Ten Reasons to Visit Aquitaine, France, in 2010
1) An ideal climate year-round
Mild is the word that best sums up Aquitaine’s climate, with an average annual temperature of 55°F. From mid-July to mid-August, temperatures sometimes exceed 86°F.
2) Beautiful cities and towns (and fantastic hotels) for all seasons
Must visits: the regional capital, Bordeaux, in addition to Bayonne, Pau, Périgueux, and the coastal towns of Arcachon, Biarritz and Saint-Jean-de-Luz.
3) The largest region of fine wines in the world
Stretching over 113,000 hectares, the Bordeaux wine region constitutes the largest region of fine wines in the world, while the rest of Aquitaine also offers plenty of less-known wines to satisfy curious palates.
4) A dream region for gourmands
Asparagus from Landes, foie gras, duck fillet, duck and goose confit, Aquitaine caviar, oysters from Arcachon-Cap Ferret, Périgord walnuts and Cabécou cheese, Tomme cheese from the Pyrenees…the list goes on and on!
5) 170 miles of fine sandy beaches and the best breakers in Europe for surf lovers
An extensive beach backing onto sand dunes and pine forest; the Bay of Arcachon is the only break in the landscape. The resorts of Lacanau, Hossegor, Anglet and Biarritz are enjoyed by surfers from all over the world for their waves and the competitions they host.
6) Vast open spaces and unspoiled nature
The largest forest in Europe (the Landes de Gascogne forest), the Pyrenees national park (mountain fauna and flora), the Landes de Gascogne regional nature park (historical pine forest) and the Périgord-Limousin regional nature park (forest of European minks, otters and broadleaf trees, display of ancestral expertise).
7) The largest estuary in the world: the Gironde
Migratory fish and birds, the islands of the estuary, and the Cordouan lighthouse are just a few of the highlights.
Lascaux and the cave paintings of the Vézère Valley
Lascaux and the entire Vézère Valley (between Le Bugue and Terrasson) has been listed as a world heritage site by UNESCO for the wealth of excavations and prehistoric discoveries found there: Lascaux (paintings), Font de Gaume (paintings), and Les Combarelles (engravings).
9) The châteaux and valley of the Dordogne
From Vézac to Trémolat, fortified villages and châteaux stand at each bend and on both sides of the river, bearing witness to the fierce battles which took place between the French and the Gascons (the Gascons fought in the name of the Duke of Aquitaine who was also King of England) during the Hundred Years War.
10) A region where festivities are second nature
There is not a day that goes by where some village is not celebrating something. Festivities are a permanent feature of the Aquitaine lifestyle based on wine, gastronomy, the sea, dance, music and traditional games.
For more information (and recommendations on where to stay, visit, and eat), visit www.tourisme-aquitaine.fr
December 1, 2009
Posted in: France