Aquitaine Things to Do

  Monument Aux Girondins
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  • Monument Aux Girondins
      Monument Aux Girondins
    by Sambawalk
  • Hunting for oysters
      Hunting for oysters
    by PALLINA
  • The Fountain in the Square at Dusk
      The Fountain in the Square at Dusk
    by hquittner
  •   Things to Do
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  • Looking down to La Roque-Gageac (left)
      Looking down to La Roque-Gageac (left)
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Most Viewed Things to Do in Aquitaine

1.

Cathedral Saint Andre   Bordeaux

Cathedral Saint Andre, Bordeaux

 23 Reviews  The massive Cathedral St. Andre at Place J. Moulin is one of the centerpieces of central Bordeaux. Even with the large square it is almost impossible to get a photo of the entire cathedral. There are... 

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2.

Grand Theatre   Bordeaux

Grand Theatre, Bordeaux

 11 Reviews  Right in the middle of the city center at place comedie, is the regal Grand Theatre. Unfortunately the music/ballet season was over in July, but on the plus side they turned the theatre into a museum... 

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3.

Esplanade des Quinconces   Bordeaux

Esplanade des Quinconces, Bordeaux

 9 Reviews  The Esplanade des Quinconces is France's largest square and one of the largest in Europe. It was laid out in the 19th century on the site of the former Château Trompette and is surrounded by trees... 

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4.

Place de la Bourse   Bordeaux

Place de la Bourse, Bordeaux

 9 Reviews  Also known as Place Royale, this is a perfect example of Bordeaux architecture at the end of the 18th century. This is a beautiful line of archways and slate roofs, with an impressive fountain in the... 

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5.

Basilique Saint Michel   Bordeaux

Basilique Saint Michel, Bordeaux

 6 Reviews  One of the buildings of Bordeaux that is visible from basically everywhere, the Basilique Saint Michel is also very beautiful and offers the best panoramic view from its belfry. The basilica was... 

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6.

Monument Aux Girondins   Bordeaux

Monument Aux Girondins, Bordeaux

 5 Reviews  At the foot of the Monument to the Girondins are two beautiful fountains. Next to the column there are a couple of statues that honor two of the greatest names of Bordeaux. One is dedicated to the... 

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7.

Walking   Bordeaux

Walking, Bordeaux

 5 Reviews  I can personally recommend BordeauxWalkingTours.com Patricia has some standard walking tours she does and will customize a tour to your needs as well. She has an amazing knowledge base of the history... 

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8.

Pont de Pierre   Bordeaux

Pont de Pierre, Bordeaux

 7 Reviews  The Pont de Pierre is a beautiful stone bridge which was completed in 1822 after being commissioned by Napoleon. The bridge is quite amazing and was the first bridge built across the Garonne. It is... 

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9.

Musee des Beaux Arts   Bordeaux

Musee des Beaux Arts, Bordeaux

 5 Reviews  Behind the Hotel du Ville is Bordeaux's Museum of Fine Art. The area in front of the museum is interesting with a 30 foot tall, gaping mouth of a crocodile finely decorated. While the building is... 

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10.

Palais Gallien   Bordeaux

Palais Gallien, Bordeaux

 5 Reviews  Bordeaux's origins date back to Roman times, but from that era nothing but the Palais Gallien has survived. It is a rather curious sight as it is located amidst residential buildings and not visible... 

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11.

Palais Rohan   Bordeaux

Palais Rohan, Bordeaux

 5 Reviews  Located just steps away from Cathedral St Andre (at Place Pey Berland) and dominating the center of the old city is the Palais Rohan (or hotel de Ville). The current structure, which parts can be... 

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12.

La Grosse Cloche- The Big Clock   Bordeaux

La Grosse Cloche- The Big Clock, Bordeaux

 5 Reviews  The "Grosse Cloche" is one of the few monuments which have been preserved from the Middle Ages, though with quite some alterations. Like Porte Cailhau, it is also squeezed between the surrounding... 

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13.

