Sights in Southwestern France
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Cathédrale Ste-Marie Cathedral
The twin towers of Bayonne's Gothic cathedral soar above the city. Construction began in the 13th century, and was completed in 1451; the mismatched materials in some ways resemble Lego blocks. Above the north aisle are three lovely stained-glass windows; the oldest, in the Chapelle Saint Jérôme, dates from 1531. The entrance to the stately 13th-century cloister is on place Louis Pasteur.
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Île Feydeau
Île Feydeau , the quarter south of the Gare Centrale, ceased to be an island after WWII when the channels of the Loire that once surrounded it were filled in following the riverbeds drying up. Today, you can still see where ships docked at the doors of the area's 18th-century mansions - some of which are adorned with stone carvings of the heads of African slaves.
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Musée Maritime Neptunea
Moored at Bassin des Chalutiers are the two ships comprising the Musée Maritime Neptunea: the meteorological research vessel France 1, and Angoumois, a chalutier (fishing boat). A land-based extension of the museum on the adjacent dock incorporates a section dedicated to Jacques Cousteau, and a re-creation of the city's ancient fish market.
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St John Baptistry
One of Poitier's most celebrated gems is this baptistry, built in the 4th century on Roman foundations - making it (reputedly) the oldest Christian building in France. It was redecorated in the 10th century and used as a parish church. The octagonal hole under the impressive frescoes was used for total-immersion baptisms, practised until the 7th century.
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Notre Dame la Grande Church
One of the most striking features of this church is its elaborate Romanesque west facade. Every evening from late June to mid-September, a spectacular colourful light show illuminates it. The earliest parts of the church date from the 11th century; the only original frescoes are the faint 12th- or 13th-century works that adorn the dome above the choir.
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Jardin Botanique
If you need some respite from the frenetic pace of wine tasting, head to Bordeaux's beautifully landscaped botanical garden. The grounds of the public gardens was established in 1755 and laid out in the English style a century later. The meticulously catalogued Jardin Botanique itself was founded in 1629 and moved to its present site in 1855.
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Musée d'Art Oriental Asiatica
Out on the edge of town is this unexpected treasure trove of ancient Indian, Chinese and Tibetan statues, monuments and temple artwork. The layout is a bit haphazard, but the information cards (in several languages) clearly explain the significance of the objects. It's generally considered the finest collection of its type outside Paris.
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Tour Pey-Berland
The gargoyled, 50m-high Gothic belfry, Tour Pey-Berland was erected between 1440 and 1466. Its spire was added in the 19th century, and in 1863 it was topped off with the statue of Notre Dame de l’Aquitaine (Our Lady of Aquitaine). Scaling the tower’s 232 narrow steps rewards you with a spectacular panorama of the city.
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Ville d'Hiver
On the tree-covered hillside south of the Ville d'Été, the century-old Ville d'Hiver (Winter Quarter) has over 300 villas, many decorated with delicate wood tracery, ranging in style from neogothic through to colonial. It's an easy stroll to the Ville d'Hiver or a short ride up the Art Deco-style public lift in Parc Mauresque.
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Temple Protestant
The austere Temple Protestant was built in the late 17th century, though it became a Protestant church only after the Revolution. After the St Bartholomew's Day Massacre of 1572, many surviving Huguenots took refuge in La Rochelle before the city was besieged in 1627 by Louis XIII's forces under the command of Cardinal Richelieu.
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Musée Maritime
Moored at Bassin à Flot are the meteorological research ship France 1, a chalutier (fishing boat) and a tug, which together make up the Musée Maritime. If you think your job is tough, just wait until you see what the crew on these sorts of boats have to put up with on the average working day.
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Trentemoult
For the cost of a tram ticket, the little Navibus shuttles across the river from the Gare Maritime tram stop to the village-like quarter of Trentemoult. Lined with fishermen's cottages and ships' captain's houses, this artsy community has an island feel, despite being on the Loire's southern banks.
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Baptistère St-Jean
Constructed in the 4th and 6th centuries on Roman foundations, Baptistère St-Jean, 100m south of Cathédrale St-Pierrel, was redecorated in the 10th century and used as a parish church. The octagonal hole under the frescos was used for total-immersion baptisms, practised until the 7th century.
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Chemin de Croix
The Chemin de Croix (Way of the Cross, sometimes known as the Chemin du Calvaire) leads for 1.5km up the forested hillside from the Basilique Supérieure past 14 Stations of the Cross. Especially devout pilgrims mount to the first station on their knees.
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Girondins Monument
At the vast square esplanade des Quinconces, laid out in 1820, you’ll see the fountain Girondins monument, a group of moderate, bourgeois National Assembly deputies during the French Revolution, 22 of whom were executed in 1793 after being convicted of counter-revolutionary activities.
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Rocher de la Vierge
At the end of Pointe Atalaye is Rocher de la Vierge (Rock of the Virgin), named after its white statue of the Virgin and child. Views from this impressive outcrop extend to the mountains of the Spanish Basque Country.
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Hôtel de Ville
Flanked by a 15th-century Flamboyant Gothic wall and a resplendent 17th-century Renaissance-style courtyard, the Hôtel de Ville has guided tours in French at 3pm daily in June and September, 3pm and 4pm daily in July and August, and on weekends during the rest of the year.
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Jardin Public
Landscaping is artistic as well as informative at the Jardin Public. Established in 1755 and laid out in the English style a century later, the grounds incorporate the meticulously catalogued Jardin Botanique founded in 1629 and at this site since 1855.
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Musée des Automates
Musée des Automates is a small theme-park-style display with good wheelchair access showing 300 automated dolls from the last two centuries, including a near-life-size re-creation of bygone Montmartre in Paris, right down to the Moulin Rouge and funicular railway.
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Ramparts
Bayonne's 17th-century fortifications are now covered with grass, dotted with trees and enveloped in pretty parks. You can walk the stretches of the old ramparts that rise above bd Rempart Lachepaillet and rue Tour de Sault.
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Île aux Oiseaux
Les Bateliers Arcachonnais runs daily, year-round cruises around the Île aux Oiseaux, the uninhabited, so-named 'bird island' in the middle of the bay. It's a haven for tern, curlew and redshank, so take your binoculars.
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Musée des Modèles Réduits
Trainspotters will love the Musée des Modèles Réduits, with miniature cars, computer-automated naval battles, and a tootling model railway. In July and August, children under 10 can ride aboard a little train.
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CAPC Musée d’Art Contemporain
Built in 1824 as a warehouse for French colonial produce like coffee, cocoa, peanuts and vanilla, the cavernous Entrepôts Lainé creates a dramatic backdrop for cutting-edge modern art at the CAPC Musée d’Art Contemporain.
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Église Ste-Eugénie
The neo-Gothic Église Ste-Eugénie was built in 1864 for - who else? - Empress Eugénie.
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Tour de la Grosse Horloge
The gateway to the old city, Tour de la Grosse Horloge is a steadfast Gothic-style clock tower, with a 12th-century base and an 18th-century top. For safety reasons, it’s not possible to enter.
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