AQUITAINE REGIONAL GUIDE

View Aquitaine Holiday Properties

Aquitaine is a region blessed with a gloriously sunny climate and a sumptuous landscape of vast forests, snow-capped peaks, vineyards and rolling sand dunes.

The dramatic Atlantic coastline beckons, with sandy beaches and chic resorts like Biarritz.

Inland you’ll find handsome castles and bastide towns, along with the classic wineries of Bordeaux – the world’s top wine producing region.

Admire the breathtaking beauty of the ever popular Dordogne. There’s much to enjoy, from tranquil villages and rivers meandering through miles of unspoilt countryside, to the pre-historic caves of Lascaux.

AQUITAINE PLACES OF INTEREST

Biarritz

A fishing village made fashionable by Napoleon III, Queen Victoria and other European royalty in the nineteenth century, Biarritz is now a trendsetting spot for young and stylish surfers, about half an hour from the Spanish border. Enjoy great beaches - fashionable sunbathing on the Grande Plage and pounding Atlantic breakers on Plage de la Cote des Basques. Visit designer shops, fine restaurants and lively cafes. Take a cliff top promenade. Admire the art deco Casino and Museum of Chocolate. Find relaxing thalassotherapy at Les Thermes Marins.

Perigueux

Founded by the Romans, Vesunna (Perigueux) has been the centre of the Dordogne region for over 2,000 years and makes an ideal touring base for the chateaux and lakes of the Perigord Blanc. Take in views of the old town and ruined amphitheatre from Tour Mataguerre and Cathedrale St-Front, said to have been the inspiration for the Sacre-Coeur in Paris. The tiny squares and narrow streets come alive on market days. Look for winter foie gras and truffle sales.

Montignac and Lascaux Caves

The story goes that in 1940 four boys looking for their dog fell into the cavern which became world famous as a gallery of unmatched pre-historic animal paintings going back 17,000 years. Known as the pre-historic ‘Sistine Chapel’, Lascaux is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. But the 150 fantastic black, red and ochre paintings can no longer be visited, to protect them. Today, faithful replicas, along with 1,500 reproduction engravings, made with identical tools and pigments, are displayed in magical Lascaux II just 2km south of Montignac. Discover other pre-historic sites in the Vezere Valley and enjoy Montignac’s arts festival in July.

Corduan Lighthouse

France’s oldest lighthouse built in 1584, this beautiful listed building, which once contained its own royal apartments and chapel, is believed to be the oldest functioning lighthouse in existence. Out at sea, guarding the mouth of the Gironde estuary, visit by boat from Royan April to September.

Bastide Towns

Built in South West France during the Middle Ages, notably between the Dordogne and Garonne Rivers, these fortified settlements on strategic hilltop sites were created to protect the rural population during the Hundred Years War. English and French both created these ‘new towns’ to a grid plan around a central market square, with land and privileges given to locals prepared to live in and defend them. Two of the best preserved at wonderfully scenic locations are at Monpazier and Monflanquin.

AQUITAINE GEOGRAPHY AND NATURAL BEAUTY

The Dordogne

With over 2,000 hours of sunshine and temperate climate, the natural beauty of the Dordogne (Perigord) is pleasing whatever the season. The landscape varies enormously from the white chalk bluffs and limestone plateau of the Perigord Blanc to a land of evergreen oaks and enclosed valleys of the Rrivers Dordogne and Vezere in Perigord Noir. Villages such as La Roque and the walled Bastide town of Domme are amongst the most beautiful in France. In Perigord Pourpre, the wide fertile plains support agriculture and vineyards. Follow the ‘route des vins’ through Bergerac, Mobazillac and along the Dordogne River. Perigord Vert in the north has high hills and lush green valleys. Walking, watersports and fishing are available in the protected Perigord-Limousin Regional Park, and the Romanesque churches and Renaissance chateaux around Riberac display Dordogne’s rich cultural heritage.

Vezere Valley

Sometimes called the ‘Valley of Man’, the Vezere Valley contains evidence of 200 pre-historic settlements. This World Heritage Site is home to troglodyte dwellings carved into the soft limestone cliffs at La Roque St Christophe. Discover wonders underground in caves displaying drawings of hunting scenes, horses, mammoths and rhinoceroses, along with magical symbols. Caves such as Ruffiac are open to the public. Find out more at the Musee National de Prehistoire in Les Eyzies-de-Tayac, and small village museums of local finds. The beautiful Vezere River is ideal for canoeing and kayaking in the summer months when it’s shallow and slow flowing. Hire equipment, including lifejackets at places such as ‘Canoe-Kayak’ in Montignac.

