This past July I spent ten days in Aquitaine, France.  Aquitaine is the southwestern most region of France, its capital being Bordeaux.  Aquitaine is known for its wines, beaches, and culture.

My mom's brother (my uncle) married a woman from Bordeaux (my aunt) in 1999, which marks the last time I was in France and Europe in general.  I was the flower girl at their wedding and I remember hardly any of our trip, except for the pigeons in Paris.  Summer after summer of my aunt, uncle, and cousins have asked me to visit France with them, this was finally the summer that it happened.

This time around, I didn't visit Paris.  I flew from Montreal, Canada direct to Bordeaux, France via Air Transat.  Montreal's airport, I have to say, was very nice and Bordeaux's is probably my favorite that I've ever been to (then again I'm from the NYC area and my local airports are known for being crappy).  Bordeaux-Merignac Airport was clean, small, bright, and totally manageable.

I spent my ten days between Saucats, Biscarrosse, Arcachon, and Bordeaux.

There are water parks, shopping centers, biking trails, beaches, markets, and more!  Family friendly and something for everyone, you won't be bored on this trip!

I was with extended family, but they were so kind to me.  Most people dealt with my out-of-practice French and tried to help me out by speaking to me in English (But I tried to speak/understand French first!).

Whether you're driving through the vineyards past chateaus in the countryside, watching the sunset over the Atlantic, biking through the forest, chilling on the beach or at the lake, the views are breathtaking.  Take time to enjoy your surroundings if you make it to Aquitaine.

I probably had ice cream every single day.  And cheese.  I had ice cream that tasted like Lorna Doones (what??) and pistachio everything (even mousse!).  The macarons were so delicious and the bread was always freshly baked.  The Aquitaine region is also huge on seafood and wine (I'm not a fan of either, but if you are it's definitely worth the visit).  And my cousins go crazy over the saucisson, so if you eat meat (I don't) try those as well!

Enjoy the attractive, perfectly tanned Europeans, boys with impeccable haircuts, delicious macarons, beautiful scenery, and history of the Aquitaine region!

I visited the Bordeaux region of France during a heatwave in early July.  I brought a few dresses, a jumpsuit, a couple rompers, a couple chambray shirts, a popover, a few pairs of shorts, a couple nicer tank tops, and a bunch of bathing suits.  One thing I did not plan for was how many times a day I would be changing.  Many of my days were spent going to beach in the morning, going back to the house for lunch (changing out of my sunscreen and sand covered clothes/bathing suit), then going to the lake (getting all sunscreened and sand covered again), going back to the house for dinner, going out to the night market, and finally getting back to the house and going to sleep.

It was crazy trying to keep up with all the outfit changing.  I highly suggest dresses.  Easy sundresses that you can layer over your bathing suits (but aren't too flowy…it was pretty windy a couple of the days I was there) are perfect.  The dresses breathe enough that they can transition throughout the day with you.  Bring a long sleeve shirt or a cardigan that you can layer over your dress at night when it cools down.

I wore a fedora most of the trip but wish I brought a baseball cap or more beach friendly option too.  I burn pretty easily so sunscreen and sunglasses were a must.

Many teenagers dressed trendy with high-waited jean shorts and loose fitting cropped tops, but if you're going that way, stick with neutrals.  The French keep their wardrobes simple and chic.  Follow my tips and you'll look like you live in France too!  My only giveaway was my horrible French accent!