-Mer, Grayan-et-l’Hôpital, Vensac, Talais, Saint-Vivien-de-Médoc, Jau-Dignac-et-Loirac, Valeyrac, Queyrac and Naujac-sur-Mer.

Smoke conditions depend entirely on changing wind patterns and may vary throughout the day.

Air quality is continuously monitored by Atmo Nouvelle-Aquitaine, the official regional air quality monitoring organisation.

Before or during your stay, you can check real-time air quality levels and any health recommendations on the Atmo Nouvelle-Aquitaine website.

If wildfire smoke causes temporary air pollution, the Nouvelle-Aquitaine Regional Health Agency (ARS) also publishes health advice, particularly for vulnerable people such as young children, older adults, pregnant women and anyone with respiratory conditions.

• Live air quality information:
  https://www.atmo-nouvelleaquitaine.org/
• Health recommendations from the Regional Health Agency (ARS):
  https://www.nouvelle-aquitaine.ars.sante.fr/communique-de-presse-2026-incendies-et-canicule-point-de-situation-et-recommandations-sanitaires

Yes. The beaches in Médoc Atlantique are open to visitors, and all supervised beaches are open and operating as usual.

Lifeguard stations are in service on supervised beaches, and visitors can enjoy swimming and beach activities while following the usual safety guidance.

However, some beaches that can only be reached through forest areas may be temporarily closed due to wildfire safety measures and restrictions on access to forests.

This is particularly the case for Super Sud Beach in Lacanau, where access may be temporarily prohibited whenever the surrounding forest is closed by order of the Prefecture.

Before heading to the beach, we recommend checking the latest access information with the local municipality or the Médoc Atlantique Tourist Office, as restrictions may change depending on the level of wildfire risk.

Key information:

• The beaches in Médoc Atlantique are open.
• Supervised beaches are open, and lifeguard stations are operating.
• Some beaches that are only accessible through forest areas, such as Super Sud Beach in Lacanau, may be temporarily closed for safety reasons.

Cycling opportunities in Médoc Atlantique are currently very limited.

Due to the wildfire safety measures currently in place, most cycle paths that pass through forest areas are temporarily closed in accordance with the Prefectural Orders issued by the Gironde authorities.

This includes La Vélodyssée, as several sections of this long-distance cycle route run through forested areas and are therefore currently inaccessible.

In addition, cyclists are strongly advised not to use public roads as an alternative to the closed cycle paths. These roads are not designed to accommodate increased bicycle traffic and may be particularly busy due to traffic diversions linked to the wildfires.

We recommend postponing cycling trips until the restrictions are lifted and checking the latest official information before setting out.

Key information:

• Most forest cycle paths are temporarily closed.
• Several sections of La Vélodyssée are currently inaccessible.
• Cycling on public roads as an alternative to closed forest cycle paths is strongly discouraged.
• Restrictions may change depending on wildfire conditions and decisions taken by the Prefecture.

Yes. Due to the Gironde wildfires, a number of temporary safety measures are currently in place across Médoc Atlantique.

These measures are introduced by the Prefecture of Gironde and may change depending on weather conditions and wildfire activity. Visitors are encouraged to check the latest official information before planning outdoor activities.

Restrictions related to the Black Wildfire Alert

Gironde is currently under a Black Wildfire Alert, the highest wildfire risk level in France.

This alert may result in temporary restrictions affecting:

• Access to forests and woodland areas
• Forest roads and tracks
• Hiking trails and some cycle routes crossing forested areas
• Activities that could increase the risk of wildfire ignition

For a full explanation of the measures currently in force, please see our dedicated FAQ:

“What does a Black Wildfire Alert mean?”

Restrictions on cultural and sporting events

Under a Prefectural Order, additional restrictions apply to certain cultural and sporting events across Gironde until 8 August at 6:00 a.m.

Under the current regulations:

• Outdoor events on the left bank of the Gironde Estuary, including Médoc Atlantique, are prohibited unless a specific exemption has been granted by the Prefecture.
• Activities taking place in managed parks or leisure facilities may still be authorised, provided they comply with the conditions set out in the Prefectural Order.

Before attending an event or participating in an organised activity, we recommend checking directly with:

• the local municipality,
• the event organiser,
• or the Médoc Atlantique Tourist Office,

as restrictions may change according to wildfire conditions.

A Black Wildfire Alert is the highest level of wildfire risk issued by the French authorities.

It is declared when a combination of extreme heat, drought and strong winds creates conditions in which even a small fire could spread rapidly and become extremely dangerous.

