DESTINATIONS Gabare boat
DESTINATIONS Gabare boat tour by the bridge and Château of Castelnaud DORDOGNE VALLEY OFFERS SENSATIONS AND EMOTIONS Dordogne and Périgord are favourite destinations with food-lovers and it’s a fascinating area with plenty to see and do at any time of year. BEAUTIFUL VILLAGES IN THE REGION OF A THOUSAND AND ONE CASTLES Beautiful buildings such as castles, manor houses and Romanesque churches are dotted around the countryside, providing a magnet for anyone interested in culture and heritage. As they explore the Dordogne, visitors in search of old buildings and traditional villages will be in their element strolling through the typical narrow streets of our beautiful villages and towns. AN EXTRAORDINARY HISTORY It’s not by chance that Prehistoric Man chose to settle in the area 17,000 years ago. He left exceptional works of art to humanity, such as the cave paintings in Lascaux and the 15 prehistoric sites concentrated in the Vézère valley, which are now listed UNESCO World Heritage sites. Its 10 listed villages, its medieval bastides and its three “Towns of Art and History” make the Dordogne one of the richest area in France in terms of listed historical monuments. Today, there are a range of tours and experiences available. The Centre International de l’Art Pariétal Montignac Lascaux take visitors back on a journey to the origins of human history. The area also offers numerous festivals and events dedicated to music, mime, film and food throughout the year. MANY OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES Nature-lovers and outdoor activity enthusiasts are spoilt for choice in the Dordogne – choose from activities as diverse as canoeing, hiking and cycle touring to golf, climbing and fishing, as well as wakeboarding and pot-holing. EXCEPTIONAL EXPERIENCES An excellent reason for visiting the Dordogne Valley is the delicious food and wine available everywhere. Whether it be in lively local markets, food fairs and festivals, or restaurants, ranging from farm or village inns to Michelin-starred establishments such as the gourmet restaurant of the Vieux Logis in Trémolat, La Tour des Vents in Monbazillac or restaurant Étincelles in Sainte Sabine Born. Known for its excellent regional cuisine and rugby team, Brive-la-Gaillarde is an important centre for fruit and vegetables, which are sold in its renowned market, along with other regional specialties. Collonges-la-Rouge is well known for its red sandstone buildings, which give it a distinctive nature that is reflected in its name. One can wander among the streets and admire the buildings, including the 12th Century Saint Pierre Church. Sarlat organic night market is a must for food lovers. You can find foie gras, the famous cepe mushrooms, magret (duck breasts) & confit (conserves of duck or goose), truffles, walnuts, strawberries and countless other delicious local products.The Sarlat’s glass lift with panoramic views, housed within Sainte- Marie’s bell tower, offers a unique experience. Once at the top, the lift allows you a 360° view of Sarlat: the paved streets, the honey stoned walls, the lauze covered roofs… © Gabares Norbert MUST-SEE Lascaux cave, one of humanity’s major archaeological discoveries According to UNESCO, “its discovery was of great importance for the history of prehistoric art. The hunting scenes show some 100 animal figures, which are remarkable for their detail, rich colours and lifelike quality.” UNESCO considers that “there is no other prehistoric site in any other part of the world which equals the site in the quantity, quality and variety of the finds.” KEY ASSETS • 191 sites and monuments open to visitors. • 15 UNESCO World Heritagelisted prehistoric sites. • 556 kilometres of navigable rivers suitable for canoeing. TRANSPORTS Bordeaux-Mérignac (BOD) Bergerac-Dordogne- Perigord (EGC) Brive Vallée de la Dordogne (BVE) Bordeaux Saint-Jean TGV Angoulême TGV Paris - 2hrs Libourne TGV Paris: 2hrs 45mins Périgueux, Bergerac (TER stations) MORE INFORMATION http://dordognevalleytravel.com/ www.dordogne-perigord-tourisme.fr www.brive-tourisme.com/ www.sarlat-tourisme.com/en www.lascaux.fr/en © BROCHARD - CRT NA 10 SMART GUIDE Nouvelle-Aquitaine www.nouvelle-aquitaine-tourisme.com
