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WINE COUNTRY

LEISURE

TESTIMONIAL

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THIERRY MARX:■

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“My holidays in Prehistoric Times”

Adopt the green attitude!

in Bayonne, Bordeaux, Pau and Périgueux

An amazing trip through vineyards

Strolls with Art and History as the backdrop

Discover new green routes and cycling tracks

Peaceful or sporty breaks!

Th e new environmentally-friendly places

to stay

Enjoy château life for less than 100

Th ierry Marx tells us about his Aquitaine

What sort of holidaymaker are you?

Th e region’ s star products

Blue, gold and green for the Aquitaine coastline

Souvenirs of Aquitaine

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Editorial

Next, just a few miles away we went

to the fantastic National Prehistory Museum in Les Eyzies (www.musee-

prehistoire-eyzies.fr). Th ere was so

much to see and do that I had trouble

choosing between them (archaeological

dig, furniture art...). Lastly, while my

parents were at a conference about daily

My prehistoric holidays ‘‘ of a statuette of a woman carved out of

mammoth ivory 25,000 years ago by

prehistoric man.

With our team leaders, we tried to

live in the same way our ancestors

did. I thoroughly enjoyed learning to

cut fl int and make ceramic models. We

even built a prehistoric oven, but I can’t

say the prehistoric cookery lesson was

my favourite activity. What was great,

though, was that we could do all sorts of

sports and go to the swimming pool, just

like in a normal holiday camp!

When my parents came to pick me up, I

felt sad to be leaving my friends, but I was

also really pleased because we headed off

to the Dordogne to visit Préhisto-Parc in Tursac, in the Vézère Valley (www.

prehistoparc.fr). A great anthropologist

from the National Natural History

Museum in Paris, Professor Jean-

Louis Heim, supervised the life-size

reconstructions of everyday scenes

in the life of the fi rst Neanderthal

and Cro-Magnon hunters. Th e scenes

are very realistic, with men hunting a

mammoth or cutting up a reindeer,

or a family camp in a cave… Even

my parents loved it!

After the trip to Préhisto-Parc, I took

part in a workshop where I learned

to make fi re in the same way as our

ancestors: it’s not easy and you need a

lot of patience!

I’m eleven years

old and I love prehistoric animals. I cut

pictures of dinosaurs out of magazines

and I collect books on prehistoric times.

On the internet, I learned that it was in

Aquitaine, in the village of Les Eyzies

in the Dordogne, that Cro-Magnon

man was fi rst discovered! Th roughout

the surrounding area and as far as the

Basque Country, there are countless

caves that were once inhabited by

prehistoric people. Lascaux and its

cave paintings were discovered in

1940 by a bunch of teenagers who

were barely any older than I am! I wish

I could have been there! Last year, I

nagged my parents for months to go to

Aquitaine. I’m going to tell you about

all the things I got up to during those

fabulous holidays.

First of all, I went away with a friend

for a fi ve-day discovery break in the

Landes area, at the home of the “Dame de Brassempouy” (http://

maisondeladame.chez-alice.fr/). It was

here in 1894 that the discovery was made

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life in the Palaeolithic period, I took part

in a sculpture workshop where we used

the same tools as prehistoric man!

The next day we went to the caves of the Roc de Cazelle (www.rocdecazelle.

com), a site that was inhabited non-

stop for 12,000 years until 1966. In Le

Goulet Valley, where the statuette of the

Venus of Sireuil was discovered, there

were more than 100 characters and

animals giving us a good idea of what

life was like in prehistoric times – some

hunting, others painting and sculpting…

I watched a demonstration of stick

throwing and then made paintbrushes

to paint on the stone: we used natural

pigments, iron oxides and coal.

We couldn’t leave the Dordogne without

visiting Lascaux II, the identical

reproduction of the famous “Sistine

Chapel of prehistory” (www.semitour.

com). The illusion is just perfect, and I

really got the feeling that the bulls, cows,

bison and horses were about to spring

to life!

