Nouvelle Aquitaine SMARTguide 2019

THEME HOLIDAYS
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© Brigitte BLOCH
OUR
HIGHLIGHTS
Saint-Savin sur
Gartempe abbey
Nouvelle-Aquitaine’s rich heritage
and culture reflect what an important
part the area played in the history of
France.
UNESCO SITES
There are several UNESCO world
heritage sites in Nouvelle-Aquitaine:
The Vézère valley’s prehistoric sites and
caves, Saint-Savin sur Gartempe abbey,
Saint-Léonard de Noblat collegiate
church, the Ways of St James, “Port
de la Lune” in Bordeaux, the Citadel of
Blaye and “Vauban Bolt” on the Gironde
estuary…
NOUVELLE-AQUITAINE,
CRADLE OF MANKIND
The very first humans left amazing
traces of their presence in Nouvelle-
Aquitaine. In fact, it’s probably France’s
richest region as far as prehistory goes.
France and some of Europe’s finest
Paleolithic vestiges lie in Périgord,
along the Vézère Valley.
MEDIEVAL GEMS
In Nouvelle-Aquitaine, the Middle
Ages were one of the most productive
eras, for religious architecture and
art. The abundance of fortresses,
châteaux, abbeys, churches, citystates,
villages, medieval quarters,
fortified towns testifies to the area’s
rich, occasionally turbulent history. The
10 th to 15 th Centuries were also marked
by strong leading figures as Eleanor of
Aquitaine’s and her eldest son, Richard
Collonges la Rouge
HERITAGE
the Lionheart, who is said to have spent
more time in Nouvelle-Aquitaine than in
England.
TOWNS AND LANDS OF ART
AND HISTORY
Nouvelle-Aquitaine’s “Towns and Lands
of Art and History” (Villes et Pays d’Art
et d’Histoire) strive to present and
enhance their remarkable historical
and architectural heritage, from the
Prehistoric era to the 21 st Century.
All year long, many territories such
as Rochefort, Saintes, Poitiers,
Cognac, Limoges, Royan, Thouars, the
Angoumois, Confolentais, Mellois, Île
de Ré, Parthenay, Montmorillonnais
and Châtelleraudais territories organise
guided tours, exhibitions and events.
28 “PLUS BEAUX VILLAGES
DE FRANCE”
Nouvelle-Aquitaine has 28 of the
“Plus Beaux Villages de France”
(most beautiful villages of France)
– charming destinations to discover
while roaming, as gourmet getaways
or an active discovery in the open
countryside. We can cite, for example,
Talmont-sur-Gironde, Collonges la
Rouge, Monflanquin or Monpazier.
CONTEMPORARY ART
Contemporary art has a place of honour
in Nouvelle-Aquitaine. Architecture,
museums, art centres… an entire range
of activities is available for art lovers.
LASCAUX INTERNATIONAL
CENTRE: TOTAL IMMERSION
IN PREHISTORY
An unprecedented complete
replica retraces the discovery of
this famous decorated cave.
But the adventure doesn’t
stop there: six exhibition
halls investigate the place
occupied by Lascaux in world
cave art and its relation
to contemporary creation.
A adventure combining the
emotion of our ancestors’ art
and technological prowess.
SAINTES GALLO-ROMAN
AMPHITHEATRE
Built under the reign of Tiberius
and completed under the reign of
Claudius, around 40 A.D, it is one
of the oldest surviving examples
in France. This huge arena
would once have held 15,000
spectators.
A DIGITAL TABLET TO DISCOVER
THE ABBEY OF SAINT-SAVIN
In order to create a completely
new visitor experience, contents
are designed to allow total
immersion in the great history,
and especially that of the
famous frescoes inscribed on
the UNESCO World Heritage List.
KEY ASSETS
France’s richest region as far
as Prehistory goes.
Many UNESCO listed cities
and monuments, including the
Vézère Valley in Dordogne.
One of the most productive
eras for religious architecture
and art.
www.nouvelle-aquitaine-tourisme.com
SMART GUIDE Nouvelle-Aquitaine 25