 The Gironde is approximately long and 3–12 km (2–7 miles) wide and the French "département" Gironde is named after it.The Gironde is subject to very strong tidal currents and great care is needed when navigating the estuary by any size or type of boat.Since 2015, the Gironde estuary has been part of the Gironde estuary and Pertuis sea Marine Nature Park.