{"id":2602,"date":"2026-02-10T16:28:58","date_gmt":"2026-02-10T15:28:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.kerhelen.com\/discovering-domaine-de-certes-and-graveyron\/"},"modified":"2026-02-23T11:18:35","modified_gmt":"2026-02-23T10:18:35","slug":"discovering-domaine-de-certes-and-graveyron","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kerhelen.com\/en\/discovering-domaine-de-certes-and-graveyron\/","title":{"rendered":"Discovering Domaine de Certes and Graveyron"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

With its 530 hectares, the Domaine de Certes<\/strong> et de Graveyron<\/strong> is one of the natural treasures of the Bassin d’Arcachon<\/strong>. Explore the estate on your own or with one of the reserve’s guides, and be amazed by the unique landscapes and the many birds that come into view. <\/p>\n\n

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A secret corner of the Basin<\/h2>\n\n

To discover this little wild paradise, you’ll have to go to the south-east of the Bassin d’Arcachon<\/strong>, around ten kilometers from Camping Le Ker Helen, between Audenge<\/strong> and Lanton<\/strong>. Here, between land and sea, freshwater and saltwater, lies the Certes<\/strong> and Graveyron<\/strong> estate<\/strong>. Visitors come here to recharge their batteries, cut themselves off from the world and learn to observe the flora and fauna.<\/p>\n\n

A little history<\/h2>\n\n

This 530-hectare natural area, owned by the Conservatoire<\/strong> du Littoral, was created by man over the course of history. In the second half of the 18th century, the estate was developed for salt production by \u00c9mery de Durfort-Civrac<\/strong>, Baron of Audenge<\/strong>. Half a century later, the estate was transformed into a fish farm. <\/p>\n\n

In 1984, Domaine de Certes<\/strong> was classified as a “sensitive natural area”. It covers 396 hectares, including 150 hectares of ponds, wet meadows, farmland and mixed hardwood and softwood plantations. In 1998, the Conservatoire du Littoral purchased the Graveyron<\/strong> estate ,<\/strong> adjacent to the wilder, more intimate Certes<\/strong> estate. Today, the Certes-Graveyron<\/strong> reserve forms a vast dyked area where nature reigns supreme. A jewel of biodiversity revealed by naturalist rangers on guided tours. <\/p>\n\n

A nature sanctuary<\/h2>\n\n

Designed by the hand of man over the centuries, this fragile natural heritage has gradually regained its free and wild character. All year round, naturalist guides welcome visitors with botanical, cultural and artistic activities, as well as guided or self-guided walks. Signs accompany the curious in their discovery of the natural environment. <\/p>\n\n

Your wanderings will take you through sublime landscapes, salt meadows, wet meadows, reed beds and salt marshes. At the north-western end of the site, the Pointe de Branne<\/strong> dike offers a spectacular view of the Bay of Arcachon<\/strong>. Along the former fish reservoirs, a multitude of birds can be observed in their natural habitat. Nearly 250 species of birds have been recorded: herons, cormorants, egrets, white-mirrored blue throats, white spoonbills, shelducks… <\/p>\n\n