Aquitaine Region

Along the Atlantic Ocean and the Pyrenees mountain range on the border with Spain lays the Aquitaine region. It lies on one of the most famous coasts in France, the Cote d'Argent. Oyster farming is done in this area at the Bassin d'Arcachon, a large lagoon. It is also wine country producing Bordeaux (red wine); Sauternes (sweet white wine), Lillet (fortified wine), Armagnac brandy, and Bergerac wine. It is known for its cuisine including pate de fois gras and pate Basque, and truffles.

Anglet is a seaside resort with sandy beaches for water sport enthusiasts. It also has a golf course.

Bayonne is divided by the Nive River into Grand Bayonne and Petit Bayonne with five bridges connecting the two areas. Houses along the Nive are of Basque architecture, half-timbered with shutters painted in the national colors of red and green. The commercial district is located in Grand Bayonne while Petit Bayonne has more of the Basque eating and drinking establishments.

Bayonne is known for its bull fighting. There is a ring in Grand Bayonne. The bull fighting season runs from July to September and is part of the five day Fetes de Bayonne. Bayonne produces fine chocolates and the liqueur Izarra is distilled here.

The seaside town of Biarritz is popular with surfers and tourists. Attractions in the city include a Museum of the Sea which has twenty-four aquariums containing sharks and seals. The premier surfing event in Europe is held here annually. There are two large casinos and a Museum of Chocolate which explains its history and manufacture.

The capital of the Aquitaine region is Bordeaux. Bordeaux wine has been produced in this region since the 8th century. It is the wine capital of the world and is noted for its military space and aeronautics research complex.

The city is built on a bend of the river Garconne and is divided into two parts. The river is accessible to ocean liners.

The area produces over 700 million bottles of wine annually. Some of the most expensive wines in the world are produced in this area. Both red and white wines are produced in Bordeaux.

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