The Tour de France and the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift on the move for cycling as a means of transport

On the road

CYCLING TOURISM
Closest KM: Latresne, KM 158

After a 13-year wait, the Tour de France is returning to Bordeaux, the second city that has hosted the most stage finishes in the history of the race, after Paris. The capital of the Gironde department has been weaving a network of hundreds of kilometres of bicycle paths, spanning 1,400 km across the metropolitan area. The people of Bordeaux are increasingly riding their bikes to get around the city, to travel within the urban area, to hit the beaches by following the trail to Lacanau, to uncover the secrets of the department on the 480 km Tour de Gironde à vélo or to make their way to Toulouse, the Pink City, via the Garonne Canal greenway and the Roger Lapébie bike path. One of the great classic cycling outings from Bordeaux, this path named after the winner of the 1937 Tour de France takes riders to Créon and Sauveterre-de-Guyenne over a distance of 78 km. Nestled among vineyards, forests and fortified towns, this greenway is lined with old stations converted into cafés, museums and other venues on this former railway line.

NEW AQUITAINE

REGION
Departments : Charente, Charente-Maritime, Corrèze, Creuse, Dordogne, Gironde, Landes, Lot-et-Garonne, Pyrénées-Atlantiques, Deux-Sèvres, Vienne, Haute-Vienne.
Population: 6 million
Prefecture: Bordeaux
Area: 2,011 km2
Specialities: Bordeaux wines, Cognac, Armagnac, Espelette chilli pepper, Périgord walnuts, Marmande tomatoes, oysters from the Arcachon basin, Salers meat, Aquitaine cow, Bayonne ham, Pauillac lamb, Bordeaux canelés. Goose, duck, Sarlat apples, Basque chicken, garbure, lamprey. Black truffle.
Sport clubs: Girondins de Bordeaux (football), Stade Montois, Union Sportive Dacquoise, Aviron Bayonnais, Union Bordeaux Bègles Atlantique, Stade Rochelais, CA Brive Corrèze Limousin, Section Paloise, Biarritz Olympique, SU Agen (rugby), Elan Béarnais Pau-Orthez, CSP Limoges (basketball). 
Competitions: Tour de France, surfing in Lacanau (Lacanau Pro) and Biarritz. Tour du Limousin.  
Festivals: Bayonne festival, Dax festival, Madeleine festival in Mont-de-Marsan, Francofolies in La Rochelle, Angoulême comic book festival, Brive book fair, Nuits de nacre in Tulle, Grand Pavois in La Rochelle, Garorock in Marmande, Cognac detective film festival
Economy: Bordeaux wines, Cognac and Armagnac, aeronautics and space industry, biotechnologies, chemistry, scientific research. Image and digital sector. Agri-food industry. Port of Bordeaux. Tourism. Universities.
Sights: Bordeaux, Saint-Emilion, La Rochelle, Biarritz, Arcachon basin, Dune du Pilat, Lascaux caves, Futuroscope in Poitiers, Lacanau beaches, Biarritz, Biscarosse, Hourtin, Carcans, Soulac-sur-Mer, Gironde river mouth, Bordeaux vineyards, Dordogne castles, Pau castle, Pyrenees, Oleron island, Ré island.  
Websites and social networks: www.nouvelle-aquitaine.fr

LANDES (40)

