Culture of Aquitaine Region. Places to visit - old town, temples, theaters, museums and palaces

If you are in Aquitaine during a warm season, from April to October, visit the famous Cordouan Lighthouse. It is the oldest lighthouse in Europe. The lighthouse, built in the late 16th century, amaze with its beauty. What is interesting – the position of the “Sea Notre-Dame Cathedral” keeper is still not abolished. Another beautiful lighthouse is in Biarritz. It was built in the middle of the 19th century and is open for tourists all year round. When the weather is good, you can see the Spanish shore from the top of the building. When in Biarritz, you can also visit St. Eugenie church. It was built a little more than a century ago and earned the admiration of the locals and the tourists by its glory. There is also the Sea Museum with a large exposition in this city, and the Chocolate Museum, which won’t leave coldhearted any sweet tooth in the world.

If you find yourself in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, take a walk around the only one old neighborhood. It is one of a few places in the world, made of pink sandstone. Notre-Dame du Bout du Pont has been located in the center of the city since the 14th century and it hasn’t lost its Gothic charm throughout the years. There is even more iconic building in Sainte-Engrace. There is a church here, which was built in the 11th century. In Gironde department visit the 18th century Castle of Margot, which is recognized as one of the most beautiful buildings in Aquitaine. There are also a couple of forts here – Medoc, Pomy, Latour, and Cotes-de-Blaye. When in Saint-Emilion, don’t waste an opportunity to see its thousand-year-old Monolithic church.

In Bordeaux, there is not only the marvelous Old Town to see. You can visit the Museum of Aquitaine, which exposition will tell you a rich history of the region. Saint-Andre Cathedral, located in the South part of the Gambetta Square, attract visitors by its monumental greatness. A walk in the Bordeaux city park, created in the middle of the 18th century, will help you relax after an eventful day. However, there is also an opportunity to learn something new by visiting the Museum of Natural History. Near Bordeaux, there are the ruins of Abbey of La Sauve-Majeure, which was built in the 10th century and lasted till the 13th century, and the Osons castle. Saint-Macaire village will please you not only with a well-preserved church but also with real castle walls. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Ironically, the oldest town hall in France was built for the well-known English king Richard the Lionheart and is located in La Reole in Aquitaine. The Perigueux city is famous not only for its Archeological Museum and Saint-Front Cathedral, built in the shape of a dome in the 12th century and reconstructed in the 15th century but also for the ruins of an ancient Roman settlement. Though times and cultures have entwined here – there is a Medieval district next to the two-thousand-year-old stone walls, and with the Renaissance epoch buildings all around the city. The Bourdeilles castle, the construction of which began in the 11th century, invites the guests to see the large collection of antique furniture and the objects of worship.

La Roque-Gageac has won the price as the most beautiful French countryside for a reason. Though it may have only a couple dozens of houses between a river and a rock, the beauty of this place is stunning. The du Tau Castle is also located here. Saint-Jean-de-Cole is also well-preserved and represents the Medieval French architecture. Cave explorers should go to the cave system close to the Villard village. And those, who are interested in the ancient history, should visit Lascaux caves, where you can see the cave paintings from the Paleolithic era. The admirers of the Medieval atmosphere will like Sarlat and Perigord. Beynac-et-Cazenac will please you with an old castle and the two churches. In the Domme commune you will see seven-hundred-years-old buildings, and a Craft and Folk Art Museum. All those abovementioned are just a tip of the iceberg of all the sights of Aquitaine, the land of old and rich history.