📍 France

AQUITAINE GRAND LOOP: VILLAGES, VINES AND MEDIEVAL STONE

Basque peaks facing Atlantic spray, wine valleys rolling endlessly, medieval villages clinging to cliffs, underground cathedrals with ancient formations. Aquitaine, majestic.

≈ 27
Days
2060
Km
23
Stops
📖 13 min read 🔄 Last updated: 2026-01-17

Journey through Basque Country and the Southwest between mountains, bastides and vineyards. Discover Sare and Ainhoa, explore Biarritz and Saint-Émilion, visit Monflanquin, Castelnaud and Beynac, wander through Sarlat and Brantôme, then reach Aubeterre, Talmont-sur-Gironde and La Flotte.

Your day-by-day itinerary

1
Day

Sare

basque peaks guard spirit

Sare - Photo 1Sare - Photo 2
2 photos
Day 1
🔍

Discover

1
Labourdine houses and square; departure Petit Train de la Rhune (depending on season).
🎯

Activities

→
Ascent to La Rhune (train or hike) — sea-mountain panorama.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 32 km
Travel time: 38min
2
Day

Ainhoa Alt Route

hidden passes climb slow

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6 photos
Day 2
🔍

Discover

1
OPTION if Basque loop extended: second local evening (axoa, cider).
🎯

Activities

→
Discovery of producers (Espelette pepper nearby).
3
Day

Ainhoa

traditions cluster timeless grace

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8 photos
Day 3
🔍

Discover

1
Basque bastide street, church and pelota court; houses with red timber framing.
🎯

Activities

→
Small path to the chapel of l'Aubépine (view).
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 8 km
Travel time: 9min
4
Day

Biarritz

surfers own ocean waves

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5 photos
Day 4
🔍

Discover

1
Rocher de la Vierge, Grande Plage and Saint-Martin lighthouse.
🎯

Activities

→
Coastal walk (Atalaye ↔ Côte des Basques).
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 25 km
Travel time: 30min
5
Day

La Bastide Clairence

white villages glow pure

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7 photos
Day 5
🔍

Discover

1
Checkerboard bastide, arcades and craftsmen's workshops.
🎯

Activities

→
Tour of half-timbered houses (classified facades).
🚗
Next stop
⏱️ Long drive (5h+)
Distance: 334 km
Travel time: 6h41
6
Day

Saint Emilion

wine terraces cascade gold

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6 photos
Day 6
🔍

Discover

1
Medieval city and monolithic church bell tower (UNESCO).
2
Porte Brunet and panorama over the vineyards.
🎯

Activities

→
Guided tasting in a Saint-Émilion wine cellar.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 107 km
Travel time: 2h09
7
Day

Pujols

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8 photos
Day 7
🔍

Discover

1
Hilltop village, fortified gates and views over the Lot valley.
🎯

Activities

→
Walk from the belvedere to the narrow streets (round trip).
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 138 km
Travel time: 2h46
8
Day

Monflanquin

square fortresses hold proud

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7 photos
Day 8
🔍

Discover

1
Bastide on a spur, arcaded square and checkerboard streets.
🎯

Activities

→
Museum of Bastides or free tour of the ramparts (depending on opening).
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 21 km
Travel time: 25min
9
Day

Castelnaud La Chapelle

fortress commands gorge majesty

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6 photos
Day 9
🔍

Discover

1
Château de Castelnaud and museum of medieval warfare.
🎯

Activities

→
Right bank path to panorama over the valley of châteaux.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 4 km
Travel time: 5min
10
Day

La Roque Gageac

cliffs grip impossible heights

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6 photos
Day 10
🔍

Discover

1
Houses backed against the cliff and exotic gardens.
🎯

Activities

→
Cruise or kayak on the Dordogne at the foot of the village.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 30 km
Travel time: 36min
11
Day

Beynac Et Cazenac

castle crowns opposite bank

Beynac Et Cazenac - Photo 1Beynac Et Cazenac - Photo 2Beynac Et Cazenac - Photo 3Beynac Et Cazenac - Photo 4Beynac Et Cazenac - Photo 5Beynac Et Cazenac - Photo 6
6 photos
Day 11
🔍

Discover

1
Terraced village and castle perched on the Dordogne.
🎯

Activities

→
Gabarre boat ride on the Dordogne (from Beynac).
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 5 km
Travel time: 7min
12
Day

Curemonte

triple towers spiral stone

Curemonte - Photo 1Curemonte - Photo 2Curemonte - Photo 3Curemonte - Photo 4Curemonte - Photo 5Curemonte - Photo 6Curemonte - Photo 7Curemonte - Photo 8
8 photos
Day 12
🔍

Discover

1
Three castles, church square and rows of limestone houses.
🎯

Activities

→
Ridge path (short round trip) to viewpoints over the Xaintrie.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 124 km
Travel time: 2h29
13
Day

Collonges La Rouge

crimson stone glows ancient

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6 photos
Day 13
🔍

Discover

1
City of red sandstone, towers and noble lodgings.
🎯

Activities

→
Walking loop at sunset (red stones).
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 9 km
Travel time: 10min
14
Day