Before leaving Aquitaine to go home,

we made a last stop-off in Saucats, near

Bordeaux (Tel: +33 (0)5 56 72 27 98).

At this natural geological reserve, I took part in a fossil workshop. First

we identified fossils by answering a

list of questions, then we were shown

how digs are organised to find these

fossils. We also observed fossils under

a microscope. Next, we went into the

forest with our parents to visit two

geological sites: I saw fossilized shark’s

teeth, tropical shells, sea urchins and

coral, proving that the sea had covered

this area 20 million years ago.

I had such great holidays and made

some really good friends. We’ve all

decided to come back next year because

there are plenty more prehistoric caves

and sites to see in the region!".

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From petroglyph cave paintings to reality… Make the transition by going on a hike in the company of pottoks, which are little horses of prehistoric origin in the Basque mountains.

There’s another animal that has survived through the millennia since prehistoric times: the sturgeon, a fish that has not evolved for millions of years. In Biganos, visit the Moulin de Cassadote where sturgeon are bred and Gironde caviar is produced.

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is the only official European label. It promotes environmentally-friendly services

(water management, waste reduction…) and is issued by an independent body.

is an international environmental label dedicated exclusively to tourist accommodation. It is awarded by the Foundation for Environmental Education, present in 48 countries.

(HQE) is not an official standard but rather a concept aiming to improve the construction and refurbishment

of buildings on the basis of 14 target criteria (health, energy, aesthetics…).

Ecology also has its place in town,

as attested to by Ecolodge, an

18th-century building set close to

the quaysides. Ecological materials

and renewable energies have been

preferred during the renovation

work, resulting in the awarding of the

European eco-label.

Five charming, cosy rooms await

guests and breakfast is made with

natural local produce.

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Thirty hectares of pine forest in the

Landes are the setting for the 800 pitches

of this campsite. Its special feature is

that it has adapted its management to

environmental concerns and it attempts

to raise awareness among tourists. It has

been awarded various accreditations: ISO

14001, European eco-label, and Green Key.

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Standing on land of 4000m², this 18th-

century farmhouse has been fully restored

by a young architect and can accommodate

up to six people. With its old stone, family

furniture, souvenirs from a stay in Syria

and contemporary furnishings, the gîte has

High Environmental Quality certification.

The icing on the cake: the private pool and

a superb view.

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On the main beach in Biarritz, charm

and modernity combine harmoniously

at the Windsor, with its 48 rooms, a

bar-tea room, restaurant and large

terrace with ocean view. The hotel has

been awarded the European eco-label

and is committed to protecting the

environment by reducing its energy

consumption and waste production,

among other things.

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Close to Sarlat, in a two-hectare park,

Le Périgord has 39 rooms with all

conveniences along with a pool and a

tennis court. Environmentally friendly

management, including the seasonal menu

at the restaurant, has been rewarded by

European eco-label certification.

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In Aquitaine, ©

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50 kilometres from Bordeaux, Bassin

Aventures off ers the whole family

(from 3 years old) tree climbing courses

and workshops. Several packages are

possible, from initiation to more intensive

courses. An original way to enjoy yourself

whilst being aware of environmental

protection.

On the Basque coast in Anglet,

the Izadia ecological park and its

Maison de l’Environnement are ideal

for observation of coastal fl ora and

fauna . Take part in a walk in this

unspoiled place with 14 hectares

while your children learn

to imitate the sounds of

nature in a music creation

workshop on the theme of

birds.

Over 2,000km of signposted footpaths

run through the Périgord-Limousin

Regional Nature Park, which proposes

free themed outings to see the local

plant and animal life. On your own or

in a group, you can observe the stag’s

mating call, see migratory birds, take

part in the “night of the bat”…

You can also visit the park on a

mountain bike or on horseback.

Th e Landes de Gascogne Regional

Nature Park is home to the Grande

Lande eco-museum, set on three sites

in Marquèze, Luxey and Garein .

