Atlantic Coast

From La Baule, in southern Brittany, to Hendaye in the Basque Country, over 1.200 kilometres*, the Atlantic Coast destination boasts a mosaic of territories with multiple facets. Having benefitted from environmental protection measures for a long time, its vast preserved areas naturally welcome all types of outdoor leisure activities, with water sports and gentle roaming in mind.

Our region’s heritage and lifestyle sites are abundant: historic seaside resorts, cultural venues and major festivals, marinas and lively fish markets, renowned gastronomic specialities... There is something for everyone, in all types of accommodation, from groups of lively surfers to families enjoying the calm waters of the lakes, as well as slow tourism enthusiasts, hikers one day, architecture lovers the next, or epicureans who are curious about local know-how.

* In Nouvelle-Aquitaine, the Atlantic coast stretches over 720 km, from the Bay of Aiguillon north of La Rochelle to Hendaye on the Spanish border.

5 reasons for programming the Atlantic Coast

1. A destination to be discovered in slow mode

The six most famous holiday cycling routes along the coast are: La Loire à vélo (in our neighbouring region), La Vélodyssée (which celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2022!), La Vélocéan, La Vélo Francette, La Flow Vélo, Le Tour de Gironde and the Canal des 2 Mers à Vélo cycling route. Ile de Ré and Oléron islands are also wonderful destinations for car-free holidays.

The Atlantic Coast has over 1,000 km of safe cycling routes through vast coastal areas, varied landscapes and heritage sites. Specialised "accueil vélo" service providers and accommodations make holidays easy for cyclists.

For hiking or simply taking a stroll , may we suggest Sentier du littoral coastal path and the many PR or GR (short or long-distance hiking trails) from La Rochelle and Saintonge to Hendaye and the Basque coast, via Royan, the Médoc and Les Landes.

2. Preserved beaches and nature areas

Nature is omnipresent and benefits from an exceptional protected environment (and has been for several decades). These include the Marais Poitevin and Landes de Gascogne regional nature parks, the Gironde Estuary and Pertuis Sea marine nature park, the Bassin d'Arcachon nature park, the Dune du Pilat (the highest dune in Europe, classified as a "Grand site de France") and the Landes lakes of Biscarosse, Soustons, Léon and Hossegor.

12 of France's 21 nature reserves are in Nouvelle-Aquitaine. They regularly offer guided botanical tours, storytelling walks and other valuable discoveries. Generally speaking, the protection of these areas and sustainable development are at the heart of the concerns of the tourist industry.

3. An active destination thanks to its range of water sports and activities

On or in the water, on land, in the air... the range of activities in this unspoilt nature is plethoric! In addition to boating, at sea or on big lakes in more peaceful water, you can go diving, surfing (paddling, kiteboarding…), kayaking and even Hawaiian canoeing. Halfway between the land and sky, go sand yachting or paragliding. Not to mention fishing... preferably the "no kill" kind, sport fishing in the sea, fly fishing in the lakes or surfcasting (wedge fishing on the seashore).

Amidst the abundant offer, several labels (Famille Plus, NF Environnement) and charters are there to help you choose service providers committed to hospitality and/or the environment.

Focus on surfing: French surfing was born in Biarritz at the end of the 1950s (a tribute to the “Tontons Surfeurs” French surf pioneers). Many certified surf schools are located in the region, particularly in Les Landes with the 'Surf in Landes' brand. Numerous competitions take place every year: regional such as the Winter Cup on the island of Oléron or international such as the Biarritz Quiksilver Maïder Arosteguy, the oldest European surfing competition.

4. Iconic products: arts and crafts and gourmet crafts

A non-exhaustive inventory of the gourmet specialities produced on the Atlantic coast and its nearby surroundings: Marennes Oléron and Arcachon-Cap Ferret oysters, Cognac, Pineau and melon from the Charentes area, Fleur de Sel and potatoes from Ile de Ré, Médoc wines, Canelés, caviar, Pastis from Les Landes, Bayonne ham (and chocolate!), Espelette chilli pepper, Basque cake, PDO ewe's milk cheese (Ossau-Iraty).

The same goes for arts and crafts, from Espadrilles and PGI Basque linen to the famous Charentaises slippers, as well as the only gold thread embroiderer, based in Rochefort - an opportunity to evoke the famous and recently renovated transporter bridge from Jacques Demy's film, and Eiffel-type constructions in general as well as industrial tourism. 
Many breeders, producers and craftsmen open their doors to visitors show their trade and share their passion for their products. A Guide du Routard dedicated to company visits in Nouvelle-Aquitaine was published in October 2021, in french. 

5. European leader in outdoor accommodation, as well as …

The Atlantic Coast is both a family and an active destination and is the European leader in outdoor accommodation. It offers a wide range of quality campsites - glamping, and/or with the Famille+ label, and/or with an environmental approach. In addition to pitches for tents, motorhomes and caravans, there are many other options, such as mobile homes, lodges or chalets.

But you will also find stylish holiday homes, bed and breakfasts and other Gîtes de France accommodation, characterised by their authenticity, quality, hospitality and sustainability. For out-of-the-ordinary holidays, why not stay in a tree house? As for cyclists, accommodation with the "Accueil Vélo" label offers adapted services.

10 key figures to remember about Atlantic Coast

Retour aux sens - Destination Côte Atlantique

Getting here

By plane:

Bordeaux-Mérignac airport, with 3 terminals and numerous international connections.

www.bordeaux.aeroport.fr

Biarritz-Pays Basque International Airport with European connections.

https://biarritz.aeroport.fr/

La Rochelle Ile-de-Ré airport with European connections.

https://www.larochelle.aeroport.fr/

Nantes - Atlantique airport with international connections

https://www.nantes.aeroport.fr/

By train:

Paris – Biarritz (direct TGV) : 4h10

Paris – Arcachon (direct TGV) : 3h00

Paris – La Rochelle (direct TGV) :  3h00

Paris - Royan (via Angoulême) : 4h10 

https://www.sncf-connect.com/

By road:

Paris-Bordeaux-Pau: A10-A62-A65 (7h28)

Bordeaux-Pau: A 65 (2h23)

Toulouse-Pau: A 64 (1h59)

Lourdes-Pau: A 65 (50 min)

New assets on the Atlantic Coast

Coming soon in 2022 to the Atlantic Coast destination: upmarket and intimate accommodation, new slow tourism activities, trendy places to visit...

Tools and resources

Destination contract website https://destinationcoteatlantique.fr/

Atlantic Coast website (deutsch, nederlands)

Press kit (deutsch, nederlands)