Aquitaine, a region between land and sea Our logo represents the 5 departements of our région : near the Atlantic Océan (blue), a farming and wine growing tradition (green) The South West is one of the most attractive regions in the country

BORDEAUX is the biggest city in the department of the GIRONDE We live in Blanquefort in the suburbs of Bordeaux

BLANQUEFORT The name of our town means white fortress. There are the remains of a fortress dating from the 6 th Century which was destroyed during the French revolution (1789) This fortress was built to watch over the route from Bordeaux into the Médoc.

Blanquefort is today a rapidly growing town with diverse economic activities. A Ford factory Buildings in the centre

Our school E. Dupaty has over 800 pupils (with several special needs classes).

The gateway to the Médoc, a prestigious wine region The main industry of our town used to be wine making from the 17 th to the 19 th Century and many chateaux gave the town a certain renommée : Dillon, Breillan, Fongravey...

The main French and Aquitaine wine regions

Nowadays the Médoc is a well-known wine region with many Grands Crus Classées : Châteaux Margaux, Mouton Rothschild and Latour to name but a few...

Bordeaux, from flourishing port to European metropolis Pierre Lacour, view of the port and the Quai des Chartrons in the 18 th century. The Bordeaux quayside today.

A Unesco World Heritage Site Place de la Bourse, a former royal square during the years commercial prosperity in the 18 th Century.

The heritage of the prosperity of the Port de la Lune The port is called the moon port because of its shape The Grand Théâtre, an architectural masterpiece of the 18 th century Le Pont de Pierre bridge across the Garonne river that runs through Bordeaux.

The Nearness of the Ocean The proximity of the Atlantic makes our region an exceptional touristic destination, but it is a natural site of fragile equilibrium and is therefore protected.

The Dune du Pyla in the Bay of Arcachon is the highest sand dune in Europe. It is 105 metres tall and classed as a national site.

Lacanau is a surfing hotspot...

And a great place for all beach activities...

The Bay of ARCACHON is an exceptional natural site famous for its land and seascapes but also for its Oyster-growing tradition. LE BASSIN D'ARCACHON

Le Bassin d'Arcachon An arial view Houses on stilts next to the Bird Island

The Oysters from the Bay The oyster parks supply the baby oysters for many different oyster regions. Arcachon could be called the European oyster nursery.

A traditional craft : Oyster farming Here are traditional oyster huts in Arcachon This craft is under threat. It demands special knowledge of the ocean and is dependant on the will of the elements.

A speciality from Bordeaux Cannelés Cannelés are small cakes made from egg yolk, icing sugar, rum, vanilla, flour and milk. They are said to have been invented by nuns in a convent.