Things to Do in Aquitaine

Travel Themes

• Interests (rated ★★★★): Nature ★★★; Culture ★★★/ ★★★★; Relaxation-Holidays ★★★★

Nature and Adventure

Whether by the sea or inland, Aquitaine boasts a variety of remarkable natural sites.

Along the coast, the Arcachon Basin, the Dune of Pilat (the tallest in Europe), and the Gironde Estuary are the three must-sees in Gironde. Further south, in the Landes, the lakes (including the one at Biscarrosse) and the Landes forest are well worth a detour. Inland, forests, caves, and valleys await in Dordogne, while at the other end of the region, the Pyrénées-Atlantiques offer stunning mountain landscapes. And, of course, there are the vineyards of Bordeaux...

Culture

Beyond the city of Bordeaux, Dordogne—and, to a lesser extent, the north of Lot-et-Garonne—offers the most opportunities for discovering heritage. Add to that the Basque Country, which is rich in local culture and traditions.

Relaxation and Holidays

By Department

Level of "interest" for each department:

By Department

Highlights and special features of the region’s departments.

Dordogne

Predominantly rural, Dordogne will delight nature lovers with its forests, countryside perfect for walks, and waterways ideal for canoeing. On top of that, the department boasts significant cultural heritage, from prehistoric sites (Lascaux, Vézère Valley) to medieval ones (the town of Sarlat, countless castles), not to mention several villages labeled "Plus Beaux Villages de France" (Belvès, Beynac, Domme, Montpazier, etc.).

Gironde

Three main points of interest in Gironde: the city of Bordeaux (heritage and lively atmosphere), the wine region (wine routes, tastings), and the coastline (beaches, surfing...)—notably the Arcachon Basin. There are also some great hiking opportunities in the department.

Landes

Visitors typically come to the Landes to explore its famous forest and enjoy its coastline and surfing (Biscarrosse, Hossegor, Capbreton...).

Lot-et-Garonne

Like Dordogne, this department offers beautiful traces of its medieval past (villages, castles) and hiking opportunities. However, it is the least visited of all the Aquitaine departments.

Pyrénées-Atlantiques

This department is very rich in tourism. Thanks to its geography, you can enjoy both the beaches and water activities of the Atlantic coast and the ski resorts of the Pyrenees. Not to mention all the opportunities offered by the mountains (Pyrénées National Park) and the countryside in this lovely part of France. Additionally, a large part of the department is the Basque Country, with its unique culture and traditions.

Beaches and Seaside Resorts

Surfing

The Aquitaine coastline, from the Médoc to the Spanish border, is renowned for surfing. Lacanau and a few other spots are among the best in Europe.

Also worth noting is a unique surfing phenomenon: the tidal bore. This is a sudden rise in a river’s water level caused by the incoming tide during spring tides. The tidal bore of the Dordogne River is well-known and popular with surfers, with a wave traveling up to 30 kilometers inland, near Libourne.

Other Water Activities

Diving:

Water Sports:

Sailing:

Thalassotherapy and Wellness

Hiking

Aquitaine (which is crossed by the Camino de Santiago) has around 20,000 km of marked hiking trails, 4,000 km of cycling or mountain biking paths, and 8,500 km of equestrian trails. The choice is vast in every category.

Hiking

Cycling

Horseback Riding

Skiing and Winter Activities

Outdoor Sports

Golf

Whitewater Sports

There are various opportunities for canoeing or kayaking in Aquitaine. Rivers like the Lot, Vézère, and Dordogne are well-suited (as is the Arcachon Basin). The Pyrenean rivers, such as the gaves, are ideal for rafting and canyoning.

Climbing and Mountain Activities

Paragliding and Aerial Sports

Caving

Hunting and Fishing

These are two traditional activities in Aquitaine. Dordogne, and especially the Pyrenees, offer anglers a wide choice of rivers, lakes, and ponds. Depending on the location, you can fish for trout, carp, or pike. Along the coast, fishing trips are also organized in season.

For hunting, beyond the "classic" variety, Aquitaine—and particularly the Landes—has a tradition (often controversial) of paloma hunting.

Cultural Life and Activities

Nightlife

While Bordeaux and, in season, the main seaside resorts along the coast offer some nightlife, elsewhere it’s much quieter—sometimes even a bit "dead" in the evenings. However, the many summer festivals in the Basque Country or the Landes (Bayonne, Dax...) are not to be missed for those who enjoy lively stays...

Amusement Parks and Other Attractions

The region has only one major amusement park: Walibi Aquitaine in Agen (Lot-et-Garonne). There are also four or five tourist trains, the best-known being those of Artouste and La Rhune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques.

Finally, for those staying in the south of the region, don’t miss the *course landaise* (cow-running events) and bullfights, as well as all the events related to traditional sports (or culture) of the Basque Country—starting, of course, with pelota.