France: variety in the Aquitaine
Almost three hundred kilometers of coastline, endless pine forests and: gastronomy is written in capital letters here. Welcome to Aquitaine, the most southwestern tip of France. Many Dutch people spend their holidays between the Dordogne and the Pyrenees. And that is not for nothing!
The coastline of the Aquitaine 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 the past. The waves from the Atlantic Ocean are popular with tough surfing boys and girls. A little further north lies the Bassin d'Arcachon: an inland sea that dries up twice a day at low tide. Brightly colored fishing boats wait patiently for the high tide and oyster farmers are busy with their oyster beds. Tip: combine a visit with an oyster tasting and take a boat tour
Attraction of the Aquitaine
The Dordorgne also has an inland 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. View 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. Shopahalics swear by the Rue des Remparts, which, together with the Rue du pas de St Georges, competes for the title of 'best shopping street in Bordeaux'. Afterwards you sit on a terrace with… a glass of wine of course: you are in the wine capital of Europe!
You must do it
It doesn't get more romantic: horse riding! On the beach, through the forests and rivers of Les Landes or along Lake Aureilhan. From one-hour rides to multi-day hikes: everything is possible. You can find riding schools at www.cheval-aquitaine.com
Look at that
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 experiencing culture, enjoying terraces and shopping!
You have to taste it
From the delicious entrecôte to crayfish, oysters and snails... The 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 leek and herbs.
