France: variety in Aquitaine
Almost three hundred kilometers of coastline, endless pine forests and: gastronomy is written with capital letters here. Welcome to Aquitaine, the most southwestern tip of France. Many Dutch people celebrate their holidays between the Dordogne and the Pyrenees. And for good reason!
The Aquitaine coastline is one of the most beautiful in France. Here you will discover breathtaking tranquil villages such as Hendaye, but also the fashionable Biarritz where you can still feel the grandeur of yesteryear. The waves from the Atlantic Ocean are popular with the tough surf boys and girls. A little further north is the Bassin d’Arcachon: an inland sea that dries up twice a day at low tide. Cheerfully colored fishing boats patiently await the tide and oyster farmers are busy with their oyster beds. Tip: combine a visit with an oyster tasting and take a boat trip in a
Attraction of Aquitaine
The inland of the Dordogne also has its appeal: a popular destination for Dutch campers and a paradise for fishermen, canoeists, swimmers and rafters. Are you more into city trips? Then go to Bordeaux. See the monumental fountains on the Place de Quinconces (the largest square in France), count the enormous columns of the Grand Théatre on the Place de Comédie, visit the cathedral of St André and… go shopping. Shopaholics swear by the Rue des Remparts which, together with the Rue du pas de St Georges, competes for the title 'nicest shopping street in Bordeaux'. Afterwards, settle down on a terrace with… a glass of wine of course: you are in the wine capital of Europe!
Must do
It doesn't get more romantic: horseback riding! On the beach, through the forests and rivers of Les Landes or along Lake Aureilhan. Rides from an hour to multi-day treks: everything is possible. Riding schools can be found at www.cheval-aquitaine.com
You must see
Go on a city trip to the three B's of Aquitaine. (1) the fashionable Biarritz (with sea lions along the boulevard!), (2) the historic port city of Bayonne and (3) Bordeaux – the wine capital of France: Bordeaux. That means soaking up culture, enjoying terraces and shopping!
You must taste
From the irresistible entrecôte to crayfish, oysters and snails… Local dishes are often prepared 'à la bordelaise': a sauce based on red wine and shallots. Delicious: Lamprey à la bordelaise: a fish from the Gironde, cooked in Médoc wine with leeks and herbs.
