French Gironde and Landes tourism urges visitors despite forest fires

Large forest fires that broke out on July 22 near Saumos have burned about 42,000 hectares in the French Atlantic‑coast departments of Gironde and Landes. The blazes have forced road closures, prompted a prefect’s advisory against travel, and led to a wave of cancelled hotel reservations for the peak mid‑August period.

Hotel and hospitality leaders have appealed to tourists to keep the region’s summer season alive. Union president Tjeri Marks urged visitors to "come and support the professionals" in the area, while Giom Gria, head of the Landes hospitality union, and Lionel Pijad, president of the Gironde camps association, said most camps are reopened and that safe swimming and walking areas remain available. The French tourism minister, Serge Papen, has been consulted about deferring certain financial obligations for affected businesses.