Dedicated to the lifestyles and cultural

past of traditional Landes society

in the 19th century, this museum

draws the link between Man and his

environment. In Marquèze, there is a

reconstruction of an “airial” (a forest

clearing with Landes houses) from that

era, taking visitors back to the daily life

of the people.

Water excursions are an excellent way

to discover otherwise inaccessible

places. With your family, climb aboard

a ‘galupe’, a traditional fl at-bottomed

boat, and sail down the Courant

d’Huchet which joins the pond of

Léon to the Atlantic Ocean. During the

10 km of this outing you will feel like an

adventurer in the heart of this “French

Amazonia”, a natural reserve boasting

exceptional plant life (cypresses, arum

lilies…) and inhabited by numerous

protected animal species (birds, otters,

mink, herons…).

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Fashion, beauty, decoration

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late June/early July

late July/early August

one day in December

early August

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Great ideas

“With my tasting pass and wineglass in my hand, I’m ready to explore the Aquitaine wine route reconstructed alongside the River Garonne, on the quays linking the Pont de Pierre to the Place des Quinconces.Arm in arm with my friend Annette, we’re off to discover the eight pavilions with their 97 wine appellations from Bordeaux and Aquitaine! What variety! As for gastronomy, there’s a whole village dedicated to food: Bordo Mundo, offering an infinite variety of restaurants with countless food-wine combinations. Next we move on to the Water Mirror, an ideal place to experience sound and images in large format, followed by the firework display. Here at the port of Bordeaux, we are right at the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage site! Tomorrow we’ll have a stroll around town to see the 18th-century architecture, the Opera House, the public park and the Chartrons district…”.Sophie. www.bordeaux-fete-le-vin.com

“The Fêtes de Bayonne cannot officially start until the keys have been thrown from the balcony of the Town Hall. Once this age-old ritual has been accomplished, all the “festayres” can tie their scarves around their neck: welcome to the red-and-white mayhem of the Fêtes de Bayonne! Five days of festivity in the purest Basque tradition. What do I get up to? In the evening I meet up with my friends in one of our favourite “peñas” (associations of people that meet up to dance, drink and chat). In the morning I take my son to see the awakening of King Léon, on the Place de la Liberté. On the banks of the River Nive, it’s nice to wander around and see Notre-Dame Cathedral, away from the crowds. For the rest of the day my husband and I hesitate between Basque dances at the Karrikaldi, at the foot of the Château-Vieux, and listening to bandas. I actually met my husband at the Fêtes, on the Friday – the official day for single people. So Bayonne is also a special event for us”.Maylis. www.fetes.bayonne.fr

“Where do we meet up on the Sunday morning of Open Day? On the famous Boulevard des Pyrénées in Pau, running between the Parc Beaumont and the castle, just a stone’s throw from the old town. A last glance at the snow-capped Pic du Midi d’Ossau and we’re off, leaving from the Place Royale with its statue of Henri IV and heading towards the Jurançon vineyards planted on high plateau near the pretty village of Lacommande, home to the local Maison des Vins. Each time we do this, one of us has the task of making our roadmap, taking in half a dozen wine estates – no more than that – from among the forty-odd that open their doors for tasting sessions. We all share an enthusiasm for dry and sweet white wines, the Occitan culture, and singing! It’s not unusual for us to burst into song to celebrate the end of the harvest and the work achieved by the winegrowers”.Maurice. www.vins-jurancon.fr

Wearing my Mimos T-shirt, in the morning I go to the press conference in the cultural centre of La Visitation, the nerve centre of the festival, and then wander among the day’s “unofficial” artists. Unknown for the most part, these artists perform in the streets, in the margin of the better-known companies who give their performances on stage, at the theatre or the Palace.I like impromptu shows and being free to move around. So I flit from well-rehearsed choreographic events to improvised solo performances, from large squares to narrow streets, all day long – I sometimes even forget to eat! For me Mimos is also an opportunity to see Périgueux and its wonderful locations: Saint Front byzantine cathedral (UNESCO World Heritage), the Maap (Perigord museum of art and archaeology), or the Gallo-Roman museum Vesunna (designed by Jean Nouvel)”.Marie-Ange. www.mimos.fr

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"Arm in arm, we go off to discover

the 97 wine appellations of Bordeaux and Aquitaine".

