AQUITAINE TOURIST INFORMATION
Tourist information about the individual Aquitaine departments of Dordogne, Lot-et-Garonne, Gironde, Landes and Pyrenees Atlantiques can be found through every property details page along with tourist information about the local towns, tourist attractions and information about events happening in Aquitaine.
AQUITAINE TOURISM
Aquitaine : land of water. With the longest beach in Europe, a multitude of healing hot springs, dozens of inland rivers and a string of large lakes, it is no surprise how this region got it name. But although many visitors are attracted to the area for its waters surfing, swimming, water sports, therapeutic healing, boating or simply lazing on the beach - it is actually a myriad of different landscapes.
Covering the whole of the south west corner of France, Aquitaine is the country's third largest region and takes in such well-known places as Gascony (dubbed France's answer to Tuscany), the Dordogne, Béarn, Basque Country and the western side of the Pyrénées.
With swathes of vineyards Bordeaux is the largest fine wine producing area in the world it is also a Mecca for true wine connoisseurs. Because of its natural irrigation system, much of the land is lush and green with pine forests, agricultural land and hundreds of miles of rolling countryside. The Lot-et-Garonne, an up-and-coming destination with British holiday-makers and second home buyers, is renowned for its temperate climate and fertile valleys.
Sitting on 270km of Atlantic coastline, the region's western edge consists of one long expanse of sandy beach stretching as far as the eye can see. Known as the Côte d'Argent (silver coast), it is a source of joy not only to swimmers but also to surfers. Its high, rolling breakers make it one of the best surfing spots in Europe.
If you consider upright surfing to be too risky, however, you can always try a body board. The largest natural dune in Europe, the Dune de Pyla, is found here and attracts thousands of hang gliders as well as sand boarders. At 3km long and 100m high, it is a slippery uphill climb, but the views at the top of the dune are worth it. The white, powdery sands of the Bay of Biscay and dense pine foliage of the Landes Forest spread out like a multi-textured tapestry below.
This forest, designated a regional natural park, is a treasure trove of flora and fauna, including more than 270 species of migratory birds in the Teich Bird Reserve. For outdoor types, the park's numerous quiet, scenic roads and sleepy farming villages can be explored by bike, horse or on foot. A leisurely cycle among the sun drenched pines is an unforgettable experience. There are 500km of cycle tracks stretching from the mouth of the river Garonne to the Spanish border, most of them far from the traffic of the roads.
Try the local, famous specialities of 'foie gras' (goose or duck liver pate) and truffles. The region is also noted for its rich goose and duck dishes such as 'confit d'oie' (goose conserve) and 'magret de canard' (duck breast). Further south, the Bassin d'Arcachon is the only one of a series of ten lakes close to the coast that opens out to the Atlantic. It is also a centre for oyster farming. Lined with typical 14th century seaside villas and small fishing ports, it is the perfect place to sample some of the basin's bountiful wares. Live oysters seasoned with lemon juice and washed down with a glass of chilled white wine, is one local custom not to be missed.
For committed fans of these slippery molluscs, visit the Maison de l'Huître ( Oyster Museum) in the small town of Gujan Mestras. Throughout July and August, there are also oyster fetes in most of the local towns and villages. Who was it who said “It was a brave man who first tasted an Oyster?
Few visitors to this coin de France fail to stumble sooner or later into France's capital of fine wines, Bordeaux. Bordeaux has over 3000 wine 'châteaux' and is a haven for touring wine tatsters. Most are open to visitors all year round although some are closed during the annual grape harvest in October.
An excellent place to kick off any wine tour is La Maison du Vin, a focus of homage to all things grape-derived and alcoholic. In June, a bi-annual wine fête takes over the town and the quays of the Garonne river. As well as its famous appellations, the city is also a magnificent example of 18th century grandeur with ancient quarters, wide avenues and numerous historical monuments, such as the elegant Grand Théatre (Bordeaux Opera House). It also has a vibrant nightlife and a lively university community of around 60,000 students. A great place for the young and young at heart to visit.
Throughout the region, the imposing outline of 'bastides' are a reminder of the royal battles between France and England. These fortified villages, surrounded by ramparts, were often built on cliff tops, of which Monpazier is a fine example. One of the most charming ways to see the area is from the watery perspective of a houseboat or barge. These can be hired on many of the waterways in the area including the famous Garonne river and its lateral canal linking the Mediterranean canal and river system with the Atlantic.
Sarlat, a picturesque town in the Dordogne, is one of France's best preserved examples of Medieval architecture. Particularly worth a visit are the Château de Purmartin, where you can even spend the night in one of its two guest rooms, the Jardins du Manoir d'Eyignac, considered to be one of the most beautiful gardens in France, and the hilltop Chateau de Temniac.
Towards the southern end of the region, beaches give way to a steep coast full of inlets and cliffs, with the silhouette of the Pyrénées as a backdrop. This is Basque country, where seaside resorts sport traditional white houses with red or green shutters and fishing harbours bustle with brightly coloured boats.
Spa resorts and Thalossotherapy (water therapy) centres pepper the foothills of the Pyrénées. Reputed to be able to cure rheumatism, back ailments and circulatory problems, there are even Thalossotherapy centres which claim to be able to eradicate tobacco-dependency, stress and excess weight.
The town of Dax is renowned for the health-giving effects of its warm spa waters and its warm mud baths. The most famous of these is a warm water fountain known as the Fountain of Nehe, where the Romans came to recover their health and relax. With a discharge of 2600m3 of spring water at 63-degrees, it is the largest source of hot spring water in France.
Nothing, however, heals the soul quite as effectively as a view over the Pyrénées, a towering mass of misty blue peaks and lush green foothills. The Pyrénées National Park is one gigantic mass of waterfalls, huge forests and high mountain lakes and of course some of the world's most famous skiing resorts. To be among the slopes dividing France and Spain is one of the most humbling experiences in the world.
