Uncover a few of the most well-known wines on this planet, medieval structure, surf tradition, Roman ruins, and luxurious views. Then there are thriving foodie scenes, creative heritage, and world-class museums – the southwestern nook of France does have a lot to supply!
In the event you’re all about pure magnificence, there’s loads to see and do on this space, too. Whether or not it’s spending time on the gorgeous seashores of Biarritz, admiring views of the Pyrenees from a metropolis middle boulevard, or visiting the rolling vineyards of the best French wine areas.
Whether or not you’re touring solo for the primary time, visiting as a pair, taking the household alongside, or assembly up with a bunch in summer time, listed here are one of the best cities in southwest France to go to.
10 Greatest Southwest France Cities to Go to
Bordeaux
Greatest for superb wine
Positioned by the banks of the Garonne River, Bordeaux is on the epicenter of the wine area of the identical identify. On this southwestern metropolis, superb wine and superb eating go hand in hand, and there are 9 Michelin-starred eating places. In addition to three extra within the close by cities of Bouliac, Lormont, and Martillac. I can attest – I definitely ate properly in Bordeaux!
It’s not all concerning the metropolis’s wine and foodie pedigree. Bordeaux additionally gives some beautiful structure, together with the Gothic cathedral and mansions relationship from the 1700s and 1800s. The Three Graces fountain additionally takes middle stage in Place de la Bourse.
Masking nearly 3,500 sq. meters, the Miroir d’Eau is the most important reflecting pool on the planet and sits in entrance of Place de la Bourse by the quayside. This space can be lined with quite a few historic and listed buildings. Remember that should you go to in winter months like I did, the reflecting pool could also be ‘off’ for the season. Plan accordingly!
Different causes to go to Bordeaux embrace the truth that it’s an enormous city UNESCO World Heritage website. It additionally gives pedestrianized streets good for strolling round – and the world is a hub for the manufacturing of French caviar, too.
If you wish to discover a lodge in Bordeaux, I can personally suggest the InterContinental Bordeaux – Le Grand Hôtel. It’s situated extraordinarily centrally, proper throughout from the gorgeous Opera constructing, and with a tram line on both facet of it.
Saint-Émilion
Greatest for historical vineyards
Saint-Émilion is situated within the Bordeaux wine area and is due to this fact one in every of France’s premier wine locations. It makes an incredible day journey from Bordeaux by practice. Saint-Émilion additionally gives medieval structure, so you may uncover historical websites whereas visiting world-class wineries.
What’s beautiful about Saint-Émilion is the setting, amongst rolling vineyards. It makes a top-notch various to Bordeaux, notably should you choose a extra peaceable setting over a metropolis. Saint-Émilion is without doubt one of the area’s most tasty villages and is postcard-worthy.
Wine-making heritage and native historical past are very a lot intertwined in Saint-Émilion, and the connection between man and grapevines right here dates again round 2,000 years. Its identify even comes from an Eighth-century monk from Brittany, who began as a cave-dwelling hermit and ended up as an iconic spiritual chief.
Toulouse
Greatest for pink structure
Often called the “Pink Metropolis,” La Ville Rose, Toulouse is a superb place to be. I not too long ago spent per week on this a part of southwestern France, and found that there are such a lot of enjoyable issues to see and do in Toulouse!
Taking a strolling tour is, for me, one of the simplest ways to see the town’s fairly pink structure. Alternatively, I additionally loved admiring the structure from the rooftop terrace at Galleries Lafayette.
Or if discovering native delicacies is your factor, ensure you strive cassoulet, a meaty French stew with beans that originated regionally. As I discovered, brunch can be an enormous factor in Toulouse, so that you’ll be in heaven should you like to tuck right into a hearty meal appearing as each breakfast and lunch! Simply ensure you ask for a chocolatine, moderately than a chocolate croissant, right here.
Toulouse was initially solely on my radar as a college city, as a result of I’ve cousins who attended college there. However based mostly on my expertise Toulouse is unquestionably price visiting even should you’re not a pupil! Plus, college cities in Europe really feel fairly completely different from school cities within the US.
Carcassonne
Greatest for medieval historical past
This was one of the best day journey I took from Toulouse. The hilltop city of Carcassonne within the Languedoc area is most well-known for its medieval heritage. It’s a fortified metropolis with an enchanting outdated city to discover, plus a really spectacular Gothic cathedral. Not shocking, then, that it’s listed by UNESCO because the Historic Fortified Metropolis of Carcassonne.
The town seems to be surreal, like one thing out of a fairytale. La Cité is filled with watchtowers, and a few of its double partitions date again to the Gallo-Roman period. Don’t miss Château Comtal when visiting the advanced, which dates again to the twelfth century.
Historic structure apart, compact Carcassonne is a pleasure to find on foot or by bike. The Medieval Camp is price stopping by, because it gives a free introduction to life in the course of the Center Ages. Wander to bustling Bastide Saint-Louis, on the middle of life right here, or stroll alongside the banks of Canal du Midi. Simply past the town partitions, you may as well discover Cavayère Lake, a playground providing boats, water sports activities, picnic spots, and three seashores.
Whereas I loved it totally as a day journey, I’ve additionally heard it beneficial as a magical in a single day vacation spot. In the event you resolve to sleep over, decide to remain throughout the fortified partitions!
