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Best bathing spots in Bordeaux

Where to find the cleanest water along the Atlantic

featured in News & reviews Author Pam Williamson, Bordeaux Editor Updated

The Ministry of Health in France is urging bathers to take note of the water quality on their favourite beaches. They are providing up-to-date information regarding the cleanliness of France's beaches and rivers.

The interactive map (which is available in English) allows you to zoom in on the beaches of interest and to review recent test results. The beaches and rivers are ranked from excellent (blue) to prohibited (pink), meaning that entering the water is strictly prohibited. 

The monthly testing and monitoring makes it possible to assess the effects of wastewater sanitation and dirty rainwater runoff into swimming sites. 

Thankfully the beaches around Bordeaux are mainly blue, as are the Lac de Bordeaux in the north of the city and the small lake at Plaine des Sports, Begles, in the south.