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Southwest
France in brief:
The
Atlantic coast and its hinterland
 The west coast of France is a popular tourist
region. From the mouth of the Loire as far as the Spanish border,
France's Atlantic coastline is characterised by
long expanses of sandy beaches, offshore fishing, and a broad band of
very flat land, some of it marshy. In several parts, notably around Saint Jean de Monts and les Sables d'Olonne,
the coastline is quite heavily built up with sea front development; but
in other parts, notably away from the towns, there are long sections of
unspoiled coastline. The ports of La
Rochelle and Rochefort are
very attractive, as well as being popular with yachtsmen. South of the
Gironde, the coast offers miles and miles of sandy beaches.
Inland from the coast, the southwest of France is very pleasant; the Charente
Maritime region is often called the "green Venice", on account of its
extensive network of drainage canals and waterways. This is a region
where the pace of life is slow, like the water in the rivers that flow
through it. Rowing boats can be hired in many places.
North west of Bordeaux lies the Saintonge, the home
of Cognac and the aperitif wine "Pineau". This generally flat
agricultural region is famous for its historic churches, many of which
have exquisite mediaeval carvings. South west of the historic city of Bordeaux lie "les Landes",
the largest continuously forested area in Western Europe; and of
course, in the Aquitaine
region around  Bordeaux lie miles and miles of famous vineyards,
producing a wide range of wines that include some of the best and most
expensive in the world.
Inland from Bordeaux lies the Dordogne "department", rising from the
coastal plain in the west towards the Massif Central in the east. This part of southwest France
, centered round the town of Perigueux, is famous
for its farmland and fine cuisine. Its pretty villages and towns have
long attracted holidaymakers and retirees from Britain, to such an
extent that there are now villages with their own cricket club and pub
"à l'anglaise", not to mention a range of craftsmen and artists who
have fled the hassle and the colder climate further north.
The climate on France's Atlantic coast is generally mild to warm; and
although rain cannot be excluded even in summer, the clouds often pass
over the coastal region, before breaking over the hills further inland.
► Getting to southwest France :
By road or rail:
There are direct motorway or trunk
road
connections from all the Channel ports, and rail connections (TGV) from
Paris or Lille. For driving routes to southwest France see Driving
in France
By air:
There are main airports at Bordeaux or Nantes, as well as La Rochelle,
Rochefort, Rodez and Bergerac. For details of who flies where, see Flying to France
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