Nouvelle Aquitaine
The largest region in France. The region benefits from nearly 720 kilometers of shoreline, from the Charente archipelago in the north (Ré, d’Oléron, Aix et Madame islands) to the Basque coastline in the south.
The region of Nouvelle-Aquitaine is where the vines meet the ocean. If you are a wine lover, be sure to visit La Cité du Vin in Bordeaux and make a wine-tasting detour into the vineyards surrounding Bordeaux, Cognac and of course the beautiful town of St Emilion.
With 250 kilometers of beaches, historic towns, châteaux, and vineyards, the list of Nouvelle-Aquitaine tourist attractions is long, and with something for everyone.
Bordeaux is one of the most beautiful cities in France, famous for the wine regions surrounding it. Bordeaux’s historic center is listed as UNESCO World Heritage, and it is populated with beautiful 18th-century private mansions. These elegant buildings reflect the city’s wealth when it was the busiest port in France. The Port of Bordeaux was trading in goods from all over the world in addition to wine.
When you visit Bordeaux, you really need to take a wine tour and sample some of the best French wines in the region. A good starting point to learn about Bordeaux wines and wine in general is La Cité du Vin, a fascinating museum set in a futuristic building full of interactive and fun exhibits.
Saint-Émilion is one of the prettiest medieval towns in France, listed UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999. It is also a great place to explore wine tourism in the Bordeaux region by joining a wine tour with tastings in one of its many wine states.
Other fabulous things to do in Saint-Emilion include dining outside in one of the town squares, shopping for cheese and wine in the town shops, or simply exploring the village and its architectural heritage on foot. Saint-Emilion proposes a free walking tour to learn about the town’s amazing history and what makes this World Heritage Site so special.
Climb the Dune du Pilat
Europe’s largest sand dune, and it can be found hugging the Atlantic coast in Western France. It’s an impressive sight, spanning around 3 km in length, 600 m in width, and a lofty 100 or so meters high.
Climb Europe’s highest sand dune to appreciate the nature on offer in the Arcachon Basin, with panoramic views of Landes Forest and more. Adventure seekers may want to book in for a paraglide over the dune to see it from above, the soaring winds are perfect for paragliding. Families can take advantage of the campsites on-site to extend their stay.
The old Bordeaux submarine base converted into a huge art center: Bassins des Lumieres (Basin of Lights). ginormous submarine bunkers, with 15ft reinforced concrete walls left over from World War II. Choose between a spectacular 3D full immersion into the Mediterranean as seen by the great French Impressionists during the day or paintings by Gustav Klimt at night. world's largest digital Arts Center. The space is magical. It mixes concrete, grandeur, water and reflections. A Top-Rated Exhibit, nothing quite like it.
Shop along Rue Sainte-Catherine
It’s a shopaholic’s dream: the longest pedestrian street in France at nearly a mile long and lined with stores on both sides. The big French brand names and fashion chains are clustered on the north end, gradually evolving into the cheap, quirky and cheerful shopping on the south end. It’s a mad house during the February and July sales — stands of goods at near giveaway prices are set up all along the street. Bars and restaurants along the way provide fuel when you need sustenance.
Stay at one of our properties in the Charente; Blanzay Stone Villa or Robin's Nest.
