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Southwest France is known above all for its variety. In one region you get two big cities with completely different styles, Bordeaux and Toulouse, a great wine tradition, some of the best food in France (duck, local produce and a real bon vivant way of life), nature from the Pyrenees to the Landes forest and coastline, the most famous prehistoric cave in the world (Lascaux) and beautiful villages in splendid countryside. Below, I present its 8 areas, then 4 itineraries of 6 to 7 days starting in Bordeaux or Toulouse.
Table Of Contents
- Where Is Southwest France?
- The 8 Areas of Southwest France
- Best Itineraries in Southwest France
- How Many Days to Visit Southwest France?
- How to Get to Southwest France
- How to Get Around Southwest France: Train, Car or Driver?
- Where to Stay in Southwest France
- Best Time to Visit Southwest France
- Famous Wine and Food in Southwest France
- FAQ
- Conclusion
Where Is Southwest France?
Southwest France has no official border, and even the French do not agree on where it starts. In this guide, I take it the way most people picture it: it starts a little north of Bordeaux, does not go too far east (beyond that, you reach the centre of France and the Massif Central, whose name is a good clue), and runs south all the way to the Pyrenees.
The 8 Areas of Southwest France
Bordeaux, Saint-Émilion, the Médoc and Arcachon
Bordeaux and its region cover a lot of places. First Bordeaux itself, a really beautiful city with a lot of history, listed by UNESCO: walk along the quays to the Place de la Bourse, get lost in the old town, then visit the Cité du Vin.
Around the city, the vineyards are home to many of the most famous wine châteaux in the world:
- The Médoc: Margaux and Pauillac, with Château Margaux, Château Lafite Rothschild, Château Latour and Château Mouton Rothschild
- Saint-Émilion: a medieval village listed by UNESCO, with Château Cheval Blanc and Château Ausone
- Pomerol: a tiny area next to Saint-Émilion, the home of Petrus
- Pessac-Léognan: Château Haut-Brion, right in the suburbs of Bordeaux
- Sauternes: sweet white wines, with Château d’Yquem
Many châteaux only open by appointment, so book your tastings in advance (if you travel with Itinerary France, we book them for you).
And for a day by the sea, there are Arcachon, famous for its oysters, and the Dune du Pilat, the highest in Europe: Arcachon is less than an hour from Bordeaux, the dune a little further (see the tip under itinerary 3).
Dordogne
The Dordogne is well known in France, where it is also called the Périgord, but really underrated by foreign visitors. It is stunning: the river, with its beautiful villages and castles. If you have already seen the Loire Valley castles, such as Chambord or Chenonceau, you will not be disappointed here, because the castles of the Dordogne are in a completely different style: medieval fortresses perched on the cliffs. It is also perfect for all kinds of activities: cycling, canoeing, castles, natural caves and caves painted in prehistoric times, river cruises, drives through the countryside and more. This is also the land of foie gras, truffles and Bergerac wines. And it is easy to reach from Bordeaux: Sarlat is about 2h15 away by car. If you want this valley at the heart of your trip, here is a Dordogne trip designed and booked around your dates.
Lascaux is a replica: the original cave is closed
The original Lascaux cave has been closed to the public since 1963 to protect its paintings. What you visit today is Lascaux IV, a full-size replica in Montignac, opened in 2016. To stand in front of real prehistoric drawings, choose a cave that is still open, such as Rouffignac, where a small electric train takes you under the hill past mammoths and bison drawn on the walls (day 4 of itinerary 2 below).
The Landes Forest and Coastline
The Landes forest itself, a huge pine forest, is one of the least populated parts of France. The coastline, on the other hand, is really popular in summer, with lots of campsites, and with surfers, especially in Hossegor. The area is very flat, but I really recommend the coast, with its long beaches and dunes along the ocean. Be careful if you swim there, though: the waves can be big and the currents strong.
The Basque Country (Pays Basque)
The Basque Country is the far southwest corner of France, and its heritage is Basque: the houses are different, white with red or green timbers, and so is the atmosphere. Between the mountains and the sea, it has a style of its own, unlike the rest of the Southwest. You will find seaside towns such as Biarritz and Saint-Jean-de-Luz, beautiful villages such as Sare and Ainhoa, great hikes, and small trains such as the train de la Rhune, with a view over the ocean and Spain from the top.
