The South West covers the Aquitaine, the Dordogne and the Midi
Pyrenees.
Much loved by medium and high altitude enthusiasts, the
Midi-Pyrenees has three resolutely mountainous departments: the
Haute-Garonne (in its southern part), the Ariège and the
Hautes-Pyréneés, to which the plateaus of Aubrac in Aveyron must
be added.
The Dordogne region is near enough to the Atlantic Ocean to
benefit from its temperate influence in winter without the
disadvantage of its fogs.
The landscape is varied, with rocks and torrents, lakes, leafy
forests, gentle hills and rolling plains, rugged stony ground and
lush farmlands in the lower Dordogne. Historic villages in the
vicinity include Les Eyzies, Montignac (site of the famous Lascaux
caves), Domme and La Roque Gageac. It
also features the picturesque towns of Sarlat and
Rocamadour and a
number of castles. The area abounds in excellent restaurants.
Since the 18th century, the Bordeaux region has assumed a majestic
air and prided itself on an elegance which it has never lost. Rich
in history, culture, arts, music, legendary wines and cuisine,
Bordeaux is not only the wine capital of the world, but also a
vibrant centre of trade, industry and business. You can also indulge yourself in a tour of
the vineyards to learn more about the 57 appellations of the six great families of Bordeaux
wine.
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Map of the
area |
