THEMED TOURS© Mon Nuage
THEMED TOURS© Mon Nuage - CRT NA4© ATV© CDT64OPTIONS3 TOP ACCOMODATION PICKS• Best western Le Grand Hotel 4*in Poitiers.http://grandhotelpoitiers.fr• Radisson Blu Hotel 4* in Bordeaux.www.radissonblu.comSaint-Front Cathedral, PérigueuxThe Abbey of Saint SavinPilgrims walking throughSaint-Jean-Pied-de-Port• Hôtel les Pyrénées 4* inSaint-Jean-Pied-de-Port.www.hotel-les-pyrenees.comON THE WAY OF SAINT JAMES5 DAYSSince the 9th-Century, Nouvelle-Aquitaine has beentraversed by pilgrims on their way to Santiagode Compostela in Spain, on the most famouspilgrimage route in Europe. Six major Jacobeanroutes converge in the region, crossing preservedlandscapes and historic monuments, 26 of whichare classified as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.On foot, by bike, on horseback, in a motorhome, youwill meet believers but also the curious, art or sportlovers and friends of nature.THE TOURS ROUTEDAY 1Poitiers, city of a hundred bell towers, with itsmust-visit Notre-Dame-la-Grande, a masterpieceof Romanesque art; including the Saint-Hilairechurch, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage SiteSaint-Pierre cathedral, the Saint-Jean baptistery(dating from Merovingian times). Next toPoitiers, stopover at the Abbey of Saint-Savin,another UNESCO heritage site featuring thelargest collection of mural paintings in Europefrom the 11th and 12th-Centuries.DAY 2Saintes: Abbaye aux Dames, formerBenedictine abbey created in 1047, the firstwomen’s abbey in Saintonge. Today, music isat the heart of the abbey with a festival, andconcerts. Then, head to Pons and its Pilgrims’Hospital (on UNESCO World Heritage List).DAY 3Bordeaux: a city with three Jacobeanchurches, registered on the UNESCO WorldHeritage List: the Basilica of Saint-Seurin,famous for its crypt containing 5th-Centuryremains, is a major place of antiquity; Saint-André Cathedral, the most beautiful religiousmonument in Bordeaux; The Basilica ofSaint-Michel and its imposing bell tower.DAY 3Dax: The cathedral, in the classical“neo-Greek” style, was built between themiddle of the 17th-Century and the end ofthe 19th-Century. Gallo-Roman walls, andhot a hotspring dating back to antiquity.Stopover to the Benedictine Abbey in Sordel’Abbayewith three remarkable architecturalfeatures: the abbey church built at the end ofthe 11th-Century, the monastery buildings,and the villa of the Abbots.DAY 4Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port: the Notre-Damechurch, built on the ramparts, has a 13th-Centuryfoundation and is one of the most importantBasque Gothic buildings. The Santiago Gate hasUNESCO World Heritage status.THE VEZELAY ROUTEDAY 1Poitiers and the Abbey of Saint-SavinDAY 2Limoges: Crypt of Saint-Martial, the crypt waslocated under the former Benedictine abbeyof Saint-Martial, founded in the 11th-Centuryand was destroyed in 1792. It contains the lastremains of the important necropolis whereSaint-Martial was buried.DAY 3Périgueux: Saint-Front Cathedral, classifiedas a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In Romano-Byzantine style, it recalls Saint Mark’s Basilicain Venice, and was built in the 12th-Century.Mont-de-Marsan: Don’t forget to visit theChurch of the Madeleine, followed by the“Notre-Dame-du-Rugby” chapel.DAY 4Departure from the Abbey, Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port. Lourdes, one of the world’s most importantplaces of Catholic pilgrimage, is also nearby.DAY 5Santiago de Compostela: Place of arrivalfor the Way of Saint James to receive thecompostela (kind of diploma proving that thepilgrimage has been carried out) and this isalso where the Apostle Saint James lies buried.18 SMART GUIDE ROUTES www.nouvelle-aquitaine-tourisme.com
