Médoc Regional Nature Park
From Bordeaux to the tip of the Médoc, from the long, wild beaches of the Atlantic Ocean to the shores of Europe’s largest estuary, the Médoc Regional Nature Park is a patchwork of landscapes and skills that are unique in the world. To come to Médoc Atlantique is to plunge into the heart of this jewel box of preserved biodiversity, where man and nature have always lived in harmony.
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Why will the Médoc Regional Nature Park appeal to you ?
In 2019, the Médoc Regional Nature Park became France’s 54ᵉ Regional Nature Park. Why ? Just take a stroll through its 234,000 hectares and you’ll understand! From Bordeaux to the Pointe de Grave, from the Atlantic Ocean to the shores of Europe’s largest estuary, it serves you up on a platter a compendium of incredible landscapes, a reserve of biodiversity that you won’t be able to see anywhere else.
Look no further than the beaches and sand dunes, the wetlands, the lagoons, the pine forests, but also the wild mixed forests, the marshes, the Gironde Estuary, the large freshwater lakes, the vineyards… with the know-how and cultural heritage specific to each of these areas. You’ll find the Médoc’s famous wine châteaux, the estuary’s “carrelets” or the development of surfing on the Atlantic coast. Médoc culture and traditions are the fruit of this natural diversity.
Find out more about the brand
In simple terms, a Regional Nature Park is a large, inhabited rural area where fauna, flora and man have worked together to develop a remarkable natural, economic and cultural heritage. The mark recognises its precious character, but also its fragility, and ensures its protection, while allowing everyone to continue to live in this area without harming other species.
Mother Nature’s nuggets open to the public
There are many landscapes to discover in the Médoc Regional Nature Park
Do you know the Nature Reserves of the Médoc Atlantique ? In the Etang de Cousseau National Nature Reserve in Lacanau, the sea cows that roam freely in the marshes will take you straight out of a Steinbeck novel. Head for the Réserve Naturelle des dunes et marais d’Hourtin, where you’re sure to come across otters and weasels.
In the Talais marshes, you can discover the blue oysters of the Médoc after a walk that’s a complete change of scenery. And on Dune Saint-Nicolas at Le Verdon-sur-Mer, children will be delighted and respectful to follow the tracks of the little people of the sands, while admiring the view of the Cordouan lighthouse.
Our tips for discovering the treasures of the Médoc Regional Nature Park
With an area of 234,000 hectares, a single day is not enough to give you an idea of the variety of its landscapes !
You can opt for a self-guided walk in one of the 51 communes of the Médoc Regional Nature Park, using the topoguides, which can be downloaded free of charge or obtained in hard copy from the Médoc Atlantique Tourist Offices. Whether you’d like to go for a bike ride, visit a site that’s accessible to pushchairs, or go birdwatching, don’t hesitate to ask for advice on organising a trip that’s just right for you. If you’d like to gain a better understanding of how a Regional Nature Park works, we recommend a visit with a nature guide : free outings are organised all year round by the Joint Association of the Médoc Regional Nature Park.
All in all, any stay in Médoc Atlantique is an immersion in the heart of this remarkable natural setting !
The Médoc Regional Nature Park
A fine example of collaboration and shared commitment
As an RNP, the Médoc Regional Nature Park has four missions :
to protect the landscapes and the natural and cultural heritage,
contribute to regional planning, economic, social and cultural development and quality of life, welcome, educate and inform the public,
carrying out experimental and innovative initiatives.
A beautiful territorial harmony
The special feature of the Médoc Regional Nature Park is the excellent territorial harmony it has created to achieve its sustainable development objectives. 51 communes, or four communities of communes, have committed to working together for 15 years.
The Médoc Regional Nature Park is run by the region’s elected representatives via a joint syndicate involving the four Médoc communities of communes, the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, the Gironde department and neighbouring towns in the Bordeaux metropolitan area.