"I flit from well-rehearsed choreographic events

to improvised solo performances".

"We all share an enthusiasm for dry and sweet white wines, the Occitan culture, and singing!".

"I met my husband one Friday, the official day for single people!".

Two years ahead, because the place you’re travelling to is hugely in demand.One year in advance – you want to be sure to get accommodation that is big enough for the whole family.Six months beforehand because you’ve spotted a sailing course you’re interested in.A week in advance – just enough time to map out your journey.Organise my holiday? I already know where I’m going and I’ll drop into the Tourist Offi ce when I get there.

A rucksack.

A hard case for your camera.

A canvas bag with casters.

Several suitcases containing (almost) everything in your house.

A sports bag and surfboard cover.

Your roadmap and your compass.

Your set of boules and board games.

Binoculars and a telephoto lens.

Shorts and running shoes.

Your Aquitaine Guidebook, full of good addresses.

On foot because it’s good exercise.

By car because it's more practical.

By bike because it's more environmentally friendly.

By boat because it’s more peaceful.

By train because it’s more interesting.

A mountain refuge.

A comfortable hotel.

A big gîte.

A cabin on a boat.

A tree-house without water or electricity.

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When the cock crows.

To your alarm clock.

When your children get noisy.

Th anks to your biological clock.

Whenever you feel like it.

Sandwiches.

Regional produce.

Barbecues.

Organic fruit and vegetables.

Pizza.

Do a hundred lengths each morning.

Have a dip.

Play.

Read.

Observe the birds that come to drink there.

Walk.

Play.

Go diving.

Read.

Sail.

Exhausted.

Enraptured.

Well rested.

Satisfi ed.

Ready to start again

WHAT SORT OF HOLIDAYMAKER

A WONDERFUL TRIP

A break! I demand the right to get out of

the big city for a few days and recharge

my batteries in Aquitaine. I’m bringing

my friend Joseph, the ideal travel partner,

and we’re off to Purple Périgord and

the Bergerac area, our first “destination

vignobles”. Sunny hillsides, flower-

laden fields and lapping rivers await us!

Early the next day we get to Saussignac,

southwest of Bergerac, for the famous

Gourmet Walk (www.saussignacfrance.

fr/syndicat). There are two guides

surrounded by a few wine lovers, all

impatient to go off and see the château,

the church, the surrounding fortified

villages and the local winegrowers. And

what a welcome! My abiding memory

is of plates filled with foie gras and duck

magret, and some extremely friendly

people.

The Open Days held in the Bergerac area

each May are also renowned for being

friendly occasions. I’ve been told that on

these festive weekends there are concerts

and wine-related exhibitions, and 140

estates are open to the public for free

tastings of their wonderful wines.

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in our journey

is the Landes area. Large half-timbered

farmhouses stand on either side of the

dead-straight roads running through

the thick pine forest. Between Dax and

Mont-de-Marsan, the areas of Chalosse

and Tursan approach. I can’t wait to

taste the characteristic local grape

varieties – baroque, fer servadou, tannat

and cabernet franc, with their hint of

under-wood aroma. Once we’ve left

our luggage in a cosy Relais & Châteaux

hotel in Eugénie-les-Bains, we head

off to Geaune. Th is fortifi ed town, the

epicentre of the production area, is where

“Festivigne” is held, the big Tursan wine

fête. With my nose in a wineglass I learn

the language of wine tasting. Vintage

after vintage, Joseph and I quickly fall

into conversation with producers and

visitors. “Yes, I’ll drop by at your estate

tomorrow. Between Castellau Tursan

and VielleTursan? Perfect! It’s just on the

Chemin des Vignes, the newly created

Tursan Wine Route (www.tursan.fr/routedesvins) that starts in Geaune.”

