The south of France – New Aquitaine, Occitania and Provence – is filled with villages and tiny towns with a glorious past. In them, you can find churches created by great masters, fantastic gardens, and even royal palaces. True, it is very difficult to travel between villages by public transport, so it is best to visit them by car. Otherwise, you will have to think very carefully about the logistics of movement or resort to hitchhiking. It has turned out to be an unexpectedly popular way to travel in this part of the country.

Saint Emilion

Saint-Emilion is considered one of the most iconic terroirs of New Aquitaine. This small historic town is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in France. It was founded in the 8th century by a monk from Breton. Many fine examples of the Romanesque Gothic style have been preserved here. The ensemble of the market square, the Cordellers monastery, a monolithic church carved from limestone rock, as well as rock caves that are used as wine cellars.

Angoulême

The Charente region is famous for its colorful capital. Angoulême served as the residence of the reigning kings of France for several centuries. For example, Margaret of Navarre, sister of King Francis I, was born here. The city has preserved many luxurious architectural monuments. The town hall building in the neo-Gothic style, the polygonal donjon tower of the 13th century, the Saint-Pierre Cathedral, the Hôtel de Bardines, the building of the former diocese, where today the city museum of Angoulême is located. Modern Angoulême is known as the “city of festivals”. ​It hosts festivals of comics, francophone films, animated films, gastronomy, and auto racing with classic pre-war cars.

Bergerac

Bergerac, on the Dordogne River, is a wonderful example of a preserved ancient southern French town. Despite the fact that it is in fact in no way connected with the hero of Edmond Rostand’s play Cyrano de Bergerac, the name is constantly exploited in the city. You can find several monuments to Cyrano on the streets, hotels, restaurants and shops are named after him. There are two ancient Aquitaine chateaus preserved there. Lespinasse and Mounet-Sully, and the neo-Gothic church of Notre Dame. In the city port you can see ancient dinghy boats. Wine was transported along the rivers of Aquitaine in the old days.

Pau

Most of the magnificent views of the Pyrenees mountains are concentrated in the Occitania region. But Aquitaine also has several locations where you can admire the snow-capped peaks. For example, from the city of Pau, and especially from its central boulevard of the Pyrenees, there is a magnificent view of the mountain range. As you travel through these beautiful regions, taking a chance with Bet22 might add an extra thrill to your journey. These unique panoramic views inspired the writer Lamartine to say that Pau has “the most beautiful landscape on earth, just as Naples has the most beautiful sea views. There are many mountain climatic resorts and ski resorts nearby.

Dordogne

The Dordogne district is considered the richest in beautiful villages and small communes. Worth seeing is the former residence of the archbishops of Bordeaux Belves. There are railway viaducts, Gothic buildings and the preserved underground dwelling of the troglodytes. Castelneau-la-Chapelle with two castles and three historic chateaus. Vezac with its luxurious gardens of the Jardins de Marqueyssac. Benac-et-Casnac, standing on the Dordogne River with a castle on the mountain. La Roque-Gageac, whose houses are huddled on a steep cliff. Limeuil, where from the panoramic gardens you can admire the confluence of the Dordogne and the Weser. And the absolutely fabulous Sarlat-la-Caneda, similar to the scenery of a historical film.