Population: 409,325
Prefecture : Mont-de-Marsan
Sub-prefecture : Dax
Number of municipalities : 535
Surface area : 9,243 m².
Specialities: foie gras, duck breast, duck confit, farm poultry and Chalosse beef, Adour salmon, Adour asparagus and kiwi, tourtière, pastis landais, Armagnac, Floc de Gascogne, Wines (Tursan, vin des sables, Coteaux de Chalosse)
Sports clubs: Basket Landes (women's league); US Dax Rugby (Pro D2); Stade Montois Rugby (Pro D2)
Sports events: Quiksilver Pro Surf, Ous Pins International Riding Competition in Tartas, French Landes Race Championship, "La Luis Ocana" cycling race, Eurocup Basket Landes, French Adapted Table Tennis Championship, Traversée des Landes en Roller, Biscarrosse Tandem Surfing World Cup, XLandes Golf Trophy, Handilandes, XL Raid
Main tourist sites: Nature reserve of the Huchet current, Hossegor marine lake, Cap de l'Homy beach and Contis lighthouse, Arjuzanx nature reserve, Marais d'Orx, Capbreton pier, Marquèze eco-museum in Sabres, Arthous abbey in Hastingues, hydraviation museum in Biscarrosse, Buglose basilica in Saint Vincent de Paul, the Lady's house in Brassempouy, the earthenware and tableware museum in Samadet, the castle and plantarium in Gaujacq, the Chalosse museum in Montfort en Chalosse, the spa town of Dax, the Despiau-Wlérick museum in Mont de Marsan, Notre Dame des cyclistes in Labastide d'Armagnac.
Cultural events: Arte Flamenco in Mont-de-Marsan, Musicalarue in Luxey, Toros y Salsa in Dax, Le Festival des abbayes, Jazz in Sanguinet, Latinossegor, the Storytelling Festival in Capbreton, the Fêtes de Dax and Mont-de-Marsan and the local festivals in each village of the Landes (course landaise, bullfighting, bandas)
Economy : Tourism, thermalism, agriculture, forestry, cattle and poultry breeding, food processing, wood and wood products industries
Websites and social networks:  https://www.landes.fr/https://www.facebook.com/Departement.Landeshttps://twitter.com/LesLandes40 / https://www.youtube.com/user/departementlandeshttps://www.flickr.com/photos/departementdeslandes/sets/http://www.tourismelandes.comhttp://www.alalandaise.fr/ / http://www.landestyle.com/

Km 18.1

ARUE

St. Pierre Church in Ginx
Construction: 12th, 14th and 19th centuries.
Style: Romanesque.
Characteristics: the church of Ginx, a former annex of Cachen, is a Romanesque construction of which the nave (in part) and above all the apsidal choir remain, originally semi-circular, then re-dressed externally with cut-off sections. A fortified bell tower was built in the extension of the nave, probably in the 14th century. Finally, a porch with a room on the first floor was added to the western part in the 19th century. A house adjoining the south side of the nave is probably the former parish presbytery.

Km 25.3

ROQUEFORT

The village is on the Vézelay route of the Camino de Compostela. Its bullring, mainly dedicated to the Landes race, has been listed as a Historic Monument since 2007.

St. Mary's Church
Construction: 12th to 17th century.
Style: Romanesque.
History and characteristics: the fortified bell tower of the church originates from the keep of a castle built in the 10th century. A priory was founded by the Benedictines in the 12th century. It was one of the many possessions of the powerful abbey of Saint-Sever. The church dates from this period. Its Romanesque chevet was reinforced by thick buttresses around the 14th century. Its apse has no openings: there were seven that gave plenty of light to the choir, but in the 16th century, it was transformed into a fortress because of the Wars of Religion, with a bell tower and an attic where, if necessary, a garrison could be kept. The Gothic nave was enlarged at the expense of the cloister. The portal is marked with the arms of Roquefort: three stars and three rocks. The church still has the lower door, which was only used by the cagots. Inside, two paintings of the Assumption can be admired. The oldest, from the 16th century, was discovered in 1951. Only a few remains of the monastery of the Poor Clares and the convent of the Cordeliers remain.
Listed as: Historical Monument since 1996.