Th ere are two circuits on this route, and

I’ve chosen the southern one. For once I

have managed to convince Joseph to go

by bike! I’ll never forget that wonderful

day in the Landes countryside, with

all the sights to see: traditional vine

shacks, natural amphitheatre with an

unobstructed view of the Pyrenees,

the UNESCO-listed Sainte-Quitterie

Church in Aire-sur-l’Adour, the lovely

accents of the winegrowers, farmers and

craftsmen…

Irouléguy, in the Basque Country. Th is

tiny wine area (about 200 hectares) is

the smallest in Europe and stands on the

ultra-steep slopes of Saint-Etienne-de-

Baïgorry, Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port and

Bidarray. Here the bars, or bodegas, stay

open until the early hours, especially

during the wine fête to which all the

winegrowers in the AOC are invited

(www.cave-irouleguy.com). History,

visits, exhibition, tastings – all that by

midday. Th e afternoon is devoted to

dance and music and to contests of

pelota, a real Basque sport.

“Let’s get away from the crowd”, suggests

Joseph, “and follow our noses”. When

I look around me, I realize I have a

360° view of vines, set on terraces. Th e

mountains are both powerful and serene.

We are in Ispoure, near Saint-Jean-Pied-

de-Port, at Domaine Mourguy. And if my

famous perceptiveness has not deserted

me, we appear to be surrounded

by donkeys. Flanked by our new

companions, we follow a winegrower-

guide along a signposted track towards

his vineyard set on the mountainside.

(www.domainemourguy.com). This

evening we are staying in a former

mountain shepherd’s home. But fi rst, a

visit to our companion’s estate to taste

some Irouléguy, rich in tannat, a grape

variety that gives the wine its structure

and power.

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Here we are in the Graves and

Sauternes region south of Bordeaux,

the land of Baron de Montesquieu,

the illustrious thinker and wine-

lover (www.chateaulabrede.com).As we’re keen to learn about wine

and gastronomy, we have opted for

the Sauternes Prestige days, off ering

visits to the greatest châteaux in the

sauternes-barsac appellation, including

the world-famous Yquem, and lunch

at the table of a chef (www.sauternais-

graves-langon.com). Here I learn that

the Graves and Sauternes Wine Route

can be discovered with a SatNav device.

As you drive, the GPS system beeps to

inform you of the presence of a castle

to visit (Roquetaillade, Mongenan,

Malle…), or a wine estate open to the

public or a good inn to have lunch

(www.bordeaux-graves-sauternes.com/guide-gps.php). Long live the

modern world!

Never short of ideas, Joseph decides

to take me for a canoe trip down the

River Ciron. In the shade of the willows,

we fl oat past the Sauternes vineyards

where, at the foot of the vines, lie pebbles

polished by the Garonne River – the

famous “graves”. Are we here already?

Th e man reaching out his hand to help

me out of the canoe is none other than

the owner of the estate – the winegrower

himself. We could hardly refuse a visit of

the estate, and certainly not a guided

tasting of his latest vintages! What a

lovely day! “Come and do the harvests

in autumn”, he says. “You’ll understand

the real magic of the place, the strength

of winegrowing tradition here”. Joseph

and I mentally book our next holiday

picking grapes – a turnkey break off ered

by the Tourist Offi ce. (www.sauternais-graves-langon.com).

– our fi nal destination

– harvesting is also open to non-

professionals in autumn. Th is initiative

comes from four female winegrowers

who have called themselves “Les

Médocaines”. Th is is a land of contrasts,

“in medio aquae” – in the middle of the

waters with the estuary to the east and

the ocean to the west. Th e hardest thing

is to choose between a gourmet bike

ride through the vineyards escorted by

a guide, and a boat trip on the estuary

as far as Cordouan Lighthouse, with

all the changing landscapes on the way

(www.gensdestuaire.fr).

