Southwestern culture

DAYS 1 & 2 : Bordeaux, regional capital and gateway to vineyards

Tour the UNESCO-listed city centre, world capital of wines. The “Cité du Vin“ takes visitors into the world of wines before a visit to the vineyards, or a cruise (see itinerary "Starting from Bordeaux" for more details) .

DAY 3 : Heritage and ocean on the Arcachon Bay

Visit an inland sea dominated by the Dune of Pilat, the largest sand dune in Europe; typical cabins on stilts; and oyster farms in this natural paradise.

• Morning: in the early morning, visit the fish auction in Arcachon, then visit the Ville d’Hiver quarter with its 19th-Century architecture.
• Lunch: Oyster tasting in a traditional oyster village (Gujan-Mestras, L’Herbe, Canon).
• Afternoon: climb the Dune of Pilat, tour the Arcachon Bay in a boat or by canoe, take the shuttle from Arcachon to the tip of Cap Ferret to visit the lighthouse with its panoramic views, or get an introduction to surfing. For sports fans, bike ride around the bay. 
• Evening: Night in the city centre of Arcachon or at the Thalazur Spa of Arguin 4* or equivalent.

DAY 4 : Biarritz, the city at the edge of the ocean

Biarritz, from whale hunters and surfers to Empress Eugénie and Napoleon III. Itinerary: urban walk (guided tour, art deco town, museums, shops), ocean (other seaside resorts, well-being), sports (surfing course, golf practice) plus excursions to Basque villages or to Spain.

DAY 5 : Pau - Pyrenees

Pau, Gateway to the Pyrenees: boulevard of the Pyrenees, King Henry IV castle, museum, shopping, the national horse stud, festivities, water stadium on the Gave River.

• Morning: Visit the city’s historic heart and visit the birthplace of Henry IV with its large collection of historical tapestries, walk along the Boulevard des Pyrenees.
• Lunch in a typical Pau restaurant.
• Afternoon: summer hiking in the Pyrenees National Park with Ossau’s Pic du Midi, scenic railway of Artouste, water stadium on the Gave, the Jurançon Wine Route. Winter sports in Pyrenees resorts, open days in Jurançon, tasting regional specialties (garbure soup, cheese).
• Evening: in a restaurant accompanied by Bearn or Basque songs, or dinner in a restaurant of the city centre.

DAYS 6 & 7 : Toulouse

Explore the so-called Pink City, which takes its name from the colour of the bricks used in its buildings.

DAY 8 : Cathar country - Carcassonne

Discover castles, abbeys, and medieval cities, including the famous walled city of Carcassonne.

DAY 9 : Albi

Visit the UNESCO-listed Episcopal City, internationally famous for the Toulouse-Lautrec museum located in the Bishops Palace.

DAYS 10 & 11 : Dordogne Valley

A paradise for gourmets (truffles, ceps, duck, foie gras, Périgord strawberries, cheeses, nuts, markets, good restaurants, cooking classes); 15 prehistoric UNESCO sites, including Lascaux; magnificent villages, including Collonges-la-Rouge and Sarlat; plus many outdoor activities.

DAY 12 : Saint-Emilion region

The only wine site entirely listed by UNESCO, a monolithic church, and many activities around wine (see itinerary "World-famous vineyards" for more details) .