Attention la France - j'arrive cette weekend!

Vin, pain and boursin.....well maybe. I am off to one of my favourite corners of France - the south west Gironde. It's an early start on Saturday morning but at least I will arrive in time for a pain au chocolat and un petit cafe au lait. The flight from London to Bordeaux is very short and has been a real bargain - £78 - a snip! That's British Airways no less - being very competitive with the likes of Ryanair and Easyjet. Once there, I'll get in the renault clio hire car and zoom, zoom, zoom to the coast, to Lacanau Ocean.

The beach at Lacanau.

Lacanau Ocean is a popular coastal town, favoured for the fantastic sandy beaches which continue for miles both north and south. The rollers attract plenty of surfers and kite surfers alike. Each year the town hosts a leg of the world championships for surfing in August. It is not all about the beach though. The area is renowned for its beautiful pine forest which happens to be the largest in Europe. Throughout the forest are kilometres of cycle trails. It's an idyllic location for hiring bikes and just cycling around from beach through the forest to the lake and back again. "Lake, did you say?" Yes, there is a lake also, in fact two lakes - Frances' longest lake at Carcans and lake Lacanau.  There are ample opportunities for watersports; sailing, windsurfing, waterskiing, pedaloes, dinghies. There is a sailing school so you can hire equipment if you have not got your own. I find the lake particularly good with the children. It is safe shelving, warmer water and calm compared to the dramatic waves of the ocean which you have to be careful with. The sea is great if you are a swimmer and a strong one at that, but paddling with children needs full supervision.

There are golf courses, tennis courts, squash and horse riding. Its a perfect location for outdoor lovers and active types.

Bordeaux, the gorgeous city of wine is just 50 minutes away and is gateway to many vineyards and chateaux in the area.

For more information check out- Lacanau tourist office for information on the region and town www.lacanau.com

Lake Lacanau early in the morning.

We have a small portfollio of properties to hire, so if interested just contact me.

Karen