During a Black Wildfire Alert, the Prefecture may introduce exceptional safety measures, including:

• A complete ban on access to forest areas, day and night
• Closure of forest roads and tracks
• Suspension of many forestry and maintenance activities
• Strict restrictions on any activity that could start a fire, including the use of flames, machinery or equipment capable of producing sparks

These measures are designed to protect residents, visitors and emergency services while reducing the risk of new wildfires.

Visitors are asked to follow all official instructions and avoid entering closed natural areas until restrictions are lifted.

Yes. Most tourist accommodations across Médoc Atlantique remain open and continue to welcome visitors.

Hotels, guest houses, holiday rentals, campsites, holiday villages and tourist residences are operating normally in the following destinations:

• Carcans
• Hourtin
• Soulac-sur-Mer
• Le Verdon-sur-Mer
• Grayan-et-l’Hôpital
• Vensac
• Talais
• Saint-Vivien-de-Médoc
• Jau-Dignac-et-Loirac
• Valeyrac
• Queyrac
• Naujac-sur-Mer

Situation in Lacanau

In Lacanau, a temporary Prefectural Order introduced as a precautionary safety measure has required the closure of:

• campsites,
• holiday villages,
• and tourist residences

since 28th of July.

Hotels, guest houses, holiday rentals and other tourist accommodation in Lacanau remain open and continue to operate normally.

If you are due to stay in Lacanau, we recommend contacting your accommodation provider before travelling to obtain the latest information regarding your booking and local conditions.

There is currently no general cancellation or refund policy for holidays in Médoc Atlantique.

Whether you are entitled to a refund depends on your accommodation, your booking conditions and whether your stay has been affected by an official decision from the French authorities.

My campsite, holiday village or tourist residence in Lacanau has been evacuated under a Prefectural Order

If you are staying in a campsite, holiday village or tourist residence in Lacanau that has been evacuated following an official Prefectural Order, the provisions of the French Tourism Code (Code du Tourisme) apply.

In this situation, your accommodation provider will refund the unused portion of your stay, calculated on a pro-rata basis for the nights you were unable to use because of the evacuation order.

If you have any questions regarding your refund, please contact your accommodation provider directly.

My accommodation remains open and accessible, but I want to cancel my holiday

If your accommodation is open, accessible and not affected by an official evacuation order, there is no automatic right to a refund.

Cancellation terms depend on:

• your accommodation provider,
• your holiday rental agreement,
• or the booking platform you used (such as Airbnb or Booking.com).

However, if it becomes physically impossible to reach your accommodation—for example because roads have been officially closed by the authorities—specific cancellation or refund conditions may apply depending on your contract or your booking platform’s policies.

Before cancelling your booking, we strongly recommend contacting your accommodation provider to discuss the options available.

Can I change or cancel my SNCF train ticket?

Due to the Gironde wildfires, SNCF Voyageurs has introduced exceptional commercial measures for passengers travelling to Gironde.

Eligible train tickets may be:

• exchanged free of charge,
• or cancelled without cancellation fees,

subject to the conditions and travel dates defined by SNCF Voyageurs.

Before travelling, please check the latest conditions on the official SNCF website to confirm whether your ticket qualifies for these exceptional arrangements.

Official SNCF travel information:
https://www.sncf-connect.com/en-en

As the situation regarding the fires in Gironde may change rapidly depending on weather conditions and decisions taken by the authorities, we recommend that you check official sources of information regularly before and during your stay in Médoc Atlantique.

Find the latest information at:

• Gironde Prefecture: prefectural decrees, safety measures, access to woodland, traffic and information on fires.
• Médoc Atlantique Tourisme: practical information for holidaymakers, beach opening times, activities, accommodation and visitor guidelines.
• Atmo Nouvelle-Aquitaine: air quality and real-time pollution indices.
• Nouvelle-Aquitaine Regional Health Agency (ARS): health advice in the event of smoke or air pollution.
• SNCF Connect : rail traffic updates and conditions for exchanging or refunding tickets.
• Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport: flight information.
• The Gironde ferries: timetables and traffic updates for the Royan–Le Verdon-sur-Mer and Blaye–Lamarque crossings.

This FAQ is updated regularly to reflect the latest official decisions and provide reliable information for visitors travelling to Médoc Atlantique, including Lacanau, Carcans, Hourtin, Soulac-sur-Mer, Grayan-et-l’Hôpital and Le Verdon-sur-Mer.