THEME HOLIDAYS Outside
THEME HOLIDAYS Outside Spa, Les Sources de Caudalie Whether you are looking for a postnatal treatment on île de Ré, a romantic weekend in Arcachon, a relaxing city dweller break in La Rochelle or Hendaye, each of Nouvelle-Aquitaine’s well-being holidays is a combination of harmony of the senses and total relaxation in the beauty of landscapes, with mild weather, from January to December! A WIDE RANGE OF THERMAL ESTABLISHMENTS From the Spa Source and Thermal Cure Centre of La Roche Posay to Les Thermes Evaux les Bains, passing by the numerous establishments of the Pyrenees (Thermes de Salies-de- Béarn, Thermes de Cambo-les-Bains or Thermes des Eaux-Bonnes), Nouvelle- Aquitaine is France’s #1 Thermal destination, Dax being France’s number one thermal destina-tion. The diversity of subsoils makes the amount of mineral salts and trace elements vary in the water they filter, so there are many different virtues and types of treatments. THALASSOTHERAPY: THE KEY TO HAPPINESS What is thalassotherapy? Ocean water treatments in spas located less than 1,000 metres from the sea. The word was invented by Doctor de La Bonnardière, in Arcachon, and the Pays Basque is, with Brittany, the most emblematic region. BALNEOLOGY The same treatments as thalassotherapy, but with “regular” water, are known as balneotherapy. Essential oil massages, hot stones, shiatsu… relaxation, inner @ Les Sources de Caudalie - CRTA WELL-BEING peace and beauty at their finest! Nouvelle-Aquitaine is France’s number one region for balneology, with 14 spas. NATURISM, A MODERN WAY OF LIFE Naturism has a long history that goes back to the Age of Enlightment and over the years, has become one of the main values of environmental-friendliness, sustainable development and mutual respect. On the Atlantic Coast, the mild oceanic climate favoured the establishment of naturist sites along 720km of coastline in Nouvelle-Aquitaine. Space, pine trees for shade, long sandy beaches… this perfectly describes Montalivet’s Hélio Marin Centre (CHM), in Médoc. This is France’s oldest (1949) and Europe’s largest naturist holiday resort. In the countryside, green naturism also has its fans. Corrèze or Périgord forests, crystal clear rivers, a beach at Vassivière lake, the hills of Lot-et-Garonne with orchards worthy of the Garden of Eden, all the way to the foot of the Pyrénées... It is wonderful to live in the intimacy and comfort of preserved nature. © Cedric Pasquini Chapeau Helianthal Thalazur OUR HIGHLIGHTS ORIGINAL: VINOTHERAPY Vinotherapy simply had to be popular in the region of France where there are the finest vineyards in the world! Why not try a honey and wine treatment, a crushed cabernet exfoliation or a vine drainage? The stimulating and infusing wrap for devitalised skin, at Les Sources de Caudalie, is a warm recipe of bentonite clay, crushed grape extracts (seeds, pulp, stems) and grape-seed oil gives you and your body a burst of new energy when you feel exhausted, pressured or stressed out by city living. LES ANTILLES DE JONZAC Dedicated to relaxation, wellbeing and pleasure, the Antilles de Jonzac aquatic centre features a tropical lagoon, a wave pool with a 60m slide and geyser effects. CHÂTEAU GUITON, A NATURIST CAMPING This charming old stone farm, in an “Entre-deux-mers” wine resort in Bordelais vineyards, allows you to discover all the gems Nouvelle-Aquitaine has to offer. KEY ASSETS A great choice of thermal stations and thalassotherapy centres. Exceptional care (thalassotherapy and vinotherapy) in specific institutions. Many naturist holiday resorts on the Atlantic coast and in the countryside. 28 SMART GUIDE Nouvelle-Aquitaine www.nouvelle-aquitaine-tourisme.com
THEME HOLIDAYS © Christophe Ducourret-Gravereau - CRTNA The National Adrien Dubouché Museum, Limoges SAVOIR-FAIRE A territory of excellence and innovation, a reflection of its history, Nouvelle- Aquitaine has the greatest number of traditional know-how. LIMOGES PORCELAIN Porcelaine Bernardaud was founded in Limoges in 1863. Visit the old workshops and find out about the different stages of the manufacture of porcelain. The National Adrien Dubouché Museum presents the richest Limoges porcelain collection in the world. Nontron’s knife UNESCO integrates both a museum, a resource centre and workshops. THE SURF WEAR MARKET The “surfing industry” has been a real economic phenomenon, and there are a plethora of schools and surf shops, in the Pays Basque and throughout Nouvelle-Aquitaine. © Bruno Chanet - CRTA OUR HIGHLIGHTS THE MAKHILA, THE TRADITIONAL BASQUE WALKING STICK Symbol of honour, the makhila reflects a certain philosophy and way of life. Elegant, practical, a redoubtable defensive weapon as well as a decorative object, the makhila is a truly essential element in Basque life. In Larressore, one can visit one of the very last makhilas workshops. THE LUXURY OF CONTEMPORARY JACQUARD Since 1919, Moutet workshops in Orthez weave Basque linen with traditional know-how. The company is surrounded by graphic designers, designers and creators who continually imagine new contemporary motifs on original themes. THE BERET, A FASHION ICON The iconic symbol of France, the beret is worn all over the world. Today, a handful of factories have survived all over Europe and only those of Laulhère, in Oloron-Sainte-Marie and the workshops of the French beret in Laàs (near Navarrenx), still produce berets entirely made in France. NONTRON’S KNIFE The Coutellerie Nontronnaise, established in Nontron (Dordogne Valley) since 1653, has adapted its ancestral know-how to the world today. Cutler companions always shape the knives in hand and a large bay window allows to highlight their expertise. THE AUBUSSON TAPESTRY The International City of Aubusson tapestry, born from the inscription of the know-how and techniques of the Aubusson tapestry to the intangible cultural heritage of humanity by NIORT LEATHER GOODS Founded in 1950, the company Atelier Duron creates and manufactures in its workshops in Niort leather goods. Laurige is a global player in leather work and its ornaments are delivered to a number of prestigious places around the world. BALLET SHOES OR ESPADRILLES? Famous for donning the “little rats” of the Opera, the Repetto manufacture of Saint-Médard d’Excideuil in (Dordogne Valley) is the place where the points of the ballerinas are made accordingly to the method of “Sewn retuned”. Espadrilles “Made in France” have been produced for the last 150 years in Mauléon, in the heart of the Pays Basque. The Don Quichosse company museum uses short texts and old photos to tell the life of the espadrille, designed in the traditional way, handstitched from natural, ecological and biodegradable products. DISCOVERING THE SECRETS OF GOURMET PRODUCTS The producers of many gourmet products from Nouvelle- Aquitaine open their doors to visitors. One can learn more about caviar from Neuvic in the Dordogne, Bayonne chocolate, the Espelette chili, the oysters of the Arcachon basin or of the Marennes-Oléron basin. KEY ASSETS High-end products are known the world over. An opportunity to meet artisans in their workshops. Experience a range of activities (cooking, tasting, masterclasses...). www.nouvelle-aquitaine-tourisme.com SMART GUIDE Nouvelle-Aquitaine 29
