Aquitaine, France Main Towns: Agen, Bayonne, Bergerac, Biarritz, Boeil-Bezing, Bordeaux, Cestas, Merignac, Pau, St Jean-de-Luz.

The Aquitaine region of France is also known as the Bordeaux and Basque region The region of Aquitaine, located in the south-western corner of France, is a land of grand vineyards near luxurious seaside resorts, fishing ports and spas. More than 150 miles of fine white sand beaches and enormous dunes make up the Silver Coast. Biarritz is the jewel of the Côte d'Argent with its grand hotels and stylish casino.

To the North and East of Aquitaine, the Dordogne area is popular with tourists for its many Châteaux, prehistoric sites, charming bastide towns, vineyards and the varied terrain it offers, with its many river valleys and four distinctive areas of the Périgord Vert, Blanc, Noir and Pourpre. Further south, the Lot et Garonne is a prosperous agricultural area, with pretty bastide towns and with good communications from Agen with its airport and TGV, and Bergerac. The Landes is mainly known for its huge man-made pine forest (over 1 million hectares) planted in the 19th Century.  Beyond the forest lie the spa towns, vineyards and farmland leading to the foothills of the Pyrenees where hiking, climbing and winter sports are popular pursuits.

The broad and sandy Côte d'Argent runs straight for about 80 miles, and the Atlantic surf is clean and fresh and far more challenging than any in the Mediterranean. The main resorts are Arcachon, Biscarosse, Mimizan, Hossegor, Seignosse and Biarritz;  St Jean-de-Luz is a lively fishing port.   The streets of Bayonne have a distinctly Basque flavour with tall half timbered houses and green and red paintwork, while the Grande Lande open air museum (Ecomusée ) is accessible only by the restored steam train running from Labouheyre to Sabres. 

Aquitaine's culture is mainly focussed on Aquitaine's historic capital of Bordeaux, with its sophisticated shops and restaurants, theatre, Opera and international school.  Bordeaux is renowned for France's grand dinner and dessert wines, such as Médoc, Blayais and Bourgeais, Barsac, Sauternes, Pomerol, Graves, and St. Emilion.

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