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Aquitaine
The region of Aquitaine lies in the southwest of France and is made up of five départements (counties): Dordogne, Gironde, Landes, Lot-et-Garonne, Pyrénées-Atlantique.
The principal city is : Bordeaux with many other cities ideal for city breaks: Périgueux, Bergerac, Agen, Pau, Bayonne, Dax, Mont-de-Marsan, Biarritz...
On it's southwestern coast Aquitaine meets the Atlantic Ocean, to the south it borders the Pyrenees mountain range and beyond lies Spain.
The landscape is varied with golden beaches along the coastline while the interior boasts an abundance of mountains, rivers and historic chateaux.
The climate varies from the coolness of the mountain regions to the warm Summers of the lowlands where the warm temperatures can last well into November.
The capital of the region is Bordeaux, famous for its vineyards, which produce some of the finest and most famous wines in the world. Bordeux is situated in the northwest of region on the coast and sits on a bend of the Garonne river. The town is also an important and vibrant port.
Owing to it's vibrant climate the region is very popular with British expats. This is particualrly true of the Dordogne region which is often referred to as Dordogneshire or Little Britain.
For further information, please visit the official for tourisme in Aquitaine at http://www.tourisme-aquitaine.fr/en/
We thank them for their collaboration. |
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The Caves of Lascaux Aquitaine
The caves of Lascaux were discovered by a group of teenagers out walking their dog in 1940. They are one the world's finest examples of prehistoric cave dwellings and their walls are adorned with colourful artworks painted by early man.
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Bordeaux Aquitaine
Bordeaux is famous for it's wine production but that's no the only business to have left it's mark on the city. Nicknamed the 'Port de la Lune' (Port of the Moon) due to the enormous curve of the river in the city centre the port of Bordeaux has always been very active.
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The Great Dune of Pilat Aquitaine - Europe's highest dune
The natural phenomenan that is the Dune du Pyla or 'Dune du Pilat' is the largest natural sand dune in the world and sits 60km from Bordeaux in the South of the Arcachon Bay.
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Gastronomic delights...in Aquitaine
A brief ABC to Aquitaine specialities : Agen Melon, Agen prune, Asparagus, Bayonne ham, Bazas beef, Cannelé, Foie Gras, Truffle...etc
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Walking in Aquitaine
The GR10 - a path of legend. It leads from the beach in Hendaye to the shores of the Mediterranean via the Pyrénées: 385 km as the bird flies...
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Golf in Aquitaine
It was in Pau that golf first saw the light of day in France, in 1856. Since that date, people from Aquitaine have been golf-crazy to such an extent that there are now 50 courses in the region.
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Drink in Aquitaine
In Aquitaine, the vine has always taken pride of place. Chateaux have been built, hills and forest cleared, and thousands of techniques and instruments invented, all in the name of wine. The sun and the quality of the land have done the rest. From the Bordeaux region to the slopes leading down to the Baise River, from Bergerac to the hills of Irouléguy, those who love wine, enjoy meeting people and admiring beautiful landscapes will be in their element!
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Horse Riding in Aquitaine
Aquitaine is a dream for those who practice all sorts of equestrian activities or wish to include riding among other activities during their holidays.
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Cycling in Aquitaine
A gentle ride to take in the beauty of the landscape or the town, long-distance trips through the mountains for fresh air and fun, cross-country exploits and downhill thrills...Aquitaine caters for each and every taste.
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Watersports in Aquitaine
Surfing culture draws its inspiration from the models of Polynesia, California and Australia. But in the Aquitaine region it was quick to develop its own style, to establish its own founding heroes and create its own competitions and schools...
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Boating in Aquitaine
For centuries, the region's waterways were used for transporting wines, salt, oil, flour, spices, lace and a whole host of other goods. Today, they offer an original way of travelling, a gentler way of getting around and that marvellous sensation of seeing towns and villages from a most original angle, almost catching them by surprise.
