Guide to the Nouvelle-Aquitaine Region

Nouvelle Aquitaine Region: Ocean & Mountains

The Nouvelle-Aquitaine consists of the former French regions of Aquitaine, Charente and Limousin, all merged into a new super-region. Think about this region 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 is composed of twelve departments, including the Gironde, the Dordogne, Charente, Lot-et-Garonne and Pyrénées-Atlantiques, just to name a few, each with its traditions, culture and history. The capital city of Nouvelle Aquitaine is Bordeaux, the other main cities in the region are Périgueux, Bergerac, Limoges, Angouleme, Agen and Pau.

Warm Climate and Long Seasons

This region typically enjoys warm winters, four 'proper' seasons, it can be damp in some places because of the influence of the gulf stream, the ocean and the mountains to the south, but it enjoys plenty of sunshine in the summer months. With its sun-drenched summers and temperate winters, the region offers a perfect escape for those seeking relaxation and adventure.

Attractions and Fun Activities

It is famous for the Pyrénées, its superb food, classic wines and specialities, slower pace of life, the stone properties and manoirs, beaches perfect for surfers, rugby history, classic Tour de France climbs, golf courses and mountains for skiers or hikers, all accessible thanks to a good choice of international airports (Bergerac, Bordeaux, Brive...) and train stations. Whether you are looking to surf the waves, explore historic villages, or indulge in world-class cuisine, this enchanting region has something for everyone.

Cultural and Historical Past

Nouvelle Aquitaine is a prime destination for Europeans and Americans who want to relocate to France, boasting beautiful beaches on the Atlantic and stunning peaks on the Pyrénées mountain range. The region boasts several UNESCO World Heritage sites, including the prehistoric caves of Lascaux to the medieval castles and fortresses that scatter the landscape.  Visitors can explore ancient Roman ruins, stroll through charming medieval towns, and immerse themselves in the rich history that unfolds throughout this fascinating region.

Classic Gastronomy

The region is known for its delicious lamb, sourced from hillside flocks in the Pyrénées, 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, the famous foie gras, and locally made hard and soft ewe’s milk cheeses.

Outdoor Adventures

The meandering Dordogne River is a haven for sporting and outdoor enthusiasts, surrounded by deep gorges and rapids that offer endless opportunities for hiking, kayaking, canoeing and playing golf. Along the river, quaint Perigourdine houses sit beneath golden cliffs, their steep roofs reflected in the flowing water. La Roque-Gageac is a beautiful place to visit, thanks to its exotic palms and cacti that thrive on the gorge face. Nouvelle Aquitaine also extends across the Pyrénées Atlantiques, where visitors can enjoy even more outdoor adventures, the possibilities are almost endless.

World Class Wine and Viticulture

Nouvelle-Aquitaine is a tourist's paradise and a thriving economic hub. We can't talk about a region that includes Bordeaux, Cognac, Pomerol, Saint-Emilion, and Margaux without mentioning wine. Saint-Emilion, a picturesque medieval village, has an impressive winemaking heritage. The vineyards that stretch from Bordeaux to Garonne produce Medoc, Sauternes, and Bergerac, and the region is dotted with hundreds of small independent growers and extensive vineyards that export delicious wines and spirits the world over.

Innovation and Regional Economy

The region is also a hotspot for innovation and technology, with numerous startups and research centres contributing to its dynamic economy. Combining traditional industries and cutting-edge innovation makes Nouvelle-Aquitaine a vibrant and prosperous place to live and work. Take a look at the facts below to learn more about the economy of the region.

Beautiful Lifestyle and Experience

Nouvelle-Aquitaine is more than just a beautiful destination; it’s a region where rich past and stunning landscapes come together to offer an unparalleled lifestyle. Here, old market villages meet vibrant cities, and long sandy beaches line rolling vineyards. Whether you’re exploring old fortresses or indulging on local delicacies, every corner invites you to enjoy "la belle vie".

Facts and Figures

• Capital city: Bordeaux
• Population: 6 million (9.2% of 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)

Tourist Information

• Around 20 million tourists visit Nouvelle-Aquitaine each year.
• 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 meters).
• Average sunshine hours/year: Around 2,000 sunshine hours per year
• Approx châteaux in the region: Over 1,000 castles, including Chateau de Beynac
• Most Famous Landmark: Dune of Pilat (the tallest natural sand dune in Europe)
• Golf courses in the region: Over 50 golf courses

Getting to Nouvelle Aquitaine

The main cities are Bordeaux, Pau, Limoges, La Rochelle, Poitiers, Bayonne, Biarritz and Angoulême. They can accessed using 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

•   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

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

Regional Tourist Hotspots

•   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 Sites

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

Economic Information

• Gross domestic product (GDP): was €180 billion (around $190 billion USD) in 2023, accounting for 7-8% of France's total GDP.
• Economy: services (75%), industry (18%) and agriculture (7%)
• Economic Strength: The region is vital to France's economy, combining traditional industries like 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 the Nouvelle-Aquitaine

• Houses - the average price per sq. metre: €2,113 (source Fnaim - 2025)
• Apartments - average price per sq. metre: € 2,980 (source Fnaim - 2025)
• Price trends - average price change over the last 12 months: +0.2%

Nouvelle-Aquitaine at a Glance

With a unique mix of tradition and modernity, Nouvelle-Aquitaine is a place to embrace adventure and relaxation, just perfect for those seeking charm, culture, sports, fun activities, food and the warmth of southwestern France.

To learn more interesting facts and numbers about this region, take a glance at our infographic below. Click on the links on this page to discover a specific department, use our handy draw map to narrow your search and browse through our properties for sale in Nouvelle-Aquitaine.