Sarlat La Caneda

market square breathes grandeur

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6 photos
Day 14
🔍

Discover

1
Medieval city, Saint-Sacerdos cathedral and stone slab alleyways.
🎯

Activities

→
Gourmet market (truffle, foie gras) depending on day.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 10 km
Travel time: 12min
15
Day

Saint Amand De Coly

abbey silence holds prayer

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4 photos
Day 15
🔍

Discover

1
Fortified abbey and hamlet in golden stone.
🎯

Activities

→
Village walkway and short viewpoints.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 41 km
Travel time: 49min
16
Day

Saint Leon Sur Vezere

riverside calm flows gentle

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6 photos
Day 16
🔍

Discover

1
Town in a loop of the Vézère; Romanesque church by the water.
🎯

Activities

→
Canoe break on the Vézère (easy section).
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 13 km
Travel time: 15min
17
Day

Limeuil

clifftop confluence meets waters

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7 photos
Day 17
🔍

Discover

1
Village at the Dordogne–Vézère confluence; belvederes of the panoramic gardens.
🎯

Activities

→
Swimming or relaxation at the gravel pits (depending on season).
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 80 km
Travel time: 1h36
18
Day

Saint Jean De Cole

timber frames embrace old

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5 photos
Day 18
🔍

Discover

1
Square, market hall and Romanesque church; château de la Marthonie (exterior).
🎯

Activities

→
Heritage loop through the alleys and the old bridge.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 87 km
Travel time: 1h45
19
Day

Brantome

river island poetry floats

Brantome - Photo 1Brantome - Photo 2Brantome - Photo 3Brantome - Photo 4Brantome - Photo 5Brantome - Photo 6
6 photos
Day 19
🔍

Discover

1
Benedictine abbey on the island and Romanesque bell tower.
2
Pont Coudé and quays on the Dronne.
🎯

Activities

→
Peaceful canoe trip on the Dronne around the old town.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 19 km
Travel time: 23min
20
Day

Verteillac

dragon legends haunt stones

Verteillac - Photo 1Verteillac - Photo 2Verteillac - Photo 3Verteillac - Photo 4
4 photos
Day 20
🔍

Discover

1
Village of the Green Périgord, market hall and artisan shops.
🎯

Activities

→
Countryside loop around hills and bocage hedgerows.
🚗
Next stop
⏱️ Long drive (5h+)
Distance: 357 km
Travel time: 7h08
21
Day

Aubeterre Sur Dronne

cave cathedrals shimmer deep

Aubeterre Sur Dronne - Photo 1Aubeterre Sur Dronne - Photo 2Aubeterre Sur Dronne - Photo 3Aubeterre Sur Dronne - Photo 4Aubeterre Sur Dronne - Photo 5
5 photos
Day 21
🔍

Discover

1
Saint-Jean monolithic church and white alleyways.
🎯

Activities

→
River beach on the Dronne; swimming break (summer).
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 113 km
Travel time: 2h16
22
Day

Talmont Sur Gironde

estuary heights crown land

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6 photos
Day 22
🔍

Discover

1
Maritime bastide, Sainte-Radegonde church and estuary cliffs.
🎯

Activities

→
Coastal path to the carrelets (depending on tides).
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 111 km
Travel time: 2h13
23
Day

La Flotte Ile De Re

island circle offers peace

La Flotte Ile De Re - Photo 1La Flotte Ile De Re - Photo 2La Flotte Ile De Re - Photo 3La Flotte Ile De Re - Photo 4La Flotte Ile De Re - Photo 5La Flotte Ile De Re - Photo 6
6 photos
Day 23
🔍

Discover

1
Port of La Flotte, flower-lined streets and medieval market.
🎯

Activities

→
Bike loop along the salt marshes (easy section).
🚗
Next stop
⏱️ Long drive (5h+)
Distance: 392 km
Travel time: 7h50

🗺️ Itinerary map

🗺️ Nearby itineraries

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BASTIDES AND AGEN PRUNES

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MEDIEVAL QUERCY AND LOT VALLEY

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🛡️ Travel advice - France

Check official recommendations

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❓ Frequently asked questions

What weather should you expect?

Spring (April-June): Perfect weather, blooming countryside, ideal for all regions, moderate crowds, excellent value, romantic atmosphere.

Summer (July-August): Warmest weather, peak tourist season, highest prices, crowded attractions, perfect for Mediterranean coast, festival season.

Fall (September-October): Harvest season, comfortable temperatures, fewer crowds, wine regions spectacular, excellent photography, good value.

Winter (November-March): Christmas markets, ski season Alps, fewer crowds, lowest prices, cozy indoor attractions, cultural experiences.

How many days should I plan?

We believe you will enjoy this itinerary best by dedicating between 22 and 32 days. The next step will allow you to adjust the duration of your stay.

What to discover in France?

Cultural capital with incredible cuisine, world-famous attractions, and diverse regions from Paris to Provence. Experience artistic heritage, wine culture, and sophisticated lifestyle. The country offers excellent infrastructure with cultural depth and culinary excellence. France provides complete cultural experiences with historical significance and modern sophistication in easily accessible destination.