Nestling on the banks of the famous Arcachon Bay, the pleasant little seaside resort of Andernos-les-Bains delights holidaymakers who like swimming and sunbathing as well as oyster-loving gourmets.

Its famous pier, which stretches over 230 metres, is one of the longest in France and offers a superb view of the unique landscape of Arcachon Bay from the end. Its beautiful sandy beaches, sailing club, casino, shops, restaurants, and its oyster farm, which has a small oyster museum and offers fresh oyster tastings, are sure to delight you!

As you walk along the seafront, do not miss the ruins of the 4th-century Gallo-Roman villa, a listed Historic Monument at the foot of St. Eloi Church...

Famous for its oysters and its upscale resorts, such as Arcachon and Le Cap-Ferret, this little inland sea, open to the ocean, is also known for its exceptional natural heritage! Protected by the peninsula of Lège-Cap-Ferret and the famous Dune of Pilat, Arcachon Bay has a mild climate and plenty of sunshine throughout the year.

Beautiful oyster villages that have remained authentic, like L'Herbe, Piraillan or Le Canon, located in the municipality of Lège-Cap-Ferret, are well worth a visit. It's an opportunity to enjoy a wonderful walk along the flowery streets lined with charming huts, and take a gourmet break on the terrace while enjoying fresh oysters!

Learn all about the world of oyster farming by paying a visit to Larros habour at Gujan-Mestras, oyster capital of Arcachon, where the Oyster House (Maison de l'Huître) can be found. This interactive and fun exhibition centre will tell you all about the history of the oyster over time, the job of oyster farming and breeding techniques. After the tour, you can of course stop at one of the oyster huts that offer tastings of oysters with bread and butter and a glass of white wine...

Arcachon Bay is a favourite destination to relax and have fun while enjoying the pleasures of the sea. For this you can choose between the popular resorts of Arcachon, Le Cap-Ferret or Andernos-les-Bains which, in addition to beautiful beaches, a whole range of entertainment for a successful holiday!

If you are a keen bird-watcher, do not miss a visit to Le Teich Bird Reserve. This protected natural area, located east of Arcachon Bay, is home to a large number of wild birds that can be admired in peace along a footpath.

To discover the delights of Arcachon Bay from yet another angle, nothing beats a kayak, barge or pinnace trip to get closer to Bird Island (L'Île aux Oiseaux) and its picturesque huts on stilts, the famous oyster parks or the beautiful Banc d'Arguin nature reserve. For those who do not have sea legs, exceptional views of Arcachon Bay and its surroundings can be admired from the crest of the must-see Dune of Pilat, or from the top of the lighthouse at Le Cap-Ferret.

Highly prized by stars and celebrities, this famously chic resort in Arcachon Bay is attractive thanks to its exceptional natural environment as well as its unspoilt charm and summer atmosphere.

Ideally located between the Atlantic Ocean and the Arcachon Bay sea, the verdant peninsula of Lège-Cap-Ferret offers many attractions. The many sandy beaches, some overlooking the reviving waters of the ocean, some the calm waters of the bay; the beautiful and wild headland of Le Cap-Ferret, a listed protected natural site; the splendid villas nestled under the pines; typical oyster villages such Piraillan, Canon and L'Herbe, where it's good to take a stroll and enjoy a fresh oyster platter on the terrace; the shops, cafes, restaurants, markets and entertainment Le Cap-Ferret... All these attractions are the hallmark of the famous Gironde peninsula!

Near the Bélisaire Pier, from April to late September, you can take the scenic train from Le Cap-Ferret, a most enjoyable way to reach the beautiful ocean beach of L'Horizon...

Open to the public, the lighthouse of Le Cap-Ferret, with a spiral staircase of 258 steps, offers a magnificent panoramic view of the peninsula, Arcachon Bay, the famous Dune of Pilat and the ocean from its platform. An interactive exhibition on the history of the lighthouse, the evolution of marine mapping and navigation methods completes the tour.

Located south-east of Arcachon Bay, in the municipality of Le Teich, in the Gascon Landes Regional Nature Park, this protected natural area of 110 hectares is home to a large number of wild birds, who thrive in its salt marshes, lagoons, reed beds, meadows and woodlands. No fewer than 319 species, including 88 nesting, have been counted there! Migratory birds that stop by there include the Common Crane, Plover, Black-winged Stilt and Pied Avocet. The Grey Heron, Great Egret, White Stork, Black-backed Gull and Shelduck are among the species living there throughout the year.