Latour, Margaux, Mouton-Rothschild,

Lafi te-Rothschild… Along the D2 road

there is a succession of some of the

world’s most mythical châteaux. We go

to the Maison du Tourisme et du Vin in

Pauillac (www.pauillac-medoc.com)to ask about possibilities of visits. We

then go on to Château d’Arsac and the

neighbouring La Winery (www.winery.fr), proclaimed the “Finest wine cellar

in Europe” and the “Temple of tasting”.

I could say the same about the whole

of the Aquitaine region after such a

fantastic break.

www.oenoland-aquitaine.fr

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All the arts

Everyone knows Monet’s series of

paintings of water-lilies. What is

slightly less well known is that without

the gardens of Latour-Marliac in

the Lot-et-Garonne, Claude Monet

would probably not have painted

some of his masterpieces.

Joseph Bory Latour-Marliac, an

inventive nurseryman in the 19th

century, found a way of crossing

white water lilies with wild varieties

in order to produce a whole host

of dazzling colours. In 1889, he

decided to present his collection at

the Paris Universal Exhibition. He

didn’t regret it! As well as the success

he encountered at the exhibition, he

met a rather special person who fell

in love with his lilies: Claude Monet.

It was a revelation. Monet decided

to reproduce this magnifi cence at his

home, Giverny. He ordered his lilies

from the Latour-Marliac nursery…

and the rest is

history.

Today you can visit the gardens of

Latour-Marliac where we are sure

you will experience the same feelings

as Claude Monet did more than a

century ago. Th ere are around 250

species of water-lily in this enchanting

place, and you can also visit a little

museum, an exotic greenhouse and a

bamboo grove.

Latour-Marliac was offi cially made

a G a r d e n o f N o t e i n 2 0 0 4

by the Ministry of Culture and

Communication.

… it would have been in the Basque

Country! But this garden actually

exists. Or rather, these gardens. You

can see them in Cambo-les-Bains, at

the Villa Arnaga, the last home of

Edmond Rostand.

If the house of the author of Cyrano

de Bergerac was an ambitious project,

the gardens – which he also designed

– are the jewel in its crown: a sort

of homage to Versailles, including

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everything most typical of French

formal gardens: pavilions, ponds,

pergola, orangery… all protected by a

wooded park off ering lovely views of

the Pyrenees. And who knows? You

might catch sight of Roxanne…

Contemporary artists can also be

inspired by nature, especially when

they are landscape artists, like

Kathryn Gustafson. In Terrasson-

la-Villedieu, she and the architect

Ian Ritchie designed the Jardins de

l’Imaginaire, thirteen themed areas

of pure creativeness retracing the

history of mankind. Peaceful spaces

protected by box-trees, musical

waterfalls, sparkling colours in the

rose garden, aromas of honeysuckle…

All your senses will be on full throttle

as you stroll through this fabulous

universe.

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Relive History

Th e history of the garden is intimately

linked with that of humanity. Since

the dawn of time, Mankind has been

seeking to get the very best out of the

earth. But do you know how we used to

grow plants in the past?

At Château de Belloc in Sadirac,ancient f lavours and vegetables

await you in the museum and maze

c a l l e d " O h ! L é g u m e s o u b l i é s"(www.ohlegumesoublies.com). In

this highly unusual garden 15 km from

Bordeaux, discover the genesis of our

eating habits, from Cro-Magnon to the

present day.

"Oh! Légumes oubliés" has become

a favour ite among p e ople who

love food and want to bring back

forgotten delicacies. As you wander

around the garden you will fi nd wild

nettles, dandelions, Chinese lanterns,

elderberries, scallop squash... And

to take the experience through to its

natural conclusion, you can have a snack

and buy fruit and vegetables here.

Altogether diff erent: not far from the

caves of Lascaux, the formal gardens of Eyrignac in the Dordogne are well

worth a trip (www.eyrignac.com). Th ey have a historical particularity: they

have belonged to the same family for

500 years and 22 generations!