DESTINATIONS La Bastide-Clairence BIARRITZ - PAYS BASQUE: FROM BIARRITZ AND ANGLET, ON THE OCEAN’S EDGE, TO THE FOOT OF THE PYRENEES © Alban Gilbert - CRTA MUST-SEE Biarritz, a seaside town Biarritz is the most urban of the seaside resorts on the Basque Coast. “Launched” in the 19 th century by Empress Eugenie, the town stands out with its original architecture and its casino. After the beach, head to the boutiques, art galleries and trendy bars! From the top of the Rocher de la Vierge, there is an unrestricted view of the bay and its history, from whalers to the “tonton surfers”. © CRT NA The history and culture of the Pays Basque make it a bold and creative region. It draws its inspiration from its heritage and contrasts, between the ocean and mountain. The preserved natural spaces of this region, its charm, its character and its identity, make it a small paradise which is known across the world. Visitors come here for its authentic and cultural charm, between the heritage of the old and contemporary creations. The architectural and ethnographic heritage is rich and diversified: houses, churches, traditional festivities and games, music and dance; many museums, including the Museum of the Sea and the Cité de l’Océan, enabling one and all to learn about the ocean and its flora and fauna. SUBTLE ELEGANCE AND A HARMONY OF CONTRASTS With a strong identity, the Pays Basque has everything: the ocean, mountains, countryside, renowned seaside resorts and authentic villages. A range of holidays are possible, such as lazing on fine sandy beaches or exploring the great outdoors of the Basque mountain, or enjoying culinary experiences. The range of possibilities is almost infinite, with one common denominator: well-being. THE ESSENCE OF THE PARTY Visitors should come to the Pays Basque and spend time celebrating. Tourists should participate in at least once in a village festival to feel all the love that the Basque region brings with culture and history. GOURMET PLEASURES The Pays Basque is a gourmet paradise of flavours and chefs. The Atlantic has spoiled this little corner of the Bay of Biscay and the interior of the country where the products of the earth abound. From Bayonne to Saint- Jean-de-Luz, there are numerous good restaurants, with many Michelin starred establishments. OUTDOOR PURSUITS Popular for more than 60 years is surfing with the adventurous taking on 30km of waves. From Anglet to Hendaye, you can practice surfing and celebrate. In terms of hiking, there are hundreds of trails across the Pays Basque with a range of views. The Pays Basque also has eight tailormade golf courses. WAVES AND FINE SAND Anglet is known as ‘Little California’ for its 11 distinctive beaches spread over 4.5 km of fine sand, from the cool cosmopolitan hang-out of Marinella beach, via les Cavaliers, home to the surfing pros, to the calm La Barre beach, great for kids. SPECIAL EXPERIENCES The five-day Bayonne Festival sees a large number of participants dressed in white uniforms, red scarves and belts as they take to the streets for one of the major events in France. The Basque gourmet walk allows you to discover Basque specialties such as Espelette pepper, Kintoa ham, Banka trout, foie gras, sheep cheese, Basque cake and chocolate. KEY ASSETS • The Pays Basque offers many treasures: castles, churches, priories, caves, museums and beautiful countryside • Sports and leisure activities: strolls along the Basque Coastal Road or the mountain trails, seaside and all whitewater activities, golf … • Richness of local product, local dishes and Basque cuisine TRANSPORTS Biarritz Pays Basque (BIQ) Many international links, including: Berlin: 2hrs 30 mins Brussels: 1hr 45 mins London: 1hr 45 mins Paris: 1hr 30 mins Bayonne TGV Paris: 3hrs 55mins Biarritz TGV Paris: 4hrs 10mins Dax TGV Paris: 3hrs 20mins MORE INFORMATION www.biarritz-pays-basque.com tourisme.biarritz.fr/en www.anglet-tourisme.com/en www.bayonne-tourisme.com/en www.bearn-basquecountry.com www.nouvelle-aquitaine-tourisme.com SMART GUIDE Nouvelle-Aquitaine 11
