Saucats-Léognan Geological Reserve (Aquitaine, France)
The European reference Miocene marine site, just south of Bordeaux. A protected geological reserve with public guided walks through Aquitanian and Burdigalian shell beds that yield small shark teeth, ray plates, and beautiful invertebrates.
Join a Reserve-led visit to the Pont-Pourquey or Lassime stratotype outcrops. Surface collecting is by permit only on designated visit days.
Réserve Naturelle Géologique de Saucats-Léognan visitor centre, ~25 km south of Bordeaux. Guided walks Apr-Oct; book ahead.
Surface collecting only with the Reserve guide and only on designated outcrops. No digging into protected sections.
- Slippery streambeds
- Brambles around outcrops
- Pair with a Bordeaux food/wine weekend — the Reserve is half-day max
- The Pont-Pourquey stratotype is the iconic stop for invertebrates
- French paleontology clubs sometimes co-host extra collection days
Shark teeth findable here
Trophy = headline find · Rare = real score · Uncommon = some trips · Common = most trips.
Also findable here
The beachcomber's bonus round — what else the geology gives up.
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