The 10 Best Things to See in Nouvelle Aquitaine
What is Nouvelle Aquitaine Most Famous For?
Nouvelle-Aquitaine is a lovely destination in the south west of France with an abundance of things to see and do. Whether you want art and architecture, walking in nature or beaches and the ocean, you can find it in Nouvelle-Aquitaine. Having an active vacation has never been easier when you look at everything this vast area of south west France has to offer.
All you have to do is choose. So have a look at the best things to see in Nouvelle Aquitaine in places like Bordeaux, Limoges, Poitiers and La Rochelle, and design a vacation that suits you perfectly.
1. La Rochelle’s old town
An unspoiled medieval town
Categoría: Parejas, Historia, Fotos, Opciones económicas
La Rochelle is a real pleasure, especially when strolling aimlessly through the maze of narrow streets. Starting from the pretty port, enter through the clock tower that has watched over the town since the middle ages and then see how many other historic buildings you can find in the stunning streets of the old town.
There’s the amazing town hall, the former Chamber of Commerce, the cathedral of St Louis, the half-timbered buildings and beautiful arcades, to mention but a few.
La Rochelle's old town
2. La Bastide in Bordeaux
Explore an area that has been completely transformed
Categoría: Parejas, Opciones económicas
La Bastide on the right bank of the Garonne river is being redeveloped as part of the urban development project Bordeaux 2030 and buzzes with life. Today, this former working class industrial district is a hip cultural area attracting people to its many trendy bars, restaurants and concerts.
From the left bank, walk over the Jacques Chaban-Delmas bridge and admire the university, explore the botanical garden or relax in the well-named Angelic Park (le parc aux angéliques).
Ubicación: 33000 Bordeaux, France
Horario: 24/7
La Bastide in Bordeaux
3. The Comic Museum in Angoulême
The fascinating world of comics
Categoría: Familias
Comic Museum (le musée de la Bande Dessinée) is part of the International City of Comics and Images (la Cité internationale de la bande dessinée et de l’image) and home to a variety of comics and cartoons. In 2009, an old winery was restored to house 1,300 meters squared of exhibition space, full of everything to do with comics and cartoons, from storyboards and original drawings to all the things that go with them.
The museum has something for everyone, with activities like workshops, lectures, and training sessions, some designed for children as young as 6.
Ubicación: 16000 Angoulême, FrQuai de la Charente, 16000 Angoulême, France
Horario: September–June: Tuesday–Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm, Sunday from 2 pm to 6 pm (Closed Monday), July–August Tuesday–Saturday from 10 am to 7 pm, Sunday from 2 pm to 7 pm (Closed Monday)
Teléfono: +33 (0)5 45 95 16 84
The Comic Museum in Angoulême
4. Guided visit around Cognac
Tours designed to suit you
Categoría: Parejas, Familias, Historia, Fotos, Opciones económicas
Guided visits around Cognac give you a chance to see the lesser-known attractions and ensure you don’t miss out on any highlights. Are you interested in a particular area of the town, a museum, or the local countryside? Whatever you prefer, the Cognac Tourist Office (office de tourisme de Cognac), and its local partners, can help. And if it’s learning about how the stuff you drink is made, that’s easy.
There are lots of different tours that last between 45 and 90 minutes. So, would you prefer a walk through the narrow streets of the historic town center? Or perhaps a guided tour of the Cognac Museum (le musée des Arts du Cognac)?
Guided visit around Cognac
5. Limoges and porcelain manufacture
The history of porcelain making in this UNESCO Creative Town
Categoría: Compras, Historia
Limoges porcelain manufacture began around the middle of the 18th century when France started making porcelain in Sèvres and Limoges. Large numbers of factories were created from 1773 onwards, some have stood out by creating complete dinner services for weddings which were often exported to the USA.
Today, there are still around 20 porcelain factories in France and 5 of them are in Limoges. To learn more about the history of porcelain, you can visit the Casseaux Oven (le four Casseaux), a former factory that is now a national monument, which just happens to be next to the very famous Royal Limoges factory.
