Nouvelle-Aquitaine is the largest region in France, born from the reorganization
of these regions in 2016. It extends over more than 86,000 square kilometers and
includes a total of 12 departments including Gironde, Landes and Pyrénées-Atlantiques.
. Obviously, visiting New Aquitaine cannot be done in a single trip, you will probably
have to return several times, or stay there for a short while. Indeed, each of its
departments has its own identity and its specialties, whether cultural, historical or
even gastronomic. From Poitiers to Pau, via Bordeaux and Limoges, New Aquitaine never
ceases to surprise with its wealth and its famous places to absolutely visit. So, are you
ready to discover your country?
1. Visit New Aquitaine around wine
Saint-Emilion
A short distance east of Bordeaux is Saint-Émilion, which you surely know
for the reputation of the wines produced there. Why, then, not take the opportunity
to visit a vineyard in the region? Indeed, it would be a shame to miss the opportunity
to discover this aspect of New Aquitaine.
The Bordeaux Wine Route
For those who want to go even further, discover the Bordeaux Wine Route. An itinerary
designed to delight aspiring or amateur oenologists. Then take a tour of the best vineyards
in Girondes, ready to share their secrets and know-how with you.
The City of Wine in Bordeaux
A futuristic building in the city of Bordeaux inaugurated in 2016, the Cité du Vin is a perfect
museum for discovering wine culture. A dedicated center, it is also a unique place of its kind.
He will introduce you to wine in its entirety, throughout the world and since its birth.
A veritable gold mine of information for amateurs.
Not far from Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne, the Limousine Riviera,
this small, perfectly preserved medieval village is a real pearl.
This is Collonges-la-Rouge. Did you know that it owes its name to
the red sandstone that makes up the walls of the buildings? Come get
lost in its narrow streets and discover the history of this atypical place.
The Pic du Midi d’Ossau, located in the heart of the Pyrenees National Park,
stands solitary and majestic at an altitude of 2884m. Symbol of the Ossau Valley
and emblem of Béarn, this ancient volcano attracts hiking and climbing enthusiasts.
Among the routes, the Tour de l'Ossau, famous for its 15 km and 1,200 m elevation gain,
offers a complete exploration of the peak, crossing wild and preserved valleys.
Despite its relative accessibility, the summit requires experience and caution, especially
in bad weather conditions. Support from a professional is strongly recommended. Once at
summit, hikers are rewarded with a 360° panoramic view, offering a breathtaking spectacle of
the Pyrenees.
4. A surf session in Biarritz

With 720 kilometers of coastline, we might as well tell you that there is no shortage
of surf spots in New Aquitaine. So indulge in this very fashionable practice but which
is above all part of the region's sporting heritage. For the more adventurous, the Biarritz
area will allow you to perhaps try the Belharra: an immense wave that can reach 15 meters
high and which surfers all dream of.
For those for whom the practice of surfing is still foreign, numerous courses and initiations
are given on the beaches of Biarritz.
5. Futuroscope in Poitiers

Futuroscope's reputation is well established. This futuristic amusement park has become a must-see in New Aquitaine thanks to its constant evolution.
Indeed, always with the aim of offering innovative attractions, the park has never stopped creating. A true paradise, fun and surprising, for both young and old. Not to be missed under any circumstances.
Less known, the Gorges de Kakuetta remain a magnificent place to visit New Aquitaine. Wild, lush and exceptional, these gorges will amaze you. A hike allows you to cross them, discovering their landscapes.
Finally, the highlight of the show is none other than a huge waterfall and the cave linked to the lake. Ready for adventure?
Symbole charentais et connu pour l’émission culte qui s’y déroule, Fort Boyard possède, contre toute attente, une histoire assez sérieuse. Embarquez alors sur un bateau et approchez vous au plus près du Fort lors de balades commentées. Vous pouvez aussi effectuer votre visite depuis les airs, grâce à des excursions en hélicoptère !
La Dune du Pilat sont les dunes plus hautes d’Europe, avec 110 mètres d’altitude. Gravissez ces dunes longues de près de 3 km, et observez la vue sur le bassin d’Arcachon et le Banc d’Arguin. Des activités telles que le parapente y sont organisées, pour étancher les soifs d’aventure.
Un parking payant juxtapose les Dunes du Pilat, aidant ainsi à leur protection et préservation. En effet, leur notoriété pousse des millions de touristes à s’y rendre, fragilisant ainsi le site.
Visiting Nouvelle-Aquitaine also means being tempted by the many culinary specialties. From the north to the south of the region, obviously passing through the east and the west, the Nouvelle-Aquitaine cuisine is of an unequalled richness. Are you more of a Pruneaux d'Agen or a Jambon de Bayonne fan? There are also the Cannelés de Bordeaux or the Creusois with hazelnuts. Let yourself be seduced by this generosity!
In order not to miss anything, go to the website of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine Food Agency, it lists all the specialties!
10. The Charente Islands
New Aquitaine has a few islands that are worth stopping at. These six islands form the Charentais Archipelago: Île de Ré, Île d’Oléron, Île Madame, Île d’Aix, Île de Nôle and the Rocher d’Énet.
The most visited are the Île de Ré and Île d’Oléron. The first has a magnificent lighthouse (but not only that) and the Île d’Oléron has a unique maritime heritage. All the islands are accessible by boat and can be visited by bike, a very common means of transport there.
11. The Gouffre de Proumeyssac
In the Périgord Noir is the Gouffre de Proumeyssac, nicknamed “Crystal Cathedral”. This amazing place is actually a converted cave, highlighting incredible geological formations. Thanks to a play between lights, music and spaces, the natural cavity takes on its spectacle outfit. A truly original discovery, you can visit it in two ways: traditional or by going down in a gondola offering you a more global view of the place.
Also, for those who agree to do it, you can transform your visit into an “Eco Visit”. To do this, bicycles are made available so that you generate electricity which, once produced, will be introduced directly into the electricity grid. Ingenious, right?
12. Things to see and do in Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Participate in the Angoulême Comic Strip Festival (Charente)
Go to a feria, from the Bayonne Festival (Pyrénées-Atlantiques) to the Dax Festival (Landes)
Discover the Cordouan Lighthouse, the oldest lighthouse in France (Gironde)
Try out other local sports not mentioned: Basque pelota or rugby and skiing in winter
Attend a rugby match according to the sports calendars (the locals support the teams like the Bretons support the Stades Rennais and Brestois)
Visit Nouvelle-Aquitaine through its major cities, via city breaks, for example: Bordeaux, Bayonne, Biarritz, La Rochelle, Pau, Angoulême, Limoges, Périgueux, and even Poitiers…
How to get to Nouvelle-Aquitaine? By car, in carpool mode: French roads and motorways connect the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region very well to the rest of France and even Europe (Spain is quickly accessible). There are therefore many motorways to reach the region.
By plane: the main airport in Nouvelle-Aquitaine is Bordeaux, but the other five in the region are no less uninteresting, depending on where you are going in Nouvelle-Aquitaine. We invite you to consult flight comparators such as Skyscanner to get an idea of prices and benefit from the best offers available.
By train: it is possible to reach Nouvelle-Aquitaine by train because many stations welcome trains, TGV and TER from all over France. Bordeaux station alone handles more than 11 million passengers per year, facilitated by its connections with the stations of Paris-Montparnasse, Lille and Toulouse.
By bus: the bus stations of the major cities of Nouvelle-Aquitaine are also very well served by bus transport services. Very practical, the bus is less expensive for the passenger, but nevertheless remains a much longer solution than the train or the plane. That said, it is also a less tiring solution than the car.
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