We may not all be Indiana Jones, but we can all enjoy extraordinary experiences in nature. Hiking, cycling, bivouacking, kayaking: the possibilities here are endless. In the end, the only real challenge is choosing your destination… and remembering to adapt your gear to the weather!
To change scenery, all you have to do is open the windows… and step outside your front door. From the Béarn summer pastures to the Atlantic coast, via rivers, lakes and charming villages of southwest France, the thrill of escape is much closer than you might think in Nouvelle-Aquitaine.
Lace up your hiking boots, oil the bike chain, hop on a train, and you’re already far away…
Almost all roads lead to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port: of course, we’re talking about the Camino de Santiago. For those who prefer to wander off the beaten path, walk coastal trails or follow the curve of the sun, the GR and GRP long-distance routes promise plenty of surprises.
Pedal, watch the landscapes roll by, stop whenever you feel like it, then set off again. On these marked routes, it’s hard to tell whether it’s your legs or your wandering thoughts that set the pace. But does it really matter?
The small pleasures of train travel are simple: setting down your bag, opening a book, watching the platform fade away. The greater pleasures are still to come, on a whim, you choose a weekend in the Pyrenees or among the Cognac vineyards. It could be somewhere else entirely. That’s what freedom feels like.
Randonnée et canoé en Dordogne / CRTNA / Clara Ferrand
Shared Moments of Life
To Share, Feel, Open Up and Be Amazed
In Nouvelle-Aquitaine, experiences are meant to be lived together: whether in the joy of big moments or the simplicity of everyday life. An open-air concert, a workshop with an artisan, a stroll through charming villages, or an afternoon of family activities… Human connection is always at the heart of the journey.
Here, we nurture conviviality, celebrate local cultures, and weave memories together.
We may not all be Indiana Jones, but we can all enjoy extraordinary experiences in nature. Hiking, cycling, bivouacking, kayaking — the possibilities here are endless. In the end, the only real challenge is choosing your destination… and remembering to adapt your gear to the weather!
Centuries-old cedar trees, flocks of migrating cranes, starry skies… Here, nature is experienced on a grand scale, and listened to in silence. Look up, welcome every detail, and stay attentive to the thousand little things it whispers to you in its own way.
A mountain bike climb, a trail running path, a rock-climbing route… every effort becomes an energising breath that gets your heart racing. There’s nothing quite like practising your favourite sport surrounded by landscapes that inspire you to push yourself further.
Balancing on a paddleboard along the Charente, canoeing down the Vézère, or surfing the waves of the Landes coast, water invites you to truly let go. Fresh or salty, lively or calm, it becomes your perfect partner for play, escape and sensation.
Far from everything, yet close to what truly matters. Treat yourself to a break in a calm, vibrant setting where time seems to stretch endlessly.
Whether you’re in an active mood or simply want to unwind, find your own rhythm for a stay that suits you. A walk in the forest, a mountain trail, a nap in a remarkable garden… Here, everyone finds their own way to connect with nature. Now it’s your turn to choose yours.
More Destinations to Explore in Nouvelle-Aquitaine
destinations that brings us together
Take your time to admire the beauty of gardens that have inspired the world’s greatest artists, and dare to take the first step: creativity always follows the first pencil strokes.
A vibrant city of wine and culture, Bordeaux blends elegant architecture, lively neighbourhoods and an easy-going art of living along the Garonne River.
Playful and family-friendly, Poitiers and the Vienne combine iconic attractions, living heritage and shared experiences designed to spark curiosity at any age.
Carved by rivers and time, the Dordogne Valley brings together prehistoric sites, fairytale villages, lush nature and one of France’s most authentic ways of life.
For the undecided, the charm of the South-West France can be found throughout the region. Go explore our other destinations, from the foothills of the Pyrenees to the hidden villages of Deux-Sèvres, or enjoy surf sessions on the coast and hikes in the vast landscapes of Limousin. You will certainly find the stay that suits you.