The Pyrenees
The Pyrenees are for nature lovers. Less famous than the Alps as a winter destination (except among the French and the Spanish), they are really beautiful in summer, with places like the Cirque de Gavarnie and its huge waterfall, listed by UNESCO and one of the most beautiful landscapes of the French countryside. They also stay very green, even in summer. At the foot of the mountains, around Pau, the vineyards make Jurançon, a white wine, dry or sweet. If you love nature, you definitely have to go.
Toulouse
Toulouse has a completely different style from Bordeaux, because of its brick: it is even nicknamed la Ville rose, the pink city. Only about 2 hours by train from Bordeaux, you arrive in a different world, and I recommend doing both, just to see the difference. It is also a lively student city and the home of Airbus, with the Basilica of Saint-Sernin and the Canal du Midi to see, and a cassoulet to taste with a glass of Fronton, the local red.
For a day trip from Toulouse, I recommend Albi, about 1 hour away by train.
Tarn, Albi and Lot
The Tarn and the Lot are really underrated, full of hidden gems: lots of charming small villages, and Albi, a really beautiful city. It is wine country too, with Gaillac in the Tarn and Cahors in the Lot, a dark red made from Malbec.
- Albi (Tarn): the Episcopal City, listed by UNESCO, with the brick cathedral of Sainte-Cécile, the largest in the world, and the Toulouse-Lautrec museum in the Palais de la Berbie
- Cordes-sur-Ciel (Tarn): a medieval village on a hilltop, less than half an hour from Albi, voted the French people’s favourite village in 2014
- Saint-Cirq-Lapopie (Lot): a village perched on a cliff above the Lot river, about 30 km from Cahors, voted the French people’s favourite village in 2012
- Rocamadour and the Padirac chasm (Lot): a pilgrimage town built into a cliff, and an underground river you visit by boat, both on itinerary 2 below
Gers and Lot-et-Garonne
Much less known, the Gers and the Lot-et-Garonne are for travellers who want the most authentic version of France. You will find beautiful villages, such as La Romieu and Larressingle in the Gers, really good food, and producers you can meet directly. This is the real countryside, with a lot of wine too (Madiran, Côtes de Gascogne, Buzet), and above all Armagnac, the oldest brandy in France! It is also the land of D’Artagnan, the musketeer, and the Way of St James runs through La Romieu and Condom. And no, Condom is not a joke: it is a real town, with a beautiful cathedral, and that really is its name (see its Wikipedia page). For slow travel there, see also my guide to hidden gems in the South of France.
Area maps: data © OpenStreetMap contributors and Etalab contours administratifs 2025, under the ODbL. IGN Admin Express 2018, under the Licence Ouverte. Shaded relief made for these maps from modified elevation data: SRTM data courtesy of the U.S. Geological Survey, and EU-DEM (Produced using Copernicus data and information funded by the European Union - EU-DEM layers).
Best Itineraries in Southwest France
Now that you know the different areas, which itinerary would I recommend? Here are four, each with a day-by-day plan and where to stay.
All four start in Bordeaux or Toulouse, but you can join them from wherever you are before, for example Paris: Bordeaux is just over 2 hours from Paris Montparnasse by direct TGV, with trains all day long.
| Itinerary | Route | Length | Best time | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. City, Wine and Villages | Bordeaux → Saint-Émilion → the Médoc → Toulouse → Albi | 7 days, 6 nights | All year | City life, wine, Bordeaux and Toulouse side by side |
| 2. Castles and the Dordogne | Bordeaux → Saint-Émilion → Rouffignac → Sarlat → Rocamadour → Bordeaux | 7 days, 6 nights | March to November | Castles, river villages, prehistoric caves |
| 3. Bordeaux and the Basque Country | Bordeaux → Arcachon → Bayonne → Saint-Jean-de-Luz → Biarritz → Sare and Ainhoa | 6 days, 5 nights | March to November | Sea and mountains, Basque villages |
| 4. Authentic and Off the Beaten Path | Toulouse → the Gers (Condom) → Nérac → Albi → Cordes-sur-Ciel → Toulouse | 6 days, 5 nights | March to November | Real countryside, food producers, Armagnac |
1. City, Wine and Villages
- Route: Bordeaux → a wine day in Saint-Émilion and another in the Médoc → Toulouse, with a day trip to Albi
- Length: 7 days, 6 nights
- Best time: all year
- Getting around: the train between Bordeaux and Toulouse (about 2h) and from Toulouse to Albi (about 1h), a car or a private driver for the wine days
- Best for: city life and wine, and seeing Bordeaux and Toulouse side by side
Itinerary 1: City, Wine and Villages
Click a stop to re-centre the map, then zoom or move it to explore the route.
