What to See in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France

Nouvelle-Aquitaine is France’s largest region by area, stretching from the Atlantic coast to the western Pyrenees and offering a mosaic of landscapes, historic towns and cultural traditions. It is worth visiting for its varied scenery—vineyards, forests, mountains and beaches—as well as its rich heritage that ranges from medieval duchies to modern aerospace hubs. Neywo offers a free audio guide for Nouvelle-Aquitaine, covering 12 cities, 250 narrated places and 20 walking tours.

Explore the region’s highlights

Bayonne

Bayonne sits at the confluence of the Nive and Adour rivers and is known for its historic fortifications. The audio guide highlights the Château de Marracq, Château du Vigneau, Château‑Vieux and the Citadelle de Bayonne, each telling a part of the city’s military and architectural past.

Biarritz

Once a modest fishing village, Biarritz became a fashionable seaside resort in the 19th century. Key stops include the Russian orthodox church of Biarritz, the Château Boulart, the Biarritz Lighthouse and the Église Saint‑Martin, illustrating the town’s blend of aristocratic leisure and coastal charm.

Bidart

Bidart offers a quieter Atlantic experience, with the audio guide pointing to the Château d’Ilbarritz, the Chapelle Sainte‑Madeleine de Bidart and the Église Notre‑Dame‑de‑l’Assomption de Bidart, showcasing local religious architecture and seaside villas.

Bordeaux

As the prefecture and largest city, Bordeaux anchors the region’s urban network. The guide leads to the Bordeaux Cathedral, the rostral columns, the CAPC musée d’art contemporain, the Palais Rohan and the historic riverfront, reflecting the city’s wine‑trade legacy and Enlightenment‑era urban planning.

Brantôme

Nestled in the Dordogne valley, Brantôme is often called the “Venice of the Périgord.” Highlights include the Château de Puymarteau, the Abbaye Saint‑Pierre et Saint‑Sicaire, the Église Notre‑Dame and the nearby dolmen de Peyrelevade, offering a glimpse into medieval monastic life and prehistoric monuments.

Cognac

World‑renowned for its spirit, Cognac’s audio tour features the Castle of Cognac, the Couvent des Récollets, the église Saint‑Léger de Cognac and the Porte Saint‑Jacques, linking the town’s architectural heritage to its distillation traditions.

Domme

Perched above the Dordogne River, Domme is a bastide town with striking views. The guide mentions the Abbaye de Domme, the Château de Caudon, the Dolmen de Giverzac and the Musée Paul Reclus, covering religious, feudal and prehistoric layers of the site.

La Rochelle

La Rochelle’s historic port and fortified walls have long defined its identity. Points of interest include the Musée des Beaux‑Arts de La Rochelle, the Lycée Eugène‑Fromentin, the La Rochelle Cathedral and the Musée du Nouveau Monde, illustrating the city’s maritime, artistic and colonial connections.

Oradour‑sur‑Glane

This village stands as a poignant memorial to World War II. The audio guide focuses on the Église Saint‑Martin d’Oradour‑sur‑Glane, the massacre site and the Église Saint‑Martin‑de‑Tours d’Oradour‑sur‑Glane, preserving the memory of the tragic events of 1944.

Saint‑Jean‑de‑Luz

Located in the French Basque Country, Saint‑Jean‑de‑Luz combines beach life with historic architecture. Highlights are the Église Saint‑Jean‑Baptiste, the Maison dite Lohobiague Enea (Maison Louis XIV), the Casino La Pergola and the BLEU gallery, reflecting the town’s royal past and contemporary cultural scene.

Sarlat‑la‑Canéda

Sarlat‑la‑Canéda preserves a remarkably intact medieval centre. The guide highlights the Sarlat Cathedral, the Couvent Sainte‑Claire, the Château de Campagnac and the Château de la Boétie, offering a walk through limestone streets and Renaissance mansions.

Uzerche

Known as the “pearl of the Limousin,” Uzerche sits on a bend of the Vézère River. Noteworthy stops include the Maison du Sénéchal, the Château Bécharie, the former maison Barrachaude, the Pont Turgot sur la Vézère and the Abbaye Saint‑Pierre d’Uzerche, illustrating the town’s strategic and monastic heritage.

Explore Nouvelle‑Aquitaine with Neywo

Download the free Neywo app to experience the region at your own pace. The app provides 20 walking tours across 12 cities, with a total of 250 narrated places that play automatically as you reach each site. Narration is available in 11 languages, and there are no fixed schedules or groups—you simply walk, listen and discover. Whether you’re wandering Bordeaux’s historic streets, tracing the Basque coast near Biarritz, or exploring the limestone villages of the Dordogne, Neywo tells the story of each location as you arrive.

For more information on France, visit the France country page, or dive deeper into individual cities such as Bordeaux, Biarritz and La Rochelle.