Aquitaine travel guide

The Aquitaine region is located in south-west France, sharing a border with Spain and encompassing part of the Pyrenees mountain range that runs along the boundary between the two countries.

Five separate areas comprise the region as a whole - the Dordogne, Lot et Garonne, Pyrenees Atlantiques, Landes and Gironde. While the Dordogne is arguably the most famous in tourism terms, each destination has a unique appeal and offers plenty of experiences for holidaymakers visiting southern France.

One of the main reasons that travellers visit Aquitaine is to sample its food and drink. The city of Bordeaux in Gironde is one of the world's most famous red wine regions, while Bergerac is also known for its wine production.

Getting there

Several companies offer ferries to France that provide the opportunity to take a scenic drive through the country to reach Aquitaine.

The most direct routes are available from the ports in the north-west. Brittany Ferries is the main provider of services to these locations, with regular ferries to Roscoff from Poole and to St Malo from Portsmouth. Travellers can also use the Portsmouth to Cherbourg ferry route provided by Brittany Ferries, while people coming from Ireland can catch ferries to Roscoff or Cherbourg from Rosslare with Irish Ferries.

Other services on offer to holidaymakers include LD Lines' ferries to Le Havre from Portsmouth and the Dover to Calais ferry route served by Seafrance and P&O Ferries.

Ferries to France timetablesThings to do

Exploring the wine country of Aquitaine is an experience not to be missed, providing a fascinating introduction to one of the region's most important industries. There are a total of 14 wine-growing areas throughout Aquitaine, which are home to more than 1,000 wineries producing some of the world's best-known brands. The main gateway to the wine region is Bordeaux, a destination that was designated a Unesco World Heritage site in 2007. Other areas that provide guided vineyard tours include Bergerac and Haute Gironde on the Gironde estuary. Adventurous visitors have the option of touring the wine-producing areas on foot, by bicycle or even on horseback.

Another way to get a taste of Aquitaine is by sampling some of the region's countless culinary specialities. Throughout the year, festivals are held to celebrate everything from truffles and oysters to strawberries and black cherries. People visiting in August will be able to head to towns around the Bay of Archacon as they pay tribute to the oyster. In September, the range of gastronomic events will include festivals dedicated to duck soup in Oloron Sainte-Marie, Basque fish stew in Saint-Jean-de-Luz and gateau Basque in Cambo-les-Bains.

After enjoying Aquitaine's food and wine offerings, holidaymakers may want to try some of the region's active pursuits. Golf fans can choose from 51 different courses in Aquitaine, many of which are located in Ilbaritz, Seignosse and Moliets. Other leisure activities on offer include canoeing along the Grande Leyre river in Landes, cycling through picturesque resorts such as Creon or fishing along the Atlantic coast.

Those who take some time to see the region's cities during their trip can visit attractions such as the Musee d'Aquitaine in Bordeaux, the beaches of Biarritz and the Chateau de Pau in the Pyrenees-Atlantique area.

Things to see

Bordeaux, one of Aquitaine's biggest cities and the regional capital, is home to several sights that holidaymakers can look out for. The destination is considered one of the first major French cities and encompasses a number of examples of grand architectural styles that characterised centuries gone by. One of the highlights is Saint-Andre Cathedral, which dates all the way back to the 11th century. At Eglise Sainte-Croix, visitors can see an example of the Romanesque architectural style, while the Grand Theatre de Bordeaux represents the neo-classical period.

Aquitaine boasts many more man-made spectacles in the form of its castles and fortresses. People with an interest in history can follow in the footsteps of France's King Henry IV at his castle in Pau or visit the fortress of La Brede to see views once enjoyed by Montesquieu, the 17th century social commentator and thinker. Another impressive vista is on offer at the citadel at Blaye. The view from this location takes in both the Garonne and Dordogne rivers as they form the estuary of the Gironde on their route towards the Atlantic.

Located an hour's drive from Bordeaux is an impressive sight that is entirely natural - the lake of Carcans-Hourtin-Maubuisson, which is the largest lake in France. Covering a total of 6,000 hectares, this body of water provides a stunning spectacle for travellers to take in and represents an important part of the Aquitaine coastline. There are many other lakes to visit in the region, such as Cazaux-Sanguinet near the Bay of Arcachon and Biscarrosse in Landes. Many of Aquitaine's lakeside areas provide facilities to try watersports including sailing and water-skiing.

Places to stay

Being the capital of Aquitaine, Bordeaux provides a range of accommodation options that can serve as an excellent base from which to explore the region. Those hoping to stick to a budget will find plenty of two-star properties in Bordeaux, such as Hotel Clemenceau and Hotel de l'Opera in the heart of the city.

The three-star Appart'hotel Victoria Garden also offers a good location on a quiet street near the city centre, while the four-star Burdigala is situated within walking distance of museums, monuments and other attractions.

Other options in the region include the two-star Kyriad Bergerac, the luxurious Chateau des Vigiers in Monestier and the three-star Best Western Continental in Pau.

Written by Andrew Smith