Porte Cailhau   Bordeaux

Porte Cailhau, Bordeaux

 3 Reviews  Bordeaux's old town still has four city gates, the most beautiful and impressive of them being Porte Cailhau. Squeezed between the buildings surrounding it, it is impressive but also gives the... 

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14.

Place du Parlement   Bordeaux

Place du Parlement, Bordeaux

 3 Reviews  The Place du Parlement is a large square for walking and relaxing. In season the half-dozen restaurants have outdoor tables for dining. They range from simple and inexpensive to the finest seafood... 

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15.

Tour Pey-Berland   Bordeaux

Tour Pey-Berland, Bordeaux

 9 Reviews  The belfry of Cathédrale St André is a curious building. First of all, it's not part of the cathedral, but a few meters away from it. This was meant to protect the structures of the cathedral from the... 

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16.

Hotel de Ville   Bordeaux

Hotel de Ville, Bordeaux

 2 Reviews  The Hotel de Ville, like most older fine buildings in Bordeaux, was built in the 18C as a palace for the Archbishop (Prince Rohan) which is why it is next to the Cathedral. The preferred view is from... 

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17.

Place de la Victoire   Bordeaux

Place de la Victoire, Bordeaux

 4 Reviews  Located at the Southern end of rue Saint Catherine, the Place de la Victoire features a large arched entry, a large obelisque of various colored marble from the local areas and some bronze turtles... 

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18.

Wine Tasting   Bordeaux

Wine Tasting, Bordeaux

 3 Reviews  The area around Bordeaux is one of France's most distinguished wine regions. Due to an interplay of different factors, Bordeaux's "terroir" is superb for producing red and white wines alike. The... 

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19.

Eglise Notre Dame   Bordeaux

Eglise Notre Dame, Bordeaux

 4 Reviews  We stumbled upon this magnificant structure as we were walking around Bordeaux. The facade of the church was quite interesting with its characteristic "pine-cone shapped towers". The church is located... 

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20.

Basilique Saint Seurin   Bordeaux

Basilique Saint Seurin, Bordeaux

 3 Reviews  The Basilique Saint Seurin is classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Dated as far back as the 6th Century, the originally Romaneque church as been added on over the years, including a major... 

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21.

Fleche Saint Michel   Bordeaux

Fleche Saint Michel, Bordeaux

 2 Reviews  Standing alone and separate from the Basilica is the steeple called the Fleche (Arrow). The Fleche was built in the late 15th century and along with St. Michel Basilica are a UNESCO World Heritagage... 

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22.

Musee d'Aquitaine   Bordeaux

Musee d'Aquitaine, Bordeaux

 2 Reviews  The Musee d'Aquitaine is a wonderful museum reflecting this history, archeology and ethnology of the Acquitaine area. From pre-history, through the Roman period (with excellent mosaic floors on... 

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23.

Place Gambetta   Bordeaux

Place Gambetta, Bordeaux

 2 Reviews  Apparently this square is known for its great facades from the late 18th and early 19th century. Maybe i was just tired, maybe i had seen enough buildings but the lights struck me much more. In the... 

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24.

Porte Dijeaux   Bordeaux

Porte Dijeaux, Bordeaux

 2 Reviews  Porte Dijeaux: This gate has riplaced the one that was built ten meters ahead towards the current Gambetta Square. Next to it there's a beautiful cafè (Dijeaux cafè) where you can have a very good... 

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25.

Hospital Saint Andre   Bordeaux

Hospital Saint Andre, Bordeaux

 1 Review  Although quite an impressive building i was glad i was so bold to skip inside. The Garden of this place looks so nice. I didn't dare going any further. I guess one could be in a worse place then this... 

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Comments

Reviews from VirtualTourist Members

The museum of the course Landaise.

by kokoryko

May be a short visit to this museum is the best introduction to the course Landaise; if you plan to stay a few days a 1-2 weeks in the Landes in summer you will have the opportunity to watch a course if you want; to understand a bit of what happens in the arena, a visit to the museum is helpful.There are 3 main display rooms and a small cinema.; in the cinema a video explains the origins of this sport, and the basic rules; history of the course landaise and glorification of the “heroes”.One of the rooms displays mainly costumes, a second room is dedicated to history and links with the corrida, the third room about links between landaise culture and course, and the fame hall!.You also can see that course Landaise and corrida inspired lots of artists, mainly poster designers like Cel Le Gaucher who is a local celebrity in Mont de Marsan (and the grand father of my sister in law!...

