THEME HOLIDAYS @ Les
THEME HOLIDAYS @ Les Sources de Caudalie - CRTA Château Smith Haut Lafitte, Martillac WINE TOURISM & GASTRONOMY THE WORLD”S MOST FAMOUS VINEYARDS AWAIT YOU Bordeaux, Cognac, Pomerol, Saint- Emilion, Margaux… Fabulous and internationally famous wines that the entire planet envies! Welcome to the Bordeaux and Cognac areas! 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, Lalande de Pomerol…), the Libournais country has a reputation second to none. Don’t miss excursions in the Jurançon vineyards (Pau- Pyrénées area) and 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, enjoying gourmet meals and, of course, rediscovering your senses! “BON APPETIT” IN NOUVELLE-AQUITAINE! Nouvelle-Aquitaine is France’s first farming region, and has all the assets required to offer amazing food. Vast green plains offer ideal conditions for cattle breeding (Limousin beef and veal, Parthenaise beef, Chalosse beef, Aquitain blonde beef), sheep (Baronet lamb, «le Diamandin», Poitou Charente lamb, Pauillac lamb), pigs (Limousin cul noir pork, noir de Bigorre pork). You may already have heard of “foie gras», “Sud Ouest” ducks fillets and Bayonne ham. Other popular foods are Espelette pepper, Charentes-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. Moreover, the Arcachon bay is one of the main oyster breeding place in France and one have to make a break in one of the traditional oyster farms for a tasting. Poitou-Charentes is 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. 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 AT RELAIS DE LA POSTE RESTAURANT (2 MICHELIN STARS) Chef Jean Coussau is keen to share with his long experience and love of cuisine. He is delighted to invite enthusiasts and reasoned cooks alike to join him in the kitchens of Le Relais de la Poste for a friendly, entertaining cookery class. KEY ASSETS France’s number one region for the quality of its products Numerous activities and tastings in direct contact with producers. Holidays enriched by meetings with French chefs who, share their passion. 18 SMART GUIDE Nouvelle-Aquitaine www.visit-nouvelle-aquitaine.com
THEME HOLIDAYS © Dan Courtis - CRTNA © 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 Camino de Santiago de Compostela, “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 pre-history 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 Bayonne Festival HERITAGE & CITY BREAKS Aquitaine’s and her eldest son, Richard the Lionheart, who is said to have spent more time in Limousin 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 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. CITY HOLIDAYS For those who enjoy the liveliness of city holidays, in Nouvelle-Aquitaine they definitely know how to celebrate! Festive events as Bayonne Festival (bringing together a million people dressed in white uniforms, red scarves and belts) or Francofolies (music festival in La Rochelle), fantastic dining, shopping… Nouvelle-Aquitaine is the place to be! It’s human-size cities can be explored by foot or bicycle. 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 new 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. LA ROCHELLE, A PRESTIGIOUS HERITAGE From the Middle Ages to the Renaissance, from the 17 th Century to now, it’s the complete history of a town that can be discovered by strolling along the quays of the Old Port and the streets of the historic centre. 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.visit-nouvelle-aquitaine.com SMART GUIDE Nouvelle-Aquitaine 19
