Historic government building in Bordeaux, Gironde administrative center

Administration & Public Services

Essential contacts for residents and visitors: departmental services, town halls, healthcare, and emergency numbers for 2026.

Urgent Contacts

Emergency Numbers (24/7)

All Emergencies

112

European emergency number (any phone, any network)

SAMU (Medical)

15

Medical emergencies, ambulances, urgent care

Police Secours

17

Police emergencies, crimes in progress, accidents

Fire Brigade

18

Fires, rescue operations, first-response medical aid

Departmental Government

Conseil Départemental de la Gironde

The departmental council is the elected assembly governing the Gironde, responsible for social services, education, infrastructure, and local development across all 535 communes.

Departmental Responsibilities

The Conseil Départemental manages key public services that affect daily life in the Gironde.

Key Services

  • Social Services: Family support, child welfare, elderly care (EHPAD), disability services, and social housing assistance (FSL)
  • Education: Construction and maintenance of collèges (secondary schools for ages 11–15), school transport, and digital equipment for students
  • Infrastructure: Departmental roads (Routes Départementales), bridges, and rural road maintenance across the 535 communes
  • Culture & Heritage: Archives Départementales (departmental archives), library network, heritage conservation, and support for cultural events
  • Environment: Natural space protection (Espaces Naturels Sensibles), coastal preservation, and climate action initiatives
  • Economic Development: Support for agriculture, viticulture, tourism, and small business development

Contact Information

Address: Esplanade Charles-de-Gaulle, 33000 Bordeaux

Phone: 05 56 99 70 00 (Monday–Friday, 08:30–17:30)

Website: www.gironde.fr

Email: [email protected]

Opening Hours: Public reception: Monday–Friday 08:30–12:30, 13:30–17:00. Appointments recommended for complex services (book online via website).

How to Access Departmental Services

The Conseil Départemental operates Maisons Départementales de Solidarité (MDS) — local service centers across the Gironde providing social support, family assistance, and administrative guidance.

Service Centres (MDS)

There are 26 MDS locations throughout the Gironde, offering drop-in consultations, appointment-based services, and support from social workers (assistants sociaux).

Find Your Local MDS: Visit www.gironde.fr/mds and enter your commune postcode to find the nearest service center. All MDS offer:

  • Social work consultations (free, confidential)
  • Family support and childcare subsidies
  • Disability recognition (MDPH services, see below)
  • Housing assistance and financial aid applications
  • Information on elderly care services and home help

MDPH — Disability Services

The Maison Départementale des Personnes Handicapées (MDPH) is the one-stop center for disability recognition, support, and benefits in the Gironde.

Address: Esplanade Charles-de-Gaulle, 33000 Bordeaux (same building as Conseil Départemental)

Phone: 05 56 99 72 00

Services: Disability cards (CMI), financial allowances (AAH, PCH), school support (AESH), accessibility assessments, and professional integration guidance.

Appointments: Required for all in-person visits. Book online at www.mdph33.fr

Online Services

Many departmental services are accessible online via the Gironde.fr portal:

  • School transport registration and payment
  • Social aid applications (RSA, APA, PCH)
  • Road maintenance reports
  • Cultural event calendar and ticket bookings
National Government

Préfecture de la Gironde

The Préfecture represents the French national government in the Gironde, handling passports, residency permits, vehicle registration, and civil security coordination.

Prefecture Services

The Préfecture handles national administrative functions for residents and foreign nationals living in or visiting the Gironde.

Key Services

  • Immigration & Residency: Residence permits (titres de séjour) for non-EU nationals, visa extensions, asylum applications, and family reunification
  • Driving & Vehicles: Driving license exchanges (foreign licenses to French), vehicle registration (carte grise), and international driving permits
  • Passports & ID Cards: French passport applications and national ID cards (carte nationale d'identité) — processed through Mairies but overseen by the Préfecture
  • Civil Security: Emergency planning, crisis management, and coordination of police, fire, and rescue services
  • Elections: Electoral roll management, voter registration, and organization of national elections and referendums

Contact Information

Address: 2 Rue du Général Sarrail, 33000 Bordeaux

Phone: 05 56 90 70 00

Website: www.gironde.gouv.fr

Opening Hours: Monday–Friday 08:45–12:00, 13:30–16:00. Appointments mandatory for all services. No walk-ins accepted.

Booking Appointments at the Préfecture

All Prefecture services require online appointments booked in advance. Walk-ins are not accepted.

