Aquitaine’s loveliest villages
Centres of life edified over the centuries, our villages offer an insight into the history, character and daily life of Aquitaine, each in their own very special way. The times are not so far away when horse-drawn carriages used to roll through their streets, and heavily-laden barges moored to unload in their small ports!
It is this past that springs to life as you make your way around their quiet streets and alleyways. Pause a moment to look at an unusual doorway, to chat a while with a local craftsman or to linger over a coffee on a café terrace and soak in the atmosphere... The pleasures of times gone by and those of today.
In the fortified towns of Aquitaine, retrace the combats of the Hundred Years War, the swordfights of the illustrious Musketeers in the villages of Béarn where they were born, or follow in the footsteps of the first pilgrims on their long road to Compostella…
You can also get to know Aquitaine through its winegrowing villages. From Saint Emilion to Jurançon and Buzet, the vine is a familiar feature of the region’s landscapes. Among other possible themes, how about a tour of writers’ homes, or of spa villages… And then the best of all themes: just going wherever takes you fancy!Â
The “Loveliest Villages of France” label has been awarded to no fewer than fifteen villages in Aquitaine, but a far larger number of them are well worth a visit…
A most attractive heritage to be explored through the seasons with their host of traditional celebrations and festivals.
Villages of countless charms not to be missed on any account! Here are a few ideas…
From the heights of Saint-Emilion, look down onto the patchwork of vines surrounding the medieval town. The village and its vineyards are listed by UNESCO as World Heritage! Walk down the cobbled alleyways and discover the village’s craftspeople and their marvellous wares, from clothing to decorative items and the delicious local macaroons.
Vianne is the only fortified bastide town in France to bear a woman’s name. Built in 1284 on the banks of the Baïse, it still has its town walls and 4 gates with defence towers. The church also dates back to the 13th century and is as pure an example of Romanesque art as you could wish to see. In summer, the night-time market adds a highly enjoyable facet to the many pleasures of this most hospitable town. .jpg)
The fortified village of Domme looks down onto the Dordogne, offering a choice viewpoint from which to admire the landscapes of Black Perigord, named after its famous black diamonds - truffles! Knights Templar were once imprisoned in the Porte des Tours and the stone walls still bear the traces of the graffiti they carved there…
Ainhoa is just a stone’s throw from the Spanish border, in the heart of the Basque Country. The wood-frame houses painted in red or green show of their balconies of flowers all the way along the main street. Glass blowers, wood sculptors and other craftspeople make this typical village of the Basque province of Labourd a lively spot all year round.
