Aquitaine is situated in the South West of France, with Poitou-Charentes to the north, Limousin and Midi-Pyrenees to the east, Spain to the south and the Atlantic sea to the west. The region of Aquitaine has masses to offer. From hiking in the Pyrénées on the border with Spain, surfing on the great waves from the Atlantic, sightseeing around the numerous medieval villages to wine tasting.
Enjoy tasting the region's celebrated gastronomy, which varies from the seafood paella nearer to Spain, to the traditional dishes of duck and goose washed down with a great glass of red wine. Find a great value holiday villa or appartment on Rent Property Direct and rent it directly from the owners, providing you with a great base from which to explore Aquitaine. The area tends to have long hot summers, with the odd short thunderstorm and mild winters.
Wine
Aquitaine is home to the world's most famous and prestigious vineyards. Most wine producers open their cellars for visits and tasting. Either you can join an organized wine tour through the famous Médoc and Saint-Emilion regions, or invent your own wine route and maybe discover some great wine from unknown producers.
Coastline
The relatively unspoilt coastline with large protected areas in between towns and resorts is definitely an experience not to be missed. With over 250km of coastline, its long sun-drenched beaches are a great place to relax and find space from the crowds. See Europe's highest Dune (Pyla) near Arcachon. Aquitaine boasts some of the best surfing in Europe, with several international competitions held at Biarritz and Hossegor.
Activities
Aquitaine offers plenty of outdoor activities such as fishing, horse riding, tennis, hiking, skiing, mountaineering, sailing, surfing, wind surfing and cycling. There is also a large selection of great golf courses to test your skills against. Arcachon Golf Club, Biarritz Golf Club, Bordeaux-Cameyrac Golf Club, Bordeaux-Lac Golf Club, Medoc Golf Club and Perigueux Golf Club are just some of the golf courses worth visiting.
Historical sites
Due to the often turbulent history of the region, Aquitaine is covered with bastides and fortified villages. Some of the most spectacular ones are the Chateaux de Bannes, Castelnaud and Milandes. Visit the Holy shrine of St.Bernadette and the grotto in Lourdes.
Cities and towns
Bordeaux - In the 18th Century Bordeaux became famous for its wine trade and as a major port trading with the colonies. This lively town, with its interesting architecture, abundance of shops and large student areas is a good place to start your trip. In this city and its surrounding area there is a wide variety of great holiday rentals to suit all budgets.
Dax – One of the first spa towns in France, Dax is famous for its healing waters and mud baths. Stay in a villa rental or an apartment in Dax or its surrounding area to make the most of a relaxing holiday.
Villeneuve-sur-lot – Situated in a region well known for its market garden and fruit growing agriculture. It was founded in 1264 and was at the time, one of the dominant bastides in the South West of France.
Arcachon – Situated in one of France's largest Oyster producing areas, this famous seaside resort with fine beaches has numerous events to enjoy and a wide choice of holiday accommodation.
Saint-Jean-de-Luz – This picturesque old fishing port is now a popular resort.
Perigueux – Stunning medieval town with a beautiful Cathedral.
Other towns worth visiting for shopping, restaurants, bars, and holiday accommodation are Pau, Biarritz, Agen, Arcachon, Bergerac, Mont-de-Marsan, Bayonne, Lourdes, Roquefort, Cambo, Anglet, Bazas, Libourne, Castillonnes, Langon, Fumel and Nontron.
Travel
The main airports are Bordeaux, Biarritz, Pau and Bordeaux. Taking the Eurostar to Paris, you can catch the high-speed train (TGV) to the Aquitaine region.
Find some great value holiday rentals in Aquitaine by searching through the large selection on Rent Property Direct and enjoy an unforgettable holiday in France.