Aquitaine: Wine, Prehistory and the Dordogne
The region of Aquitaine roughly equates to the former province of Gascony and it's known for its wonderful Bordeaux vintage and acclaimed Armagnac. As well as it's Bordeaux vintages and Armagnac, which is produced in traditional alambics, Floc de Gascogne is another of its classic beverages.
Let's take a brief look at what the region of Aquitaine has to offer and why you might like to add it to your French travel itinerary. We won't cover everything this wonderful region has on offer, but rather a taste of what you can see and do. This post, Aquitaine: Wine, Prehistory and the Dordogne, is part of our Discovery Series that shines a spotlight on what each region of France has to offer. Discover Alsace: France’s Most Distinctive Region in our previous post. Belves, a medieval village in Dordogne is our photo above.
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Bordeaux, Aquitaine
Saint Emilion commune in the Gironde department, Bordeaux, Aquitaine
Bordeaux is the capital of the region and is well known for its gastronomic treats and wine. It's the home of the small pâtisserie the canelé with its delicious caramalised rum and vanilla flavour. Another famous food of the region are the truffles from Périgord which are widely sought after.
Since discovered by teenagers in 1940 the 17,000 year-old Paleolithic Lascaux Cave prehistoric paintings have been an incredible drawcard for visitors. The original Lascaux cave paintings are fragile and closed to the public because they were suffering from the human damage of breath, body heat and artificial lighting. Today the original paintings are sealed for their protection. French authorities have replicated some of the paintings in nearby caves, and these are what are now open for public viewing.
Maybe some time spent in the outdoors is what you love, and if so, then visiting Dune du Pyla in La Teste-de-Buch in the Arcachon Bay area might be just for you. It's the tallest sand dune in Europe and you're allowed to climb it. Once you reach the top, you'll be able to see the sweeping, panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean and the Arcachon Bay. It's located about 60 km southwest of the capital Bordeaux.
Biarritz is an upmarket ritzy seaside town with lots to see and do. The Grand Plage (the main beach) is a popular place in summer, and in particular during the August school holidays. The classic striped beach tents are available to rent for that quintessential French beach experience.
Plage du Port Vieux (the old port beach) is another popular swimming spot with its attractive horseshoe shape. Visit the Sainte-Eugénie Church which sits on the hill above the port for its stunning stained windows.
I hope you enjoy exploring the wonderful region of Aquitaine, famous for its wine, prehistory and the Dordogne!
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