Aquitaine, an ideal geographical location
France’s third-biggest region with a surface area of 41,308 km2, Aquitaine is famous – among other things – for its vast protected natural spaces.
Towns occupy 17% of the territory, with 70% of the 2,988,395 inhabitants living in urban areas. There are therefore many rural areas offering a great variety of landscapes.
The Aquitaine coast has been carefully safeguarded against excessive urbanisation. Between the region’s famous seaside resorts, there are 250 km of coastline offering sandy beaches for surfing, relaxing, or enjoying a thalassotherapy session.
Between the Atlantic coast to the west and the Quercy hills to the east, the Landes plains form a triangle of 14,000 km2 with the Pointe de Grave, Bayonne and Nérac as its three points. Its flat terrain makes it ideal for cycling.
Ocean currents and winds have little by little formed a long fringe of sand dunes along the ocean shore, against which the freshwater of many waterways came to a stop.
The result today is a host of large lakes , a paradise for yachts and… migratory birds!
But that’s not all: Aquitaine also offers a superb playground for hikers, skiers, white-water enthusiasts or lovers of breathtaking views.
The Pyrenees form France’s natural border with Spain. In Aquitaine, they are mainly the Pyrénées Atlantiques, climbing slowly away from the ocean through the Basque Country and the Béarn region.
The Pyrenees National Park is a particularly well-preserved haven for you to observe the flora and fauna on a hike or from the Artouste train.
The forests of Green Périgord in the Dordogne or the Regional Nature Park of the Landes de Gascogne – the biggest forest in Europe! - Iraty and Les Arbailles in the Basque Country…
You can already smell the pine and the moss, you can see the truffles, cèpe mushrooms and chestnuts, you can imagine picnics or rides on horseback… Not forgetting some ideal spots for naturist holidays.
