Atlantic Coast: Loire, Bordeaux & Basque Country

The Loire Valley is known for its French Renaissance architecture, with the 16th-century Château de Chambord as the largest castle. It has 440 rooms and is located in a 5,440-hectare park where deer live. In the 17th-century Domaine de Cheverny, you can admire the preserved interiors and hunting traditions. You can cycle along flat paths by the river and park your motorhome in villages under ancient oak trees.

Amboise is located on the Loire and houses the Château Royal d'Amboise, a former royal residence from the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. Here you can also visit Clos Lucé, the manor house where Leonardo da Vinci spent his last years and died in 1519. The Château de Chenonceau spans the river Cher with its stone arches. The city and the castles showcase the architecture of the French Renaissance.

Saumur is located at the confluence of the Loire and Thouet rivers and is dominated by a tenth-century castle that was rebuilt in the fourteenth century. Here you can visit the Cadre Noir riding school or the Musée des Blindés, which manages a collection of over 800 historical armored vehicles. In the surroundings, you can see troglodyte dwellings carved into the tuff stone and cellars where sparkling wines from the Loire Valley are produced.

Nantes combines rich history with surprising mechanical artworks. The fifteenth-century Château des ducs de Bretagne showcases the history of the region. On the former shipyard grounds of Les Machines de l'île, a twelve-metre-high mechanical elephant walks along the quays. The Gothic Cathédrale Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul displays its imposing architecture. In the former LU biscuit factory from 1846, you will find Le Lieu Unique, a cultural centre with a vibrant atmosphere.

The port city of La Rochelle is known for its 14th-century towers Saint-Nicolas and de la Chaîne, which guard the entrance to the Vieux Port. You can reach Île de Ré via a nearly three-kilometre toll bridge, where you can cycle past salt marshes and white houses. On the western tip of the island stands the 57-metre-high Phare des Baleines, offering views over the Atlantic Ocean. In villages like Saint-Martin-de-Ré, you can taste local oysters directly from the growers.

Royan is a seaside resort on the Atlantic coast that was rebuilt in a modernist style after 1945. The concrete Église Notre-Dame from 1958 forms the centrepiece of this architecture, while the Phare de Cordouan from 1611 stands as France's oldest lighthouse at the mouth of the Gironde. You can stroll along the two-kilometre-long sandy beach of Grande Conche or take the ferry to the vineyards of the Médoc.

Bordeaux owes its prestige to its 18th-century architecture, which earned the city centre a spot on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Near the Place de la Bourse, facades are reflected in the Miroir d'eau, a water mirror that often transforms into mist. Nearby, Corinthian columns adorn the facade of the Grand Théâtre. The modern Cité du Vin, housed in a vaulted building, highlights wine culture. On the lively quays along the Garonne, you can admire the stone arches of the Pont de Pierre.

The Dune du Pilat towers above the Atlantic coast as Europe's highest sand dune. From its more than one hundred-metre-high summit, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the ocean, the Bassin d'Arcachon, and the sandbanks of Banc d'Arguin. Cycle paths run through the vast pine forests of the Landes, connecting the seaside resort of Arcachon with charming oyster villages along the water. This popular spot is excellent for active exploration, allowing you to experience the grandeur of the dune and the surrounding nature.

Hossegor attracts surfers with its powerful waves on the Atlantic coast. At La Gravière beach, you'll find the best surfing conditions. On the shores of the tidal lake Lac d'Hossegor, you can taste fresh oysters amidst the typical Basque-Landes architecture. In the vast Forêt des Landes, Europe's largest maritime pine forest, you can follow miles of cycling paths through the dunes. This lively seaside resort offers a delightful mix of sporting action and culinary relaxation by the water.

Biarritz combines the grandeur of an imperial seaside resort with the relaxed atmosphere of a surf paradise. From the Phare de Biarritz, you can enjoy panoramic views of the city and coastline. The Grande Plage beneath the casino attracts sunbathers and surfers. At the Port des Pêcheurs, you can experience the maritime atmosphere among the fishing boats, while the lively Halles surprise with local delicacies. Everywhere along the rocky coastline, you'll discover viewpoints that emphasize the grandeur of the Atlantic Ocean.

Saint-Jean-de-Luz is a Basque port town on a sheltered bay of the Atlantic coast. In the Église Saint-Jean-Baptiste, the marriage between Louis XIV and Marie-Thérèse d'Autriche took place in 1660. Near the fishing port, you will find the Maison Louis XIV from 1643 and half-timbered houses in traditional red and green. The centre is largely a pedestrian area, and from the town, you can follow the Sentier du Littoral over the cliffs towards the Spanish border.