As France’s third largest region, visitors to Aquitaine can take in a variety of landscapes from the sweeping Atlantic beaches to the expansive vineyards of Bordeaux and the deep forests of Les Landes. The region covers the departments of Gironde, Les Landes, Dordogne, Lot et Garonne and Pyrenees Atlantique - offering the holidaymaker a vast choice of attractions and activities.
For many the first glimpse of the region is the great wine capital of Bordeaux, surrounded by legendery vineyards and impressive chateaux. To the south, stretching from the Gironde Estuary to Biarritz lies the Cote d’Argent - 270km of sandy beaches, tall dunes and Atlantic rollers.
Inland is the Landes forest, designated a Regional Natural Park to protect its rural beauty and the many species of flora and fauna that can be found here. Walking and horse-riding are popular past-times to get out and explore the park’s quiet countryside and sleepy farming.
The Dordogne, to the east, needs little introduction, a popular holiday haunt with many overseas visitors drawn by the picturesque bastide villages and medieval towns - Sarlat, Perigueux, La Roque Gageac, Monpazier and Bergerac are all on the must-see list. The area has a long history and there is much evidence of early settlements and Palaeolithic Man - the village of Les Eyzies and the Lascaux caves are well worth a visit.
The Lot-et-Garonne is perhaps lesser known. It’s fertile valleys and rolling countryside make this an up-and-coming destination amongst British holiday-makers.
Towards the southern end of the region, the vast beaches give way to inlets and cliffs - here you will find the seaside resorts of Biarritz and St-Jean-de-Luz, nestling before the foothills of the dramatic Pyrenees. This is Basque country with a character and language all of it’s own. The mountains shelter a number of popular spa resorts and Thalossotherapy centres such as Dax and Pau. And, of course, higher up amongst the snow-capped peaks are some of the country’s most famous ski resorts.
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