Médoc plein Sud: A vacation or a day at the favorite beach of the people of Bordeaux!

Are you on holiday in Gironde and looking for splendid beaches with the ocean as far as the eye can see for a day or a family holiday? Médoc facing south is an attractive region in the south of Medoc, with the Porge beaches in focus, which are historically the favorite beaches of Bordeaux residents. It is not for nothing: extraordinary Atlantic facade, wide and pleasant beaches, easy to access … And for everyone, since the Jenny Beach allows the practice of naturism, a way of life well anchored in this small wild corner and preserved from the Médoc. We take a tour with you of the undeniable advantages of this destination where the preservation of the environment is one of the challenges, for eco-responsible holidays while having fun!

Photos of the article: © Office du Tourisme Médoc plein Sud, unless otherwise stated

The symbol, the emblem of this region, is the pine tree! Be careful, here we do not say pine cone (or pain au chocolat, you see?) But pine! Photo © Julie Warnier Photographs

The beaches of the southern Medoc

Médoc Plein Sud, 10 municipalities working for the development of tourism (summer, but not only!) While keeping in mind one asset: small charming villages adjoining grandiose beaches where everyone will find room to lay their own. towel, relax and have fun. The beaches of Porge are among the most beautiful in Gironde (14km of sand), they have always allowed city dwellers to quickly (around 1 hour) reach the ocean from the Bordeaux metropolis , surf , take walks on the beach, do sunbathe… in a very preserved environment.

La Plage du Gressier is a family beach ( supervised in summer mid-June, mid-September), with a summer atmosphere far from the main tourist routes. People come there to eat at one of the restaurants close to the coast and spend a beautiful day between forest and white sand! It is also a famous surf spot, for all levels! Depending on the sea and weather conditions, one can find breaking waves for beginners and experienced ones can just as well have fun. Isolated, the beach has surf schools and even a surf camp. This is the ideal opportunity to learn to tame the waves, even great beginners surfing can learn on the beach of Gressier.

You don't have a bike, but you would like to get around on two wheels during your stay in the region? Rent bikes! At Porge is Nice Bike , for the rental of a Kerling bike (an aluminum VTC, perfect for coastal paths). There are also VAE (electric) versions and the possibility of renting trailers and baby carriers.

Gressier beach in summer

The few restaurants and bars on Gressier beach, fun and relaxed atmosphere

Come and measure yourself against the waves!

To go to Porge beach it's easy! Either you come by car and there are free parking lots , even with a tool to check parking lot attendance in real time (in french) in summer. Either you come by bike, taking the cycle path from Le Porge village (La Vélodyssée also passes nearby) or you come by bus from Bordeaux by taking line 701.

La Jenny Beach is a naturist beach. Here, there is also a family atmosphere, but you come without your swimsuit (“ without textiles ” as they say) to enjoy a lifestyle closer to nature, in all simplicity, with respect for others and for oneself . Naturism is a way of being and of living and at La Jenny Beach, this practice has been accepted and even encouraged for nearly 40 years, to go beyond prejudices, to experience everything simply by accepting your body, in harmony with yourself and others. Come in Adam's outfit, in the simplest device ! The Plage de la Jenny is located next to the Domaine Naturiste de la Jenny, it is a beach that is shared by holidaymakers, locals and people who stay in one of the largest naturist holiday centers in France. 700 chalets are scattered in the pine forest, a few meters from the beach. It is a very large autonomous complex, even with a golf course ( the only naturist golf course in the world ). People come there for holidays with family or friends, of all ages and of all nationalities . On site a supermarket, hairdresser, fitness center, beautician, restaurant, swimming pool, entertainment for children... It is a well-known place that attracts many vacationers to this natural territory every year.

Do you like camping? come and put your tent at the Municipal Camping La Grigne ***, also located by the ocean and in a pine forest. There are pitches for tents, caravans and camper vans, but also on-site rentals of pretty mobile homes in wood cladding, like small houses. For your comfort, there are also canvas bungalows, cottages and nature lodges, depending on your preference!

One of the most beautiful beaches in the region, supervised in summer

The beaches of Porge are, like many beaches on the Girondin coast, accessible after crossing a dune. You park your car and walk on wooden slatted floors, or you walk on a path in the sand to reach the beach. Be careful to respect the dune which is a fragile environment, if you walk outside the marked path, your steps may prevent the vegetation from fixing the dune! Stay on the marked areas. You will do a bit of sport to climb to the top of the dune, but from there… the panorama is magnificent and is 200% worth the effort!

At the top of the dune, beautiful view of the ocean on one side and the forest on the other

You have to walk a little before arriving at the beach, it's the holidays we have time!

Stay on the trails to respect the fragile dune vegetation

The beaches of Porge, eco-responsible beaches

The Médulienne Community of Communes and the town of Porge have decided to make this corner of paradise an asset... It is a zero waste destination! You will find few (or no) bins on the beaches of Le Porge (to limit handling and pollution): a "drive bins" area to sort waste has been installed at the entrance and exit of the car parks. It's a good idea, modern and useful, which allows us to leave no other trace than that of our steps on the beach... The Médoc Plein Sud Tourist Office (you can change the language on the right of the page), created in 2018, is part of this approach and has designed well-thought-out brochures , to be easily understandable in electronic format and visible on smartphones and tablets : we therefore severely limit paper brochures. 2 vehicles drive around the area during the summer, with stayers to help you organize your vacation. La Pignotte and Le Pignon (the little names of these two vehicles) are the offices of the Tourist Office, there are no buildings!

To learn more about the region and the local flora and fauna, take a short walk on the L'Homme et la Nature interpretation trail (in french). 5 kilometers to travel with the family to discover the forest and understand the challenges of wetlands. The start is at the Cabane de Lentrade, Avenue de l'Océan au Porge. Information panels dot the route.

The Pignon and the interior of the Pignotte, the vehicles of the Tourist Office!

After the beach, what to do? Come to the Afterbeach in the Médoc Castles (in french) every Wednesday and Thursday from mid-July to the end of August from 5 to 9 p.m. ! You will be offered an aperitif and the winegrowers will give you all the information you need to learn more about the local wines. Several dates are organized in the summer, generally Wednesday from mid-July to the end of August from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

What to do after the beach? It's all seen ! Afterbeach, an aperitif in the castles!

Le Porge Océan and its beaches are a good idea to enjoy the Atlantic Ocean in summer, in a wooded and very natural setting! Whether you are settled in the Médoc or in the Bordeaux region , they are easy to reach by car (or by bus, find out more!) And their location off the main roads (but in a very attractive and dynamic area all the same) , makes them perfect for good times. We wish you a wonderful vacation!