Planning a trip to SW France next spring; one of the areas in that country I’ve never been. We hosted a French exchange student who lives in that region and we plan to visit her.
Questions:
1. Any favorites in that region?
2. Special sights to see?
3. Should I plan to visit Bordeaux on this trip? (it looks to be about 1.5 hours from the SW area).
Posted by
Gig Harbor, Washington, USA
1991 posts
I am not sure which area you consider "southwest." June, 2025 we flew into Toulouse and spent several nights in Mirepoix, a beautiful little medieval town. From there we visited Carcassonne and other Cathar castles - our focus was the area east of Toulouse. Lots to see in that area.
Posted by
Seattle, WA & Bordeaux, France
530 posts
Hi Heather. The southwest of France is a lovely region! Lucky you to get to visit! Bordeaux is, indeed, in the Southwest of France and most definitely worth your time. Will you be based in the Basque region? Will you have a car? If you are in Bayonne or Biarritz or one of the other larger towns in Basque country, you could easily take the train or car to so many extrodinary places in the area. Pau, Lourdes, Biscarosse, Bordeaux, Sauternes or even San Sebastian or Hondarribia in Basque Spain.
Posted by
OP
California, U.S.A.
37 posts
Hi Cynthia and KimberlySEA-
We will be staying in Biarritz and thinking of renting a car so we can drive to Bayonne and Briscous (where our French girl lives). I have just started researching the nearby cities in the basque region. It looks like Spain is very close so we might make that part of our trip as well (St Sebastian and Barcelona).
Posted by
Somerville, MA
756 posts
I enjoyed eating here
Posted by
France Southwest
3253 posts
It seems like Spain is very close, so we might make that part of our
trip as well (St. Sebastian and Barcelona).
Barcelona is on the east coast of Spain, on the Mediterranean Sea. It's at least a 6- to 7-hour drive from Biarritz.
Posted by
Bazas
3 posts
Depending where you fly into, Bordeaux city is a great day trip! There are of course the vineyards as well to visit, which I’d recommend booking in advance. The SW of France is pretty big. How long do you have there? Will you have a car? The Pays Basque is beautiful. I’d check the dates of school holidays and any French holidays to be sure to know what might be closed. Use Sunday and Monday for travel days when many shops and restaurants are closed. Feel free to send more details and I’ll respond asap! X Anne
Posted by
Seattle, WA & Bordeaux, France
530 posts
From Biarritiz you could take train/bus to Bayonne, Bordeaux, San Sebastian, Honderribia, etc. if you don't want to rent a car. As JoLui mentioned, Barcelona is not in the Basque region and would be (in my opinion) too far out of your way to visit.