LATE AVAILABILITY INDEPENDENT HOLIDAY COTTAGES IN AQUITAINE
PRIVATE HOLIDAY COTTAGES IN AQUITAINE
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Scroll down the page to see self catering gites, villas, apartments and holiday accommodation to rent in Aquitaine - France. Properties are listed in random order. Please scroll down the page to see all our holiday properties to rent in Aquitaine. Accommodation is listed in random order.
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SPECIAL OFFERS >***10% off all remaining weeks in the cottage (sleeps up to 7)**...
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Aquitaine is the south westerly region of France, from Bordeaux down the stunning Atlantic coast to the Spanish border at the Pyrénées, and incorporating the inland departments of Dordogne and Lot et Garonne and coastal Pyrénées-Atlantiques, Landes and Gironde. The region is very well known to the British as it was an ancient kingdom and a duchy, Eleanor of Aquitaine forged strong links after divorcing Louis VII and marrying Henry of Anjou, who then became Henry II of England in 1154. To the north can be found accommodation Poitou Charentes, to the north east is Limousin and to the south one can have some wonderful holidays in the Midi Pyrenees.
Dordogne is perhaps the best known department, often called “Dordognshire” due to the many ex pats from Britain who have made their home here, running B & B and self-catering cottages or converting barns into quality gite accommodation. However, the region is justified in its popularity as there is a wealth of historical, prehistoric and architectural history to discover alongside jaw dropping scenery, gently rolling hills, deep gorges and forests and a temperate climate with long hot summers and short sharp winters.
Lascaux, near Montignac, is known world-wide for cave art. The famous prehistoric paintings depict about 2000 figures, animals and symbols from the Paleolithic period, but very little scenery. Since their discovery in 1940, they were open from 1948 – 1963 when they were closed to the public as the carbon dioxide from tourists was damaging the paintings. Lascaux II was opened alongside the original in 1983, a faithful reproduction of two of the original Lascaux Halls; Great Hall of the Bulls and Painted Gallery. Lascaux II is a must see for all the family if you are renting a gite in Dordogne, holiday cottage in Lot et Garonne or nearby self-catering last minute accommodation in Limousin.
Other Dordogne attractions include canoeing the mighty Dordogne River, which rises in Mont Dore in the Auvergne, wends its way through Limousin and Périgord and flows into the Gironde, jointly with the River Garonne just north of the city of Bordeaux. Dotted on the banks are many kayak and Canadian canoe hire stands vying for business, and usually including a mini bus ride up stream for the gentle paddle back and much splashing about in the river to cool off. Lunch of pâté foie gras (goose liver pâté) or confit de canard (duck preserved in butter) and a bottle of Bordeaux is on “menu fixe” all over the Dordogne.
Bergerac, well known for its wine and cheap flights to Bergerac airport are well worth exploring. South of Bergerac is Monbazillac, known for its delicious dessert wine. Brantome, Excideuil, La Roque-Gageac, Le Bugue, Riberac, Rocamadour medieval Sarlat is delightful, even in season.
Bassin d'Arcachon is the enclosed triangle of sea between the Côte d'Argent and the Côte des Landes, in Gironde. The climate is perfect and the food in the area is gourmet, including amazing oysters or “huîtres” and wonderful Bordeaux wines. Towering pine forests, sand dunes, surfing waves contrast with the blue lagoon Bassin, surrounded by shifting sand dunes, including the Great Dune of Pyla, the largest in Europe, a challenging climb. The glitzy and glamorous resort of Biarritz is is the gateway to the mountainous Pyrénées.