Rendre accessible au plus grand nombre la richesse biologique des Espaces Naturels afin de provoquer une large prise de conscience de la nécessité de préserver les milieux naturels et la biodiversité de notre Département, tel est l'objectif du Conseil Général de la Gironde.

Since the late eighties, the departmental institution has undertaken an active policy of management and optimisation for Sensitive Natural Areas.

To finance this policy, the departmental assembly has voted for the establishment of a tax, a significant decision which will provide the Conseil Général with the resources to uphold the policy.

The French planning laws and regulations which partially govern the policy of acquisition, maintenance and management of these areas, obligates the authorities to open them to the public if in a fit state to do so.

Accordingly, the opening of these preserved areas is an integral part of the expertise exercised by the Conseil Général in terms of environmental protection.

Sensitive Natural Areas can be opened to the public in a variety of ways, which are often complementary but not always simultaneous. Sites are opened to a greater or lesser extent, depending on various criteria: the fragility of the site, the tourist context... 

Amongst the thirty sites managed in this way, the Conseil Général is currently leading an ambitious project for opening sites to the public which focuses on two sites in particular: the Domaine de Certes-Graveyron at the Bay of Arcachon and the Ȋle Nouvelle on the Gironde estuary.

Development work: from simple to complex

The simplest form of development is to offer the public structured access to the site (signposted roads, car parks...) and a route which visitors can follow. These footpaths are often very basic and sometimes form legitimate infrastructures to protect the natural environment from the possibility of being disturbed by visitors. 

These developments are often essential for allowing visitors to access the area, due to permanent wetland areas and loose soil...

Further to simple developments, some sites benefit from resources to improve the quality of site discovery, such as lookout posts, bridges and platforms... enabling a different view of the landscape and encouraging the visitor to integrate with the natural cycle of the site, without causing disturbance or damage.

Intervention

Given the current challenges relating to the preservation of the planet, the Conseil Général has adopted an ambitious environmental awareness policy, with a budget of 150 000 € invested each year. The policy is implemented in two ways: the recruitment of nature guides and the allocation of financial support for projects carried out by organisations with the same agenda.

The recruitment of nature guides by the Conseil Général

Guided tours

An expert in its field, the département offers visitors the opportunity to be accompanied and informed by professional guides throughout the summer season.

These nature guides are effectively responsible for delivering a large number of free tours to half a dozen sites in Gironde: the Ȋle Nouvelle, the Domaines de Certes-Graveyron, the Contaut lagoon, the lagoons of Gat-Mort...

Mainly focusing on biodiversity, landscapes, the natural surroundings and their function, the guided tours also address the formation of the sites and human intervention which has impacted and is currently impacting the development of these areas.

Exchanges with guides during unaccompanied tours

Guides are positioned on the most popular footpaths on these sites to respond to questions from the public in a more spontaneous manner.

These exchanges and explanations allow visitors to access information about the rich heritage of the site and gain an understanding of its history and the daily maintenance work carried out by field workers.

Nearly 16,000 visitors are welcomed each season by the seasonal representatives of the département, including 3,500 who participate in the free tours.

The number of visitors to these sites is increasing each year. 

Support for associate projects

The region of Gironde boasts a multitude of organisations involved in environmental protection and optimisation.

These organisations run projects with the main aim of promoting the natural heritage of the département, increasing awareness amongst the general public of the need to preserve natural surroundings and the species which inhabit them, and showcasing the areas where action is being taken.

The département supports these projects with substantial financial aid and by allowing access to Sensitive Natural Areas owned by the authorities.

Nearly 25,000 visitors are involved in these positive activities or are made more aware of action taken in Gironde through the work of these associations.

The Ȋle Nouvelle and the Domaine de Certes-Graveyron; two key sites for the département

These large-scale sites are of particular focus for opening to the public.

Certes-Graveyron is open every day from April to September, with a team of 5 devoted to welcoming and supervising the public during this period. The site will eventually contain a large museum area and educational gardens.

The Ȋle Nouvelle has two nature guides responsible for delivering site visits throughout the summer season.

Long-term plans for the site to feature a reception area, discovery footpath and an area devoted to artistic, environmental and cultural intervention are expected.

Cultural action at Sensitive Natural Areas

Each year, a major cultural programme is provided for visitors, Gironde inhabitants and holidaymakers at these two local-authority controlled natural sites.

Providing a responsible view of the areas and showcasing the natural heritage through contemporary creation enables the decompartmentalisation of practices and disciplines, within the arts and nature in particular.

The aim of the Conseil Général is to open these areas to an increasingly wide audience.

Accordingly, the Domaine de Certes-Graveyron and Ȋle Nouvelle benefit from a positive high-quality cultural agenda designed specifically for these sites.

With classical concerts, theatre, storytelling, film and opera... the entertainment provided is delivered in such a way as to perfectly integrate with the site where it takes place.