Any Thoughts on the River Garonne?

[DBK]

We will cross over from Plymouth to Roscoff the night of 11 April if all goes to plan and we get all the paperwork including the AHC for Charlie the Dog correct.

We've followed a few rivers in France on previous trips: the Loire, Lot, Dordogne and Meuse being the main ones. On this trip I'm thinking we might follow the Garonne from where it flows into the sea at Bordeaux to its source just over the border in Spain in the Pyrenees. The final bit might be a challenge if there is snow about but we will go as far as we can.

The intriguing part of this proposed trip for me is I can find very little written about the Garonne. There are numerous books written about the Loire and Lot etc but my guide books have very little to say about the Garonne.

So, it looks like we will be venturing into the blank spaces on the map - unless Funsters can shine a light into this seemingly mysterious and least populated bit of France.

Has anyone got any experience of the Garonne? All recommendations and warnings will be appreciated.

As a reminder the Garonne is the blue line in the bottom left of this map.

 

[glastry]

yes- when you travel up the "outside" of the peninsula there are two ferrys across to the mainland. Both trips are worth doing and lead you to marvellous cycling areas.

 

[Lenny HB]

So, it looks like we will be venturing into the blanks spaces on the map - unless Funsters can shine a light into this seemingly mysterious and least populated bit of France.

That what makes it fun discovering the surprises. When we followed both the Muse & the Moselle to their sources we did it without any research.

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

There is a nice Aire at Blaye very close to the citidal ,which is basically a stone built fort of massive proportions built overlooking the river Gironne to defend the approach to Bordeaux from marauding British pirateers.Directly across the river ,which you can also visit is the opposing bank fort that was built on a swamp using tree trunks as foundations. Not as successful as the stone fort..There used to be a small fort in the centre of the river on a small island which if I remember correctly was just a tower.thevcitidal was designed by a French engineer Vauban, who also designed and built several similar fortifications throughout France.
There are 3 Aires at Blaye,one at the chateaux ,free with ehu dump etc. One across the road from the chateaux ,6 euros, and one on the front near the ferry which is around 3 euros by pay meter but never seen it in action as the French don't like paying.
The Gironne is tidal and there are several small bores a year that can be seen further inland..

 

[Jenben]

We have cycled some of it as part of our general French meanderings, we do like a French river or canal as there is always somewhere to stop.

The estuarial tidal part of the Gironne is interesting as they have these wooden fishing spots on stilts with large nets.

Moissac is well worth a visit, I think we stayed at a nice campsite on a bit of an island position there.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[yodeli]

Well..... I might meet you at last!
And just to tease you a bit ... there's a beehive at the bottom of the stadium

But right now talking about the fleuve GARONNE.... A few pics of the most beautiful places in Toulouse that follow its course, with an inch of melancholy carried by the best song ever written by a famous citizen of Toulouse Claude Nougaro
On a few pics, I could see the window of my very first flat, as a young bride.
I would be really pleased to take you there....

 

[DBK]

yes- when you travel up the "outside" of the peninsula there are two ferrys across to the mainland. Both trips are worth doing and lead you to marvellous cycling areas.

I've been on one of the free ferries below Nantes but haven't done the ones below Bordeaux but I suspect we will be approaching the area on the "mainland" side coming from Brittany. But I do enjoy a ferry across a river so I'll see if we can include one.

 

[DavidG58]

When we followed the canal du midi i discovered that about half of it actually uses the Garonne river, only really becoming a canal after Carcassonne

 

[DBK]

That what makes it fun discovering the surprises. When we followed both the Muse & the Moselle to their sources we did it without any research.

I agree, the surprise discoveries are the best bit!

 

[DBK]

There is a nice Aire at Blaye very close to the citidal ,which is basically a stone built fort of massive proportions built overlooking the river Gironne to defend the approach to Bordeaux from marauding British pirateers.Directly across the river ,which you can also visit is the opposing bank fort that was built on a swamp using tree trunks as foundations. Not as successful as the stone fort..There used to be a small fort in the centre of the river on a small island which if I remember correctly was just a tower.thevcitidal was designed by a French engineer Vauban, who also designed and built several similar fortifications throughout France.
There are 3 Aires at Blaye,one at the chateaux ,free with ehu dump etc. One across the road from the chateaux ,6 euros, and one on the front near the ferry which is around 3 euros by pay meter but never seen it in action as the French don't like paying.
The Gironne is tidal and there are several small bores a year that can be seen further inland..

I've read about the Gironne bores - but my surfing skills are not up to riding it!

Blaye sounds attractive - we've visited several Vauban forts - he was a most prolific engineer.

