Fires in Gironde: despite the fires, tourists try to enjoy their holidays

Chloé Lagadou (in Saint-Symphorien), edited by Ophélie Artaud 07:08, August 12, 2022

According to the latest report, 7,400 hectares have been destroyed in Gironde and in the Landes, and the flames continue to progress on the spot.

Despite the proximity to the largest fire in the country, tourists try to enjoy their holidays, especially in the town of Saint-Symphorien, located just six kilometers from these fires.

Under an opaque sky, with a smell of smoke, Lucie and her two daughters are just starting their vacation with some concern for the youngest.

"It's very distressing for my children"

“On the way to come, it was very impressive to pass through the forests, to smell the smell, to see all these burnt trees, and to know that it is still burning not very far away. It is quite distressing for my children. As soon as they hear the firefighters, they are afraid that we will be evacuated. But hey, we take advantage of every moment", smiles despite everything the mother of the family.

>> Find all the editorial newspapers of Europe 1 in replay and podcast here

Enjoying the holidays is what Yann intends to do.

Sitting at the edge of the campsite's swimming pool, the sixteen-year-old feels safe from the flames.

"We are on vacation, so we don't tell ourselves that there is a fire next door. Because when we look around us, there are not necessarily things that show it to us, apart from the big clouds of smoke, the smell of burning. But it's true that it doesn't necessarily affect us," he explains.

And if the fires were to spread, for Clara, who came from Marseille, the decision is made.

"We have the car. So yes, for sure if everything starts to catch fire, we're not going to stay here."

But holidaymakers hope for only one thing: to be able to enjoy the Girondin sun for as long as possible.

Nevertheless.