Aquitaine Tourism Attractions
- Aquitaine is one of the favorite destinations for the French population as for the foreign people.
- They appreciate the region and each of its departments ( Dordogne, Gironde, Lot et Garonne, Pyrenees Atlantiques and Landes) for the great many attractions accordingly to their own choice, desire and season.
- Even if Aquitaine is worldwide famous for Surf, Golf and Thermal centres, Aquitaine offers lots of others activities combined to the mountains and ocean environment,for those interested on sporting activities, on relaxing activies and all kind of amusement across parks,zoos,gardens.
- Enjoyable festivals also take place through Aquitaine throughout the year.
| Aquitaine Sporting activities | |
|---|---|
| Water sports | Canoeing, sea kayaking, diving, sailing, rafting. Worlwide reputation for surfing. |
| Aerial sports | Paragliding or hang-gliding. |
| Land sports | Mountain biking, walking and hiking,tree climbing, skiing during winter. Excellent region of France for Golf facilities with 45 quality courses. |
| Relaxation | Thalassotherapy centres and touristic thermal stations:Dax, Saint-Paul-lès-Dax, Saubusse-les-Bains, Préchacq-les-Bains or Eugénie-les-Bains. Excellent region of France for therapeutic facilities. |
| Aquitaine Parks and Attractions | |
| Aquariums and Zoos | "Le Musée-Aquarium" in Arcachon. "Requins et poissons exotiques" (Skark and exotic fishs) in Bayonne. Zoos in Bordeaux-Pessac, La Teste de Buch, and Asson. |
| Amusement Park | "Walibi" near Agen, Aquatic Park :"Aqualand" in Gujan-Mestras,Aventure Parc "Aramits" in Pyrénées. |
| Parks and Gardens | 55 parks and gardens including "Jardin d'Orchidées sauvages" (Wild orchids garden) near Ribérac, "Jardin d'eau" (water garden) in Carsac, "Jardins de l'imaginaire" (Imaginery Garden) in Terrasson. |
| Aquitaine Festivals and Events | |
| Spring | Printemps des poètes in March (celebrating Poetry). Festival international de céramique in May (celebrating Ceramic). |
| Summer | Feria de Dax, in August (celebrating Folklore and Bullfightings). Festival de Carcassonne in July (celebrating Theatre, Opera and Music). Les Francofolies de la Rochelle in July (celebrating music). Competition Lacanau Pro (celebrating surf). |
| Autumn | Le Festival international de chant choral au Pays Basque in October (celebrating Chorale Music). Festival du Cheval "Haras en Fête" in Lot et Garonne in September (celebrating Horses). |
| Winter | Festival du film à Sarlat, in november (celebrating Cinema). Carnaval de Périgueux in february (celebrating Mask and Costume). |
| Aquitaine Towns and villages of interest | |
| Dordogne | Périgueux: small city with its typical alleys and cathedral. Sarlat: medieval town with ramparts. Monpazier: medieval architecture and one of the most beautiful bastides in Europe. |
| Gironde | Bordeaux with its 18th-century façades along the quaysides. Saint Emilion with its monolithic church and medieval old streets. Bazas: Cathedral, historical buildings and rich heritage. |
| Lot et Garonne | Agen with its ramparts and its impressive canal bridge. Marmande: 12 centuries of history. Montastruc: rural village with castle |
| Pyrenees Atlantique | Bayonne: famous for its Basque traditions, near Spain. Biarritz: the Europe’s surfing capital. Espelette: small village of XIV century in the Basque Country Pays with small horses "pottok". |
| Landes | Mimizan with its holiday atmosphere among forest and beach. Mont de Marsan: "the three rivers town". Dax: with its famous Spa and baths and as the main center of Gallo-Roman archeology. |
| "Villes et Villages Fleuris" | More than 114 communes in Aquitaine awarded "4 fleurs" in 2006. Including floral towns and villages of : Bergerac, Périgueux, Biscarrosse, Hagetmau, Mimizan, Bayonne, Pau and Anglet. |