Posters of Cel Le Gaucher
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Chateau des Milandes

by nhcram

Set in the beautiful countryside and overlooking the Dordogne valley is the former home of Josephine Baker. The black American singer, dancer, actress who turned her back on America to avoid the racism and took French nationality after living there for a number of years. She unfortunately lost the house due to financial collapse and was forcibly evicted in 1969. Such a terrible shame as she did so much for the French resistance and the campaigned for civil rights and equality in her native America.The chateau itself was built in 1489 and is of renaissance architecture.There are art deco bathrooms, gargoyles, stained glass windows large gardens and over 100 magnolia trees.

The front of the chateau
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Salies-de-Béarn - "Venetian" spa town

by aaaarrgh

The spa town of Salies is also known as the Venice of Béarn. Maybe because of its meandering river and the many old buildings, crowded close together like Venetian alleyways.It is also called the 'City of Salt', because of its local salt deposits, and has an annual Salt Festival.The whole town is extremely attractive, brimming full with ancient houses. Many have very distinctive Basque verandas and balconies. Others have rooftop terraces.The 14th century Eglise Saint Vincent is well worth a visit. There is a spa centre where you can have your ailments treated, bathed in the mineral waters. There is also a 'normal' public swimming pool.Maybe try the grand Hôtel du Parc for a hot drink and a cake, then marvel at its grand hall and dance floor.

river saleys, not a canal ;-)
In the Southwest Edge of France

by hquittner

St.-Jean-Pied-de-Port is a small city (pop. 1700). It lies mostly on the right side of the river Nive (which flows north through town). The town is mostly made up of 16 &17C buildings. At the bank of the stream is the Eglise Notre Dame du Port. On the far side, a small hill heads to the porte d'Espagne which enters Spain 6 km on, first rising to the porte de Roncevaux. At the towngate the ramparts of the 17C are still in place. The pilgrim's road enters the town at the northeast.

Porte de France
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A Must Stop In This Part of France

by hquittner

In the 19C Pau was a resort town for rich English people. This is no longer true but it still remains pleasant. It is made relaxed by its beautiful Promenade des Pyrenees and the sight is especially enjoyable if the weather is clear to the south with views of the range of mountain peaks on view. This did not happen when we were there but luckily we were going directly east on later days and did see the display. There is a grand castle next to the Promenade in which Henri IV was born and where he lived for a while. It has many original items and more that have been returned and added so that it is a fine visit. The walk is on a bluff while below it a narrow spread of land next the Gave de Pau and a Gazebo and the lower end of a funicular up to the Promenade.

Chateau of Pau
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Lescar Was Once the Population Center for Pau

by hquittner

Before the 12C Lescar was an important Cathedral center. It was only in about 1300, that Gaston Febus having taken over Bearn, decided that Pau shound be built up as head city. Slowly the importance of Lescar disappeared but the ancient church still stand s and is of interest for its age and its structure. Inside it there is a rare example of a large portion of the choir area that is a mosaic in the floor that is only seen in a few places at this time. There are also sculpted capitals atop pillars in the nave and some in the choir. Further carved figures cover the modilions around the east end on the outside. These are all 12C.

Meermaid
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From Jaca Spain via the Col du Somport to Oloron

by hquittner

The first city in France that we encountered as we headed north from the border was Oloron-Ste-Marie. We stayed near by. This provided us with the chance an early 12C church that had been used as a stop on the way to Compostela. At the time of its building this was the main town of Bearn. The church was started in 1102 by Gaston IV who was one of the leaders of the First Crusade. There is a splendid facade under a porch on the west end that contains voussoirs with the 24 Elders of the Apocalypse and much more made with Pyrenees marble. It should be seen, as well as all the other details. It is one of the earliest examples of Romanesque monuments.

