Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Administrative region in southwestern France
New Aquitaine extends from the Spanish border to the Loire Valley, encompassing twelve departments with diverse landscapes from the Pyrenees mountains to Atlantic beaches.
The region emerged on January 1, 2016, through the consolidation of three former regions: Aquitaine, Poitou-Charentes, and Limousin, marking a significant administrative reorganization in France.
The departments preserve distinct local traditions, from Basque customs in Pyrénées-Atlantiques to maritime heritage in Charente-Maritime and wine practices in the Bordeaux area.
New Aquitaine connects to Paris through high-speed rail services from Bordeaux, while regional trains and buses link the major cities across all twelve departments.
The region produces 25% of French agricultural goods, including Bordeaux wines, Charentes cognac, Périgord walnuts, and Marennes-Oléron oysters from certified growing areas.
Location: Metropolitan France
Inception: January 1, 2016
Capital city: Bordeaux
Part of: Southwest defence and security zone
Shares border with: Pays de la Loire, Centre-Val de Loire, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Occitania, Basque Autonomous Community, Navarre, Aragon
Website: https://nouvelle-aquitaine.fr
GPS coordinates: 45.40394,0.37562
Latest update: May 28, 2025 01:40
The Nouvelle-Aquitaine region contains historic and natural sites often overlooked by traditional tourist routes. The area features military castles such as Bonaguil with its seven 13th-century towers, underground churches carved into limestone in Saint-Émilion and Aubeterre-sur-Dronne, as well as caves decorated with Paleolithic paintings like that of Villars. Medieval villages such as Talmont-sur-Gironde preserve their original layout and overlook the Gironde estuary. From Dordogne to the Pyrenean foothills, the region presents rock-hewn forts like Maison Forte de Reignac, Benedictine abbeys established since the 8th century in Brantôme, and Romanesque churches like the Collegiate Church of Saint-Léonard-de-Noblat. The Vayres and Roquetaillade castles demonstrate the evolution of fortified architecture from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance. These sites reflect the military, religious, and cultural history of the region and provide diverse examples of southwestern France's architectural heritage.
The Atlantic beaches of New Aquitaine extend along the coast, featuring natural spaces for water sports, swimming, and leisure. These beaches alternate between fine sand, pine forests, and dunes, with varied activities at each location. Multiple swimming areas include seasonal lifeguard services and basic facilities such as showers and parking.
Lascaux
73.5 km
Fort Boyard
140.2 km
Puy du Fou
194 km
Dune of Pilat
153.5 km
Halles de Niort
121.5 km
Canal du Midi
216.1 km
Futuroscope
140.8 km
Lighthouse at the End of the World
145.8 km
Château de Montrond
219.9 km
Cité de Carcassonne
291.4 km
Château Lafite Rothschild
92.1 km
Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes
259.1 km
Midi-Pyrénées
225.2 km
Île de Ré bridge
151.7 km
Château d'Yquem
110.7 km
Padirac Cave
123.9 km
Albi Cathedral
215.8 km
Château Margaux
91.1 km
Abbey Church of Saint Foy
182.6 km
Château Mouton Rothschild
92 km
Cordouan Lighthouse
122.6 km
Marais Poitevin
131.3 km
La Rochelle submarine base
149 km
Pic du Midi de Bigorre
275.3 km
Landes forest
155.8 km
Château Cheval Blanc
69.8 km
Basilica of St. Sernin
217.1 km
Château de la Mothe-Chandeniers
189.8 kmReviews
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