Open to the public throughout the year, the bird sanctuary provides its visitors with a loop trail 6 km, walkable in 3 or 4 hours, dotted with observation huts, identification signs and elevated viewpoints to explore the site at your leisure while taking care to ensure peace and welfare for the birds. To admire the winged wildlife without disturbing it, binoculars or a telescope are essential. Guided and commented tours are offered during the school holidays.

A famous seaside resort on the Atlantic Coast, Lacanau is also a top surfing destination. Its vast sandy beaches, surfing spots popular with fans of board sports, and especially festive and lively summer atmosphere, make it a very popular holiday destination. While the beaches and waves attract many vacationers eager to enjoy the ocean, Lacanau also appeals to lovers of green countryside, with its pine forest dotted with bike trails, and unspoilt lake that's ideal for sailing, windsurfing, fishing or canoeing.

Every year in August, Lacanau-Océan welcomes the world's top surfers for Lacanau Pro, an event that's part of the professional world surfing championship!

To learn about the history of Bordeaux and its region, head to the Museum of Aquitaine, located on Cours Pasteur, in Gironde's capital city. Attached to it are the Jean Moulin Centre, the national centre for the French Resistance, and the Goupil Museum (a dynasty of international art publishers), accessible to students and researchers only.

The Museum of Aquitaine has some very rich collections, from Prehistory to the contemporary era. Among its masterpieces are the Venus of Laussel (- 25000 B.C.), the treasure of Pauilhac (- 3500 B.C.), Montaigne's cenotaph (late 16th century), "the Heretics", drawings by Auguste Rodin, etc.

There is a choice of tours: self-guided, with an audio-guide or guided with a commentary.

The Jean Moulin Centre, meanwhile, has a documentation centre about the Second World War, and a museum about the history of the Resistance, the Deportation and the Free French Forces.

Renowned worldwide for its famous vineyards, the capital of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region also has a prestigious architectural heritage. An 18th-century gem, the City of Art and History of Bordeaux, a World Heritage Site since 2007, takes visitors back to the Enlightenment. A remarkable urban and architectural ensemble to enjoy on a sightseeing walk along the quays of the Garonne, its elegant streets and imposing town squares. Must-see places inherited from this period include the lively Place de la Comédie with its neoclassical Grand Theatre adorned with majestic Corinthian columns, Place de la Bourse with its fountain of the Three Graces, and the Allées de Tourny.

Strolling through the historic centre is also a great way to discover medieval Bordeaux: Saint-André Cathedral with its carved portals, Gothic choir and Renaissance organ loft, the imposing Cailhau door dedicated to Charles VIII, the Holy Cross (Sainte-Croix) Church with a façade carved in the Saintonge Romanesque style, and the door of the Great Bell (Grosse Cloche), the belfry of the old City Hall, are all reminders of this time. A bell tower separated from St Andrew's Cathedral, the 15th-century Pey Berland tower, offers breathtaking views of the roofs and spires of the city. Although this view must be earned by climbing the 231 steps of the narrow spiral staircase! Not far from this Gothic gem lies the famous pedestrian street of Rue Sainte-Catherine, a long commercial street popular with shoppers, which connects Place de la Victoire to Place de la Comédie.

Garden lovers will prefer the banks of the Garonne, where the lovely Enlightenment Garden (Jardin des Lumières) stretches out on both sides of the beautiful water mirror. Featuring a beautiful view of the river and the Bastide district located on the right bank, this vast space with walkways and flower beds is dotted with street lights that illuminate it magically at dusk. Walkers can then continue their walk towards the huge Esplanade des Quinconces. On one side of it stand the two rostral columns, and on the other is the illustrious Girondins monument built in the late 19th century in memory of Girondin members of Parliament who fell victim to the Terror. A listed Historic Monument, the latter consists of two basins adorned with bronze water horses and a column 43 metres high, on top of which stands a Statue of Liberty breaking her chains. A few blocks away is the public park, an English garden of 10 hectares popular with joggers and strollers, which includes a botanical garden, a library and a museum of natural history.

The City of Light is also a destination of choice for visitors who thirst for culture: the Aquitaine Museum, dedicated to the history of Bordeaux and Aquitaine from prehistory to the present; the Museum of Fine Arts, with collections of paintings and sculptures from the 15th to the 20th century; the Museum of Decorative Arts, with ceramics, furniture, paintings and engravings; the National Museum of Customs, dedicated to the history of the customs service in France; the Museum of Natural History, with zoological, mineralogical and paleontological collections; and the Museum of Contemporary Art, whose works are displayed in the old Lainé warehouse.

