Region
Museums, galleries and heritage in Nouvelle-Aquitaine
571 places to discover across Nouvelle-Aquitaine.
Including Cité du Vin, Bassins des Lumières and Château de Beynac.
A Region Defined by Water, Stone and Time
Nouvelle-Aquitaine is France's largest region, stretching from the Atlantic coast to the Dordogne's limestone valleys. Its cultural identity is built on layers of history rarely found together elsewhere: the deep prehistoric record of the Sites préhistoriques et grottes ornées de la vallée de la Vézère, the Gallo-Roman remains at Périgueux and Barzan, the medieval abbey architecture of Poitou, and the maritime and wine-trade heritage of the Gironde estuary.
Bordeaux anchors the region's museum and gallery scene, with institutions ranging from the Cité du Vin to the CAPC musée d'art contemporain de Bordeaux. Along the coast, La Rochelle, Rochefort and Biarritz each preserve distinct maritime and military histories, while inland Dordogne and Charente hold some of Europe's most significant archaeological and industrial heritage sites.
Bordeaux, La Rochelle and Biarritz: Three Different Cultural Cities
The city of Bordeaux concentrates most of the region's contemporary art scene: the Frac Nouvelle-Aquitaine La Méca, the immersive digital art venue Bassins des Lumières, installed in a former WWII Base sous-marine, and independent spaces such as Espace 29 and Fabrique Pola all sit within walking distance of the historic riverfront.
On the coast, Biarritz combines its Belle Époque seaside identity with marine science at the Cité de l'Océan, while galleries such as Galerie Daltra Biarritz reflect a smaller but active art market tied to the Basque coast's tourism. La Rochelle, meanwhile, is defined by its harbor: the Musée Maritime de La Rochelle
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need to explore the cultural highlights of Nouvelle-Aquitaine?
A minimum of five to seven days is recommended to combine Bordeaux's museums and galleries, the prehistoric sites of the Vézère valley, and the coastal heritage of La Rochelle or Biarritz, given the distances involved across this large region.
What is the best time of year to visit the Vézère valley's prehistoric sites?
Spring and early autumn are ideal, as cave visits are limited to timed-entry slots and summer months see high demand; booking tickets for sites near Les Eyzies well in advance is essential.
Is the Bordeaux Port de la Lune UNESCO site a single monument or an area?
It is an urban ensemble covering roughly 1,800 hectares of the historic riverfront along the Garonne, best explored on foot or by tram rather than visited as a single site.
Can the phare de Cordouan be visited, and how do you get there?
Yes, the lighthouse is accessible by boat from Royan or the Verdon-sur-Mer, tide-dependent, with a walk across the estuary sandbank at low tide; visits require reservation and are seasonal.
Which Bordeaux museum is best for contemporary art?