Km 49.7

LOSSE

Saint Martin's Church in Estampon
Construction: 12th century.
Style: Romanesque.
History and characteristics: the church of Saint-Martin d'Estampon is located near the stream of the same name in the heart of a picturesque listed district. It has defended itself from conflicts by reinforcing itself with fortified architectural elements: a chevet supported by three buttresses, an apse with loopholes, a triangular bell tower-wall with a soundproofing. Inside, the high altar, the tabernacle, the woodwork of the choir, the pulpit and the confessional attract the visitor's attention by the quality of the decoration. The stained-glass windows were made at the end of the 19th century by the Gesta family, renowned glass masters from Toulouse. They represent Saint Martin, Saint Orens and Saint John the Baptist.
Listed as: Historical Monument since 1983.

GIRONDE (33)

Region: New Aquitaine
Population: 1.6 million
Prefecture: Bordeaux
Sub-prefectures: Arcachon, Blaye, Langon, Lesparre-Médoc, Libourne
Number of municipalities: 535
Area: 10,725 km2 (largest department in mainland France)
Specialities: Bordeaux wines, Médoc vineyards, Graves, Entre-Deux Mers, Saint-Emilion, Pauillac, Pomerol, Sauternes, Saint-Julien, Moulis, Margaux, Fronsac, Saint-Estèphe, Pessac-Léognan... Canelés. Lamb from Pauillac. Oysters from the Arcachon basin, lamprey, shad. Chabrot. Caviar from Gironde. Strawberries from Pessac. Lillet. Marie Brizard. Pigeons. Sarments du Médoc (chocolates). Bordeaux sauce. Ceps from Bordeaux, asparagus from Blayais.
Sights: Gironde estuary, Pauillac quays, surfing on the Côte d'Argent (Lacanau, Hourtin, Carcans), Arcachon basin, Dune du Pilat, Lège-Cap Ferret, medieval town of Saint-Émilion (Unesco World Heritage), Cordouan lighthouse. Citadel of Blaye. Castles of Roquetaillade, La Brède, Langoiran, Rauzan, Vayres, Cadillac, Cazeneuve, Villandraut. Villages of Saint-Macaire, Rions, La Réole... Abbeys of Vertheuil, La Sauve-Majeure. Ornithological park of Le Teich. In the name of Le Corbusier: La Cité Frugès in Pessac.
Sports clubs: Girondins de Bordeaux (L1 football), Union Bordeaux-Bègles (Top 14 rugby), Stade Bordelais ASPTT (D1 women's rugby), Boxers de Bordeaux (ice hockey)
Competitions: Décastar (Talence), Lacanau Pro (surfing), Médoc Marathon, Bordeaux Metropole Marathon, Tour de Gironde (cycling), Jumping International de Bordeaux (showjumping), BNP Paribas Primerose Bordeaux (tennis)
Festivals : Bordeaux International Women's Film Festival, Bordeaux Coupé Court Short Film Festival, Bordeaux European Short Film Festival, Escale du livre, Fest'arts, Bordeaux Cinémascience International Film Festival, Bègles Animation Film Festival, Pessac International History Film Festival, Bordeaux International Independent Film Festival, Pauillac Film Festival, Festival des Hauts de Garonne, Lire en Poche, Festival Musicacité, Musik à Pile, Nuits atypiques, Ouvre la Voix, La Part des anges (festival), Reggae Sun Ska Festival, Les Rendez-vous de Terres Neuves, Les Riches Heures de La Réole, Festival VivaCité, Scènes d'été en Gironde, Bordeaux Fête le vin, Bordeaux Fête le Fleuve, Reggae Sun Ska, Bordeaux Open Air, Ouvre la voix.
Economy: viticulture, forestry, oyster farming. Tourism. Aeronautics, agri-food and wood-paper. Administration, services.
Websites and social networks: https://www.gironde.fr/https://www.gironde-tourisme.fr/ / https://www.facebook.com/Departement.Girondehttps://twitter.com/gironde?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthorhttps://www.instagram.com/departementgironde/?hl=fr

Km 74.9

SAINT-MICHEL-DE-CASTELNAU

Castle of Castelnau de Mesmes
Construction: 13th century and 19th century.
Style: medieval then industrial.
History and characteristics: built in the 13th century on the site of a castral mutt, the castle was abandoned and transformed into a forge in 1820. In the middle of an oasis of pine trees irrigated by a canal, the remains and underground passages can be visited by entering the village bakery!  These visits are organised and supervised by the Jardins du château perdu association.

