Today I want to bring you an advertising feature in partnership with Atout France to share 5 highlights of my trip to Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France. The largest region in the country, this area is home to cities like Bordeaux and Poitiers, fairy-tale places like the Dordogne Valley, seaside towns like Biarritz, and islands like the Ile de Re. It’s worth a trip if you want to discover what really matters in the heart of France.
Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France
My itinerary consisted of 3 days in Bordeaux and 4 days in Haute-Vienne. It covered everything from wine tasting in Margaux to porcelain in Limoges.
1. Bordeaux City Center
First on my list of highlights of Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France is the Bordeaux city center. This city is associated with wine, but there’s a lot more to it than famous blends.
From UNESCO World Heritage Sites to riverside terraces and the historic Chartrons district, I discovered beautiful heritage buildings, a stunning cathedral, contemporary art, and one of the largest city squares in Europe.
The 18th-century Grand Theatre de Bordeaux was impressive inside and out, and I loved seeing the Miroir d’Eau, the world’s largest reflecting pool.
I also liked Bordeaux’s food scene, from the riverfront restaurants to contemporary markets like Les Halles de Bacalan.
And that’s to say nothing of wine. La Cite du Vin is a cultural center dedicated to the universal living heritage of wine. Set in a stunning contemporary building, it offers a range of interactive ways to discover the world of wine and its history.
I also liked my accommodation, Hotel La Zoologie. The building was once the Institute of Zoology, and the lobby still retains traces of the former signage.
2. Chateau de Rochechouart
Next on my list of highlights of Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France is the Chateau de Rochechouart. This eye-catching French castle houses the Haute-Vienne Museum of Contemporary Art.
Inside there’s everything from Renaissance frescoes to rotating exhibitions of contemporary painting and sculpture. The interplay of old and new makes for a unique visitor experience.
3. Wine Tasting in Margaux
Third on my list of highlights of Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France is wine tasting in Margaux.
I went to the French countryside on a small-group wine tour with Olala Bordeaux. Called “An Afternoon in Margaux”, the tour took me to two wineries for tours and tastings.
One was a small, family-run winery called Chateau Haut Breton, and the other was larger winery called Chateau Dauzac. I was there during the harvest, and it was great to watch the grape-sorting in action before tasting the wines.
Between tastings, I got to visit famous places like Chateau Margaux and see other stunning buildings and vineyards around the area.
The tour was an easy way to taste Bordeaux’s famous wines and get an introduction to Margaux’s landscapes, villages, and vineyards.
4. Limoges City Center
Next on my list of highlights of Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France is Limoges. This city is synonymous with porcelain, but it has a lot more going for it than just ceramics.
From the views over the Vienne River to the stunning interiors of the cathedral, the eye-catching train station, and the historic Abbessaille and Boucherie districts, I couldn’t get over how beautiful the city was.
I also took in the artistic highlights at the Adrien Dubouche Museum, which houses the world’s largest collection of Limoges porcelain, and Le Four des Casseaux, which features a huge 19th-century kiln where ceramics were once fired.
On top of that, I loved my aparthotel, La Maison Blanche. My spacious room was in the heart of the city on a beautiful residential street.
5. Richard the Lionheart Route
Last on my list of highlights of Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France is the Richard the Lionheart Route. Haute-Vienne is littered with medieval chateaux, many of which the famous English king stayed at during his time in France in the 12th century.
I visited the Chateau de Chalus-Chabrol, where Richard the Lionheart was mortally wounded in 1199. With a round tower and a warren of medieval rooms to explore, it was a great introduction to Haute-Vienne’s historic roots.
I also stopped by a few other chateaux on the route, including the Chateau de Montbrun, the Chateau des Cars, the Chateau de Nexon, and the Chateau de Brie.
I was impressed by their size and scale, and amazed by how many castles there were in a concentrated area.
Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France
I hope you’ve enjoyed getting to know these parts of Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France. The region is a great place to travel, and there’s a lot more to do and see beyond the places I visited on this trip.
If you get a chance to go to the region, I’m sure you’ll discover what really matters for yourself.
This is an advertising feature with Atout France and the Nouvelle-Aquitaine Tourism Board. You can learn more about Nouvelle-Aquitaine at https://www.nouvelle-aquitaine-tourisme.com/en.
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