Limoges and porcelain manufacture
6. The fortified town of Blaye
An unusual day out in Blaye
Categoría: Parejas, Familias, Historia, Fotos, Opciones económicas
The citadel of Blaye is a military complex that extends over 90 acres, built between 1685 and 1689 by Vauban. The fascinating building has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2008 and is part of the Vauban lock (le Verrou Vauban).
The citadel sits on a rocky outcrop almost 115 feet above the Gironde estuary and as well as the pretty stone streets, you can explore a mile of ramparts, see underground passageways, and visit the former prison, convent, and hospital.
Horario: 24
Teléfono: +33 (0)5 57 42 12 09
The fortified town of Blaye
7. The Charentaise islands
A pretty group of islands that are easy to get to
Categoría: Parejas, Familias, Fotos
Ré, Aix, Madame, Oléron, and Nôle are the 5 islands that make up the Charentaise islands (les îles Charentaises) and together they have a surface area of about 100 square miles. Oléron and Ré are the biggest and both have magnificent bridges connecting them to the mainland.
Only Nôle, which was once used by oyster farmers, can’t be visited. But you can spend several interesting days visiting the other 4. Whether you enjoy bike rides or walking, or prefer building sand castles on the beach, the Charentaise Islands are made for you.
The Charentaise islands
8. The Dune of Pilat
Giant steps on the huge Dune of Pilat
Categoría: Parejas, Familias, Fotos, Opciones económicas, Aventura
The Dune of Pilat is a peak of sand that offers some of the best views of the landscape. If there is one thing you really don’t want to miss when vacationing in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, it’s the Dune of Pilat (la dune du Pilat).
Whether it’s spelled Pilat or Pyla, it’s an extraordinary mountain of sand, more than 300 feet, with a memorable view of Arcachon Bay from the top. All the family can enjoy the fun because, from Easter until the beginning of November, there are steps to make the climb easier.
The Dune of Pilat
9. The Kakuetta Canyon
An unforgettable day out
Categoría: Parejas, Familias, Fotos, Opciones económicas, Aventura
The Kakuetta Canyon (les gorges de Kakuetta) is a 1.2 mile canyon that boasts incredible landscapes and wildlife. Located in the Basque region of the Pyrenees, it has a very special microclimate that makes it feel more like an Amazon adventure or a tropical island than the historic Basque province of La Soule.
The specially designed footpaths and bridges allow you to admire the canyon walls that are, at their highest, almost 1,150 feet tall. At the end you’ll find a lovely waterfall and you can finish your trip with a visit to the Lake Cave (grotte du lac) which has some impressive stalactites and stalagmites.
Ubicación: 64560 Sainte-Engrâce, France
Teléfono: +33 (0)5 59 28 60 83
The Kakuetta Canyon
10. The Baptistry of St John in Poitiers
The history of Christianity in France
Categoría: Parejas, Historia, Fotos, Opciones económicas
The Baptistry of St John (le baptistère Saint-Jean) is in the middle of Poitiers and is one of the most ancient Christian monuments in France, or even in Europe. The oldest parts date back to the 4th century, the time of Saint Hilaire, the first recorded bishop of Poitiers.
Today, the Baptistry is part of one of the tours that explore the town, leaving from Notre-Dame-La-Grande. If you love history or architecture, this is a chance to see a rare example of how buildings were created in France around the early Middle Ages. The site is open almost all year round and entry fees are not expensive.
Ubicación: Grand Poitiers FR, Rue Jean-Jaurès, 86000, France
Horario: October–November: Daily from 2 pm to 5 pm, November–March: Daily from 2 pm to 4 pm, April–June: Daily from 2 pm to 6 pm, June–September: Daily from 10.30 am to 12.30 pm and from 2 pm to 6 pm
Teléfono: +33 (0)5 49 41 21 24
The Baptistry of St John in Poitiers
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