Aquitaine, France Area Information
From the sheer splendour of the imposing peaks of the Pyrenees in the most southerly part of the region to the well ordered fields of abundant fruit orchards and vineyards further north, the variety of landscapes impress.
Our properties can be found in four of the five 'departements' that form Aquitaine.
Dordogne
The rows of well tended vineyards typify the wine growing regions of Bergerac, one of the most southern points of the Dordogne.
The fine medieval town sits on the banks of the river, with the fascinating labyrinth of ancient stone and half timbered buildings that is its old quarter stretching out behind the quays. South of the town, country lanes wind their way to the charming village of Eymet through an attractive landscape of vineyards and fields of tobacco and strawberry, all immaculately kept, with the impressive silhouette of an occasional château completing the picture.
To the north of Bergerac, you enter the heart of the Dordogne where the green countryside overflows with historic sites. The choice is plentiful; from the prehistoric caves at Lascaux, the Renaissance town of Sarlat-la-Caneda to Brantome, known as the Venice of the Dordogne, and Perigueux with its Byzantine cathedral, Renaissance townhouses and modern day markets.
Lot-et-Garonne
A subtle change in the landscape signals the region of Lot-et-Garonne where rolling hills are clothed in the blossom of fruit trees, for this area is known as 'the orchard of France', with the renowned Pruneaux d'Agen in great abundance. Weekly markets held in towns such as Monflanquin and Villeneuve sur Lot boast stalls laden with local produce. These pretty towns, and others such as Tournon d'Agenais, and Prayssas are bastides, the new towns of the Medieval Ages. Varying slightly depending on the topography
of the land, each town has, at its heart, the main square. Surrounding the square are buildings with arcades at ground level, nowadays filled with cafes, restaurants and shops.
As you move westwards towards the sea, the gentle slopes of the Lot-et-Garonne give way to the Gironde, with its famous vineyards and châteaux of Bordeaux and eventually to the great city itself.
Les Landes
Travelling due south from Bordeaux, you enter Les Landes, or 'moors', a flat landscape that is densely forested. At its southern point is Dax, a spa town since Roman times. Its invigorating waters can still be taken today, perhaps in a more comfortable and pleasant setting. Either side of Dax is an essentially agricultural landscape of farms and typical villages.
Pyrenees-Atlantique (Le Bearn)
With the Atlantic coast to the west and the border with Spain high over mountain passes, the Pyrenees- Atlantique is a lush green area that remains unspoilt by the excesses of tourism. Our properties are to be found around the Gave d'Oloron and Gave de Pau, two tributaries of the River Adour. In bygone days, this province was called Le Bearn and even today, the locals are fiercely proud of being Bearnais.Salies-de-Bearn, the 'salt city', is full of picturesque houses and is popular with those seeking the therapeutic properties of its salt waters. Orthez is on the pilgrim route to Santiago de Compostela, and Naverrenx and Sauveterre are good starting points for exhilarating canoeing and kayaking trips on the Gave d'Oloron. Further east the Bearnais capital, Pau, is to be found, an atmospheric city with breathtaking views of beckoning mountain peaks.
The Coast
On the coast, the choice is yours: Biarritz, long associated with the 'rich and famous', manages to be both sophisticated and friendly - its fine sand family beach is backed by the splendour of the Casino. Close by the Spanish border, St Jean-de-Luz is a buzzing little town within a horseshoe bay where the beach is adjacent to the harbour. Waterskiers and windsurfers will appreciate the areas of pine backed beaches along the coast by Capbreton and Hossegor.
Fetes
Summer evening markets are popular in the villages and towns, when the main squares are filled with long communal dining tables around which food stalls provide an opportunity to taste local dishes. There are numerous local and diverse festivals
throughout the year: flamenco music (Mont-de- Marsan), salt (Salies-de-Bearn) and medieval pageants in the Dordogne are just a few to enjoy.
Cuisine
The abundance of fruit, vegetables, local meats and cheeses, found at the weekly markets bears witness to the importance of food in this region. Foie gras is the local delicacy, with confit of duck also featuring on many menus. Oysters and seafood can be found
on the coast, with inland restaurants serving locally caught river salmon and trout. When it comes to wine, you are spoilt for choice in
Aquitaine. From the world renowned red wines of Bordeaux, the soft sweet wines of Monbazillac south of Bergerac, the reds from Duras, and the dry white wines of the Jurancon near Pau, there is something to please everyone's palette.
Climate
Aquitaine enjoys a mild climate influenced by the Atlantic. July and August are the hottest months with temperatures often reaching 27°C and rain comes in the form of dramatic thunderstorms. Spring and autumn are generally mild and warm.
Getting There
Aquitaine is within a comfortable day's drive of the western Channel ports and a 12-13 hour drive from Calais, whilst an overnight ferry to Caen or St Malo will enable you to reach your accommodation by the afternoon. The region has four airports: to the north, Bordeaux and Bergerac, and to the south, Biarritz and Pau.