Km 87.5

GRIGNOLS

The commune has no less than six churches, the main one being Notre-Dame de l'Immaculée-Conception. Three capitals from the ruined church of Saint-Jean-Baptiste d'Auzac are kept in the Musée d'Aquitaine in Bordeaux.  

Castle of Grignols
Construction: 15th and 16th centuries, restored in the 19th century.
Style: Renaissance.
Characteristics: square keep, dwelling flanked by turrets, chapel.
History: the current castle was built on the ruins of an older one: the family of Granhols is mentioned in 1312 in a will of Pope Clement V. In 1581, the lordship of Grignols sold the castle and its outbuildings to the Esparbes de Lussan family and then to Jean de Grignols. It was at this time that the village of Grignols was born. In 1753, Charles-Philippe, Count of Pons, became the owner. His heirs, the Sabrans de Ponteves, passed on the castle and the land until the Second World War. It was sold to the Grignols town council, which sold it to the CEMME company in 1991 to make it a venue for family and professional events.
Current destination: renamed Domaine de la dame blanche, it hosts seminars and weddings. 

Km 102.9

AUROS

Sainte-Marie du Rivet Abbey
Construction: 9th century, 13th century, remodelled in the 19th century.
Style: Gothic church. 
History: It was probably founded in the Carolingian period. It must then have been a Benedictine monastery. It was affiliated to the Cistercian order in 1189. In 1593, the abbey was attacked by Protestants and partly burned down. During the Revolution, the monks were expelled and the monastery was sold as national property. In 1885, the buildings were bought by the Tamize family, who began restoration work. Their housekeeper, Louise Ripas, cured in Lourdes, was responsible for the creation of a grotto at Le Rivet similar to the one in Lourdes. In 1938-1939, the Cistercian nuns of Blagnac (Haute-Garonne) settled at Le Rivet, after the construction of the Toulouse airport.
Listed as: Historical Monument since 1926.

Km 113.5

LANGON

A traditional stopover on the Bordeaux-Toulouse route, the town of Langon is located on the left bank of the Garonne, near the border between the Graves vineyards and the edge of the Landes forest. It is one of the sub-prefectures of Gironde. The history of the town is inseparable from that of Bazas, some fifteen kilometres to the south, an important military and religious centre from antiquity until the 18th century, of which Langon was the port on the Garonne, rivalling that of Bordeaux for a time. Langon was marked by the vine, which made its wealth as a port, at the crossroads of the Graves and Sauternes vineyards. The commune itself is on the territory of the Graves.   The Tour de France stopped in Langon in 1975 and 1976, for two half-stages both won by Freddy Maertens. It is also the birthplace of Thomas Boudat, who after a brilliant career on the track, crowned by an omnium world champion title in 2014, moved on to the road in the teams led by Jean-René Bernaudeau. Now with Go Sport-Roubaix Lille Métropole, the sprinter has participated in two Tours de France, in 2017 and 2018.  

Notre-Dame Church
Construction: 12th century.
Style: Romanesque.
History: this 12th century church was destroyed before becoming national property during the Revolution and being transformed into a meeting place, a show place and then a cinema. In 1926, the owner decided to sell most of the capitals to a rich American collector, who donated them in 1934 to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. The chapel was rebuilt as part of the New York Cloister Museum, which houses many cloisters and elements of French churches sold to collectors.

Km 117

SAINT-MAXANT

Saint-Maixant is marked by the presence of François Mauriac (1885-1970), winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1952, who owned a vast residence there, the Malagar estate, acquired by his great-grandfather in 1843. The academician used to go there every year to write and gave the estate to the State. The church of Saint-Maixant has been a listed building since 1925.  

