Arcachon Holidays, France The oldest resort on the Côte d’Argent, Arcachon luxuriates in magnificent white sandy beaches. Attractive colonial-style villas sit amid the tree-covered hillside of the exclusive ‘ville d’hiver’ (winter town), overlooking the ‘ville d’été’ (summer town) and the town’s beach. For adrenalin seekers, the exposed southern beaches have great conditions for surfing. Nearby, Europe’s largest sand dune, Dune du Pyla, towers 114 metres high.
Bazas Holidays, France This 2,000-year old town lies in the historic Aquitaine region in the heart of south-west France’s largest vineyards. Bazas has a magnificent 13th century Gothic cathedral in an arcaded square, old ramparts and historic houses. It’s also home of the renowned Bazas beef which produces succulent entrecôte – or sirloin steak. Nearby, the famous Graves and Sauternes vineyards offer ample opportunity for wine tastings.
Bordeaux Holidays, France Once known as ‘La Belle Au Bois Dormant’ (Sleeping Beauty), Bordeaux’s graceful neo-classical buildings have been restored, the leafy boulevards pedestrianised and the city of vintage wine is now wide awake. Picturesquely set on the banks of the River Garonne, this lively university city has pretty parks and squares, impressive museums, buzzing cafés and chic shops, not to mention a plethora of gourmet restaurants to accompany the fine wines.
Bordeaux Wine Region Holidays, France‘Wine improves with age. The older I get, the better I like it,’ said writer Ernest Hemingway. For lovers of the grape, Bordeaux is the world’s most legendary, fine wine-making region. The vineyards of its 57 ‘appellations’ (production areas) produce everything from red, velvety claret to sparkling white crémant de Bordeaux. A visit to at least one of the 5,000 plus châteaux where the grapes are raised, picked and matured is a must.
Lacanau Holidays, France Lying on the long Côte d’Argent (Silver Coast), Lacanau is cradled between pine forests and long white sandy beaches on a vast coastline of shifting sand dunes. There is also a 2000 hectare lake. The attractive waterfront at Lacanau-Ocean is fringed with shops, cafés and restaurants. South and north of Lacanau, the surroundings are more untamed with rolling sand dunes and beaches that are a paradise for surfers.
Libourne Holidays, France The walled town of Libourne is the wine-making capital of northern Gironde, near St Emilion and Pomerol. Set at the confluence of the Isle and Dordogne rivers, it’s also the heart of the châteaux-rich Aquitaine countryside. A cobbled market square, 16th-century townhouses, arched arcades, lively bistros and the Musée des Beaux-Arts et d'Archéologie, all make this major wine-trading town a great place for a fascinating, gastronomic visit.
Medoc Holidays, France Situated northwest of Bordeaux, on the left bank of the Gironde, the Médoc is famous for its vineyards that produce delicate, fine red wines, The area is divided into two parts: the Haut-Médoc in the south, and the north part traditionally just called Médoc. Pauillac is a pleasant port town at the heart of wine country and its châteaux, surrounded by fabled vineyards such as Margaux, St Julien and Lafite Rothschild.
Soulac-sur-Mer Holidays, France In the northern tip of the Médoc, this is the largest seaside resort of the Aquitaine region. It is tucked between the Atlantic Ocean and the Gironde Estuary on the Côte d'Argent (Silver Coast), and has a splendid seven-kilometre long sandy beach framed by dunes. As well as beach life there is mountain-biking, horse-riding, even sky diving on offer. The Romanesque Notre-Dame de la Fin des Terres basilica is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
