Atout France SMARTguide

DESTINATIONS RELOADED
The Dordogne:
a Shared Heritage -
Accumulated over the
Millenia
Moliets
®cdtLandes_BDugros
Lascaux cave
© Denis Nidos
Biarritz:
the Golfer’s
Paradise
The Dordogne Valley covers
a vast area in the southwest
of France, beginning in the
mountains of the Massif
Central and ending in the
plains to the east, near
Bordeaux.
It’s an area to which time
has been kind; rich in scenic,
architectural, historic,
cultural and gastronomic
traditions and heritage.
CAVES AND CHASMS,
ENTERING THE
UNDERWORLD
The great beauty of the
Dordogne Valley is not only
to be found above ground
in its rolling hills, dramatic
gorges, fertile dells and
unspoilt landscapes, but
also underground, where the
limestone geology has led to
the formation of magnificent
caves over millions of years.
The Lascaux cave at
Montignac, named as a
UNESCO World Heritage site
in 1979 is home to some of
the great masterpieces of
prehistoric art. The newly
opened Montignac-Lascaux
International Parietal Art
Centre (CIAP) contains a
reproduction of almost the
entire original cave created
using the most up-todate
virtual and imagery
technology.
In the golfing world, Biarritz
holds a special place.
Recognised as an
outstanding international
golf destination, the regions
surrounding Biarritz – the
Basque Country and the
Landes – nestled between
ocean and mountains,
attract golfers from around
the world. From Biarritz to
Moliets, Saint-Jean-de-Luz
to Pau, in the south of the
South-West, 16 golf courses
are less than an hour’s drive
from Biarritz.
Biarritz has a long history
with golfing – the Golf du
Phare was created in 1888
and has always been a golf
destination highly prized by
enthusiasts of this sport.
Moreover, the Pau Golf Club
was the first course to have
been designed in continental
Europe in 1856.
Depending on one’s wishes,
shape or level, a course
can be chosen with sea or
mountain view, in the heart
of the city or among the
pines, gently hilly o
USPs
• A Rich Past: With a history going back several
millennia, the Dordogne Valley offers a veritable
journey through the ages, from its prehistoric caves to
its medieval castles.
• The Most Beautiful Villages of France: the Dordogne
Valley is home to an enchanting variety of picturesque
villages that have kept their authentic French country
charm.
• The beautiful “GR” (Grand Randonnée) walking trails
and the St. James Way converge towards Rocamadour.
USPs
• The golf courses of Chiberta, Seignosse, Hossegor,
Moliets, Biarritz le Phare, Arcangues and Chantaco
are ranked in the top 10 South-West golf courses by
the 2016 edition of Fairways magazine.
• The new “Golf Pass Biarritz Destination” lets one play
two to eight courses at amazing prices.
• The various workstations of the International Training
Centre and Golf of Ilbarritz allow complete training
according to one’s strengths or weaknesses..
Bordeaux (BOD)
Brive, Figeac, Souillac, Gourdon and Cahors Stations
Biarritz (BIQ), Bordeaux (BOD)
Biarritz, Dax and Bayonne Stations
24 France: Destinations to (re)discover france.fr