Finding property in Gironde, Aquitaine

The highlights of the Gironde are many and various : the 120km coastline from la Pointe de Grave to Arcachon; Bordeaux, one of the finest cities in France; the châteaux and vineyards of Médoc, Graves, St Emilion, Pomérol... and so on. If you are looking for a property in the Gironde a quick tour of the department from the buyer's perspective may be useful:

Property in and around Pauillac & Médoc

Vineyards to infinity and back, top-notch crus classés châteaux like Lafite, Latour, Mouton Rothschild, Pichon Longueville, and the best of the Bordeaux appellations - St Estèphe, Pauillac, St Julien, Margaux... Tourism is only now starting to be a factor in the area, with developments such as the luxury health spa Le Relais de Margaux opening up. The Atlantic beaches are alluring, but property for sale with a whiff of sea air does not come cheap.

Property in and around Blaye & Bourg

Two interesting towns, Blaye built around Vauban's imposing citadel. Another important wine-growing area, but not quite so up-market as the Médoc.

Property in and around Bordeaux

For the serious investor, there are some exciting opportunities in Bordeaux, such as the old buildings in the streets along the left bank of the Garonne that make exceptional residential conversions for which demand is high. Formerly run-down quarters such as les Chartrons and other areas now reached by tram are enjoying their own renaissance.

Property in and around Arcachon & Cap Feret

Stratospheric prices by French standards for these sought-after places where people just have to be seen in the summer. If you buy a house in Arcachon au premier rang then you have made the grade...apparently.

Property in and around Libourne & St Emilion

Anchored at the confluence of the Dordogneand Isle rivers, Libourne is developing rapidly, with prices rising steadily-hardly surprising given the town's proximity to Bordeaux. St Emilion is a unique village and world heritage site. Another hugely important wine-growing area, just on the border with the Dordogne , where we work hard to find property bargains.

Property in and around Langon

The economic centre for the south of the Gironde and the Graves wine-growing appellation. Predictably, houses for sale in the area around Langon are fairly expensive.

Travel in Gironde

• Air - Direct flights from Bordeaux to many UK airports, including Birmingham, Bristol, Dublin, Gatwick, Luton, Manchester, Norwich and Southampton
• Motorways - Bordeaux is the hub of Aquitaine's motorway network - from there the A63/N10 goes south to Spain; A63 south-east to Toulouse and the Mediterranean; A89 east to Périgueux and Clemont-Ferrand; A10 north to Poitiers and Paris.
• TGV - from Bordeaux, the TGV runs to Paris/Brussells; Agen/Toulouse; Biarritz/ Hendaye; Dax /Pau/Tarbes. However, not all of these routes operate at high speed. For example, the TGV takes two hours between Toulouse and Bordeaux at present, and the proposed high-speed link between the two towns (also serving Agen) will cut journey time in half.
• Corail - services to Lyons, Nantes, Montpelier, Marseille, Nice and Hendaye.
• TER - destinations include Dax, Arcachon, Agen, Périgueux, and Bergerac.

Key facts about Gironde

• Land area: 10,725 km2
• Population:1,360,000
• Préfecture: Bordeaux
• Sous-préfectures: Blaye, Langon, Lesparre-Médoc, Libourne.
• Economy: viticulture, forestry, oyster farming, aerospace, high tech industries, agriculture, tourism.