Our Guide to Nouvelle-Aquitaine

Vineyards, Sea & Snow in Nouvelle-Aquitaine

Nouvelle-Aquitaine comprises the former French regions of Aquitaine, Charente, and Limousin, which have merged into a new super-region. Think about it as ‘the Southwest by the Ocean’, bordered to the south by the Pyrénées mountains and the Atlantic coast to the west.

The Nouvelle-Aquitaine region comprises 12 departments, including the Gironde, Dordogne, Charente, Lot-et-Garonne, and Pyrénées-Atlantiques, each with its own traditions, culture, and history.  The capital city of Nouvelle-Aquitaine is Bordeaux; the other main cities in the region are Périgueux, Bergerac, Limoges, Angoulême, Agen and Pau.

Warm Climate in Nouvelle-Aquitaine

Nouvelle-Aquitaine has a temperate oceanic climate with mild winters, warm summers, and four distinct seasons. Influenced by the Gulf Stream, the Atlantic Ocean, and the southern mountains, it experiences some dampness but receives 2,000-2,200 hours of sunshine annually. 

Coastal plains (Charentes to Landes) are mild (5°C winter, 22°C summer) with strong sunshine, while the Basque Country gets more rain. The Limousin mountains have colder winters with frost, and the Pyrenees have a mountain climate with snow. The region's sunny summers and mild winters make it ideal for relaxation and outdoor activities.

Cultural & Historical Past

Nouvelle-Aquitaine is a prime destination for Europeans and Americans seeking to relocate to France, boasting beautiful beaches along the Atlantic coast and stunning peaks in the wide Pyrénées mountain range.

The region features multiple UNESCO World Heritage sites, including the prehistoric Lascaux caves, as well as medieval castles and fortresses scattered across the landscape. Visitors can explore ancient Roman ruins, wander through charming medieval towns, and delve into the area's rich historical heritage.

Attractions & Activities

It is famous for the Pyrénées, its superb food, local wines and specialities, gentle pace of life, stunning properties, beaches perfect for surfers, rugby history, classic Tour de France climbs, golf courses and mountains for skiers or hikers, all accessible thanks to a choice of international airports (Bergerac, Bordeaux, Brive...) and train stations. Whether you want to surf, visit historic villages, or enjoy top-tier cuisine, this charming region offers something for everyone.

Outdoor Adventures

The meandering Dordogne River is a haven for sports and outdoor enthusiasts, surrounded by deep gorges and rapids that offer endless opportunities for hiking, kayaking, canoeing and playing golf. Along the river, traditional Périgourdine houses sit beneath golden cliffs.

La Roque-Gageac is a beautiful place to visit, thanks to its exotic palms and cacti that thrive on the gorge face. In Charente, Barbezieux-Saint-Hilaire provides many opportunities to explore the countryside. For instance, La Voie Verte, a former railway line converted into a greenway, passes through the town and is perfect for walking or cycling. 

The Nouvelle-Aquitaine region also extends across the Pyrénées-Atlantiques, where visitors can enjoy even more outdoor adventures; the possibilities are almost endless.

Classic Gastronomy

The region is renowned for its delicious lamb, sourced from hillside flocks in the Pyrénées, which is often used in stews made with seasonal produce such as wild mushrooms from Périgord and fresh vegetables from Landes, Gers and Lot-et-Garonne.

The Basque Country is renowned for its seafood, while the whole region has plenty of restaurants that serve fish from the Bay of Biscay, oysters from Arcachon, lobster in Capbreton, the famous foie gras, and locally made hard and soft ewe’s milk cheeses.

World Class Wines

Nouvelle-Aquitaine is both a popular tourist destination and a booming economic region. It is impossible to talk about this area, home to Bordeaux, Cognac, Pomerol, Saint-Émilion, and Margaux, without highlighting its famed wine culture. The village of Saint-Émilion, with its colourful vineyards, has a rich winemaking history.

The vineyards extending from Bordeaux along the Garonne River cultivate varieties like Médoc, Sauternes, and Bergerac. The region is also home to numerous independent growers and vast vineyards that produce and export exceptional wines and spirits worldwide. Learn how to pair them with your favourite cheeses.

Innovation & Technology

The region is a hub of innovation and technology, with many startups and research centres driving its lively economy. Merging traditional industries with modern innovation makes Nouvelle-Aquitaine a thriving place to live and work. Review the facts below to better understand the regional economy.

A Relaxed Lifestyle

Nouvelle-Aquitaine is more than just a beautiful destination; it’s a region where past and beautiful landscapes come together to offer an unparalleled lifestyle. Here, old market villages meet lively cities. Whether you’re exploring medieval fortresses or indulging in local delicacies, every corner invites you to enjoy "la belle vie" in southwest France.

