 Aquitaine makes up the region of Southwest France. It is a vast area that takes in the five departments of Dordogne, Gironde, Landes, Lot-et-Garonne and the Pyrenees Atlantique, including several well-known cities of the likes of Bordeaux, Biarritz and Pau. The landscape in Aquitaine is hugely diverse. There are the beautiful lakes and coastal forest of the Medoc, the wide-open natural parks of Landes and Gascony, as well as the hills and mountains of the Pyrenees to the south. All in all, no matter what type of French property you are looking for, Aquitaine will have something for you.
The climate in Southwest France is legendary. Away from the Pyrenees, blue skies and long hot summers are the order of the day, while the winter cold is moderated by the region's proximity to the Atlantic Ocean. Indeed, Biarritz is one of the warmest places in France during the winter. But, if you're looking for cold and snow, the mountains of the Pyrenees at some 7,000 ft and more above sea level will deliver for at least six months of the year.
Bordeaux in the Gironde stands on the impressive Garonne River, and is an excellent starting point for people looking to buy Aquitaine property. The city itself is grand with a glut of 18th Century buildings as well as some historic bridges that span the river. French property prices are very reasonable in the wine-growing countryside that surrounds Bordeaux, especially in the smaller villages and hamlets further to the south. Aquitaine property along the Garonne is highly sought after too, and many homebuyers are also attracted to the wine-growing Medoc region and the beautiful town of Arcachon.
Following the Dordogne River from the north side of Bordeaux reveals some exquisite towns and villages. Bergerac and its surrounding areas in the Dordogne in particular provide buyers with an immense selection of character properties to choose from. A 3-bed 19th century stone longere with wood beams was recently on the market in Sainte-Foy-la-Grande, 20 minutes outside Bergerac, for 330,000 euros.
Further south near the likes of Biarritz, Pau and Dax, you could be forgiven for thinking that you were actually in the Mediterranean, such is the strength of the sun on a summer's day here. Sunseekers looking for a villa in France may find just what they are looking for in this area, with many beautiful and unusual properties available for sale.
Amazingly though, only 35 miles south of Pau you will find yourself in a completely different world. Here, the mountains of the Pyrenees offer chalet-style French property in abundance. The skiing is good in this region too, with property overall being cheaper than in the French Alps.
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