Editing Gironde estuary (section)

==Islands of the Gironde ==
[[File:2010-10-25 Gironde Estuary.jpg|thumb|left|Islands of the Gironde at the [[Bec d'Ambès]] where the rivers [[Dordogne (river)|Dordogne]] (right) and [[Garonne]] (left) join into the estuary]]

Within the estuary between the [[Pointe de Grave]] at the seaward end and the [[Bec d'Ambès]] are a series of small islands.

The [[Île de Patiras]] is {{convert|200|ha}} in size with a [[Cordouan lighthouse|lighthouse]] to aid navigation in the estuary.  Vines and maize are grown there.

The [[Île Sans-Pain]] and [[Île Bouchaud]] are now virtually joined due to progressive silting and are referred to as the Ile Nouvelle.  They total about {{convert|265|ha}} and are owned by the Conservatoire du Littoral and managed by the Department of the Gironde.

The [[Île Paté]] is about {{convert|13|ha}} and in 2006 was privately owned. The island has a historic fort built between 1685 and 1693 as part of the national fortification program masterminded by [[Vauban]]. The building is oval in shape, about {{convert|12|m}} high and was originally equipped with about 30 cannons. [[Fort Paté]], together with [[Fort Médoc]] on the left bank of the estuary and the ancient [[Citadel|''citadelle'']] of [[Blaye]] on the right bank, defended the estuary and Bordeaux. During the French Revolution the fort was used as a prison for priests.

In 2006, the [[Conseil General]] decided to make the island a ZPENS (zone de pre-emption espace naturel sensible). ZPENS status protects the island from development. If the owner wishes to sell the island, then the Department has a pre-emptive right. After two months the [[Conservatoire National du Littoral]] has the next pre-emptive right and then after another 2 months the town of Blaye has a final pre-emptive right to acquire the island.

The [[Île Verte, Gironde estuary|Île Verte]], [[Île du Nord, Gironde|Île du Nord]] and [[Île Cazeau]] comprise about {{convert|800|ha}} and because of their natural state provide a fine stopping off place for migrating birds.

The [[Île Margaux]] is {{convert|25|ha}} and in 2005 had {{convert|14|ha}} devoted to vines and is part of the world famous [[Médoc]] wine region.

The [[Île Sans Nom]] which appeared in 2009 following [[Cyclone Klaus]] lies around {{convert|1|mi|km}} east of [[Cordouan Lighthouse]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Tearse |first1=Graham |title=Fragile habitat of French mystery island 'risks being trampled underfoot' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2010/aug/11/france-mystery-island-protection |access-date=15 August 2020 |work=The Guardian |date=11 August 2010}}</ref>