Domaine de Malagar
Construction: 18th century.
History: The Malagarre estate (meaning "bad country") was once owned by the Celestines of Verdelais, but was sold during the French Revolution as a national asset. The vineyard became the property of the Mauriac family in 1843 when Jean Mauriac, the great-grandfather of François Mauriac, purchased the land and its 20-hectare vineyard. The writer in turn became the owner in 1927. This estate was for him a family home and a place of inspiration where he came every year.
Current destination: the author's four children bequeathed the house to the Regional Council of Aquitaine in 1985. The region created an association to make it a place for cultural action in New Aquitaine, based on the literary and cultural heritage of the Nobel Prize winner. In 1985, the region and the François-Mauriac Centre created an annual literary prize, the François-Mauriac Prize of the New Aquitaine Region.
Listed as: Historical Monument since 2013. Maison des Illustres in 2011.  

Km 119.4

VERDELAIS

A place of pilgrimage since the 11th century, Verdelais has prospered around its basilica dedicated to the Marian cult. The locality is marked by the presence of two celebrities, Nobel Prize winner François Mauriac, who often visited the basilica from his estate in Malagar, and painter Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, who was buried there after spending his last days at the nearby Château de Malromé.  

Malromé Castle
Construction: 16th century.
History: this former wine château, built by a former member of the Bordeaux Parliament in the 16th century, was acquired in 1883 by the Countess Adèle de Toulouse-Lautrec. Her son, the famous painter Henri, discovered the château at the age of 19, and enjoyed it very much. Every year, he made long stays there during the summer. He painted tirelessly and, to relax, he rowed and shot with a bow and arrow with equipment sent by his father. He ended his life there and died on 9 September 1901, aged 37, before being buried in the Verdelais cemetery, where his mother joined him 29 years later, in 1930.
Current destination: bought by a rich Chinese-Cambodian patron, it has received the Maisons des Illustres label in homage to painter Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. In addition to visits, receptions, exhibitions and concerts (9,000 visitors per year), the château has specialised in wine tourism. The Darroze house opened a restaurant there in 2018.
Listed as: Maison des Illustres in 2016.

Km 126.9

CADILLAC

Cadillac, a fortified town founded in 1280, became an important stronghold in the 14th century, essential to the defence of Bordeaux. Later, in 1565, Cadillac was one of the stops on Charles IX's Grand Tour of France: the king spent the night of 31 March to 1 April there. From this past, Cadillac has preserved elements of the ramparts and the church of Saint-Martin (14th century), a chapel of which houses the tombs of the Dukes of Épernon.  

Cadillac Castle
Construction: 1598 to 1634
Style: late Renaissance, early classical
Characteristics: to build it, part of the fortified town was razed. Flanked by two monumental wings and four corner pavilions, it surrounds the main courtyard enclosed by a surrounding wall. The wings, the pavilions and this enclosing wall were dismantled in the 18th century and their stones sold.
History: the castle was built at the request of Jean-Louis de Nogaret de La Valette (1554-1642), the first Duke of Épernon. The castle embodies the omnipotence of this cadet of Gascony, who became one of the sweethearts of King Henry III before dying in disgrace at the age of 88 under the reign of Louis XIII, to whom he provided guards to found the first company of musketeers in 1622. In the 19th century, the castle became a prison for women before being returned to the Ministry of Culture.
Current destination: like a hundred other monuments, owned by the State, it is managed, animated and open to visitors by the Centre des monuments nationaux.
Listed as: Historical monument since 1862, then 1956.

