On holiday near wildfires - WTF to do?

[thetinsoldier]

We’re in Bordeaux, 40k from the fires. It’s really smoky, the sun is covered by smoke and it’s really quite scary. Have spoken to neighbours and they say the smoke is just being blown this way, we’re not in danger, but it’s horrible and scary.

What would you do??

Sorry I was AWOL.
Thanks to everyone who replied to my post.
We are playing it by ear and seeing how things change in the next couple of days but I have a feeling we won't go. Personally I worry that the roads are going to be a nightmare and smoke/ash just doesnt make for a nice time.
Plus I am so full of anxiety about it (GAD) that I know i will find it incredibly difficult.

What’s the new account for? And what happened to the place you had booked?

I don't think this is the OP, ToKittyornottoKitty

Sorry, im not the OP, I selfishly jumped on the post as we're due to go to Villeneuve-sur-Lot on Friday.

The foreign office what is their advice about going to the region.

Not selfish at all! I’d just totally missed your post, sorry!

You’re way behind the times. Everyone evacuating is doing so from the mainland. Boat evacuation was last weekend from Cap Ferrat.

That’s not me.

We have moved.

Just wondering what to do about getting home - will planes/trains be running? Should we cancel our travel arrangements and make new ones?

How helpful of your h. 🙄🙄

What a ride response. She's trying to be helpful.

I mean, that poster obviously hadn’t read any of OPs updates which is just silly.

If people post three days after OP asks a question, and there have been 360 other posts in those three days, then it’s possible that ‘Leave!’ is going to be an annoying answer.

And her husband saying that OP should buy marshmallows? Is that posted on the wrong thread maybe? Because the thought that it’s just a flippant answer (is Bordeaux known for marshmallows?) when people have died in these fires is just weird.

Could you try to book somewhere in Brittany or Normandy instead. I was in Brittany 2 weeks ago and temperatures were between 25 and up to 34 on 4 days of holiday.

I think the marshmallow comment is about toasting them on a fire? Which is a rather crass comment and it’s not surprising that OP is rolling her eyes (for info @RP2211 )

What was your planned return journey? Train from Bordeaux? When? If it’s not until Saturday I personally would hold on a while, unless you are easily able to cancel and there js a suitable station where you are now staying, plus alternative drop off for your hire car, In which case, yes, I would amend.

It really is absolutely fine in Dordogne and roads are empty but you do you.

well I guess you have to make plans from your new location- I’m sure you don’t think that all West France trains will be cancelled?

It’s just devastating for France. Genuinely awful for those affected. The animals and so much wildlife has perished. They described it as a war zone earlier. I wouldn’t go anywhere near the region, and add to the problems and pressure..

We have always chosen the SoF over the summer, but had to stop a few years ago as the temperatures have just become unbearable, even before this happened.

For info re transport:

Bordeaux airport has remained open for commercial flights throughout the crisis, and airlines such as BA, Easyjet, AF, KLM have been flying in and out vaguely or pretty much on schedule.

I thnk the only major railway line that has had to close has been the one that runs between Bordeaux and Biarittz.

Some of the UK MSM seem to still in parts to be carrying reports from Friday/Saturday.

Generally news coming out in from French sources in the last 24 hours or so is that the situation in the Gironde has stabilised to some degree but temps are meant start to be going up again from today onwards.

Because of that no-one in officialdom is prepared to claim things are fully undercontrol but the situation is slightly better currently.

@SummerPeonies2026 ”We have always chosen the SoF over the summer, but had to stop a few years ago as the temperatures have just become unbearable, even before this happened.”

Same here. Went to the Alpes-Maritimes a few years ago early September, never again, was like a fucking furnace.
The same the last time I went to Bardolino.

Friday.

It all depends what happens in the next couple of days. We need to drop off a family member at Bordeaux airport on Thursday too.

Really? Posting suggesting that we buy marshmallows, in relation to a fire that’s burning out of control and has devastated the Gironde? Well, that’s fucking funny, isn’t it?? God knows why @665theneighborofthebeast asked her h, and God knows why she felt compelled to post his crappy ‘advice’. Not funny at all.

I have been keeping an eye on the trains and planes. We got an email from Ouigo saying that the government advises people not to travel from Bordeaux to Paris and saying we can rebook our tickets, but trains still seem to be running, albeit delayed, so our plan is to catch our original train, if we can. We also need to return the hire car to Bordeaux and go back to our original house to tidy up, return keys etc.

too complicated to easily rearrange.

Agree. The marshmallow comment was a pathetic unfunny attempt at humour and in poor taste. I am cringing that she felt the need to share the ‘hilarious’ comment.

OP I am sorry your holiday has gone this way. Ofc it’s important that everybody stays alive and well. But when a much looked-forward-to holiday goes down the pan, it is an incredible disappointment. Especially when you have been working hard and looking forward to it all year.

It seems to me that no one is prepared for any of this, despite warnings, despite the temperatures soaring for years - and knowing particularly pine trees are a real risk. France is covered in them.

No real strategy, indecision and dithering. Tens of thousands of tourists in their care. Additionally the mixed messaging on the news - still come on holiday and then please don’t it’s a war zone. It’s a total shambles. Even now - no clear instructions for those in the city - I feel so much for op and those caught up in this disaster. I am so sorry for the experience they are having.

The mixed messages are perhaps the tourism's department trying to salvage something of the summer season. To be honest even without the fires it's too hot for us at this time of year. Add in the smokiness never mind fleeing fire it's a disaster for France.