Dune du Pilat

The highest sand dune in Europe rises over 100m, 12km south of Arcachon. Steep as a ski jump, climb to the top using steps or the wall of sand for fantastic views over the Atlantic, Arcachon Bay and forests of the Landes. The 2,700m long sand mountain has grown from 35m high since the mid nineteenth century and is constantly re-sculpted by wind and tide. A favourite with sand-boarders and paragliders, Dune du Pilat attracts a million visitors a year.

AQUITAINE CUISINE AND WINE

The ingredients for fine food and wine are all to be found in Aquitaine. Bordeaux is a major producing area for both expensive and everyday wines and the coast delivers great seafood, including 90% of France’s mussels from the Bay of Arcachon.

Duck and goose appear in gourmet dishes, and goose fat is used a great deal. Truffles from the Dordogne and foie gras from the Landes add fine flavours.

Try ‘Entrecote Marchand de Vin’ (rib steak in a rich gravy from Bordeaux wine), Bayonne salt cured ham, and tender Pauillac lamb marinated in red wine and herbs. Golden free-range Landes chicken is maize fed and ‘Poulet Basque’ (chicken stew with tomatoes, onions, white wine and peppers) is popular in Pyrenees Atlantique.

The region is a major producer of apricots, plums, melons, apples and peaches, walnuts and wild mushrooms (cepes). Those with a sweet tooth should end their meal with a ‘canele’ or two - a small French pastry from the Bordeaux area, with a soft custard centre and caramelised crust.

AQUITAINE ACTIVITIES AND BEACHES

Wine-tasting

Make for the Bordeaux wine festival from 26-29 July 2008. The 12 hectare site in the centre of the world’s largest quality wine district offers thousands of French and foreign wine lovers the opportunity to taste a wide selection of wines from the Aquitaine region. Prefer to tour the vineyards? - visit the Bordeaux ‘Maison de Vins’ for information on estates which are open to the public (some even offer meals) to sample such classics as St Emilion, Graves, Medoc and Margaux. Further afield, don’t forget the Bergerac and Monbazillac wines of the Dordogne, red and rose Vins d’Irouleguy from the Basque country and golden Armagnac brandy of the Landes.

Richard the Lionheart Route

When English king Richard the Lionheart, who inherited his lands in Aquitaine from his mother Eleanor, set off on a crusade with the French king, some local lords fortified against his return. His sign-posted ‘route’ through unspoilt countryside in parts of Poitou Charentes, Limousin and the Dordogne marks his various travels and battles between these fortified castles and towns. Some castles are open to the public such as the fairytale turreted Chateau de Jumilhac le Grand. Richard was fatally wounded besieging the Chateau de Chalus-Chabrol and died in 1199 from his infected wound.

Outdoor Pursuits, Perigord/Limousin Regional Nature Park

Discover a range of walking, horse riding and cycling trails through this unspoilt rural area. There are lakes for fishing and swimming and the Park also organises activities for young families such as bird-watching, and workshops on chestnuts and apples. Ask at local tourist offices for programmes. Within the area, traditional arts and crafts have been revitalised. Watch ‘feuillardiers’ (chestnut woodworkers) now making modern garden furniture.

Surfing, Atlantic Coast

A paradise of Atlantic rollers continually break on the sandy Cote d’Argent stretching over 200km south from the Gironde estuary to Biarritz and the beaches beyond. This longest continuous stretch of beach in Europe is also its surfing capital. Choose from a host of resorts from Hourtin to Hendaye. World-Pro surfing events are held at Lacanau, Hossegor and Biarritz which also have great surf schools and shops, as do Biscarosse, Capbreton, Anglet and many others. Wonderful surfing at any time of year, autumn sees the best swells.

AQUITAINE CULTURE AND EVENTS

Marsac - La Felibree

Festival celebrating Dordogne’s history, and the Occitaine language (langue d’Oc) and culture. Held annually in a different village in the Dordogne. Takes place at the Exhibition Park in Marsac from 4^th - 6^th July 2008.

Hendaye - Basque Strongman Show

See feats of strength and endurance similar to Scotland’s highland games at ‘La Force Basque’ in August 2008. Various competitions take place such as stone-lifting and tug-of-war at various venues where you’ll be welcomed by the rugged, hospitable Basque participants.

Libourne - Fest’Art

Held annually in August. Companies of clowns and jugglers, actors and acrobats, musicians and dancers from across the world perform in this huge street art festival. Various venues such as city parks and squares - many free.