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With the Pyrenees on one side and the Atlantic Ocean on the other, southwestern France is nothing if not incredibly diverse.
It has everything: medieval fortresses, lush vineyards with some of the world's best wines, cobblestone streets in ancient towns, breathtaking scenery in mountains and along rivers.
The largest city in this area is Bordeaux, followed by Toulouse and a number of smaller, exciting cities and towns. Bisected by the Garonne River, Bordeaux's riverbanks are flanked by the grand façades of 18th-century buildings, peppered with modern art installations and chic cafés, not to mention the Cité du Vin, an immersive museum about wine.
The entire region is famous for its markets, local produce, cheeses and baked goods, one of France's major gastronomic centers.
Around the Dordogne, medieval towns like Sarlat-la-Canéda have maintained their historic nature, while the caves of Lascaux go even beyond, into prehistory.
Of special note in southwest France is the Basque country, a fusion of Spanish, French and Basque cultures reflected in the region's foods. The coastal town of Biarritz, with its dramatic cliffs and world-renowned surf spots, is nothing like the serene, green valleys of the hinterland and its picturesque villages. This is a land apart, with its distinctive Basque language and delectable cuisine, demonstrating yet again that there are many Frances within the country.
Bordeaux
Basque Country
Around the southwest
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Bonjour! I’m Leyla! I was born in Paris and now live in the bucolic mountain foothills of Eastern France between Lyon and Annecy.
I'm rediscovering my own back yard after years of living abroad in Canada, Spain and Switzerland as a journalist and a diplomat － and I'm loving every minute.
Passionate about history and culture, I’ve created Offbeat France to seek out my country’s mysteries and legends, less-traveled destinations, along with plenty of food stops and many castles － I am French, after all!
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