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Aquitaine

Make the most of your time in Aquitaine, use the information provided on this web site by clicking on the links to plan your visit.

Situated in the South West of France and bordered by Spain to the South and the Atlantic Ocean to the West, the region of Aquitaine covers an area of 41,309 km² or 7.6% of France’s total area. It comprises the departments of Dordogne, Gironde, Landes, Lot-et-Garonne and Pyrénées-Atlantiques. Its capital, Bordeaux, is a port city with around one million inhabitants. Other main cities in the region are Pau, Bayonne, Mont-de-Marson, Biarritz, Bergerac and Périgueux. Bordered by the Atlantic Ocean along the whole of its west coast, Aquitaine has a mild oceanic climate tempered by the influence of the Gulf Stream. There are 2,200 sunshine hours per year which favour the wine growing for which the area is famous.

The Vézère Valley in the Dordogne is considered the cradle of humanity as homo erectus settled there 400,000 years ago. The Cave of Lascaux contains some of the earliest known examples of representational art. In 56BC, after a bitter battle against the Celts led by Vercingetorix, the Romans conquered the region and brought with them the benefits of their civilization. They constructed roads, planned towns, built villas and even planted the first vines. Centres of commerce such as Burdigala (which became Bordeaux), Versunna (Périgueux) and Aginum (Agen) were created at this time. At the start of the Middle Ages Aquitaine suffered invasions from the Vandals, Visigoths and finally the Franks led by Clovis.

During the mid-eleventh century the Duchy of Aquitaine became the property of local dukes who were vassals to the Kings of France. When Eleanor of Aquitaine married Louis Vll she added her vast assets to the French throne. However this marriage was annulled on the grounds of consanguinity and Eleanor went on to marry Henry ll Plantagenet, future King of England, in 1152. The region was central to the following Hundred Years War which ended in a battle won by the French in Castillon. Many of the region’s castles date from this era, for example Beynac in Pèrigord, Roquetaillade in the Gironde, Bonaguil in the Lot-et-Garonne and Montamer in Béarn.

By the eighteenth century the jurisdiction of the Parliament of Bordeaux extended along the Garonne Basin and into the Southern Massif Central, making it one of the biggest and richest provinces of France. Economic expansion was slowed down during the French Revolution. The Napoleonic Wars had a particularly disastrous effect on Bordeaux which suffered greatly from the British blocade of French ports. Aquitaine was slow to participate in the Industrial Revolution because the south west had become under-populated and had no coal. However the Empress Eugénia and the court of Napoleon lll made Biarritz a favourite tourist spot, launching an era of tourism that lasts to the present day. Today Aquitaine is a bustling, modern region only three hours from Paris on the TGV.

The Aquitaine coast has been safeguarded against excessive urbanisation. Between its famous seaside resorts there are 250 km of coastline offering sandy beaches for surfing, relaxing or pampering with thalassotherapy, a smooth and invigorating sea-water treatment. The region is also known for its pure air qualities. Between the Atlantic coast to the west and the Quercy hills to the east, the Landes plain has been planted with thousands of pines. The Regional National Park of the Landes is the biggest forest in Europe.

Aquitaine is also a popular centre for hikers, skiers, white-water enthusiasts or just lovers of breathtaking views. The Pyrenees form France’s natural border with Spain . In Aquitaine the Pyrénées Atlantiques climb slowly away from the ocean through the Basque country and the Béarn region.

The cuisine of Aquitaine is delightful, from delicious homely dishes to the exceptional creations of the top restaurants of the region. There is the renowned poule au pot (chicken stew) which King Henry lV famously declared that every family should eat at least once a week; fattened duck with the famous foie gras or the delicious confit of duck breast prepared with spices or honey; Bayonne ham; oysters from Arcachon; cassoulet; and truffles from the Dordogne.

With 145,000 hectares of vines, 90% of which are Appellation D’Origine Contrôlée Aquitaine is one of the biggest regions of fine wines in the world. The whole region is ripe with hundreds of varieties of different wines.The Bordeaux wine (claret) region is perhaps the most famous red wine region in the world with areas including Pomerol, Saint-Émilion, Graves, Médoc and Bergerac in the Dordogne. The region also produces Sauternes , a famous sweet white wine while the Armagnac brandy producing area also lies within the region.
 

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