Thank you.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[DBK]

Well..... I might meet you at last!
And just to tease you a bit ... there's a beehive at the bottom of the stadium

But right now talking about the fleuve GARONNE.... A few pics of the most beautiful places in Toulouse that follow its course, with an inch of melancholy carried by the best song ever written by a famous citizen of Toulouse Claude Nougaro
On a few pics, I could see the window of my very first flat, as a young bride.
I would be really pleased to take you there....

Thank you Frankie! I don't know Toulouse so it would be good to visit.

 

[DBK]

We have cycled some of it as part of our general French meanderings, we do like a French river or canal as there is always somewhere to stop.

The estuarial tidal part of the Gironne is interesting as they have these wooden fishing spots on stilts with large nets.

Moissac is well worth a visit, I think we stayed at a nice campsite on a bit of an island position there.

When we followed the canal du midi i discovered that about half of it actually uses the Garonne only really becoming a canal after Carcassonne

I like canals too. The Canal du Midi and the Canal de Garonne join to form the Canal de Deux Mers joining the Atlantic and the Mediterranean - and another watery route to follow some time.

 

[yodeli]

the Canal de Garonne

La Garonne is not a canal.... tututut!
La Garonne est un fleuve... Un grand Fleuve

 

[DBK]

La Garonne is not a canal.... tututut!
La Garonne est un fleuve... Un grand Fleuve

D'accord ! A river in English of course.

 

[mitzimad]

If i recall i was devestated by the price of the ferry vs the very short journey and they sold me a cup of tea enroute

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[jongood]

I've been on one of the free ferries below Nantes but haven't done the ones below Bordeaux but I suspect we will be approaching the area on the "mainland" side coming from Brittany. But I do enjoy a ferry across a river so I'll see if we can include one.

I suspect the ferries are the ones to Royan, there is also one to Blaye but there never seems much point. I'm not aware of any south or bordeaux but always prepared to learn?

The Blaye chateau is typically magnificent with great views over the estuary, gets busy but April should be OK. If it is full cubzac let ponts has nice views.

In that general area we stopped at a scenic aire at Bernos Beaulac, which had canoeing on one of the tributaries with chutes which we've noted for a future summer visit.

 

[nicholsong]

Well..... I might meet you at last!
And just to tease you a bit ... there's a beehive at the bottom of the stadium

But right now talking about the fleuve GARONNE.... A few pics of the most beautiful places in Toulouse that follow its course, with an inch of melancholy carried by the best song ever written by a famous citizen of Toulouse Claude Nougaro
On a few pics, I could see the window of my very first flat, as a young bride.
I would be really pleased to take you there....

Thank you "yodeli so much better a video (montage) than what pop artists do these days.

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

There was a previous post that sometime in April there is a wine tasting event in the Citidal at Blaye but you have to book tickets in advance as it's very popular,might be worth while having a look on line,around 8 euros pp as I recall. Sorry it's early April

Thread 'Wine festival at Blaye 2-3 April 2022' https://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/forum/threads/wine-festival-at-blaye-2-3-april-2022.258400/

 

[Riverbankannie]

The Gironne is tidal and there are several small bores a year that can be seen further inland..

Not so small ! We stayed one night at a vineyard on the bank and the size of the bore surprised us …… and we have seen the River Severn ones.

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

Not so small ! We stayed one night at a vineyard on the bank and the size of the bore surprised us …… and we have seen the River Severn ones.

Size isn't always that important you know.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[glastry]

both Blaye and Royan are worth spending time. As pleasant parking for travellers and a way to traverse around Bordeaux they have a rural charm that we have come to like - its an area that seems to fit well with the motorhoming life !

 

[Vennwood]

We have stayed on the Aire at Marmande to the South East of Bordeaux some 200 mtrs from the Garonne with a good tow path. Marmande itself is ok but a good location for exploring the Garonne on bikes or foot. The Canal du Midi is also a great canal to meander along with lots of Aires and parking spots

 

[FIDGET]

Up near the mouth of the Garonne , nice aire at fishing port , Mortagne sur Gironde ,

 

[Viennese]

DBK we will be crossing the Garonne on the Pont de Rei all being well around 15 April, on our way from visiting Frankie to Spain. It would be good to find anyone who has experience of crossing the Pyrennes this way.

 

[DBK]

DBK we will be crossing the Garonne on the Pont de Rei all being well around 15 April, on our way from visiting Frankie to Spain. It would be good to find anyone who has experience of crossing the Pyrennes this way.

That's the way we should be going a few weeks later and it means using the Vielha tunnel. I've found a thread about it which starts a bit glum but it gets better!

Given there will be snow about on the higher passes this seems a sensible route. Have Fun and I will expect a report from your reconnaissance mission!

Vielha Tunnel

Hi we are going to Portugal in January, has anyone used the Vielha Tunnel and is there a toll on it. Many Thanks Bob.:thumb:

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}