THEME HOLIDAYS © Tom
THEME HOLIDAYS © Tom Fecht Soutard -CRT NA THE WORLD’S MOST FAMOUS VINEYARDS AWAIT YOU Bordeaux, Cognac, Pomerol, Saint- Emilion, Margaux: Fabulous and internationally famous wines that the entire planet envies! In Gironde, around Bordeaux, travellers can find six “Bordeaux Wine routes”. The famous regions are Bordeaux, Medoc, Saint-Emilion - Pomerol - Fronsac, Entre-deux-Mers, Graves and Sauternes and Blaye and Bourg. Thanks to these regions, wine tourism continues to grow in Bordeaux. Bordeaux Wine Trip offers vineyard excursions and personalised wine tours. Located in the centre of prestigious world-famous vineyards (Pomerol, Saint-Emilion, or Lalande de Pomerol), the Libournais country has a reputation second to none. And then there are the wines of Bergerac – Duras: 17 appellations to discover at the Maison des Vins in Bergerac, a 17 th century residence built around a wooden cloister and bricks. Don’t miss excursions in the Jurançon vineyards (Pau-Pyrénées area) and the discovery of Irouleguy wines in Pays Basque. Visiting the Nouvelle-Aquitaine vineyards means entering the secret and amazing world of wine storehouses, meeting devoted wine growers, tasting exceptional vintage wines, and enjoying gourmet meals. “BON APPETIT” IN NOUVELLE-AQUITAINE! Nouvelle-Aquitaine is France’s top farming region, and has all the assets required to offer amazing food. Several great chefs like Alain Ducasse or Anne Sophie Pic are from Nouvelle-Aquitaine, the region being home of more than 50 Michelin-starred restaurants. Vast green plains offer ideal conditions for cattle breeding (beef of Limousin, Parthenaise, Chalosse, or Aquitaine blonde), sheep (Baronet lamb, “le Diamandin”, Pauillac lamb), and pigs (noir de Bigorre pork). You may already have heard of “foie gras”, duck fillets and Bayonne ham. Other popular foods are Espelette pepper, Charentes- Limousin beef WINE TOURISM & GASTRONOMY Poitou butter and Salies de Béarn salt. With over 20,000 tonnes of oysters produced each year, Marennes Oléron is one of Europe’s largest oyster farms. Or stop for a tasting in the Arcachon bay, one of France’s main oyster breeding locations. Nouvelle-Aquitaine is also France’s largest goat cheese producer. There are all types of goat cheese, the most renowned being the pyramid-shaped Chabichou du Poitou (AOC). Agen prunes are an essential part of the Lot-et-Garonne area’s heritage and are also known as “black nuggets”. Limousin AOP apples are the only apples in France to have their own excellence label. © JL Pericat - CRT NA OUR HIGHLIGHTS THE BORDEAUX WINE ROUTE IN SAINT-EMILION, POMEROL, FRONSAC EN LIBOURNAIS Saint-Emilion is not only the name of a prestigious wine mark of Bordeaux but also a medieval town erected on a rocky hill – both are listed as UNESCO World Heritage. Special events are organised in June and September. COGNAC HENNESSY 360° TOUR The tour takes the visitor on an immersive experience between history and modernity. Three avant-guard pavilions, introduce the history of the House, the cycle of the vineyard and the creation of Cognac. After visiting the ageing cellars, the experience continues with a tasting. COOKERY LESSONS The chefs of many establishments, from small village inns to Michelin-starred restaurants, offer to share their long experience and their love of cuisine. For example, cook with chef Diane Anthonissen in the idyllic setting of Château Ladausse (Monflanquin) or benefit from the advice and know-how of Michelin-starred chef Ludovic Merle at the Restaurant du Château (Jarnac). KEY ASSETS France’s number one region for the quality of its products Numerous activities and tastings on outdoor markets in direct contact with producers. Holidays enriched by meetings with French chefs who, share their passion. 24 SMART GUIDE Nouvelle-Aquitaine www.nouvelle-aquitaine-tourisme.com
THEME HOLIDAYS © ATV - CRT NA © A Dang - CRT NA © 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
