Nouvelle Aquitaine is the largest region in France providing your road trip with spectacular variety. This great southwest territory stretches from the foothills of the Pyrenees to the Atlantic Ocean. Your drive will be a progression from elegant wine country and rich farmlands to wild pine forests and stunning coastal dunes. You can explore the prestigious Bordeaux vineyards and the historic brandy houses of Cognac. Heading south you encounter the powerful Basque culture near the Spanish border and the immense Dune du Pilat Europe's tallest sand dune. The driving routes connect these unique cultural zones seamlessly. Gastronomy is key here from the seafood of the coast to the rich beef of the inland plains. This region has incredible diversity, scenic beauty and the satisfying feeling of having toured the entire southwest corner of France.

Nouvelle-Aquitaine highlights

Part of these road trips

Follow the routes that cross this destination

The Scenic Route

The Heritage Drive

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History of Nouvelle-Aquitaine

For over three centuries the core of this region was actually ruled by the kings of England. This began when Eleanor of Aquitaine married the future Henry II linking the territory to the English crown. This long connection brought great wealth through the wine trade and resulted in the powerful fortified towns you can still see today. The region’s economic engine was the mighty Bordeaux wine trade which funded beautiful churches and stately city architecture. Yet Nouvelle Aquitaine is a mosaic of different cultures. The south harbors the unique Basque people near the Pyrenees maintaining distinct language and traditions. Inland regions like Limousin meanwhile kept their own customs separate from the coastal wine ports. The region officially returned to the French crown after the Hundred Years War solidifying its role as the great southwest. Today the history is visible everywhere from the massive medieval churches to the elegant 18th century city centers built from wine money. It give you a fascinating journey that explores everything from ancient caves and mountain passes to the unique cultural blend of the Atlantic coast.

Nouvelle-Aquitaine