Km 132.1

RIONS

In 1330, Edward III of England allowed Guillaume Seguin, Lord of Rions, to surround the town with ramparts. The walls that have survived are reminiscent of the characteristics of this period. The plan of the town forms an irregular polygon. The south-western side is protected by walls and rocks at the foot of which ditches have been dug. Two parallel ditches surround the rest of the town. They are separated by a narrow strip of land topped by a walkway, which was once protected by palisades. Gates in the ramparts provide access to the town. Remaining from these ramparts are the Lhyan tower, the imposing southern entrance to the town, the upper parts of which were restored in 1881 by architect Léon Drouyn; the Citadel, a tower which stands facing the Garonne near the Place Jules de Gères (Place de la Mairie); the ramparts on the western flank of the city, adjoining the Citadel and at the foot of which lies the Charles VII cave; and the Watchtower which stands in a small street behind the church of Saint-Seurin (12th century). The whole of the remains has been listed as a historical monument since 1862.

Km 137.7

LANGOIRAN

Langoiran developed around its medieval castle, owned successively by the Seguin d'Escoussans and then the Montferrand family, who distinguished themselves by their loyalty to the Duke of Aquitaine, the King of England. The commune was specialised in cooperage. It is also the birthplace of Alain Giresse, a member of the "magic square" who, alongside Michel Platini, Luis Fernandez and Jean Tigana, his club-mate at Girondins de Bordeaux, made the French football team of the 1980s. Winner of Euro 84, "Gigi", who compensated for his small size (1.62 m) with an outstanding technique, has 47 caps for the French national team. He spent most of his career with Girondins before joining Olympique de Marseille in 1986. A coach since 1995, he is currently in charge of the Kosovo national team.  

Langoiran Castle
Construction: 13th to 17th century.
Styles: Medieval and Renaissance.
History: it was built by the Seguin d'Escoussans, loyal to the King of England, Duke of Aquitaine, and later passed to the Montferrand family, also supporters of the English monarchy against the French. It was owned by the Daffis until the 17th century, when it fell into ruin. Since 1972, the castle has been restored by the Friends of the Langoiran Castle Association.
Characteristics: it has a cylindrical keep from the 14th century which is one of the largest in France. It is erected on the break in the slope in order to dominate the plateau on the attack side and is protected by an arched moat joining the valley and the dale, which form a natural defence on the other sides of the square. On the ground floor is the guard room with a huge fireplace. On the first floor there are still loopholes. Two frescoes dating from the construction of the keep can be seen here; one depicts St Michael, the other St Peter holding the keys to heaven. The second floor was the home of the lord and his family and guests.
Listed as: Historical Monument since 1892.  

Splendid Cinema
Built: 1948
Style: Art Deco.
Architect: André Lamire.
History: the cinema, built by Bordeaux architect André Lamire in a style close to that of Le Corbusier with some Art Deco influence for its exterior colonnade, was inaugurated in 1945 and disused in 1974. Today, owned by the commune, the buildings are rented to an audio-visual production and broadcasting company, which is renovating the premises, and, while waiting for the cinema itself to be brought up to standard, musical or theatrical performances are presented, approximately once a week, in what was once the reception hall.   
Listed as: Historical Monument since 2002.

Km 145

LE TOURNE

In Le Tourne, the Tramasset shipyards are the last remaining of the six that existed in the commune in 1874. Taken over in 1837 by Pierre Tramasset, they consisted of a small yard for the construction of wooden boats and a large yard for the repair of larger boats. These two elements are linked to the Garonne by docks equipped with rails for hoisting boats. A kiln for bending wood was added to this complex. A sawmill was installed around 1900, then the factory was electrified. The shipyards ceased operations in 1983. The complex has been listed as a historical monument since 2008.

Km 150.7

CAMBES

In Cambes was a curious hermitage, founded in 1523 by Jacques Peyron, Lord of Fouilloux-en-Arvert, who retired there for seven or eight years before becoming the guardian of the Black Prince Tower, today's Cordouan lighthouse. The chapel was dug into a pre-existing cave and covered with remarkable frescos. At the entrance there was a statue of St Catherine, which has now disappeared. More or less abandoned, the hermitage was completely ruined in 1775. What remains has been listed as a historical monument since 1973. The Romanesque church of Saint Martin, which was refurbished in the 19th century, is also listed.

