South West France

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.
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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.
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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.
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