The 12 things to do in Nouvelle Aquitaine

Would you like to visit New Aquitaine, this huge region of southwest France? Here is already our selection of the must-sees.

Nouvelle-Aquitaine is the largest region in France, born from the reshaping of these in 2016. It covers more than 86,000 square kilometres and includes 12 departments including the Gironde, the Landes, and the Pyrenees-Atlantiques. Obviously, visiting New Aquitaine cannot be done in a single stay, you will probably have to go back several times, or stay there for a short time. Indeed, each of its departments has its own identity and specialties, whether cultural, historical or even gastronomic. From Poitiers to Pau, to Bordeaux and Limoges, Nouvelle-Aquitaine has never ceased to surprise by its wealth and famous places to visit absolutely. So, are you ready to discover your country?

1. Visit New Aquitaine around wine

Saint-Émilion

A few steps east of Bordeaux, is Saint-Émilion, which you surely know for the reputation of the wines that are produced there. Why, then, do not enjoy it to visit a vineyard of the region? Indeed, it would be a shame to miss the opportunity to discover this aspect of New Aquitaine.

Wine Route of Bordeaux

For those who want to go even further, discover the Route des Vins de Bordeaux. A route designed to delight the oenologists in becoming or amateurs. Take a tour of the best vineyards in Girondes, ready to share their secrets and know-how.

Cité du Vin in Bordeaux

The futuristic building of the city of Bordeaux inaugurated in 2016, the Cité du Vin is a perfect museum to discover wine culture. Dedicated center is also a unique place of its kind. It will make you discover the wine in its entirety, throughout the world and since its birth. A real gold mine of information for amateurs.

2. Collonges-la-Rouge

Not far from Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne, la Riviera Limousine , this small medieval village perfectly preserved is a real pearl. This is Collonges-la-Rouge. Did you know that he owes his name to the red sandstone that forms the walls of the buildings? Come and lose yourself in its narrow alleys and discover the history of this atypical place.

3. Le Pic du Midi de Bigorre

The Pic du Midi de Bigorre is a high mountain of about 2900 meters. If it is snow-covered in winter, allowing the resorts to welcome the skiers, there is nevertheless an exceptional place for hiking. Nature is preserved, a little wild sometimes, but the views it offers are memorable.

Go to the discovery of Lac Bleu or Pic Saint-Vincent.

4. One session surfing in Biarritz

With 720 kilometers of coastline, tell you that it is not surf spots that are missing in New Aquitaine. Therefore, give yourself to this very fashionable practice but which is mainly part of the sporting heritage of the region. For the most remote, the area Biarritz You may be able to try the Belharra: a huge wave that can reach 15 meters high and whose surfers all dream.

For those for whom surfing is still foreign, many courses and initiations are offered on the biarrote beaches.

5. The Futuroscope Poitiers

The reputation of the Futuroscope is no longer to be done. 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 real paradise, fun and surprising, both for the little ones and for the great ones. Don't miss under any pretext.

6. The Gorges de Kakuetta

Less well known, the Gorges de Kakuetta remain, although it is a wonderful place to visit New Aquitaine. Wild, luxurious and exceptional, these gorges will put your eyes full. A hike allows you to cross them, discovering their landscapes.

Finally, the highlight of the show is nothing but a huge cascade and the cave connected to the lake. Ready for adventure?

7. Fort Boyard, face to face La Rochelle

A symbol of Charente and known for the cult show that takes place there, Fort Boyard has a rather serious story against all expectations. Then take a boat and get close to the Fort during guided walks. You can also visit the air, thanks to helicopter excursions!

8. The Pilat Dune

The Pilat Dune are the highest dunes in Europe, with 110 meters of altitude. Gravate these long dunes by about 3 km, and observe the view on Arcachon basin and the Banc d’Arguin. Activities such as paragliding are organized to leak up adventure thirsts.

Paid parking juxtapose the Dunes du Pilat, helping to protect and preserve them. Indeed, their notoriety pushes millions of tourists to go there, thus weakening the site.

9. Local specialties

Visiting New Aquitaine is also being tempted by the many culinary specialties. From the north to the south of the region, as well as from the east and west, the neo-aquitaine cuisine is of unmatched wealth. Are you more Agen Pruneaux or Bayonne Jambon? There are also the Cannelés de Bordeaux or the Creusois with hazelnut. Let yourself be seduced by this generosity!

In order not to miss anything, go to the website of the New Aquitaine Food Agency There he lists all the specialties!

10. The Charente islands

New Aquitaine has a few islands that are worth stopping. These six islands form the Charentais Archipelago: island Re , island of Oleron , island Madame, island of Aix, island of Nôle and the Rocher d’Énet.

The most visited are the island of Ré and Oleron. The first has a beautiful lighthouse (but not that) and the island of Oleron a unique maritime heritage. All islands are accessible by boat and can be visited by bicycle, very common transport there.

11. The Gouffre de Proumeyssac

In the Black Perigord is the Gouffre de Proumeyssac, nicknamed “Cathedrale de Cristal”. This amazing place is actually a built cave, highlighting incredible geological formations. Thanks to a game between lights, music and spaces, the natural cavity takes on its livery. A true original discovery, you can visit it in two ways: traditional or descending in a nacelle offering you a more global view of the places.

Also, for those who agree to do so, you can turn your visit to “Eco Visit”. To do this, bicycles are made available so that you generate electricity that, once produced, will be introduced directly into the power grid. Ingenious, right?

12. To be seen and done in New Aquitaine

• Participate in the Festival de la BD d’Angoulême (Charente)
• Go to feria, from the Festivals of Bayonne (Pyrenees-Atlantiques) to the Festivals of Dax (Landes)
• Discover the Lighthouse of Cordouan, the oldest lighthouse in France (Gironde)
• Test other local sports not mentioned: the Basque pelote or rugby and skiing in winter
• Attend a rugby game according to the sports calendars (the locals support teams like the Bretons support the Stade Rennais and Brestois)
• Visit New Aquitaine through its major cities, via city breaks, for example: Bordeaux, Bayonne, Biarritz, La Rochelle, Pau, Angoulème, Limoges, Perigueux, and even Poitiers...

How to get to New Aquitaine?

• By car : the French roads and highways connect the region of New Aquitaine to the rest of France and even Europe (Spain quickly accessible). There are many highways to reach the region.
• By plane : the main airport of New Aquitaine is that of Bordeaux but the other five in the region are no less interesting, depending on where you are going to New Aquitaine. We invite you to consult flight comparisons as Skyscanner to give you an idea of the prices and benefit from the best offers available.
• By train : it is possible to reach Nouvelle-Aquitaine by train because many stations welcome the trains, TGV and TER of the whole France. The Bordeaux train station makes transit to it alone more than 11 million passengers per year, facilitated by its connections to Paris-Montparnasse, Lille and Toulouse stations.
• By bus : the bus stations in the major cities of New Aquitaine are also very well served by bus transport services. Very convenient, the bus is cheaper for the passenger, but still remains a much longer solution than the train or aircraft. That said, it is also a less tiring solution than the car.

Where to stay in New Aquitaine?

Visiting New Aquitaine will ask you time, since it is a very wide area. Your accommodation will depend entirely on your itinerary. Each town, commune or village, has its own assets. Of course, large cities have much more to offer but are a little less charming, given the urban tumult that animates them and can attract some.

It is up to you to make your choice, but above all, if you want to make our must-sees, feel free to move during your stay: Bordeaux , Bayonne , Arcachon basin , Biarritz , Pau , La Rochelle or Island of Re . ♪ hotel comparisons provide you with all the information and accommodation you need to visit New Aquitaine properly!