Property South West France - 2

Aquitaine In South West France

The river Ciron meanders through the forest just south of Sauternes and the mist it produces during the autumn near France's mighty river Garonne, helps create the famous 'Noble Rot' for the vines. Canoe and kayak trips are also available upstream on the river Ciron and these provide an opportunity to discover the tranquility of the mighty Landes forest.

To the South West of Bordeaux, along the coast is Arcachon. A Victorian town with chic boutiques and wonderful seafood restaurants. In the 19th century, Arcachon attracted France's well-healed society for its therapeutic character of a moderate climate and fresh sea air. It has now become an unavoidable stopover for sailing enthusiasts with its marina and first class yachting facilities. Just south of Arcachon, stands the Dune du Pyla. It is the highest sand dune in Europe, rising 117m above sea level, giving breath-taking views on the entrance of the Bay of Arcachon and the Landes forest.

Aquitaine is certainly famous for the ocean. Popular resorts for surfers are Biscarosse and Mimizan. This part of the Atlantic coast stretching from Cap Ferret at the tip of the Gironde estuary to Biarritz offers some of the longest sandy beaches to be found anywhere in Europe; they are never overcrowded and it is always possible to find one's own secluded stretch of fine golden sand.

The famous resort of Biarritz is a jewel in the southern department of Pyrenees Atlantiques with its Victorian Architecture and Baroque mansions. A chic town, Biarritz has understated class and is a stone throw to St Jean-de-Luz (a gateway Spain). Biarritz has everything one would desire and perhaps boasts some of the finest property in France by the ocean.

Inland from Biarritz and the surrounding Basque country is the picturesque region of the Bearn with Pau at its centre.