The world-famous Medoc vineyards flank the mighty Gironde estuary, where the waters of the Garonne and Dordogne merge. South of here stretch the white, sandy beaches of Aquitaine’s Cote d’Argent and their associated resorts.

Worth a visit is Europe’s largest sand dune, the Dune du Pilat, a spectacular point from which to view wildlife and the impressive natural lagoon of the Bassin D’Arcachon, which enjoys protected status.

Inland, the vast pine forest of Les Landes marches eastwards as far as the eye can see, planted during the 19th century when former marshland was drained depriving the local shepherds of a living. Today, their traditional ways are commemorated at the open-air Ecomusee de la Grande Lande, Marqueze.

As the foothills of the Pyrenees approach to the south, the Basque influence grows stronger; the Landais capital, Mont-de-Marsan, and spa town of Dax have bull-rings and, like many other ‘Pays Basque’ communities, possess ‘frontons’ where the game of pelote is played.
The increasingly rocky coastline which once sheltered fishing communities now boasts chic resorts like St Jean de Luz and surfing capital Biarritz. Bayonne ham, rugby and chocolate are among the attractions here.

Whilst the old duchy of Aquitaine benefitted from its proximity to the Atlantic and the opportunities for trade this offered, today’s visitors arrive in the region via excellent road, rail and air links with Bordeaux, Pau and Biarritz.

Read the Wikipedia guide to Aquitaine.