last edited Dec 11, 2019
Introducing Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Location Map of Aquitaine
Aquitaine
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Overview
Since 2016, Aquitaine has merged with the former regions of Limousin and Poitou-Charentes to form "Nouvelle-Aquitaine," now the largest region in France.
Key Facts
- Type of place: tourist region.
- Location: in the far southwest of France, bordering Spain.
- Local time:
- Administrative region: Nouvelle-Aquitaine (prefecture: Bordeaux).
- Departments: Dordogne (24), Gironde (33), Landes (40), Lot-et-Garonne (47), and Pyrénées-Atlantiques (64).
- Main cities: Agen, Anglet, Bayonne, Bordeaux, Mont-de-Marsan, Pau, Périgueux...
- Population: 3,317,000 inhabitants (2013)
- Area: 41,309 km².
- Highest point: Pic Palas (2,974 m) in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques.
- Lowest point: sea level.
- Coastline: 275 km.
Tourism
With its beaches, mountains, and countryside, Nouvelle-Aquitaine welcomes around twelve million visitors each year. Unsurprisingly, the May–September period is the most popular (75% of visitors), peaking in July–August (one in two visitors). While the mountains and inland areas have their fans, it’s primarily the coastline and its seaside resorts that draw the majority of holidaymakers. Generally, many visitors choose a fixed base for their stay and explore the surrounding area from there.
Overall, 80% of tourists are French, with a quarter of those being locals from the region. Among foreign visitors, the British dominate (5% of Dordogne’s population is English), followed by the Dutch and Germans. Together, these three countries account for two-thirds of international arrivals. Finally, Nouvelle-Aquitaine is largely a family destination (two-thirds of visitors), with those over 35 making up around 70% of the clientele.
Where to Get Information?
- Nouvelle-Aquitaine Regional Tourism Committee: 23 Parvis des Chartrons, 33074 Bordeaux Cedex. Tel.: 05 56 01 70 00.
- Pyrénées House: 5 rue Saint-Augustin, 75002 Paris.
Departmental Tourism Committees
- Dordogne: BP 2063, 24002 Périgueux Cedex. Tel.: 05 53 35 50 24.
- Gironde: 21 cours de l'Intendance, 33000 Bordeaux. Tel.: 05 56 52 61 40.
- Landes: 4 av. Aristide Briand, BP 407, 40012 Mont-de-Marsan Cedex. Tel.: 05 58 06 89 89.
- Lot-et-Garonne: 271 rue Péchabout, BP 30158, 47005 Agen Cedex. Tel.: 05 53 66 14 14.
- Pyrénées-Atlantiques: 2 allée des Platanes, 64100 Bayonne. Tel.: 05 59 46 52 52 (also represented in Pau).
Travel Essentials
- Backpacker daily budget:
- Best for accommodation: gîte or campsite.
- Best way to get around: car.
- Best time for climate/crowds/prices:
- Highlights (out of ): Nature ; Culture / ; Relaxation-holidays
- Website: http://www.tourisme-aquitaine.fr