The oldest iron artefact in France was found in Aquitaine. It belongs to the Middle Bronze Age. Around the Gironde estuary the end of Ha B3 did not interrupt abruptly the hoarding practices, either terrestrial or aquatic. The Bronze Age/Iron Age transition is marked by changing types of weapons (Gündlingen swords), tools (new types of socketed axes), ornaments (vase-headed pins, italic brooches) and personal equipment (bifid and single-edged razors) from dredging or as isolated finds. Stronger connections are developing with continental France and the Mediterranean. No abrupt change appears in pottery style or land occupation. A few inhumations have been reported and some barrow finds could be from the same transitional period. In south-western France, the process of hallstattization does not seem to have been impeded or delayed by any “Atlantic conservatism”.