Nouvelle-Aquitaine

The capital of the wine region is the city of Bordeaux.  Its most beautiful square, Place de la Bourse, is painfully similar to the finest examples of Parisian architecture. The magnificent cathedral of the city — the Cathedral of St. Andrew — despite its fresh appearance, still remembers the wedding of Eleanor of Aquitaine with Louis VII. She gave Aquitaine to the English crown — and France had to spend a hundred years and shed a lot of blood to get her back. But the times of English rule were also the times of the economic prosperity of Aquitaine — the British really liked to drink Bordeaux wines. There would be a demand… the offer will not keep you waiting!

In fact, it is very surprising how ideas change and stereotypes over time. The heyday of Bordeaux — the heart of the wine-growing region of the same name, which brought France the world fame of the «wine» power — is the least associated with France. The French, so to speak, came to everything ready… Not to «expand and not deepen» the already existing success would be practically criminal. And the French still owe this success to their neighbours Anglo-Saxons.

The real Wild West, only in France! The resort town of Arcachon is located on the southern shore of the Arcachon Gulf and is reliably protected from the waves of the Atlantic Ocean. Until 1823 there were only waves, dunes, empty sandy beaches, a pine forest and a small fishing village. Then everything changed dramatically, as tuberculosis swept Europe and the fashion for seaside resorts began. Wealthy people poured into Arcachon to improve their health with iodized sea air, the aroma of pine trees and Abatius mineral water from the thermal spring of St. Anna.

Rich merchants and aristocrats began to build luxurious villas here, many of which have survived to this day. Today in Arcachon there are many hotels, cottages, campsites, many cycling routes. There are also memorable ebb and flow! Arcachon was formerly the oyster capital of the world. Visit a fishing village of Andernos-les-Bains. Here one could indicate a pleasant vacation at sea and feast on the freshest oysters, shrimps and other ocean delicacies.

The oyster meal here is almost a religion. Bay oysters, like wine, differ in their place of origin. Gourmets recognize them by their flavors. But we will focus on the general knowledge that we learned from reference books before the trip and will order like this — one oysters grown in Ban d’Argen, which have a sweetish taste, the other, the most famous Grand Ban oysters, with The islands of birds are lightly salted, with a taste of nuts and prunes.

Ancient history fans will be interested in visiting the Paleolithic caves of the Weser Valley in Périgord, including the famous Lascaux cave, «the Sistine chapel of the prehistoric world», with its multicolored images, made about 400 thousand years ago.

Formerly a county, Perigord has retained its unique look of elegant antiquity, and in some places even antiquity, this atmosphere is still in the air. It is completely incomprehensible why, but there are no tourists here, and fortunately, as a result, there is a rush, a series of shops or tourist stalls. This is an incredible mixture of high concentration of history from prehistoric times — Perigord is the oldest place in France and even the planet, and all our ancestors lived here.

Old mills… goose farms… butterflies that land on your hands and millions of flowers… tiled roofs of all colors… drinking fountains past which knights prancing… antediluvian cars… ladies with lace umbrellas and gentlemen with canes… Roman ruins and medieval castles, sites of primitive people and the biggest names in French history.

Every centimeter of Perigord is simply oversaturated with fabulousness. It’s like a fictional wonderland, where farms and towns are scattered across expanses where haystacks dry and a winding road wind. A perfect idyll in which you dissolve and completely fall out of time. Perigord is not even France, it is a different reality, a magical kingdom, where everything is like in a dream, perfect to the point of impossibility.

Outstanding prehistoric monuments have been preserved along the banks of the Dordogne River, as well as numerous castles, untouched nature, magnificent parks and gardens and cozy villages included in the list of «The most beautiful villages in France». There are more of them here than in any other region of the country. 

Sea water and clean ocean air, saturated with iodine vapours, increase vitality and restore the body’s defenses. The most famous French thalassotherapy centers are located in this region.

The scenery is simply magnificent: the boundless Atlantic Ocean allows powerful waves to break on the beaches. In the background, the Pyrenees chain rises on the horizon, which complements the panorama from the rock of Our Lady, the symbol of Biarritz.

Biarritz is a popular seaside resort located on the Atlantic coast near Spain. Popular among the aristocracy for its luxurious villas, long sandy beaches with healthy sea water, Biarritz is also considered the birthplace of surfing and the mecca of surfers.

On January 24, the picturesque towns of Périgueux and Sarlat in Périgord come alive with the aroma of these culinary treasures.

At the Sorges Truffle Festival and The Sarlat Truffle Festival , indulge in the allure of these mysterious delicacies, as skilled truffle hunters and passionate vendors gather to showcase their finest harvest. The air is filled with anticipation as visitors immerse themselves in the festivities, savoring the unique flavors and fragrances that define the Périgord truffle experience.
It's a celebration not just of gastronomy but of the region's rich cultural heritage, making the Truffle Markets and Festivals a must-attend for those seeking to delve into the world of culinary excellence in the heart of Périgord.