Eco Camping Le Peydoucet

Close to the banks of the river Garonne is the Huitres Fossiles geological site (20 minutes’ drive), a limestone passage lined with hundreds of fossilised oyster shells. The oysters clustered together more than 22 million years ago, when the area was covered in water, and today they form an unusual marine spectacle inland. Within a forest that also happens to be a zone of natural interest, Arbor-et-sens (40 minutes) has several treetop adventure trails. Young children gain confidence under the guidance of an expert, while grown-ups can have a go at the Vertigo Course (16 metres above ground) or ride one of several ziplines. Start off your exploration of Bordeaux (an hour and 15 minutes) from Place de la Bourse, a vast square separated from the Garonne by the shallow Miroir d’eau pool. The Cité du Vin museum looks (appropriately enough) like a gigantic wine decanter, while the Romanesque Cathédrale Saint-André has imposing brick vaults.