Th ese gardens are one of the jewels in the

crown of French landscape architecture

of the 17th and 18th centuries. Th ey

have been subject to variations in style

in the course of their history: initially

inspired by the Italian villas of the 17th

century, they were totally overhauled in

the 19th century in order to follow the

English trend!

Today they have been restored to their

full splendour under the impetus of the

owners. Yews, box-trees, hornbeams

and cypresses are the basic ingredients,

sculpted into a diversity of shapes

illustrating the harmony of the gardens.

Each summer, this enchanting place is

the venue for a classical music festival.

Still in the Dordogne, the hanging gardens of Marqueyssac, set on a rocky

spur, off er a truly unique view over the

nearby valley (www.marqueyssac.com).

Standing 192 metres high, they are

said to off er the loveliest panorama in

Périgord! It is a listed site.

Th e box-trees planted in the 19th

century provide the outline, but

“spontaneous” plants also have their

place at Marqueyssac, where you can

admire the typical regional plant life in

6 km of walks.

As well as visits, there are a series of

events and workshops (wood turners,

DIY), games and shacks for children, a

discovery trail for infants, an initiation

into climbing, etc.

From nightfall to midnight, the gardens

of Marqueyssac are lit up by thousands

of candles making a very romantic

atmosphere. It’s also an opportunity to

admire the Dordogne Valley between

light and dark, with its châteaux all lit

up. Unforgettable.

In Gironde, Château de Mongenan in Portets is surrounded by gardens,

each with its own particular vocation

(www.chateaudemongenan.com). Th e

“pleasure garden” is a theatre of greenery

in the informal style, the “utility garden”

has more than a thousand medicinal

plants and herbs that were indispensable

to daily life in the 18th century, while

the “ornament garden” is in homage

to the French formal style: nature is

meticulously ordered.

Don’t forget to visit the château, which

is home to an 18th century Masonic

temple.

Lastly, remember you are in the Bordeaux

region, so the visit naturally ends with a

tasting of the estate’s wines!

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REGIONAL

REGIONAL

REGIONAL

REGIONAL

Véloroutes and green routes

Green routes have been designed for cyclists (no motor vehicles allowed), on towpaths, riverbanks, disused railway lines, forest paths, urban parks, etc.

Véloroutes are routes shared with cars. Although these cycle routes mainly follow charming little roads without much traffi c, be careful and comply with the Highway Code.

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ENJOY CHÂTEAU LIFE€

Napoleon III veranda or slip into the large pool to cool off . After a trip to Saint-Emilion, meet your hosts for a cellar visit and tasting session with the wines produced at the Château.

Th en take your seat in the elegant dining room to savour your dinner made with local produce before returning to your room with its stunning view of the grounds.

■

€ 80From

for a double room

€ 65From

for a double room

Return to the days of gallant knights and their ladies at the Château de Rodié, a 13th and 14th-century castle in Quercy. Th e rooms are protected by thick stone walls and solid wooden beams, and furnished with antiques. From the top of the square tower, the view stretches out over the castle rooftops and the surrounding countryside. Outside the main wall, a large swimming pool (over 16 metres long!) is at your disposal in season.

Th e owners also off er guests an opportunity to take part in the daily life of the organic farm and its 454 hectares of nature reserve.

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A short distance from Eugénie-les-Bains and Aire-sur-l'Adour, step back in time in this 15th-century fortifi ed building. Château Benauge has been carefully restored and boasts fi ve bedrooms with Clévacances 3-key classifi cation - Tourisme et Handicap accreditation is in progress. Each of the rooms has its own individual décor and a geothermal air conditioning system that is as ecological as it is comfortable.

A keep, slate roof, wooden panelling, four-poster beds… this certainly is an authentic 15th-century castle. Between Périgueux and Brantôme, Château de la Côte receives its guests in the heart of Green Périgord.

