Our 10 ideas for outings to enjoy the Ascension weekend in Gironde

From May 8 to 12, the Arcachon region traditional boating association (APTRA) is organizing its 5^e Escales du Bassin, a gathering of traditional sailing or motor boats. This emblematic maritime meeting’s mission is to sail a fleet of 80 to 100 traditional boats from the port of Arcachon, guided by the tides and currents, to different ports in the Arcachon basin. To mark this occasion, a special evening is organized at the port of La Teste on Saturday. From 6 p.m., the public will be able to attend a parade in the port of 60 traditional boats: sailboats, pinnaces, one-designs, mixed canals… then the presentation and visit of the ten boats remaining at the quay. With the support of the City, the port will be lively with music, traditional games, tastings in the oyster cabins, food stands, etc.

2 Attend the new show at the Medrano circus

The Medrano circus company presents its new show, from Wednesday May 8 to Sunday May 12, at the Bordeaux Le Bouscat racecourse. Entitled “Mysterium, the Magical Grimoire”, it features artists from different places around the world who will offer their acts mixing circus and magic. On the program in particular: acrobatics, acrobatics, balance and grand illusions.

Several sessions are planned each day. From 19 euros. Reservations on spectacle-mysterium.fr/bordeaux

3 Hunt for rare objects at the Quinconces flea market

There are only a few days left before the traditional spring flea market leaves the Place des Quinconces in Bordeaux. This will end this Sunday, May 12. Until this date, it is open every day from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Some 200 exhibitors offer, among other things, plants, local products, furniture, bicycles, silverware, vintage objects, works of art, curiosities… The opportunity to unearth rare gems or make good deals.

4 Smell the ocean air in the Médoc

For this long weekend, the sun should finally come out, with almost summer temperatures expected for four days. On the Médoc coast, between Le Verdon and Le Porge, you can find surfing schools open to learn or improve in the discipline of surfing or bodyboarding. It is also an opportunity to have your instructor explain how the beach works with the bays and sandbanks. Still on the water, the lakes are ideal for learning to sail. Clubs and schools await the public in Hourtin, Carcans and Lacanau.

Furthermore, for snow sports fans, the Gliss Art Festival takes place from Wednesday to Sunday in Lacanau. On the program: an exhibition dedicated to skiing in the Escoure room (opening Friday at 6:30 p.m.), a garage sale on the theme of skiing (Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.) but also a concert at the restaurant “ Le Pink Amore” (Saturday 6:30 p.m.) and the screening of the film “Culture Houleuse” by Florian Méca, at the L’Escoure cinema (Saturday at 8:45 p.m.). The next day, Sunday, a big van meeting is planned all day.

5 Rediscover Saint-André during the Night of the Cathedrals

Friday May 10 and Saturday May 11, Saint-André Cathedral in Bordeaux will remain open until 11 p.m. as part of Cathedral Night. From 9 p.m., the interior of the building will have specific lighting and the Chantres de Saint-Hilaire will perform accompanied by baroque instruments, around the requiem mass of Louis Chein, composed in 1690. The Cathedra association, at the maneuver, promises “an immersive journey beyond time, from darkness to illumination” which will allow us to see the emblematic building of Place Pey-Berland with a new eye. FREE ENTRANCE.

6 Take part in tastings at the Côtes de Bourg open days

The 36^e edition of Open Doors in Côtes de Bourg takes place on May 11 and 12. Around forty châteaux are participating in the operation and offering visits to the cellars, tastings of old vintages and local products, etc. Various activities are also planned throughout the vineyard: workshop to learn how to blend your wine, aperitif cruise, bike ride through the vineyards, discovery of three castles via a small tourist train… Furthermore, all weekend, the cellar dining Le Bouchon, located in the Maison des vins des Côtes de Bourg, in Bourg, will serve a menu inspired by the new vintage “Côtes de Bourg Côtes de Bœuf” (40 euros, reservations required on the Bouchon website or at 05 57 94 02 37).

The complete program, activity prices and links to register can be found on the Côtes de Bourg website.

7 Take a forest bath

Why not take advantage of this Ascension Bridge to completely disconnect and enjoy nature? This is what the Gironde Department is proposing, which is organizing two “forest baths”, in Martres (Wednesday May 8 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.) and Bernos-Beaulac (Thursday May 9 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.). Walkers will be invited to take a slow and often silent walk, in small groups (5 to 10 people) over a short distance (approximately 2.5 km) along a route imagined by the guide.

Free, from 12 years old. Contact: 05 56 82 71 79.

8 Cool off at the water mirror

After the gray weather of recent weeks, temperatures are expected to increase significantly during this Ascension long weekend. And that’s good, since in Bordeaux, the water mirror has been functional again since the start of the week. Although its opening had to be postponed for around a month due to damage committed during the farmers’ demonstration on March 11, the emblematic body of water is once again ready to welcome Bordeaux residents and passing tourists.

As a reminder, the water mirror, created by fountain designer Jean-Max Llorca in 2006, is in operation every day (excluding wintering) from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., according to the following cycle: 3 minutes of filling, 15 minutes of mirror effect, 5 mins draining and 3 mins fog.

9 Participate in nature activities as part of the Biodiversity Spring

Until June 30, the Biodiversity Spring is organized in the municipalities of Bordeaux Métropole to “discover nature in all its forms”. In this context, several activities are notably planned for Saturday May 11: raising awareness of spontaneous vegetation in Haillan (11:30 a.m.); a clean walk – a fun civic walk to collect waste – in Cenon (9:30 a.m.); a discovery walk in the Bourgailh forest in Pessac to discover insects (2 p.m.) or a discovery of the jalle led by Terre et Océans at the Moulin Bidon in Martignas-sur-Jalle (2:30 p.m.). For those who missed it the day before, a new awareness campaign about spontaneous vegetation is also organized at Haillan, from 9:30 a.m.

10 (Re) discover the “Detainees” exhibition in Bordeaux

Last days for “Detainees”, the exhibition of poignant photos by Bettina Rheims visible at the Malby chapter house until Sunday. This presents a series of portraits of women incarcerated in four French prisons (the Lyon-Corbas remand center, detention centers in Rennes, Poitiers-Vivonne and Roanne), taken between September and November 2014. Free guided tours are planned Friday from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., as well as Saturday and Sunday at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. (without reservation.) Please note, the exhibition will not be accessible these Wednesdays and Thursdays, the place being closed on public holidays.