After Major Wildfires, Gironde Fears for Its Holidaymakers

Bordeaux – 01.08.2026: The flames are receding, but the next test is beginning for Gironde’s tourism industry. Although rail services are running again and roads are reopening, holidaymakers are postponing their arrival or cancelling stays. Hotels, campsites, restaurants and leisure businesses are reporting lower occupancy during the weeks on which a significant part of their annual business depends.

The uncertainty stems from the fires that have been raging since 22 July in the area between Saumos, Le Temple, Sainte-Helene, Le Porge, Lege-Cap-Ferret, Ares, Andernos-les-Bains and Marcheprime. The departmental council recently continued to point to closed roads and cycle paths. Travellers should avoid affected areas so as not to hinder rescue and firefighting operations.

Transport connections in southwestern France were also severely disrupted at times. On 29 July, the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region said that the fires had significantly disrupted road and rail traffic. Travel to affected parts of Gironde and the neighbouring department of Landes was to be restricted as much as possible until 31 July. For the industry, these disruptions came during the peak travel season.

Concern is now focused primarily on the image of the whole of Gironde as a supposed danger zone. Numerous holiday destinations were neither directly affected by the flames nor subject to evacuations. The GCU camping association stated on 27 July that its sites in Lacanau-Lac and Sanguinet had remained open. Depending on the wind direction, however, the smell of smoke could be noticeable there.

The economic consequences extend far beyond individual holiday facilities. Public Senat reported on 27 July, citing Economy Minister Roland Lescure, that more than 13,500 companies had had to suspend their operations because of the fires. Other businesses had been indirectly affected because employees could not get to their workplaces or customers stayed away. In tourism, these effects intensify as soon as an entire region is equated with the fire zones.

The season had already got off to a subdued start. A survey published in July by Gironde Tourisme of 165 industry representatives found that 42.7 percent of respondents reported declining visitor numbers for May 2026. The fires are therefore hitting businesses whose expectations had already been dampened before the start of the summer holidays.

For travellers, accessibility and the security situation continue to vary from place to place. Authorities are continuously providing information on closures, open connections and protective measures. Tourism providers are hoping that visitors will distinguish between directly affected forest areas and accessible holiday destinations. For campsites in particular, occupancy in August will determine the scale of this season’s economic damage.