TIPS
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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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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.
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€ 65From
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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!
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▼€ 55From
for a double room
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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.
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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
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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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