The impossible football-rugby match
The Gironde is a land of cultural and sporting influences. The Girondins de Bordeaux Football Club, founded in 1881, holds a special place in the hearts of the local population. Since May 18, 2015, with 42,115 seats, the Matmut Atlantique stadium or Stade de Bordeaux has been the Girondins' new home ground. In addition to regular Girondins de Bordeaux matches and international competitions such as Euro 2016, the stadium occasionally hosts matches for Union Bordeaux-Bègles.
After all, rugby is the department's other heavyweight. And public interest in the UBB is nothing new. Founded in 1907, the Bègles-Bordeaux team, former French champions in 1991, remains the department's best title hope. Season after season since 2011 and its rise to the Top 14, UBB qualified for the European Rugby Champions Cup for the first time in its history in the 2015-2016 season. The team has been winning ever since.
In the water or on the water?
Canoeing, stand-up paddling, surfing, kitesurfing, sailing, water-skiing, wakeboarding, fishing, swimming... With its ocean beaches, basin and large lakes, Gironde is the ideal playground for sports enthusiasts, families in search of fun activities and lazy aficionados alike.
Imported from Hawaii in 1975 by a handful of pioneers from the Basque Country, Landes and Gironde, surfing is in pride of place all along the Gironde coast. A local color, the discipline is open to everyone aged 6 and over. Every August, the town of Lacanau hosts the Lacanau-Pro, a major stage in the World Surfing Championships. Since 2019, Bordeaux's Justine Dupont has established herself as the world's best big-wave surfer.
Canoeing and kayaking is another water sport on the rise. Alone, with family (including children) or friends, discover the wild shores of Lac d'Hourtin and Carcans, or navigate the Leyre River. Also known as the "Little Amazon", the Leyre is a wild river that flows into the Arcachon basin. Refreshment guaranteed!
River tourism
100 kilometers from the ocean, river tourism on the Garonne is booming. What an incredible sight to see the gigantic ocean liners dock right in the heart of Bordeaux! During the summer months, the Port de la Lune welcomes a huge influx of tourists, who can reach the city's historic center in just a few minutes on foot.
River cruise companies also offer stopovers in Pauillac, Blaye, Libourne or Cadillac on their itinerant tours.
For a day or an hour, you're more than welcome to take a trip on the river. With or without catering, it's an opportunity to admire Bordeaux's Unesco World Heritage facades, and discover the estuary and its islands. Departing from Bordeaux, Blaye or Cussac, you can head for Île Nouvelle, a major ornithological site. Patiras Island is also accessible from Pauillac. Please note that visits and events are free of charge, and only the transport provided by private boatmen is subject to a fee. Le Petit Futé has a soft spot for the guinguettes and restaurants whose terraces line the river. And what about you?
Cycling, bicycle touring and mountain biking
Vélodyssée©, Scandibérique©, Canal des Deux Mers©... With three major cycling itineraries and over 700 kilometers of adapted trails, the Gironde is an easy cycling region to get to grips with. In the Entre-deux-Mers region, the bastide town of Créon was even named France's first Station Vélo. You can even cycle on the water in the Libourne region!
With 90% of its route on exclusive right-of-way, the Tour de Gironde à Vélo is a 480-kilometer cycling loop. Taking in part of the routes of La Vélodyssée© and the Canal des Deux Mers©, the Tour de Gironde à Vélo allows you to discover, in stages and at your own pace, 10 unmissable heritage sites. An immersion in the land of Gironde, with the scent of resin, the aroma of wine and the scent of iodine.
And after an absence of 11 years, the Tour de France 2021 made its return to Gironde on July 16 with the arrival of the 19th stage in Libourne. The following day, the cyclists set off for a final time trial from Saint-Émilion. In 2023, the riders arrived in Bordeaux from Langoiran, Latresne and Bouliac.
On foot or on horseback
With more than 4,000 kilometers of hiking trails, including 230 kilometers of signposted footpaths, there's plenty of scope for great walks in Gironde! The GR® and GR de Pays trails, for example, take you to the Arcachon Basin, with oyster tasting at the end. The GR de la Métropole is ideal for discovering Bordeaux and the surrounding area in a whole new way. And don't forget the three routes of the Camino de Santiago de Compostela.
For short, leisurely strolls, with baby carriage, small bike or wheelchair, there's something for everyone at Balades à Roulettes®.
Are you a history buff? If you want to walk in the footsteps of the soldiers of the Second World War, don't miss the Frankton Memorial Trail, which crosses the Gironde, Charente-Maritime and Charente departments. On horseback, take one of the equestrian itineraries of the Route Européenne d'Artagnan, which crosses Gironde in the footsteps of Richelieu and Mazarin.
Ready for take-off!
The estuary, the Dune du Pilat and the Banc d'Arguin, wine estates and vineyards undulating on the hillsides, Clementine châteaux, historic monuments... From the air, the Gironde is so beautiful! From up there, believe us, you'll be able to take in the sights. Take a microlight flight, fly in a helicopter, go paragliding, take a trip in a hot-air balloon, do a parachute jump... Whether you're a thrill-seeker or not, you'll appreciate the richness of the region. Trust our state-qualified instructors to send you soaring in complete safety.
What about pelota?
Along with the Landaise race, Basque pelota is certainly the most emblematic traditional sport of southwestern France. Barehanded, with a racket, the chistera, the pala or with a leather or wicker glove... Pelota is a friendly sport that can be played with family or friends. Marked by the influences of the Basque Country, it is not uncommon to find in Gironde, a fronton free place, a fronton left wall or a trinquet to try this mythical activity in the region. It's up to you!
