France Aquitaine

Sarlat-la-Caneda, or simply Sarlat, is a commune in southwestern France. Sarlat is a medieval town that developed around a large Benedictine abbey of Carolingian origin. The medieval Sarlat Cathedral is dedicated to Saint Sacerdos. Because modern history has largely passed it by, Sarlat has remained preserved and one of the towns most representative of 14th century France. The center of the old town consists of impeccably restored stone buildings and is largely car-free.

Bordeaux is a port city on the Garonne River in southwestern France. The city's titles are "La Perle d'Aquitaine" (The Pearl of Aquitaine), and "La Belle Endormie" (Sleeping Beauty) in reference to the old center which had black walls due to pollution. Nowadays, this is not the case. In fact, a part of the city, Le Port de La Lune, was almost completely renovated. Bordeaux is the city which has the highest number of preserved historical buildings in France, except for Paris. Bordeaux is the world's major wine industry capital. Bordeaux wine has been produced in the region since the 8th century. The historic part of the city is on the UNESCO World Heritage List as "an outstanding urban and architectural ensemble" of the 18th century.

Perigueux is a commune in the Dordogne department in Aquitaine in southwestern France. It is also the seat of a Roman Catholic diocese. Sights in Perigueux include: the remains of a Roman amphitheater (known locally as the arenes romaines) the center of which has been turned into a green park with a water fountain; the remains of a temple of the Gallic goddess "Vesunna"; and a luxurious Roman villa, called the "Domus of Vesunna", built around a garden courtyard surrounded by a colonnaded peristyle now housed in the Vesunna Gallo-Roman Museum.

Pau is a commune on the northern edge of the Pyrenees in France. The Universite de Pau et des Pays de l'Adour, founded in 1972, accounts for a large student population. The Boulevard des Pyrénees is 1.8 kilometres from the Chateau de Pau to the Parc Beaumont, with views of the mountains. The city plays a leading role for Bearn but also for a wide segment of the Adour area. An administrative capital, it boasts a dense economic fabric including service activities. Pau also plays the role of cultural capital with many events, including sports. Pau heritage extends over several centuries, its diversity and its quality allowed it to obtain the label of City of Art and History in 2011.

Saint-Emilion is a commune in southwestern France. Saint-Emilion's history goes back to prehistoric times and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with fascinating Romanesque churches and ruins stretching all along steep and narrow streets. Saint-Emilion is one of the principal red wine areas of Bordeaux along with the Medoc, Graves and Pomerol. The region is much smaller than the Medoc and adjoins Pomerol. As in Pomerol and the other appellations on the right bank of the Gironde, the primary grape varieties used are the Merlot and Cabernet Franc, with relatively small amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon also being used by some chateaux.

Bayonne is a city and commune in southwestern France at the confluence of the Nive and Adour rivers. Bayonne is a cultural capital, a city with strong Basque and Gascon influences and a rich historical past. Its heritage lies in its architecture, the diversity of collections in museums, its gastronomic specialties, and traditional events such as the famous Fetes de Bayonne.

Saint-Jean-de-Luz is a in south-western France. Saint-Jean-de-Luz is a fishing port on the Basque coast and now a famous resort, known for its architecture, sandy bay, the quality of the light and the cuisine. The town is located south of Biarritz, on the right bank of the river Nivelle. The town features a large number of residences built in the 17th and 18th centuries along the Quai de L'Infante, Rue Mazarin, Rue Gambetta and at the Palace Louis XIV. Nowadays, St-Jean-de-Luz depends strongly on tourism with safe clean beaches, notable high quality hotels and a thalassotherapie spa, swimming pools, a casino, golf courses and a new conference center that is under construction.

Biarritz is a city on the Bay of Biscay, on the Atlantic coast in the Pyrenees Atlantiques department in southwestern France. It is a luxurious seaside tourist destination known for the Hotel du Palais (originally built for the Empress Eugenie around 1855), its casinos, and its surfing culture.

Brantome is a commune in southwestern France. The commune, which retains its picturesque atmosphere, is situated along the river Dronne. Its Romanesque bell-tower is a competitor for the title "oldest in France" and developed a high reputation.

Domme is a commune in the Dordogne department in Aquitaine in southwestern France. It is sometimes called the "Akropolis des Périgord". Today a member of the association Les Plus Beaux Villages de France ("The Most Beautiful Villages of France"), Domme has two public spaces of medieval origin: the commercial Place de la Halle ("Market Hall Square") and the Place de La Rode.

Les Eyzies-de-Tayac-Sireuil is a commune in Aquitaine in southwestern France. Les Eyzies-de-Tayac-Sireuil lies in the Périgord Noir area. This locale is home to the Musée national de Préhistoire and the area contains several important archaeological sites, including the Font-de-Gaume, Grotte du Grand-Roc and Lascaux cave prehistoric rock dwellings. Les Eyzies-de-Tayac was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979.