THEMED TOURSFly fishing in the gave dAspe© Lionel ArmandMonbazillac castle© Laetis - CRT LimousinOPTIONSBECOME AN EXPERT• Nature hikes in the Pyreneeswww.e-natura.com© M Turin - CRT NA• Fishing masterclass in Vassivièrewww.pecheur-de-sensations.com• Accompanied hiking trip to discover theRegional Natural Park of Millevacheswww.appaat-millevaches.comHiking in the Regional Natural Park of MillevachesCanoe on Lake VassivièreIN THE HEART OF NATURENouvelle-Aquitaine, with its vast natural spaces,is one big playground for the active holidaymaker,summer or winter. With its protected landscapesand heritage, four Regional Natural Parks(Millevaches, Landes de Gascogne, Périgord-Limousin, and Marais Poitevin), the PyreneesNational Park and spectacular sites such asdunes, marshes, and caves, the region is a sourceof constant surprises and delights.For a “zero carbon” holiday, it is the idealdestination to indulge in the joys of nature throughoutdoor activities (hiking, cycling, horse riding,fishing, trail, white water, paragliding...). Manyeco-labelled accommodations, from camping tohotels: 92 accommodations with the Europeaneco-label in Nouvelle-Aquitaine.Three ideas for a relaxing stay in the countryside.THE GR10, THE GREAT CROSSING OF THE PYRENEESThe famous GR10 hiking trail is made for thosewho love the great outdoors. It travels the lengthof the Pyrenees from Hendaye to Banyuls andtakes two months to complete. For the Nouvelle-Aquitaine section (270 km), you will need aboutten days, passing through Aïnhoa (one of themost beautiful villages in France) or the Maisonde l’Ours in Etsaut. Crossing Basque villages withwhite and red facades and green valleys, the Colde La Pierre Saint-Martin and high altitude lakes toenter the heart of the Pyrenees National Park. Youstop in gites, hotels, guest rooms or refuges. Youcan even camp under the stars.• From Hendaye to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-PortBeginning at Hendaye on the edge of the AtlanticOcean, then crossing the first summit of theRhune and the Basque villages of Sare, Aïnhoa,Bidarray. Irouléguy vineyard in sight, crossingSaint-Etienne-de-Baïgorry before arriving in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port.• From Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port toLa Pierre-Saint-Martinfrom Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port to the summerpastures of Cize and Soule. Passage to Iraty.• From La Pierre-Saint-Martin to ArrensCrossing the limestone plateau of La-Pierre-Saint-Martin before entering the Pyrenees National Parkto discover the emblematic Pic du Midi d’Ossau.To be planned: make the stopover Bidarray - Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port then return by the train thatwinds through the Nive valley at the foot of theBasque mountains. Departure from Bayonne.LAKE VASSIVIÈRE, THE OTHER CANADAWith its 1,000 ha, it is one of the largest lakes inthe region, an extraordinary place for holidaysand discoveries. Its forest landscapes, islandsand peninsulas give the appearance of a smallScandinavian or Canadian landscape.Don’t miss: The International Centre for Art andLandscape, dedicated to contemporary creation;the island of Vassivière; the beaches of Broussasor Auphelle...To be planned: discovery of the lake by taxi boat,hiking along the shoreline path, outdoor activity(sailing, canoeing, water skiing, fishing, trail...),storytelling around the lake.THE REGIONAL NATURAL PARK OF MILLEVACHESLocated in the northeast of Nouvelle-Aquitaine,and the source of many rivers (Vézère, Vienne,Taurion), it is made up of remarkable naturalenvironments where peat bogs, moors, forestsand meadows alternate. An ideal landscape torecharge your batteries.Whatever the season, the park has a lot to offernature lovers: sites and trails for discovery,numerous activities such as hiking, cycling,horseback riding, donkey riding, water sportsand Nordic activities. It is home to fragile animalspecies, such as otters, and is a stopover formigratory birds.Don’t miss: Lake Vassivière, the Longeyroux peatbog, the communes of Meymac, Felletin, Eymoutiersand Treignac, the four entry points to the park.To be planned: cross-country skiing on theDomaine de Gentioux-Pigerolles, mountainbiking from the Chamberet, or Eygurande bases,fishing in this place, which is the source of manyrivers (Vézère, Vienne, Taurion...). The traveljournal “Voyage(s) en Millevaches” lists the sitesand interpretation trails to be discovered and isavailable in all tourist offices.www.nouvelle-aquitaine-tourisme.comSMART GUIDE ROUTES 19