| Day | Night in | Idea for the day |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bordeaux | Arrival, a first walk on the quays, the Place de la Bourse and the water mirror |
| 2 | Bordeaux | Old Bordeaux on foot, then the Cité du Vin |
| 3 | Bordeaux | Saint-Émilion (about 45 min) and a tasting at a château |
| 4 | Bordeaux | The Médoc (about 1h): the Route des Châteaux through Margaux and Pauillac |
| 5 | Toulouse | Train to Toulouse (about 2h), the Place du Capitole and the Basilica of Saint-Sernin |
| 6 | Toulouse | Day trip to Albi by train (about 1h): the Sainte-Cécile cathedral and the Toulouse-Lautrec museum |
| 7 | The Canal du Midi in the morning, departure |
Where to stay: Bordeaux, 4 nights (in the centre) · Toulouse, 2 nights (near the Capitole).
2. Castles and the Dordogne
- Route: Bordeaux → Saint-Émilion → Rouffignac → Sarlat → Rocamadour → Bordeaux
- Length: 7 days, 6 nights
- Best time: March to November
- Getting around: a rental car or a private guide-driver
- Best for: castles, river villages and prehistoric caves
Bordeaux & the Dordogne — 7 days — Day 1 — Arrival in Bordeaux
Private transfer from Saint-Jean station to a hotel right in the centre.
| Day | Night in | Idea for the day |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bordeaux | Arrival at Bordeaux Saint-Jean station or the airport |
| 2 | Bordeaux | Old Bordeaux on foot with a private guide (the Place de la Bourse, the Porte Cailhau, Saint-André cathedral), tasting stops on the way, then the Cité du Vin |
| 3 | Bordeaux | Saint-Émilion and a tasting at Château Mauvinon, a family estate |
| 4 | Sarlat | Drive to the Périgord via the Rouffignac cave (a small electric train under the hill, past the mammoths and bison drawn on the walls), Sarlat in the evening |
| 5 | Sarlat | Domme, La Roque-Gageac and a 50-minute gabarre cruise on the Dordogne, then Castelnaud |
| 6 | Sarlat | Rocamadour in the morning, then the Padirac chasm and its underground river by boat |
| 7 | Beynac castle if your schedule allows, back to Bordeaux, departure |
Where to stay: Bordeaux, 3 nights (in the centre) · Sarlat, 3 nights.
Prefer itinerary 2 ready to book?
This route is also a 7-day private trip: 3 nights in central Bordeaux and 3 in Sarlat in four-star hotels, with the Saint-Émilion tasting, the Rouffignac cave, the gabarre cruise and Padirac booked in your name. You choose between a rental car and a private guide-driver.
3. Bordeaux and the Basque Country
- Route: Bordeaux → Arcachon and the Dune du Pilat → Bayonne → Saint-Jean-de-Luz → Biarritz → Sare and Ainhoa
- Length: 6 days, 5 nights
- Best time: March to November
- Getting around: the train to the Basque coast (Bordeaux to Bayonne about 1h45), a car or a private driver for the inland villages
- Best for: the sea and the mountains, and the Basque villages
Itinerary 3: Bordeaux and the Basque Country
Click a stop to re-centre the map, then zoom or move it to explore the route.
| Day | Night in | Idea for the day |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bordeaux | Arrival, old Bordeaux on foot, the Place de la Bourse and the water mirror |
| 2 | Bordeaux | Day trip to Arcachon (about 50 min by train) and the Dune du Pilat, oysters by the bay |
| 3 | Saint-Jean-de-Luz | TGV to Bayonne (about 1h45) and its old town, then the regional train to Saint-Jean-de-Luz (about 25 min) |
| 4 | Saint-Jean-de-Luz | The harbour and the church where Louis XIV married, then Biarritz (about 10 min by train) |
| 5 | Saint-Jean-de-Luz | Sare and the train de la Rhune (35 min up to the summit), then Ainhoa |
| 6 | Departure from Biarritz airport, or by train from Saint-Jean-de-Luz |
Where to stay: Bordeaux, 2 nights (in the centre) · Saint-Jean-de-Luz, 3 nights (the closest base to Sare, Ainhoa and the Rhune train, and on the railway line).