Finally, food-lovers won't want to leave Bordeaux without trying the famous canelés, delicious little cakes flavoured with rum and vanilla, best enjoyed with a cup of tea or coffee…

At the end of June, the quays of the Garonne are abuzz for one of the city's two main events, "Bordeaux celebrates the river" ("Bordeaux fête le fleuve") in uneven years and "Bordeaux celebrates wine" ("Bordeaux fête le vin") in even years. The programme includes: concerts, shows, a firework display, and many activities!

La Cité du Vin, in Bordeaux, is a cultural space devoted to winemaking heritage, the Bordeaux region's spearhead attraction. A flagship wine tourism destination since 2016, the museum covers 13,350 m² spread over 10 floors. Its architecture is a curiosity in itself, due to its round exterior, wooden vault and 55-metre-high spire marking its presence in the area.

On the second floor of the building, the permanent exhibition is the heart of La Cité and offers a real initiation into the world of wine. Around twenty themed areas, based on interviews with qualified experts and offering a commentary via a digital tool, make for an interactive visit full of discoveries. All aspects of wine are revealed, spanning the centuries, countries and cultures of the whole world!

On the first floor of La Cité du Vin, a temporary exhibition area covering more than 700 m² displays works of art from prestigious museums or private collections. 35 metres high, the belvedere on the eighth floor offers a unique sensory experience, with wine from all over the world to taste, in addition to its superb view over Bordeaux and its surroundings. Another highlight of the place, the Wild Garden (Jardin sauvage), created in a Natura 2000-certified area, is a link between La Cité du Vin, the Garonne and the vineyards.

Full of charm, this magnificent polygonal, Gothic fortress is elegantly reflected in the waters of its wide moat. A place full of romance that one never ceases to admire, so harmonious does it look amid its lush green surroundings…

The birthplace of the illustrious Enlightenment philosopher, Charles Louis de Secondat aka Montesquieu, on 18 January 1689, La Brède Castle was regularly visited by the latter, who wrote part of his work The Spirit of the Laws there. Follow in the footsteps of Montesquieu with a guided tour of his library and his bedroom, maintained just as it was in the 18th century...

Nestled in a wooded area of about 150 hectares, this haven of peace can also be appreciated on a lovely walk through the French and English-style gardens, or in the quiet woods, places of serenity and tranquillity that once inspired the famous writer from La Brède...

Nestling at the edge of the Atlantic Ocean, in the municipality of Carcans, in the Médoc Landes, the pleasant little seaside resort of Carcans-Plage attracts lovers of sunbathing as well as surfers and swimmers. Its beautiful sandy beaches that run along the Silver Coast (Côte d'Argent), its surfing and bodyboarding spots, its small shopping centre and its cycle paths dotted about the pine forest are among the attractions that make it a popular destination with holidaymakers.

With a surface area of 600 km², length of 75 kilometres and width of 12 kilometres at its mouth, the Gironde estuary is the biggest estuary in Western Europe!

Formed by the confluence of the rivers Dordogne and Garonne, this wild estuary full of remarkable wildlife stretches between marshes and wet meadows, the prestigious vineyards of the Médoc and limestone cliffs of Meschers-sur-Gironde. To add to the charm of the place, traditional quaint liftnet fishing cabins are dotted along the unspoilt banks of the estuary...

This is an exceptional natural environment where wild birds such as the Grey Heron, Little Egret and White Stork, and migratory fish, such as sturgeon, eel and lamprey, all have their place. The Gironde estuary can also boast of being the only estuary in the world where European sturgeon travel to breed!

To protect Bordeaux from sea invasions, Vauban, the famous military engineer to King Louis XIV, devised a defensive arsenal, with the Blaye Citadel, Fort Pâté and Fort Médoc, three places which are now UNESCO World Heritage sites...

To get from one side to the other, you have a choice of two ferries that provide a service between Le Verdon-sur-Mer and Royan, and between Blaye and Lamarque daily.

Majestic, awesome, spectacular, unusual ... The famous Dune of Pilat definitely leaves no-one indifferent! This sand formation, situated in Arcachon Bay, in the municipality of La Teste-de-Buch, is the tallest dune in Europe. Its incredible measurements are the stuff of dreams: between 100 and 115 metres tall depending on the year, 2.7 kilometres long and 500 metres wide! But those are not its only assets. Indeed, while it is particularly known for its record height, it is also famed for the exceptional scenery it offers from its peak. Once at the top, after climbing the stairs open to the public from April to All Saints, you can see on one side the huge pine forest, a real ocean of green, and on the other the Atlantic, the headland of Le Cap-Ferret and the Banc d'Arguin nature reserve at the entrance of Arcachon Bay... A magical moment!

