Presentation of Nouvelle-Aquitaine

Biarritz Atlantic

Region Description

This region, which faces the Atlantic coast, is largely divided into north and south, centered on Bordeaux, which is famous for its port wine. To the north are coastal cities such as La Rochelle, and to the south is the Basque Country, centered around Bayonne. In addition to wine, you can also see Basque cuisine and culture.


Cities in Nouvelle-Aquitaine

①Poitiers
②La Rochelle
③Bordeaux
④Pau
⑤Bayonne
⑥Biarritz
⑦St-Jean-de-Luz


①Poitiers 

The oldest baptistery in France, Poitiers

It is a city that is deeply connected to history, where Joan of Arc was once put on trial and where Muslims were defeated in the Battle of Poitiers. There is a church in the center of the town on a small hill, and you can see Joan of Arc in the stained glass.

★★★☆☆

6h


②La Rochelle

La Rochelle

It is a city facing the Atlantic Ocean, and a fortress with three towers remains in the harbor. The city is home to many Renaissance-style buildings, and you can learn about the journey from here to America at the museum.

★★☆☆☆

6h


③Bordeaux

Bordeaux

It is the central city of this region and is located on the Garonne River, one of France’s four major rivers. The buildings of Place de la Bourse are reflected in the water’s mirrors and are beautiful, and the city center is wide and intricate, making it a pleasure to just take a stroll. The entire city is registered as a World Heritage Site as the “Port of the Moon.”

★★★★★

10h


④Pau

The Pyrenees seen from Pau

The entire town of Pau is located on a slightly elevated location, and you can take a free gondola ride from the station. From there you can see the Pyrenees Mountains, which straddle the border with Spain. The city is also home to the castle where Henri IV was born, museums, etc., centered around wide streets, making it a great place to take a leisurely stroll while sightseeing.

★★★☆☆

4h30


⑤Bayonne

Bayonne

It is the central city of the Basque Country. Along the river that runs through the city, you can see buildings unique to this region with red and green window frames on the walls. The city is also famous for its chocolate, with famous shops in the city and chocolate factories on the outskirts.

★★★★☆

5h


⑥Biarritz

The Virgin Rock of Biarritz

It is a resort area on the Atlantic coast where the G20 was held in 2019. Luxury hotels line the beaches and boutiques line the streets. On the beach, you can see the Virgin Mary statue, which is a famous tourist spot, and has a statue of the Virgin Mary enshrined in the rocky area.

★★★★☆

5h


⑦St-Jean-de-Luz

Port of Saint-Jean-de-Luz

Like Biarritz, it is a small town with a vast beach, but like Bayonne, the cityscape has Basque architecture. It was also the town where Louis XIV held his wedding, and the mansion where he and his queen stayed still remains.

★★★☆☆

3h30


Specialty in Nouvelle-Aquitaine

Basque cuisine

Port wine fields are widespread in the area around Bordeaux, and Biarritz and Saint-Jean-de-Luz in the south are famous as beaches on the Atlantic coast. Bayonne is a city that best represents the culture of the Basque region, with its distinctive buildings and food. It is said that chocolate became popular in France from Bayonne, and there are many chocolate shops in the city.



Useful Links for Travel

Expedia

There is a lot of great hotel deals listed, and you can read comments from people from all over the world. You can also book these together with your flight.

Hotels.com

There is also a lot of hotel information here. Another great thing is that many of them offer no cancellation fees.

Booking.com

This world-famous hotel booking site has a huge number of listings, so you can find the hotel you like. If you become a member and stay many times, you can get discounts and get even better deals.


Expedia

It is a world-famous travel site. It is convenient because you can also purchase domestic air tickets.


klook

This is a convenient site where you can book tickets and tours to tourist spots around the world. Be sure to check it out as they sometimes offer discounts.


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