Nouvelle-Aquitaine is well-served by TGV. Paris-Bordeaux in 2h04 (LGV Atlantique TGV from Montparnasse), Paris-Biarritz in 4h direct, Paris-La Rochelle in 2h30, Paris-Limoges in 3h. Once on site, the TER network links Bordeaux to Biarritz in 1h50, Saint-Émilion in 35 min, Arcachon in 50 min, La Rochelle in 2h05.
A car is essential for the Bordeaux vineyard (châteaux are scattered), the Basque hinterland (green villages), the Périgord (preserved châteaux and villages). Rental from €30-50/day. Motorways are tolled (A10 Paris-Bordeaux: €70 one way). The secondary network is dense and well maintained.
Airports: Bordeaux-Mérignac (BOD, France's 4th provincial airport), Biarritz-Anglet-Bayonne (BIQ, European flights), La Rochelle-Île de Ré (LRH, low-cost flights), Limoges-Bellegarde (LIG, seasonal flights). No domestic flights from Lyon, Marseille, Nantes — TGV recommended.
In Bordeaux, the tramway (4 A/B/C/D lines, 80 km, one of France's longest networks) and bus (TBM network) suffice. No metro but a VCub bike-share network.
Cycling is highly developed: Vélodyssée (EuroVelo 1, runs along all the Atlantic coast from Roscoff to Hendaye, 1,200 km), Canal des Deux Mers à Vélo (Bordeaux-Sète via the Garonne Canal and Canal du Midi, 750 km), Scandibérique (EuroVelo 3, Paris-Santiago de Compostela via Bordeaux). Easy rental in all cities.
Along the Landes coast (100 km of beaches), an exceptional cycle route crosses the Landes forest parallel to the ocean — one of France's most beautiful cycle-touring experiences.
Read also
- Bordeaux, world capital of wine — UNESCO Port of the Moon, Cité du Vin, water mirror and direct access to vineyards.
- Biarritz, pearl of the Basque Coast — Imperial resort, surfing, Basque gastronomy and Belle Époque villas.
- France — Complete country guide: entry rules, regions, budget, gastronomy.
- Occitanie — UNESCO Carcassonne, Toulouse and Pyrenees just to the east.