How to Book

1. Visit www.gironde.gouv.fr
2. Click "Prendre rendez-vous" (Book Appointment)
3. Select your service: residence permits, driving licenses, or vehicle registration
4. Choose an available date and time (usually 2–4 weeks in advance)
5. Receive confirmation email with appointment details and required documents

Required Documents

Residence Permits (Titre de Séjour):

  • Valid passport
  • Proof of address in Gironde (electricity bill, rental contract)
  • Passport photos (3.5 × 4.5 cm)
  • Proof of financial resources (payslips, bank statements)
  • Visa or current residence permit (if applicable)

Driving License Exchange (Non-EU):

  • Original foreign driving license
  • Official translation (sworn translator — traducteur assermenté)
  • Proof of French residency (minimum 6 months)
  • Passport and residence permit
  • Medical certificate (if required for your country)

Processing Times (2026)

Residence Permits: 2–4 months from application to card issuance. You'll receive a temporary receipt (récépissé) valid for 3–6 months while waiting.

Driving Licenses: 4–6 months. You can drive with your foreign license + translation until the French license arrives.

Vehicle Registration: Instant online processing via ANTS (see below).

ANTS — Online Administration

Many Prefecture services have moved to the national ANTS platform (Agence Nationale des Titres Sécurisés):

www.ants.gouv.fr — Complete applications online for:

  • Vehicle registration (carte grise)
  • Driving license applications (after passing French driving test)
  • Passport applications (processed through Mairies, but submitted via ANTS)

ANTS has reduced in-person Prefecture visits significantly. Check the website before booking an appointment — your service may be available online only.

Local Government

Mairies — Town Halls of the Gironde

Each of the Gironde's 535 communes has its own Mairie (town hall), handling local civil status, planning, and municipal services.

What Mairies Handle

Town halls are your first point of contact for civil status, local planning, and community services.

Key Services

  • Civil Status (État Civil): Birth certificates, marriage certificates, death certificates, family record books (livret de famille)
  • Elections: Electoral roll registration (inscription sur les listes électorales) — required to vote in French elections
  • Marriages & Civil Partnerships: Marriage ceremonies (civil weddings), PACS (civil partnership) registration
  • Passports & ID Cards: Application processing for French passports and national ID cards (submitted to Prefecture via Mairie)
  • Local Planning: Building permits (permis de construire), planning applications, land-use certificates (certificats d'urbanisme)
  • Community Services: School enrolment, municipal libraries, sports facilities, cultural events, and local associations

Major Mairies

Mairie de Bordeaux: 33000 Bordeaux | 05 56 10 00 00 | www.bordeaux.fr

Mairie d'Arcachon: 33120 Arcachon | 05 56 22 00 00 | www.arcachon.com

Mairie de Libourne: 33500 Libourne | 05 57 55 15 15 | www.libourne.fr

Mairie de Mérignac: 33700 Mérignac | 05 56 12 70 00 | www.merignac.com

Finding Your Local Mairie

Use your commune postcode or name to find the correct town hall and its opening hours.

Mairie Directory

Official Directory: service-public.fr/mairies — Enter your postcode to find contact details, opening hours, and services for any of the 535 Gironde mairies.

Gironde Mairie List: www.gironde.fr/mairies — Departmental directory with clickable map and alphabetical search.

Typical Opening Hours

Most small rural mairies operate limited hours (often Tuesday and Friday afternoons only). Larger town halls are open Monday–Friday 08:30–12:30, 13:30–17:00.

Always call ahead to confirm opening times and required documents before visiting — especially in small villages.

Online Services

Many mairies now offer online services for:

  • Requesting civil status certificates (actes d'état civil) — free, delivered by post
  • Electoral roll registration
  • Report local issues (road damage, street lighting, waste collection)
  • Book Mairie appointments (for passports, marriages, etc.)

Check your commune's website for available online services.

Useful Phrase

When calling a Mairie: "Bonjour, je voudrais prendre rendez-vous pour [service], s'il vous plaît." (Hello, I would like to book an appointment for [service], please.)

Healthcare

CHU de Bordeaux & Medical Services

The Gironde has excellent healthcare infrastructure, including one of France's largest university hospital centres and a comprehensive network of clinics, pharmacies, and emergency services.

CHU de Bordeaux — University Hospital

The Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) de Bordeaux is one of France's largest medical centres, with multiple specialist sites across the city.

Main Hospital Sites

Hôpital Pellegrin: Place Amélie Raba-Léon, 33000 Bordeaux
The largest site, offering emergency medicine, surgery, oncology, neurology, cardiology, and intensive care.

Hôpital Haut-Lévêque: Avenue de Magellan, 33604 Pessac
Specialist centre for cardiac surgery, transplantation, and high-risk pregnancies.

Hôpital Saint-André: 1 Rue Jean Burguet, 33000 Bordeaux
Historic city-centre hospital for general medicine, rheumatology, and dermatology.

Hôpital des Enfants (Children's Hospital): Place Amélie Raba-Léon, 33000 Bordeaux
Dedicated pediatric care, maternity services (including neonatal intensive care).

