Traveling in Aquitaine
Aquitaine, also known as "Guyenne" or "Guienne," is a province of south-west France with a stretch of coastline along the Atlantic Ocean and a mountainous border to the south with Spain. The province covers an extensive area encompassing anything from coastline to countryside, small villages to thriving cities, and expansive vineyards to age-old castles.
Regions
The province is generally divided into five regions or "departments," which include Dordogne, Gironde, Landes, Lot-et-Garonne, and Pyrenees-Atlantiques. Dordogne and Lot-et-Garonne make up the northeast corner of the province - mostly beautiful, green countryside often visited for the history with a number of castles and medieval villages. Gironde, Landes, and Pyrenees-Atlantiques line the west coast, best known for beaches, surfing, and summer resorts. Landes is also characterized by its extensive forests, while Pyrenees-Atlantiques is known for its many Basque villages in the southern part of Aquitaine. Gironde is centered on the province’s capital city, Bordeaux. Other cities include Bayonne, Pau, Perigueux, Mont-De-Marsan, and Agen.