Destination guides

Gironde, Gascony & Mid Pyrenees Travel Guide

To visit places of interest along the coast, to the south of the Gironde estuary from Royan it is best to take the car ferry service between Royan and the Pointe de Grave.

La Rochelle Visit lively, old streets and the harbour, guarded by ramparts and three ancient towers.

Rochefort A great naval base in its time, visit the naval museum and the luxurious and exotic ‘Maison Loti’.

Royan  is now a busy holiday centre and thriving town with all the trappings of a major resort. It has a startlingly modern church of Notre-Dame, with a rather futuristic exterior. The interior, however, is both original and appealing. The most attractive part of the town is probably the ‘Corniche de Pontaillac’, where the grand old hotels and villas which escaped the wartime destruction are situated.

Cognac Central town of the vineyards of Cognac. Some of the great and famous ‘maisons’ can be visited. The old quarter is pleasant to wander around, while the museum contains a section on the history of cognac production.

Bordeaux A bustling port with extensive shopping centres. There are ample architectural memorials to various ages of Bordeaux’s power - a Roman amphitheatre, the vast Gothic cathedral of St. André, and the old quarter of

St. Pierre. The ‘Place de la Comédie’ is one of the most elegant squares in Europe. Next door is the celebrated ‘Vinothèque’ which sells an enormous range of Bordeaux wines.

Cap Ferret A holiday town and headland affording fine views, particularly from the lighthouse, out to sea and across the Bassin d’Arcachon.

Arcachon Once a famous oyster town, the busy seafront with its cafés, restaurants and large yachting marina makes this a most attractive and fashionable resort.

Gascony

Biarritz The elegant old hotels and houses, the rather special but never over-sophisticated atmosphere and the superb setting, make this one of France’s most endearing large resorts.

St. Jean-de-Luz  is a lively, atmospheric resort and fishing port, always popular with summer visitors. The beach is one of the safest in the area and boat trips can be taken around the bay.

Col d’Ibardin A shopping haven for wines, spirits and cigarettes where prices although not duty free are very competitive.

St Jean Pied de Port An ancient town, with many 16th century buildings, used as a stopping place for pilgrims on their way to Spain.

During the summer months there are numerous festivals and markets all along the Basque coast.

Pyrénées

Toulouse The central, old quarter of Toulouse, which lies on the bank of the river Garonne, is not to be missed. The impressive town hall can be found on the place du Capitol  and there are numerous museums.

There are many châteaux producing Armagnac in the area and Château de Assaigne offers a free guided tour and degustation.

Lourdes A unique centre of Roman Catholic pilgrimage and scene of some apparently miraculous cures. A most moving spectacle. English-speaking guides are available and masses are also held in English.

Luz-Saint-Sauveur A well kept mountain village and spa resort surrounded by towering mountain peaks. The attractive streets house numerous shops, cafés and restaurants and the scenery is superb. There is a particularly interesting Templar church in the village.

 

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