Aquitaine is
one of the great historic regions of France; it is also one of the
largest and most varied regions of France, stretching from the
foothills of the Massif Central in the north, to the Spanish border in
the south, a distance of over 300 km. In the Middle Ages, Aquitaine was
allied with the Plantagenet kings of England, and the region has many
historic connections with the British Isles, notably through the wine
trade.
On account of its size, Aquitaine is a
very varied region; the northwest part of Aquitaine, comprising the
departments of the
Dordogne
(24) and the
Lot et Garonne (47)
is made up of gentle hill country, with large areas of vineyards in the
lower lying areas, and woodland and mixed farming in the hillier north
east. The Dordogne area is famous for its rurality, its gentle valleys
and villages, which seem to outsiders to be lost in time, and have
become very popular with second-home buyers from the UK and the
Netherlands in particular. The area is also famous as one of the oldest
centres of known human habitation in Europe, and many prehistoric sites
can be found round the area of Lascaux (remarkable caves, a UNESCO
world heritage site) and Les Eyzies. Within France, the Dordogne
department is more famous for its gastronomic specialities, truffles,
foie-gras, walnuts and other mouth-watering delicacies, and is often
rerferred to as "le Périgord", the area around the departmental capital
of
Périgueux.
The
middle band of the region, following the line of the Gironde estuary,
is low-lying land, and one of the most famous wine-producing areas in
France.
Bordeaux,
regional capital and capital of the
Gironde
(33) department, is a magnificent city lying at the lowest
bridging point on the Garonne river. it is one of France's great
seaports, and its historic wealth is reflected in the many fine
buildings of the old city, such as the unique eighteenth-century
theatre. North of Bordeaux, to the west of the Gironde estuary, lies
the area of Médoc, the most prestigious of the regions wine-producing
areas; other famous vineyard areas can be found all round Bordeaux, and
notably along the valley of the Garonne and its tributaries. The area
around the small historic city of
St.
Emilion is another famous vineyard area. Further
inland, the area between Marmande and Agen supports a busy fruit and
vegetable industry. On the coast, the resort of
Arcachon is very
popular, on account of its sheltered anchorage, favoured by yachtsmen,
and the proximity of the Dune du Pilat, the highest sand dune in Europe.
The
southern part of Aquitaine is made up of two distinct areas, the
departments of les Landes (40) and the Pyrénées Atlantiques
(64).
Les Landes is
the most heavily forested area of Europe; a low lying area with sandy
soil, almost the whole department is covered with pine forests
interspersed with small areas of heath and farmland. The forests are
popular with nature lovers, ramblers and hunters, and support a major
timber industry. Outside the few towns and seaside resorts, the
department of les Landes is one of the least densely populated areas of
France. It is also a department where almost a quarter of all dwellings
are second homes. The coastline of les Landes is a long almost unbroken
stretch of sandy beach, much of it virtually empty.
The
department of
Pyrénées
Atlantiques (64) is essentially composed of the former
province of Bearn and the Basque country. It is a very attractive
department, offering everything from Atlantic surf on the
beaches around
St Jean
de Luz and
Biarritz,
to good skiing on the slopes high up in the Pyrenees. The foothills of
the Pyrenees are a delightful area, benefiting from a very mild
climate, and sufficient rainfall to remain green and luscious through
many months of the year.
Pau,
the departmental capital, is an elegant city that was very popular with
the British in the nineteenth century as a thermal resort, and even
boasted at one time an English hunt, complete with hounds and redcoats.
Access:
by
TGV from Paris
Gare Montparnasse, or from Lille; train from Toulouse or
Marseille. By motorway from the Channel ports via
Rouen and
Tours, or from Paris. By
air to airports at Bordeaux, Bergerac, Pau and Biarritz - or
(peripheral) Toulouse.
Main
tourist attractions and
sites in Aquitaine
Vineyard at St. Emilion - photo Wolfiewolf
Sand dunes above the bay of
Arcachon
Photos:
licence CC
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Gironde
- Garonne area:
- Bordeaux :
regional capital, a UNESCO world heritage site; remarkable 18th century
and earlier architecture, including the theatre, bridge over the
Garonne, and other buildings. Riverside, streets and markets.
- St
Emilion: small wine-making city with narrow streets and
unique underground 'monolithic' church.
- The Aquitaine vineyards; the
chateaux of the Bordeaux, Médoc and St Emilion vineyards.
- The Canal du Midi (UNESCO
world heritage site) Europe's oldest canal, linking Atlantic and
Mediterranean.
North
east of the Garonne:
- Dordogne:
river valley , small villages and towns, prehistoric sites.
- Lascaux:
UNESCO world heritage site : Remarkable
prehistoric caves with paintings. Reconstruction.
- Perigueux:
capital of gastronomy, St Front Cathedral, old streets and buildings.
- Sarlat;
one of the most attractive small towns in France.
South
west of the Garonne:
- Arcachon:
popular Atlantic coast resort, with marina and beaches.
- Atlantic
coast: many long sandy beaches, stretching over 100 km
from Bayonne to the Gironde
- Basque country:
where the Pyrenees meet the Ocean - bracken covered hills, and villages
in the distinct Basque style
- Béarn:
area in the foothills of the Pyrenees
- Biarritz:
popular seaside resort near the Spanish border.
- Dune
du Pilat, highest sand dune in Europe, near Arcachon.
- Les
Landes: largest forested area in Europe, pine forests and
heath. Hiking, natural environment.
- Pau:
elegant city near the Pyrenees.
- Pic
du Midi d'Ossau, 2884m, highest point in western Pyrenees.
Skiing, hiking.
- Pyrenees:
high mountains on the Spanish border, hiking, climbing, winter sports,
scenery.
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