Five Reasons to Visit Aquitaine, France

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.

---

My top five reasons to visit Aquitaine, France are as follows:

1. The Activities

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!

2. The People

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!).

3. The Surroundings

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.

4.The Food

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!

5. You're in France!

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

There are so many more reasons to visit France (and cities besides Paris) that you'll have to just see them for yourself!  Bon voyage!