Emergency Services (Urgences)

Adult Emergency: Hôpital Pellegrin | 05 56 79 56 56 (24/7)
Pediatric Emergency: Hôpital des Enfants | 05 56 79 56 56 (24/7)
Cardiac Emergency: Hôpital Haut-Lévêque | 05 57 65 68 68 (24/7)

General Info: www.chu-bordeaux.fr

Visiting Emergency Services

Bring your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) if you're an EU citizen, or proof of travel/health insurance if non-EU. Emergency treatment is always provided regardless of ability to pay, but you may be billed later.

Emergency wait times: 1–6 hours depending on severity (triage system). Life-threatening cases seen immediately.

GPs, Pharmacies & Clinics

Beyond the CHU, the Gironde has a comprehensive network of general practitioners (médecins généralistes), specialists, and private clinics.

Finding a Doctor

Doctolib: www.doctolib.fr — Online booking platform for GPs, specialists, dentists, and opticians. Search by location (e.g., "Bordeaux") and book appointments instantly. English-speaking doctors available in Bordeaux.

SOS Médecins: 05 56 44 64 64 — Home visit GP service (24/7). For non-emergency illness when you can't reach your regular doctor. Fee: €70–€90 (partially reimbursed by French health insurance).

Maison Médicale de Garde: After-hours GP clinics in Bordeaux, Arcachon, and Libourne. Open weekends and public holidays when regular GP surgeries are closed. Check gironde.gouv.fr for current locations.

Pharmacies (Pharmacies)

Pharmacies are identifiable by a green cross (croix verte) and are widely available in all towns. Many pharmacists speak English and can provide basic medical advice, over-the-counter medications, and contraception.

24-Hour Pharmacy: Pharmacie de la Place de la Victoire, 1 Place de la Victoire, 33000 Bordeaux | 05 56 92 18 02

After-Hours Pharmacy Rota: Find the nearest open pharmacy on weekends/nights at www.3237.fr or call 3237 (automated service).

Dental & Eye Care

Emergency Dental: SOS Dentiste Bordeaux | 05 56 96 07 07 (evenings and weekends)
Opticians: Widely available in Bordeaux, Arcachon, and Libourne. Prescription glasses can be made in 1–2 hours at chains like Krys, Afflelou, and Grand Optical.

Health Insurance

EU Citizens: Bring your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). You'll receive the same treatment as French residents and be partially reimbursed.

Non-EU Visitors: Ensure you have comprehensive travel insurance. Healthcare is not free for non-EU nationals. GPs charge €25–€50 per consultation; emergency hospital visits can cost €100–€500+.

Additional Contacts

Other Useful Public Services

Tax & Finance

Centre des Finances Publiques (Tax Office): Handles income tax, property tax, and tax declarations.

Bordeaux Centre: 95 Rue Judaïque, 33000 Bordeaux | 05 56 99 20 20
Website: www.impots.gouv.fr (online tax declarations and payment)

French Social Security (Assurance Maladie)

CPAM Gironde (Caisse Primaire d'Assurance Maladie): Health insurance registration, reimbursements, and Carte Vitale (French health card) applications.

Phone: 3646 (automated service, French only) | 08 11 70 73 07 (English-speaking service)
Website: www.ameli.fr — Manage health insurance, book appointments, and request reimbursements online.

CAF — Family Allowances

Caisse d'Allocations Familiales (CAF): Family benefits, childcare subsidies, housing assistance (APL), and low-income support (RSA).

Phone: 3230 (automated service)
Website: www.caf.fr — Apply for benefits, update details, and track payments online.

Pôle Emploi — Unemployment Services

Pôle Emploi Bordeaux: Job search assistance, unemployment benefits, and professional training.

Phone: 3949 (Monday–Friday 09:00–17:00)
Website: www.pole-emploi.fr — Register as job seeker, upload CV, and search vacancies.

Post Office (La Poste)

Main Bordeaux Post Office: 52 Rue Georges Bonnac, 33000 Bordeaux | Open Monday–Friday 08:00–19:00, Saturday 08:00–12:30
Services: Mail, parcels, banking (La Banque Postale), bill payment, SIM cards, and money transfer.
Website: www.laposte.fr — Track parcels and find nearest post office.

Consumer Rights & Legal Aid

Direction de la Protection des Populations (Consumer Protection): File complaints about faulty products, scams, or business disputes.
Phone: 05 56 96 70 00
Legal Aid (Aide Juridictionnelle): Free legal advice for low-income residents. Contact the Maison de la Justice et du Droit in Bordeaux: 05 56 10 50 50

More Resources

Transport Networks

Buses, trams, trains, and bike-sharing across the Gironde.

Weather & Tides

Climate guide, Atlantic tide tables, and seasonal advice.

Cycling Routes

Vélodyssée Atlantic route, bike rental, and accommodation.

Discover Life in the Gironde

From administrative services to everyday living — everything you need to settle in.

Living Guide Tourism & Heritage