Bordeaux and the Basque Country

The hub of the famed wine-growing region, Bordeaux is an elegant port city on the Garonne River.

It is known for its Gothic Cathédrale Saint-André, 18th and 19th century mansions, the Cite du Vin wine museum and notable art museums such as the Musée des Beaux-Arts and the CAPC Museum of Contemporary Art. Top-end shops centre around the Triangle d’Or. The Medoc is not only home to the greatest number of prestigious Grands Crus, but also to lesser known charming and authentic properties.

Arcachon Bay has beautiful beaches and the tallest sand dune in Europe. It is well known for its oysters. Bayonne is famous for its ham and chocolate. It has a rich historical heritage and is exceptionally proud of its label ‘City of Art and History’. This characterful city has successfully withstood fourteen sieges.

Biarritz was originally a small fishing harbour before becoming a world-renowned seaside resort. In the early nineteenth century it turned gradually more popular as important families of Madrid society chose to visit. Nearby Saint-Jean-de-Luz was the location of Louis XIV’s marriage to the Spanish Infanta and is a charming place to visit.