Biarritz
Greatest for browsing
Biarritz is a refined seaside city on the Basque coast, in southwestern France. It first turned widespread in the course of the nineteenth century, amongst royalty from throughout Europe. Because it’s simply over 20 miles (or 35 kilometers) from the Spanish border, Biarritz is nice should you’re all in favour of combining two nations in your itinerary.
The elegant resort has now grown into one of the crucial widespread surf spots on the continent. It’s filled with surf colleges, and the lengthy stretches of sandy seashore present the right playground for anybody from newbies to professionals. As you may count on, it’s an incredible place to be taught to surf – or to observe others whereas they experience the waves – particularly at Côte des Basques.
Different issues to do in Biarritz embrace spending time at Grand Plage; visiting the superb aquarium, swimming at Port Vieux, seeing Neo-Medieval Villa Belza, discovering the gorgeous native church buildings, and eating out on French and Spanish specialties – together with tapas. Buying at boutiques, Galeries Lafayette, and designer shops can be worthwhile.
Cross the footbridge to the rocky promontory of Rocher de la Vierge, for breathtaking panoramas over the Bay of Biscay. The Phare de Biarritz lighthouse additionally gives sweeping ocean views.
Collioure
Greatest for creative heritage
The coastal French city of Collioure is one for the artwork followers. It’s generally known as the “Metropolis of Painters,” and yow will discover Matisse work on the Fashionable Artwork Museum there. This space is claimed to have impressed different big-name artists, too, together with André Derain.
Collioure may go head-to-head with Carcassonne with regards to medieval structure. Château Royal de Collioure occupies a commanding place and gives breathtaking coastal views. It dates from the 1200s and is a well-liked household attraction.
In the event you’re into artwork, then the Collioure Artwork Path will take you on a visit by way of the inventive historical past of the world. A number of early Fauvist painters referred to as the world dwelling, and Spanish artists Salvador Dali and Pablo Picasso additionally frolicked residing and dealing there. Matisse stays an important regionally, as he painted varied harbor views whereas residing in Collioure.
Montpellier
Greatest for riverside residing
Simply over six miles (or 10 kilometers) from the Mediterranean shoreline of southern France is Montpellier. In addition to the stunning unspoiled seashores of the world, the town itself is properly price a go to. Two of the principle points of interest listed here are Saint-Pierre Cathedral and Musée Fabre. Cathédrale Saint-Pierre dates again to the mid-1300s, whereas Musée Fabre options works by Outdated Masters from France and Europe.
One other place to not miss is the Antigone district, which was born within the Eighties. This connects metropolis squares, a shopping center, Nineteen Nineties workplace blocks, and the Lez River. Pubs and eating places will be discovered all around the Antigone district, so it’s the perfect place to pattern Montpellier’s foodie scene.
Montpellier can be on the coronary heart of a serious French wine-producing space, the Languedoc. So it’s not shocking that the town hosts a few main worldwide wine gala’s, too!
Narbonne
Greatest for an underground labyrinth
Narbonne is without doubt one of the unsung heroes of the French Riviera. Whereas it lacks the glamor of different Côte d’Azur spots, it’s dwelling to some fascinating sights. These embrace an unfinished cathedral, underground warehouses, and a few superb museums.
Although Cathédrale Saint-Simply et Saint-Pasteur dates again to the 1200s, it stays incomplete. As one of many tallest church buildings in France, the Gothic construction dominates the town skyline.
As soon as, Narbonne was a Roman port, and The Horreum displays these days. It’s a subterranean advanced of outdated warehouses. Or for an overdose of artwork and tradition, head to the Archbishop’s Palace, which homes varied galleries and archeological museums.
In Roman occasions, Narbonne was famend for producing rosemary honey, a favourite Roman candy deal with. Julius Caesar additionally developed Narbonne’s port.
Nîmes
Greatest for Roman stays
Like Montpellier, Nîmes is extra centrally situated than different cities in southwest France, however you can’t miss this one! It’s recognized for having extra Roman stays than anyplace exterior Italy, which is a reasonably daring declare. But it surely’s one which Nîmes can simply dwell as much as.
You solely have to see the astonishing Enviornment of Nîmes to come across the town’s wealthy Roman heritage. For a lot of, that is way more spectacular than the Colosseum in Rome, although it’s comparatively unknown by comparability.
And there’s extra, together with Maison Carrée, a limestone temple round 20 centuries outdated, and the tri-level Pont du Gard aqueduct. Many of the Roman stays in Nîmes are extremely well-preserved. That is why the town is named the “French Rome”, or the “most Roman metropolis exterior Italy.”
Pau
Greatest for Pyrenees panoramas
If mountains are extra your factor than structure or seashores, then put Pau on the prime of your record of locations to go to in southwestern France. On a cloudless day, the views of the Pyrenees from the Boulevard des Pyrénées, within the middle of the town, are jaw-dropping. You may as well savor sweeping vistas over the encompassing inexperienced countryside and the Gava de Oau River.
Pau additionally gives great climate, which up to now was mentioned to remedy frequent colds and different minor illnesses, even in winter. Pau can be a historic royal metropolis and was as soon as dwelling to the Renaissance King Henri IV.
If you wish to discover all that southwest France has to supply, it’s onerous to choose a greater base than Pau. Nestled between the Pyrenees and the ocean, by the river, and enclosed by lush inexperienced countryside, it’s a really beautiful place to be.
These southwest France cities supply a lot selection and attraction, and it is best to completely make an effort to discover the area!
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Nausheen Farishta is a blogger and creator who focuses on solo feminine journey on her weblog, Globe Gazers.