View of the West Porch
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Tarbes Is a Good Rest Stop

by hquittner

If you are traveling through Tarbes and wish to have a short stop, you will find a fine park in the northern part of the city called the Jardin Massey. Within it, they have reconstructed a cloister originally in St.-Sever-de-Rustan whose church still stands some 20km northeast of town which has a pond full of various ducks and peacocks. Also one can clearly view a large stretch of the Pyrenees to the South while driving by the area.

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Start At Bordeaux

by hquittner

Bordeaux is the fifth most populous French city and the second largest. It has an active intellectual life with a Grand Theater, site of all sorts of performing activities and a Museum of Fine Arts. There are interesting buildings and open spaces. The famous vineyards are nearby. We used it as a starting point for a car tour of the regions.

Place de la Bourse
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In Perigueux Stop at St.-Front Cathedral

by hquittner

Perigueux (pop. 29.6K) has one of the few cathedrals utilizing a Greek Cross plan to dome vault its interior. This occurred in the 12C. In the 19C Paul Abadie remodeled the cathedral while adding thin minaret-like towers. This inspired him a little later to create Sacre-Coeur atop Montmartre in Paris which echoes this building

St.-Front Cathedral
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Things to Do: Cities in Aquitaine
  1. Bordeaux Things to Do
  2. Biarritz Things to Do
  3. Pau Things to Do
  4. Sarlat-la-Canéda Things to Do
  5. Arcachon Things to Do
  6. Saint-Émilion Things to Do
  7. Bayonne Things to Do
  8. Beynac-et-Cazenac Things to Do
  9. Bergerac Things to Do
  10. Saint-Jean-de-Luz Things to Do
  11. Les Eyzies-de-Tayac Things to Do
  12. La Roque-Gageac Things to Do
  13. Domme Things to Do
  14. Brantôme Things to Do
  15. Bourdeilles Things to Do
  16. Nérac Things to Do
  17. Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port Things to Do
  18. Duras Things to Do
  19. Castelmoron-d'Albret Things to Do
  20. Monségur Things to Do
  21. Le Bugue Things to Do
  22. Libourne Things to Do
  23. Montignac Things to Do
  24. Hourtin-Plage Things to Do
  25. Bazas Things to Do
  26. Daglan Things to Do
  27. Lestelle-Bétharram Things to Do
  28. Lascaux Things to Do
  29. Soulac-sur-Mer Things to Do
  30. Salies-de-Béarn Things to Do
  31. Périgueux Things to Do
  32. Pauillac Things to Do
  33. Castelnaud-Fayrac Things to Do
  34. Margaux Things to Do
  35. Arthez-de-Béarn Things to Do
  36. Nay Things to Do
  37. Vitrac Things to Do
  38. Salignac Things to Do
  39. Oloron-Sainte-Marie Things to Do
  40. Laruns Things to Do
  41. Saint-Jean-de-Côle Things to Do
  42. Orthez Things to Do
  43. Monpazier Things to Do
  44. Hautefort Things to Do
  45. Saint-Amand-de-Coly Things to Do
  46. Cénac-et-Saint-Julien Things to Do
  47. Capbreton Things to Do
  48. Lescar Things to Do
  49. Buzet-sur-Baïse Things to Do
  50. Lescun Things to Do
  51. La Réole Things to Do
  52. Saint-Ferme Things to Do
  53. Hendaye Things to Do
  54. Siorac-en-Périgord Things to Do
  55. Cadouin Things to Do
  56. La Sauve-Majeure Things to Do
  57. Fronsac Things to Do
  58. Thonac Things to Do
  59. Sainte-Croix-du-Mont Things to Do
  60. Saint-Avit-Sénieur Things to Do
  61. Petit-Palais-et-Cornemps Things to Do
  62. Dieulivol Things to Do
  63. Borce Things to Do
  64. Bégadan Things to Do
  65. Arudy Things to Do
  66. Fort Médoc Things to Do
  67. Léognan Things to Do
  68. Hourtin Things to Do

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