Southwest France
The Southwest
The bastide towns and slow river valleys, the foothills of the Pyrenees, Gascon tables and the wide Atlantic coast.
Dordogne
The France you came to find
Known for Prehistoric caves, bastide villages, foie gras and the Vézère valley
Lot
Deep, slow, and deliberately kept secret
Known for Limestone causses, cliff villages, Cahors wine and canoeing
Gironde
Bordeaux and beyond
Known for Bordeaux, Médoc wine, Arcachon oysters and the Dune du Pilat
Pays Basque
A civilisation on its own terms
Known for A distinct language and culture, pintxos, Biarritz and the Camino
Landes
Pine forest, Atlantic surf, and a way of life
Known for Europe's largest pine forest, Atlantic surf and Dax thermal baths
Gers
Gascony on its own terms
Known for Armagnac, foie gras, circular bastides and Gascon cuisine
Ariège
The Pyrenees before they perform for tourists
Known for Foix castle, the Niaux cave paintings and high Pyrenean walks
Tarn
Pink brick, river gorges, and hilltop villages
Known for Albi cathedral, Cordes-sur-Ciel, the Tarn gorges and Sunday markets
Tarn-et-Garonne
Where two rivers meet and pilgrims pass
Known for Moissac abbey, Montauban, hilltop Lauzerte and orchards
Lot-et-Garonne
The bastide country people keep forgetting to visit
Known for Hilltop bastides, Agen prunes, orchards and river towns
Haute-Garonne
Toulouse and the mountains behind it
Known for Pink-brick Toulouse, Saint-Bertrand-de-Comminges and Pyrenean access
Corrèze
Granite, chestnuts, and deep quiet
Known for Collonges-la-Rouge, Turenne, Brive market and chestnut forests