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Wide Open Spaces Aquitaine
The forces of water, sand and plant-life...the combat between these three elements over the last 15,000 years or so has shaped the face of the Aquitaine coast as it is today with a beach two hundred and fifty kilomertres long, the Europe's largest forest and the Arcachon Bay.
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The pilgrim's routes to Compostela
A spiritual quest as well as a great adventure since the Middle Ages, the roads to Compostela continue to fascinate many today. On the 6 routes that cross the Aquitaine region converging on the Pyrenees, you will meet walkers from all over the world, believers and atheists alike, those in search of beauty and those who prefer a physical challenge.
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History in Aquitaine
In Périgord, castles were rarely built with pleasure in mind. Just visit Beynac, Bourdeilles, Mareuil, Biron or Lanquais and you will see for yourself : the defensive quality of each site is most impressive. Built in the 12th and 13th centuries, these castles resisted the last great invasions and the countless battles of the Hundred Years War.
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Heritage in Aquitaine
Lazing on the banks of the rivers, clinging to cliff faces or nestling under the eaves of forests, our villages are the expression of the age-old love of the Aquitains for life and all the delights it offers.
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Outdoor activities in Aquitaine
Aquitaine is a paradise for those in search of excitement. If sheer rock faces are what you are looking for, there are many magnificient climbing routes to be discovered. If it is whitewater you thirst for, head for the Pyrenean streams with their ideal spots for rafting, canyoning and kayak. If it is a sensation of freedom you are after, then there are always hang-gliding and kite surfing.
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The Ocean and Estuary in Aquitaine
The Ocean and Estuary in Aquitaine : Cordouan Lighthouse and Blaye Citadel.
These are two jewels in the crown of Aquitaine heritage. The first, anchored to a rock in the waters of the Atlantic by the Gironde Estuary and with its light set 67.5 metres high, has been guiding boats since 1584 and standing opposite the Médoc and the Ile Paté, the rock of Blaye has been a crucial strategic site since Roman times.
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400,000 years of human presence
In the Dordogne, there are fifteen or so sites along the length of the Vézere Valley bearing testimony to the life of the tribes of hunters who lived there 400,000 years ago!
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Bastide Towns in Aquitaine
With their imposing stone gateways, their latticework of streets, their covered market-places and their squares lined with houses set behind archways, you could hardly miss them ! These 'bastides', or walled towns, were built between the 13th and 14th centuries and were created by feudal lords and men of the church, always following the same model.
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National and Regional Parks - Aquitaine
Aquitaine also has various National and Regional Parks such as The Pyrénées National Park, The Landes de Gascogne Regional Park, The Périgord-Limousin Regional Park.
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A world of water - Aquitaine
From the flat, sandy plains and pine forests of the Landes to the beautiful lagoon of the Bassin d’Arcachon... Aquitaine is immensely diverse. The valley of the Dordogne provides a sharp contrast...ideal for canoeing, kayaking, fishing, horse riding and cycling.
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Not to be missed in Aquitaine
If you had to define this land by one word, il would be 'generous'. A generosity that can be seen in its variety of landscapes with hills, valleys, sandy moors and a coast that is almost wild. The Bordeaux vineyards, the Basque Country, the plateaux of Périgord...
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Arblaster & Clarke Wine Tours Wine & City
Superb value short wine breaks to Lyons, Bordeaux and Chablis
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Inntravel Walking Holidays
Inntravel offer a broad range of independent, self-guided walking holidays throughout France.
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Erna Low - Body and Soul
Spa and healthy holidays in thalassotherapy and spa centres throughout France. Holidays tailor-made for any duration from a few days to a few weeks
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European Waterways
Six nights of pampered luxury with gourmet meals; fine wines; daily excursions to vineyards, chateaux and markets and daily gentle cruising. Cabins are ensuite and air-conditioned.
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The widest choice in the Aquitaine with Pierre & Vacances
Pierre & Vacances. No 1 for the Atlantic Coast Beach apartments with pools to family holiday resorts.
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Corporate Wine Tours
Grape Escapes is the specialist corporate wine tour operator, to the main French wine regions.
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More Holiday Options ...
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