Bordeaux Airport’s hotel zone has been evacuated as wildfires continue to spread near the French city, although flights remain operational.
The airport confirmed no accommodation is currently available at the airport, which closes overnight, and advised travellers to seek hotels outside the evacuated areas.
The city’s Mayor Thomas Cazenave warned on Sunday that fires were just 15km from the city.
Tourists have been urged to avoid the entire Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, which includes Bordeaux and other popular destinations such as the Cap Ferret peninsula, Biarritz, La Rochelle and the Dordogne Valley.
A blaze near Cap Ferret, around 37 miles from Bordeaux on France’s Atlantic coast, has burned through around 48 square miles since Wednesday.
Nouvelle-Aquitaine Prefect Sophie Brocas said: “We urge tourists not to come to this region, at least until the situation is under control.
“I encourage tourists who are already here to consider another destination.”
Bordeaux, in the department of Gironde, is France’s sixth largest city and home to more than 1.2 million people across the metropolitan area. It is among the latest destinations affected by wildfires sweeping across Europe.
The UK Foreign Office (FCDO) updated its France travel advice yesterday, warning that wildfires are affecting parts of Gironde and Landes in the south-west of the country.
It said: “French authorities have evacuated campsites, tourist accommodation and some residential areas. Access to affected areas may be restricted and roads may close at short notice. Further evacuations may take place.”
A statement from Bordeaux Airport said: “The airport is currently operational and is doing everything it can to provide the region with all the necessary support in the ongoing fight against the fires. Commercial flights are operating as normal.”
It added that in coordination with authorities, priority is being given to departing flights. Bus and tram services remain operational, although the tram is running a non-stop service between Mérignac Soleil and Bordeaux Airport.
Gironde authorities have warned that efforts to contain the wildfires near Bordeaux could continue for ‘several weeks or even several months’.
French President Emmanuel Macron is chairing a crisis cabinet meeting in Paris today.
Major blazes have spread across southern Europe over the past week, forcing more than 330,000 people, including tourists, to evacuate across France and Spain.
Fires in the Madrid region have forced more than 60,000 people to evacuate, while a new blaze in the eastern region of Valencia has been reported.
In Italy, more than 400 people were evacuated by sea on Sunday after fires swept through parts of the southern Adriatic coast, including Puglia. Another wildfire was also reported yesterday near Torretta, outside Palermo, in Sicily.
Photo is a stock image of a forest fire in Gironde from Shutterstock
