Holiday Guides > The French Regions > South West France
Guide to South West France
A quiet, sunny region taking in Spanish border country, the Pyrennees and the southern Atlantic coast. Aquitaine has vineyards, history, the Dordogne and Périgord. Midi Pyrennees includes Pyrennean peaks, and the sloping hillsides of Gascony. Poitou Charentes is the home of cognac and lies on the west coast, spreading inland from the Atlantic at La Rochelle.
- Holiday rentals in The Aquitaine region of France (677 properties available)
- Holiday rentals in The Midi Pyrenees region of France (371 properties available)
- Holiday rentals in The Poitou Charentes region of France (342 properties available)
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South West France
The unspoilt South West of France includes Aquitaine, Midi Pyrenees, and Poitou Charentes.
Aquitaine
- From Bordeaux to Basque country, a land of truffles and armagnac, sunflowers and foie-gras, mountain villages, warm, generous people and wine.
- The diverse landscape spans Atlantic beaches, the Pyrennees mountains, flat forest land and the Dordogne with its rolling hills and pastoral river valleys.
- Centre of prehistory in France with fascinating museums and cave paintings.
- Now peaceful fortified villages and castles bear witness to 12th century conflict between England and France after Eleanor of Aquitaine married Henry Plantagenet.
- Vast uncrowded beaches and numerous rivers, canals and lakes for canoeing, kayaking, rafting, swimming and fishing.
- Excellent skiing resorts in memorable scenery of the Pyrennees.
- Find out more about Aquitaine and search for holiday properties.
Midi Pyrenees
- Lesser known area off the main tourist track with unique history, landscape, culture, and cuisine.
- One of the sunniest regions of France, with over 2000 hours of sunshine per year, and a year-round destination.
- Spring is favourite for walkers and ramblers; July and August for long hot days round the pool or on a sandy lake beach; autumn often offers an Indian summer with beautiful blue skies; winter perfect for skiing & snowboarding.
- Toulouse is regional capital, centre of the French aerospace industry and a lively, southern, cosmopolitan city, rich in art and architecture.
- Find out more about Midi Pyrenees and search for holiday properties.
Poitou Charentes
- A tranquil, almost completely unspoilt region with virtually no industry and a mild, sunny climate.
- 300 mile Atlantic coastline noted for long sandy beaches, marinas, golf courses, pine forests and islands.
- Towns include Angoulème and the port of La Rochelle; a distinctive country area is the Marais Poitevin marsh and waterway system known as ‘Green Venice’.
- Well known for the production of fine brandies, centred around Cognac and Jarnac; vineyards and brandy cellars open to visit.
- Find out more about Poitou Charentes and search for holiday properties.
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Getting to South West France
Travelling to Aquitane
Fly to Bordeaux and regional airports such as Biarritz and Pau. By road, Calais to Bordeaux should take around 8 hours. There is a good train service from Paris to Aquitaine.
Travelling to Midi Pyrenees
Fly direct to Toulouse, or Ryanair also fly to Rodez. The drive from Calais to the northern end of the Midi Pyrenees will take around 8-9 hours. The Motorail service runs from Calais to Toulouse throughout the holiday season and from Paris (Austerlitz) to Toulouse during the rest of the year.
Travelling to Poitou Charentes
Fly to La Rochelle or Poitiers. The jouney by car to the capital of the region Poitiers takes around 6 hours from Calais. The TGV service runs from Paris to Poitiers (90 minutes) and Angoulême (2 hours).
