Destinations Whether
Destinations Whether it’s culture, nature, adventure, fun, or epicurean delights, it’s not only possible to find something for everyone in this region – one is somewhat overwhelmed by the choice. In the following pages, we take a closer look at the key internal destinations that make up this extraordinary patchwork that is Nouvelle-Aquitaine. We take you to the city of Bordeaux and its famed wine area along the Garonne. The Dordogne welcomes visitors with its wild nature and glorious rural settings. Along the Atlantic coast and in Biarritz-Pays Basque, the endless sandy beaches and dunes welcome lovers of surf and sun from around the globe. The Cognac country is more than just home to the famed eau-de-vie, but is also breath-taking in its natural beauty. When it comes to heady heights, there are few places to cap the Pyrenees. The ancient city of Poitiers and the nearby Futuroscope complement each other through their contrast. Want to try the best steak in France in the finest French Porcelain? The Limoges area will not let you down. And as a place to relax at the end of an epic journey, the Marais Poitevin is just right. Something for everyone? More than that – there’s plenty for everyone. 8 SMART GUIDE Nouvelle-Aquitaine www.nouvelle-aquitaine-tourisme.com
DESTINATIONS Porte Cailhau BORDEAUX - BEST CITY 2017 Acclaimed for its vineyards, Bordeaux also boasts beautiful classical and contemporary architecture, superb cuisine, and an increasingly lively artistic and cultural scene. Justly proud of the numerous attributes that have earned it the title “Best City of 2017”, Bordeaux stands as a dynamic symbol of the French “art de vivre” (art of living). BORDEAUX - NUMBER ONE IN LONELY PLANET’S TOP CITIES OF THE WORLD Bordeaux was the Lonely Planet guide’s top city pick for 2017. The only French city in the Top 10, Bordeaux faced down serious competition from cities such as Cape Town, Los Angeles and Lisbon. 10 TH ANNIVERSARY OF UNESCO CLASSIFICATION 2017 marked ten years since Bordeaux was registered on the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites. 1,810 hectares, or nearly half of the city’s total area are covered, making Bordeaux the first urban environment of such magnitude. Bordeaux has 350 buildings that are classified as Historic Monuments. It is also ten years since Vauban’s fortifications, known as the “Bolt of the Estuary” (consisting of the Blaye Citadel, Fort Pâté, and Fort Médoc) and the vineyards of Saint Emilion were granted World Heritage status. La Cité Frugès housing development in Pessac, designed by Le Corbusier, was added to the list in the summer of 2016. BORDEAUX, CITY OF THE ARTS An inexhaustible source of inspiration, Bordeaux is popular with artists and hosts numerous arts-related projects. It currently boasts one of the liveliest music scenes in France, with urban, offbeat locations springing up in the city’s various neighbourhoods; street art adorns many of Bordeaux’s walls, and generates an increasing number of events and initiatives. SPECIAL EXPERIENCES AROUND BORDEAUX There are a plethora of unique activities available for visitors to the Bordeaux area. The Bordeaux River Cruise offers a pass that includes access to La Cité du Vin’s permanent exhibition and a wine tasting cruise on the Garonne. Playing real-life escape games in century-old wine cellars or in local vineyards is one of the latest crazes in the region. Visitors are able to explore in a new, fun way, while playing the role of a sleuth or solving enigmas. A treasure hunt might well result in the finder keeping a bottle of rather delicious wine, and in all cases, result in making new friends and discovering the local fare. Visitors can also choose to sleep in a wine cask, an enormous barrel that can hold 7,000 litres at Saint-Jean-de-Blaignac (40 kms from Bordeaux); or paraglide over the Arcachon Bay, enjoying breathtaking views of the Dune of Pilat and the Cap Ferret peninsula. Many other activities are offered near Bordeaux around Libourne and its vineyards or Medoc Atlantique and its sandy beaches. © Steve Le Clech Photos MUST-SEE La Cité du Vin, a symbol of Bordeaux A great attraction completely dedicated to wine as cultural, universal, and living heritage, La Cité du Vin museum is often called the heart of wine-based tourism. One can taste some of the world’s best wines, dine at one of three restaurants, or shop in a 250 sq m concept store. KEY ASSETS • Largest urban area in the world classified UNESCO with 1,810 hectares • Gourmet capital: numerous starred restaurants and three world stars, Pierre Gagnaire, Philippe Etchebest and Gordon Ramsay. • The largest AOC vineyards of France with 65 AOCs on 117,000 hectares TRANSPORTS Bordeaux-Mérignac (BOD) Many international links, including: Paris: 1hr Madrid: 1hr 15mins London: 1hr 40mins Berlin: 2hrs 25mins Amsterdam: 1hr 45mins Bordeaux Saint-Jean TGV Paris - 2hrs Bruxelles - 4hrs MORE INFORMATION www.bordeaux-tourism.co.uk www.laciteduvin.com/en www.bordeauxwinetrip.com www.gironde-tourisme.fr http://en.tourisme-libournais.com www.bassin-arcachon.com/en www.medoc-atlantique.co.uk © Françoise Roche - Région Nouvelle-Aquitaine www.nouvelle-aquitaine-tourisme.com SMART GUIDE Nouvelle-Aquitaine 9
