Lying just off the town of Paulliac, the Île de Patiras is an oblong island—roughly four kilometers long and one wide—with a handsome restored lighthouse that was built under Napoléon III. Sailing past this former quarantine site affords a close-up view of the sea grasses and marshlands that make the Gironde a fertile bird paradise. Concerts take place at the restaurant and outdoor event space next to the lighthouse—you may want to reserve a table at lunch when you plan a return visit.