Km 153.5

QUINSAC

Animal painter Rosa Bonheur spent several years of her childhood at the Château de Grimont in Quinsac, where she earned the reputation of a "tomboy" that followed her throughout her life. The war memorial created by sculptor Gaston Schnegg in 1920 is of pacifist inspiration. 

Château Péconet
Construction: 17th century.
Style: Renaissance.
Characteristics: this is one of the rare examples of a residence from the first half of the 17th century preserved in the Bordeaux area. The architectural sculpted decoration, of Mannerist inspiration, was drawn from the collections of ornamentalists. The rectangular two-storey building, including an attic floor lit only by dormer windows, flanked by two pavilions with high roofs, was bought in the 18th century by a wealthy American named Péconet, who gave it his name.
Current use: wine estate.
Listing: the facades and roofs of the castle and the entrance to the cistern have been listed as historical monuments since 2005.  

Km 158.8

LA TRESNE

In the commune of Latresne is the island of Arcins, on the Garonne, long used by the National Institute for Agricultural Research (INRA). Two-kilometres long, it is now open to the public and crossed by footbridges on stilts, with small wooden huts that crisscross a tropical-type forest. It can be reached in ten minutes by boat from Bordeaux. The beautiful Valrose charterhouse, a former 17th century wine estate, is listed as a MH, but cannot be visited.

Km 163.3

FLOIRAC

A suburb of Bordeaux, on the right bank of the Garonne, Floirac is at the centre of the Bordeaux-Euratlantique project, which should transform the agglomeration by 2030. The town is already home to the Arkea Arena, the largest concert hall in the region, designed by architect Rudy Ricciotti. Since its opening in 2018, the arena has already hosted the world's biggest stars, including Depeche Mode, Elton John, Shakira, Sting and Lara Fabian. Floirac is also home to the Bordeaux Observatory and a public park, Parc Castel, which extends around the château of the same name, which was listed as a historical monument in 2021. Floirac is also the birthplace of yachtsman Raphaël Dinelli, who was involved in an accident during his first two Vendée Globe races before completing his solo round-the-world voyage on two occasions.  

Bordeaux Observatory
Built: 1878
History: the astronomical and meteorological observatory of Bordeaux was created by decree in 1878, at the same time as those of Lyon and Besançon. Its foundation was entrusted to Georges Rayet, physicist and astronomer at the Paris Observatory from 1863 to 1874. Most of its activities were devoted to astronomical measurements and the study of radio waves. Recently, it has conducted research on the Earth's atmosphere. For this purpose it houses four telescopes, a 60 cm telescope and two radio telescopes. It also has a library containing complete works by authors such as Copernicus, Galileo and Newton.
Listed as: Historical Monument since 2010.

Come and see the majestic scenery of Nouvelle-Aquitaine, the largest region of France.
Where rolling countryside meets traditional towns and villages, visitors can expect picture-perfect views and experience the diverse history of this region
Top of your list should be the port city of Bordeaux: the largest urban World Heritage Site and home to notable landmarks and museums servicing a variety of interests. Inland, less crowded Limoges offers equally charming streets dotted with galleries, food markets and antique shops. Nouvelle-Aquitaine is well known for its variety of products, from porcelain to meats and cheese and, of course, wine! A trip to the country's famous vineyards is an unmissable experience - whether to sample the local produce or simply take in the landscape and grand chateaux, typical of the area. Visiting this region is a true taste of France. 


Top 5 things to do:

1. Explore Bordeaux's old quarter  
2. Discover one of France's top wine regions 
3. Get cultural at a museum 
4. Stroll the historic streets of Limoges 
5. Sample local delicacies at a food market

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