The prehistoric remains of the Vézère Valley and Bordeaux’s UNESCO-listed ensemble show how varied a stay in Aquitaine can be. The region also offers wine-growing, cycling routes and protected landscapes.
Culture, UNESCO Heritage and Prehistory
A 2014 regional cultural report lists more than 2,800 historic monuments and 9,200 protected movable objects in Aquitaine. It also counts nine national heritage institutions or ensembles open to the public. The Musée national de Préhistoire in Les Eyzies-de-Tayac is one of them; check opening hours before your visit. Château de Cadillac and La Sauve-Majeure Abbey are among the sites entrusted to the Centre des monuments nationaux. Check visiting hours separately for these places, too.
Bordeaux, Port de la Lune, is one of the largest urban ensembles in the world to be included on the UNESCO World Heritage List. At the mouth of the Gironde, the UNESCO-listed Vauban ensemble includes the Citadel of Blaye, Fort Pâté and Fort Médoc. Together, a major urban site and a fortified ensemble offer two distinct ways to explore the region’s heritage.
The Vézère Valley is home to more than 150 prehistoric sites and around 30 decorated caves. The UNESCO World Heritage property in the valley comprises 15 prehistoric sites that document dense settlement during the Palaeolithic. The discovery of Lascaux in 1940 marked an important moment in the history of prehistoric art. Visitors interested in prehistory will find a different focus here from the region’s urban and military ensembles.
Landscapes, Wine and Water
The Gironde estuary is considered Europe’s largest estuary and covers 635 square kilometres. The Banc d’Arguin has been a nature reserve since 1972; at low tide, it extends for approximately four kilometres by two kilometres. In the Landes, the lakes of Aureilhan, Léon and Biscarrosse offer a peaceful atmosphere close to the Atlantic coast. These landscapes contrast with the region’s major buildings and archaeological sites.
The wine-growing area around Bordeaux has 60 recognised appellations and 7,000 winegrowers; these figures may change over time. In Bordeaux, the Cité du Vin pairs contemporary architecture on the quays of the Garonne with a belvedere offering views of 18th-century UNESCO-listed heritage. Visitor options may vary; check access information in advance.
Cycling and Hiking
The Canal des 2 Mers à vélo is a 750-kilometre cycling route between the Mediterranean and the Atlantic. It follows the Gironde estuary, the Canal de Garonne and the Canal du Midi. On a smaller scale, the 47-kilometre Voie verte runs along a former railway line through Entre-deux-Mers and can be cycled. The distances illustrate the difference between a long route connecting two seas and a shorter route through a named landscape. Check route conditions before setting off.
Lot-et-Garonne has 450 hiking routes and 4,870 kilometres of marked trails. Information about the trail network may change. At the protected Dune du Pilat, the Grand Site offers numerous free activities. The programme is seasonal and weather-dependent; take both into account when choosing when to visit.
More Destinations
Discover more destinations: Dordogne, Gironde, Landes, Lot Et Garonne, Pyrenees-Atlantiques, Rhone Savoyen, Midi Pyrenees, Centre
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