Th e interior décor of the castle transports guests back to Renaissance times, with its period furnishings and its many reception rooms with monumental fi replaces and wood panelling.

Outside, make the most of the magnifi cent swimming pool and its view over the surrounding countryside.

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▼

At the end of a majestic driveway lined with plane trees stands Château Carbonneau – accredited by Gîtes de France – in the midst of the vineyards between Saint-Emilion and Bergerac.

Start off the day with breakfast on the magnifi cent

▼

During your stay in this spot with a colourful past, the owners will be delighted to tell you the story of Benauge over dinner – an opportunity to confi rm that the reputation of Landes cuisine is more than justifi ed!

■

▼€ 55From

for a double room

▼

Porthos, the most colourful of the four musketeers in the novel by Alexandre Dumas.

Built in the late 16th and early 17th centuries, Château de Porthos was fully renovated in 2005. Th e four guest rooms bear evocative names: Aramis, Milady, Athos and Porthos. To relax, you have the choice between the outdoor spa looking out over the grounds or the billiards room in the former kitchens in the basement.

■

At the approach to the village of Lanne-en-Barétous stands a proud mansion with two square towers in characteristic Béarn style. Th is is the home of Isaac de Portau, alias

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€ 78From

for a double room

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HOROSCOPE

An adventurer and a sportsperson, you love nothing better than a challenge! When you do something, you really go for it. Try a hike in the Pyrenees, in particular up the Pic du Midi d’Ossau (2284 m). Or a more festive challenge would be the Basque strongman games in Saint-Palais.

At heart you are a sensual epicurean, so Aquitaine is defi nitely the place for you. Go to the Dordogne for a gourmet break and enjoy the delicious foie gras! And while you’re there, travel along the Perigord Walnut Route where you will fi nd varieties that have been awarded a PDO.

Dynamic and hungry for knowledge, you should go to Bordeaux, the regional capital! Th e city’s Port de la Lune, listed as UNESCO World Heritage, its beautiful 18th-century façades, its opera house, the Saint-Michel steeple and the museums will all satisfy your curiosity.

Proud and in search of emotions, only the best will do for you! You will feel particularly at home in remarkable places steeped in history, such as Saint Émilion or Sarlat, the medieval town with the world’s highest density of listed monuments.

Sensitive, delicate and attached to your childhood memories, you will appreciate the pleasures of the seaside. In the Bay of Arcachon, go crab fi shing and sandcastle-building.

A hedonist by nature, you like comfort and luxury above all. So there’s nothing better for you than a stay in a wine château (with tasting sessions of course!), a luxurious vinotherapy cure at the Sources de Caudalie, or a break in the fi nest hotel in Aquitaine, the Hotel du Palais in Biarritz.

An idealist and an altruist, you are likely to fi nd yourself on one of the pilgrimage roads leading to Compostela. Also, as an aesthete you will enjoy the picturesque oyster farming villages in the Bay of Arcachon.

Strong-willed, active and assertive, you’ll love the whitewater of the Pyrenees! Canyoning, rafting and kayaking on the ‘gaves’ of Pau and Oloron will satisfy your thirst for extreme sensations.

Your love of freedom makes you individualistic and enterprising. Th e Dune du Pilat will match up to your ambitions: 107 metres of sand to climb! Not to mention the descent, which you can attempt by running down the side of the dune!

Fancy a round of golf? Patient, thoughtful and ambitious, you will be particularly well at ease on the greens. Th ere are courses in Bordeaux, and try the one in Moliets, rated as one of the top ten in France.

Independent, original, thirsting for freedom… You are guided by your adventurous side: go to the Landes or the Basque Coast immediately! A wave with your name written on it awaits you.

You are said to be hesitant, but also contemplative. A trip down the Canal de la Garonne on a hired boat or on the Dordogne aboard a ‘gabare’ would be just right for you. And as you love being pampered, round off your break in one of the region’s many thalassotherapy centres.

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