Hi everyone, Bertrand here. I'm a local guide based in Paris, but like many of us across France right now, i've been keeping a very close eye on the news coming out of the Gironde region.
As many of you heading that way might already know, the area around the Arcachon Bay, Cap Ferret is dealing with severe wildfires driven by extreme heat and dry winds. Be careful if you have trips planned to Bordeaux, the Atlantic coast, or anywhere in the southwest over the coming days (or months).
Tens of thousands of local residents and tourists had to be evacuated as a precaution. Flights in and out of Bordeaux airport are currently running as normal. Train travel, however, is heavily affected. SNCF has suspended lines south of Bordeaux with TGV trains from Paris terminating at Bordeaux Gare Saint-Jean. If you have train tickets booked for the region, SNCF if offering free cancellations or exchanges.
Please do not attempt to drive towards the coast near Cap Ferret or Arcachon to "check things out" or take photos. Keeping the roads clear for the hundreds of firefighgters and emergency convoys is vital ! Avoid throwing cigarette butts out of car windows and if your accommodation is anywhere near an active vigilance zone, contact your hist, hotel or booking platform now to see if you should relocate further north or inland until things settle.
If you need live updates, rely only on official French government and prefecture channels rather than social media rumours. Check their official website ( https://www.gironde.gouv.fr/ ) or if you are driving use the Bison futé site ( https://www.bison-fute.gouv.fr/maintenant.html ) for traffic & road closures as it lists active motorway and national road blockages in real time.
My thoughts are with all the local residents and tourists caught up in the evacuations and of course the incredible firefighters working around the clock to contains the flames.
Stay safe, listen to the authorities and feel free to ask if you're trying to figure out how your travel plans might be affected!