An upscale seaside resort in Arcachon Bay, located some sixty kilometres south-west of Bordeaux, elegant Arcachon can be enjoyed in all four seasons. While it particularly enchants summer holidaymakers in search of the beach and sea, it also delights visitors who love Belle Époque architecture. Indeed, the prestigious winter town, in the hills of Arcachon on either side of the peaceful Moorish Park (Parc Mauresque), contains a great number of villas built in the late 19th century in an eclectic range of styles, ranging from Swiss chalet to Neo-Gothic manor through English cottage. The most splendid include the Villa Toledo, Villa Trocadéro, Villa Alexandre Dumas, Villa Teresa, Villa Craigcrostan and Villa Brémontier.

The summer town, which stretches along the sea between the Eyrac Pier and the Chapel Pier, has all the ingredients for a great holiday: a beautiful sandy beach overlooking the tranquil waters of Arcachon, commercial streets ideal for shopping, outdoor cafés and restaurants for a drink, a plate of seafood or an ice cream, a museum-aquarium with the sea life of the region as well as galleries devoted to zoology, archaeology and oyster farming, a casino, bars and nightclubs to keep you entertained till the end of the night, and also many activities on offer all throughout the summer. The unmissable Thiers Pier is a nice place for a leisurely stroll while admiring the waterfront of the summer town and Arcachon Bay…

The tour of the resort then continues through the spring town, famous for its mineral water spring, Les Abatilles, the thalassotherapy centre, beach and Pereire Park, and the autumn town with the fishing ports and oyster farms, as well as the water sports centre, to indulge in sailing, kitesurfing, kayaking or even stand-up paddle. You'll find plenty to ensure a successful holiday, at any time of the year!

Located in the heart of the Médoc Landes, Lake Hourtin-Carcans, measuring 5,667 hectares, is the largest freshwater lake in France! A preserved natural environment with wild marshes, sand dunes and pine forests, this huge body of water is perfect for outdoor activities such as sailing, swimming, water skiing, windsurfing, canoeing, fishing, kite surfing, paddle boating, or walking and biking along the trails and cycle paths that line the shores of the lake. Supervised in the summer, the beautiful sandy beaches of Carcans-Maubuisson and Hourtin will delight lovers of relaxation, and are also great for kids, who can enjoy the calm waters of the lake safely...

Awarded the Famille Plus label, the resort of Hourtin is especially enchanting for little ones, with its Children's Island, a 10-hectare leisure park designed for children aged 3 months to 12 years old!

This vast stretch of water, covering 5,500 hectares is in the heart of the Landes forest on the boundary of the Landes and Gironde departments, in the communes of Biscarrosse, Sanguinet and La Teste-de-Buch, is one of the most extensive lakes in France. The beautiful sandy beaches are great for relaxing, ideal for families who want to enjoy the water in complete tranquillity. There are marinas and sailing schools, as well as many activities available such as bathing, fishing, paddle boating, windsurfing, dinghy or catamaran sailing, canoeing, jet skiing, kitesurfing and water skiing, which all go to make this a popular destination with holiday-makers and fans of water sports.

The water fun park of Aquapark in Port Maguide has various giant inflatables and is sure to delight lovers of water fun!

Break up your journey at Biscarrosse-Plage, in the heart of the Landes coast. This pleasant seaside resort on the Silver Coast, 9 kilometres from the town centre of Biscarrosse, offers a great choice of leisure activities. You like basking in the sun, and enjoying all the pleasure of the ocean? You will be thrilled by these four kilometres of beach! People who enjoy outdoor activities can use their time by the Atlantic for sand-yachting, surfing, bodyboarding or beach volleyball. An unmissable site of Biscarrosse-Plage is the Green Dune, on the edge of the beach, a place for walks which is ideal for strolling, contemplating the waves of the ocean, or flying a kite. Finally, for shopping and outings, you can choose from all the resort's boutiques, markets, evening markets in July and August, restaurants, cafés and lounge bars!

This immense expanse of water, covering 3,540 hectares, in the Landes communes of Biscarrosse, Gastes and Parentis-en-Born, is perfect for water sports such as windsurfing, sailing in a dinghy or catamaran, canoeing or pedal boating. And for picnics, relaxing or swimming, there is a pretty beach at Parentis-en-Born!