Three ways to reach the Dune du Pilat
- By train and bus: the regional train (TER) from Bordeaux Saint-Jean reaches Arcachon in about 50 minutes, then Baia bus line 3 takes you to the dune in about 25 minutes, about 1h15 in all.
- By rental car: about 1 hour from Bordeaux.
- With a private driver: about 1 hour too, and nobody has to drive after the oysters and white wine by the bay.
4. Authentic and Off the Beaten Path
- Route: Toulouse → the Gers (Condom) → Nérac → Albi → Cordes-sur-Ciel → Toulouse
- Length: 6 days, 5 nights
- Best time: March to November
- Getting around: a car or a private driver, there are almost no trains in the Gers
- Best for: the real countryside, meeting the producers, Armagnac
Itinerary 4: Authentic and Off the Beaten Path
Click a stop to re-centre the map, then zoom or move it to explore the route.
| Day | Night in | Idea for the day |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Condom | Arrival in Toulouse, drive to the Gers (about 1h30), La Romieu and its collegiate church on the way |
| 2 | Condom | The fortified village of Larressingle and Fourcès, then an Armagnac tasting in Condom |
| 3 | Condom | Nérac in the Lot-et-Garonne (about 25 min): the Henri IV château and a gabare trip on the Baïse, a farm visit on the way back |
| 4 | Albi | Drive to Albi (about 2h30), the Sainte-Cécile cathedral and the Toulouse-Lautrec museum |
| 5 | Albi | Cordes-sur-Ciel (less than half an hour), then a gabarre trip on the Tarn in Albi |
| 6 | Back to Toulouse (about 1h), departure |
Where to stay: Condom, 3 nights (in the heart of the Armagnac country: Larressingle and La Romieu are within 15 min, Nérac 25 min) · Albi, 2 nights.
How Many Days to Visit Southwest France?
Anywhere from a couple of days to 7 days. In a couple of days, you can already see Bordeaux and its wine country, or get a first look at the Dordogne. With a week, you have much more time to explore, especially if you want to discover a more authentic and less explored part of France (itinerary 4).
If you have two weeks in France, my 2-week France itinerary through the Loire castles, Bordeaux and the Dordogne combines this region with the Loire Valley.
How to Get to Southwest France
- From Paris by train: Bordeaux is 2h04 from Paris Montparnasse by direct TGV, with departures roughly every hour (see the Paris to Bordeaux train schedule and day-trip guide). Toulouse is about 4h30 to 5 hours by TGV.
- By plane: Bordeaux-Mérignac, Toulouse-Blagnac and Biarritz all have airports. Paris to Toulouse is about 1h15 by plane.
- From Spain: the Euskotren links San Sebastián to Hendaye in about 40 minutes, and Hendaye is on the French line through Saint-Jean-de-Luz and Bayonne.
Fly home from where your route ends
Itinerary 1 ends in Toulouse and itinerary 3 near Biarritz, about two hours from Bordeaux. Rather than going back the way you came, book your flight home from Toulouse-Blagnac or Biarritz airport.
How to Get Around Southwest France: Train, Car or Driver?
From city to city, take the train, especially between Bordeaux and Toulouse, and even to the Basque Country. But to reach the villages or visit the wine estates, you need a car, either with a private driver or a rental. With Itinerary France, you can combine the two in the same trip: we book the trains between the cities and a private driver for the wine days and the villages. A trip entirely by train is also possible in Southwest France, especially if you are happy to combine it with buses.
For tickets and regional trains, see my complete guide to train travel in France. If you rent a car, my France road trip and driving guide covers the rules of the road, tolls and parking.
Wine tastings and driving do not mix
The drink-driving limit in France is 0.5 g of alcohol per litre of blood, and lower (0.2 g) for new drivers. A few tastings add up quickly. On a Saint-Émilion or Médoc day, either the driver spits and skips the glasses, or you leave the wheel to a private driver so everyone can enjoy the wine.
