The peace and calm are what make living in the countryside so different from living in the capital. No rush, no heavy traffic, no stressed-out drivers indicating impatiently at traffic lights, and no sense of the commotion and frivolousness of life. When you travel around the charming countryside of France you find yourself in a place where you lose track of time.

The region of Aquitaine is situated in South West France and only three hours away from traffic-clogged and noisy Paris.  The western borders of the region are lapped by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean; those of the East and the North are neighboured by the Midi-Pyrénées, Limousin and Poitou-Charentes regions; and those of the South are adjoined by the Kingdom of Spain.  Aquitaine is a land of contrasts which blends the aristocratism of Bordeaux with the simplicity of Périgord, unites the sweetness of the Sauternes wines and the strength of Armagnac, and reconciles the calm waters of the Bay of Arcachon with the force of the Atlantic Ocean. With its mild climate, rich flora and fauna, it is no surprise that the region has been inhabited since ancient times.  The first man to inhabit Aquitania was Cro-Magnon (40,000 – 10,000 BC), evidenced by the Lascaux cave in Périgord, known as the ‘Sistine Chapel of prehistoric art’.

Aquitaine is the third largest region in France and the leading wine producer. It also boasts the highest sand dune and the longest pedestrian shopping street in Europe, and the widest estuary and largest square in France. It is the birthplace of many great writers including Montaigne, Montesquieu and Mauriac. The surfboard, which was brought to Europe from California by screenwriter Peter Virtelom, was first tested on the Atlantic coast of Aquitaine.

The sea and sand, mountains and pine trees, and the vineyards and rich cultural heritage are the traits that paint the portrait of this unique region, where we have decided to begin our journey through the provinces of France.