Gironde

The Gironde department is in southwestern France, in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, along the Atlantic coast and the Gironde estuary, and its capital is Bordeaux, one of the world's most prestigious wine cities. This is France's largest wine-producing department and also home to Europe's longest sandy beach and the continent's tallest sand dune (Dune du Pilat). Its economy combines wine production, tourism, aerospace-defense industries and port activity. In recent years, with fast train service to Paris (around two hours) and notable economic growth, Bordeaux has become one of France's most attractive destinations for students and professionals, though housing costs there have risen rapidly.

Bordeaux, Mérignac, Pessac, Talence

• Université de Bordeaux - One of France's largest research universities, with multiple campuses in the south of Bordeaux.
• Université Bordeaux Montaigne - A university specializing in humanities, languages and communication; located on a university campus in Pessac.

Bordeaux is generally a safe city, but around Saint-Jean station and some peripheral areas, a greater sense of insecurity may arise, especially late at night. The city center (Hôtel de Ville, Quinconces, Victoire) and student neighborhoods around the campuses are usually lively and relatively safe. As in all major cities, caution is essential on public transport and in very crowded places.

Bordeaux's public transport system is run by the TBM network (Tram, Bus, Bat3): several tram lines, buses, and even a city ferry on the Garonne river. The tram makes it possible to get around between the city center, university campuses in Pessac/Talence and the suburbs.