Where to Stay in Southwest France
| Area | Where to stay | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Bordeaux and its vineyards | Central Bordeaux | Everything on foot in town, Saint-Émilion about 45 min away, the Médoc about 1h |
| Dordogne | Sarlat | The villages and castles of the valley under an hour away, Rocamadour a little more |
| Landes coast | Hossegor or Capbreton | The surf beaches |
| Basque Country | Saint-Jean-de-Luz | The closest base to Sare, Ainhoa and the Rhune train, on the railway line, 11 min from Biarritz |
| Pyrenees | Luz-Saint-Sauveur or Gavarnie | About 30 min from the Cirque de Gavarnie |
| Toulouse | Near the Place du Capitole | The old town on foot, Albi about 1h away by train |
| Albi and the Tarn | Albi | Cordes-sur-Ciel less than half an hour away |
| Gers and Lot-et-Garonne | Condom | Larressingle and La Romieu within 15 min, Nérac 25 min |
Best Time to Visit Southwest France
From March to November for the countryside and the Dordogne, and all year round for the big cities, Bordeaux and Toulouse. The table below gives the details by area.
| Area | Best time | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Bordeaux and Toulouse | All year | Cities, open all year |
| Dordogne and the Lot | March to November | The Padirac chasm is open from 28 March to 1 November 2026 |
| Landes coast | June to September | Most beaches have lifeguards only in July and August, some from June to September: swim where it is supervised |
| Basque Country | March to November | The Rhune train runs from 28 March to 1 November 2026 |
| Pyrenees | June to September | The higher hikes are clear of snow from July to mid-September, and the Gavarnie waterfall freezes in winter |
| Gers, Lot-et-Garonne and the Tarn | March to November | Gabare trips on the Baïse run from 1 April to 1 November |
Famous Wine and Food in Southwest France
Wine
There are a lot of them, and some of the most varied wines you can find: from the really famous Bordeaux reds to the more tannic Cahors, or whites such as Jurançon and Sauternes. Whatever you like, you will find it here.
Food
For food, expect a lot of duck, Périgord truffles, cassoulet and the salade du Sud-Ouest (which is not as light as the word salad suggests). Cassoulet and duck breast both feature among the dishes to try in France. The classics to look out for, under the names you will see on French menus:
- Confit de canard: a duck leg slow-cooked in its own fat, then roasted until the skin is crisp, often with potatoes fried in duck fat
- Magret de canard: duck breast, grilled or pan-fried and served pink
- Foie gras: the liver of a fattened duck or goose, served cold in slices with toast, or pan-fried as a hot starter
- Cassoulet: white beans slow-baked in an earthenware dish with duck confit, Toulouse sausage and pork
- Canelé: a small Bordeaux cake flavoured with rum and vanilla, caramelised outside and soft inside
- Jambon de Bayonne: dry-cured ham from around Bayonne, served in thin slices
- Gâteau basque: a buttery Basque cake filled with pastry cream or black cherry jam
- Huîtres d’Arcachon: oysters from the Arcachon bay, eaten raw with lemon or shallot vinegar
- Bordeaux: on the wine list, often under the name of its area (Saint-Émilion, Margaux, Pauillac)
- Armagnac: the brandy of the Gers, served after dinner
FAQ
Is Southwest France worth visiting?
Yes. In one region you get two big cities with completely different styles, Bordeaux and Toulouse, world-famous wines, the food of the Périgord and the Basque Country, the Atlantic coast, the Pyrenees and some of the most beautiful villages in France.
Bordeaux or Toulouse: which one should I choose?
Both if you can. They are about 2 hours apart by train and completely different: Bordeaux for its history and its wine, Toulouse for its pink brick, which gives it its nickname, la Ville rose.
Can you visit Southwest France without a car?
Yes, between the cities: Bordeaux, Toulouse, Bayonne and Saint-Jean-de-Luz are all on the train network, and you can add buses. For the villages and the wine estates you need a car, a rental or a private driver.
How many days do you need in Southwest France?
A couple of days for Bordeaux and its wine country, or a first look at the Dordogne. About a week to combine two areas, like the four itineraries above (6 to 7 days).
What is the best time to visit Southwest France?
March to November for the countryside and the Dordogne, all year for Bordeaux and Toulouse.
What food is Southwest France famous for?
Duck (confit and foie gras), cassoulet, Périgord truffles, canelés, Bayonne ham, gâteau basque and Arcachon oysters, with Bordeaux, Cahors, Jurançon and Sauternes wines, and Armagnac.
Conclusion
Southwest France is one of the most varied parts of the country: two cities with completely different styles, some of the most famous wines in the world, castles and caves, the ocean and the mountains, and a countryside where you still meet the producers. Whether you have a couple of days or a full week, pick one or two areas rather than trying to see everything.
Want a Southwest France trip built around your dates?
Tell us how many days you have and which areas appeal to you, from the Bordeaux vineyards to the Basque Country or the Gers. We reply within a few hours, then plan the route and book the hotels, transport, tickets and guides once you approve the quote.
I hope to see you soon in Southwest France!