Key Facts about the Nouvelle-Aquitaine

• Capital city: Bordeaux
• Population: 6 million (9.2% of the French population)
• Area: 84,061 sq. km (32,456 sq. miles), representing 15.2% of France
• Density: 71 per sq. km (France is 123 per sq. km)

Essential Tourist Information

• Approximately 20 million tourists visit Nouvelle-Aquitaine yearly
• Km of coastline: Approximately 970 km of coastline
• Km of mountains and the highest peak: The Pyrénées Mountains span across the region, the highest peak is Pic du Midi d'Ossau (2,884 metres).
• Average sunshine hours/year: Around 2,000 sunshine hours per year
• Approx. châteaux in the region: Over 1,000 castles, including Château de Beynac
• Most Famous Landmark: Dune of Pilat (the tallest natural sand dune in Europe)
• Golf courses in the region: Over 50 golf courses

Travelling to Nouvelle-Aquitaine

The main cities are Bordeaux, Pau, Limoges, La Rochelle, Poitiers, Bayonne, Biarritz, and Angoulême. They can be accessed via the road network (motorways, national and departmental roads), the train network, or by air. Here's a list of the regions' airports and main train stations.

Airports Serving Nouvelle-Aquitaine

•   Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport
•   Biarritz Pays Basque Airport
•   Pau Pyrénées Airport
•   Limoges-Bellegarde Airport
•   La Rochelle-Île de Ré Airport
•   Bergerac Dordogne Périgord Airport
•   Poitiers-Biard Airport
•   Brive-Souillac Airport

Main Train Stations and TGV Links

•   Bordeaux-Saint-Jean
•   Pau
•   Limoges-Bénédictins
•   La Rochelle
•   Poitiers
•   Bayonne
•   Biarritz
•   Angoulême

Weather forecast for Bordeaux

Here's today's weather for Bordeaux, the capital of Nouvelle-Aquitaine, and the forecast covering the next three days. Use this info to plan your trip, whether you’re exploring Place de la Bourse, enjoying the Miroir d'eau, visiting Cité du Vin, sightseeing at Saint-André Cathedral, walking along the Quais de la Garonne, or touring Bordeaux's renowned vineyards.

Tourist Attractions in Nouvelle-Aquitaine

•   Bordeaux (wine tours, historic sites)
•   Biarritz (beaches, surfing)
•   Saint-Émilion (wine country)
•   Dordogne Valley (prehistoric sites, castles)
•   Arcachon Bay (Dune of Pilat, oyster farming)
•   Pyrénées Mountains (hiking, skiing)
•   Dune of Pilat (the tallest dune in Europe)

National Park

•   Pyrénées National Park (shared with Occitanie)

Two Regional Nature Parks

•   Périgord-Limousin Regional Nature Park
•   Millevaches en Limousin Regional Nature Park

Four UNESCO World Heritage Sites

•   Bordeaux, Port of the Moon
•   Saint-Émilion Jurisdiction
•   Prehistoric and Decorated Caves of the Vézère Valley
•   Santiago de Compostela Pilgrimage Routes in France (shared with other regions)

Economic Overview of Nouvelle-Aquitaine

• Gross domestic product (GDP): was €180 billion (around $190 billion USD) in 2023, accounting for 7-8% of France's GDP.
• Economy: services (75%), industry (18%) and agriculture (7%)
• Economic Strength: The region is vital to France's economy, combining traditional industries such as agriculture and wine with modern sectors like aerospace and technology.
• Unemployment rate: 7.5% (rate for France = 7.2%)
• Universities and Grandes Écoles: in Bordeaux, Pau, Limoges, and La Rochelle
• Regional Specialities: Maize, sunflowers, dairy, foie gras, Bayonne Ham, Cognac and wine.

Property Prices in Nouvelle-Aquitaine 2026

• Houses - the average price per sq. metre: €2,104 (source Fnaim - April 2026)
• Apartments - average price per sq. metre: € 2,993 (source Fnaim - April 2026)
• Price trends - average property price change over the last 12 months: -1.8% (April 2025 - April 2026)

Discover the Nouvelle-Aquitaine Region 

Nouvelle-Aquitaine blends tradition and modernity, offering the perfect mix of adventure and relaxation. It’s an ideal destination for those craving charm, space, culture, sports, entertainment, delicious cuisine, wines, and the welcoming warmth of southwest France.

To learn more facts about the region, take a look at our infographic. Click on the links on this page to explore a specific department and browse our properties for sale in Nouvelle-Aquitaine.