The Berkeley Guides:
Berkeley Guide to Europe:
France:
The Southwest
After you spend some time in this region that borders Spain and reaches up the Atlantic coast toward Brittany, the term "the south of France" takes on new meaning. This western half of France's south is less expensive and less pretentious than the Riviera and has a lot to offer the adventurous traveler in the way of natural beauty and historic sites. The region is a mix of coastal playgrounds, dry, vine-covered terrain, rolling hills in the Dordogne and Lot River valleys, and precipitous mountain slopes in the Pyrénées. Although Bordeaux bustles like the big city it is, once you head into the quiet country villages or climb into the mountains, you'll find yourself switching into a relaxed Mediterranean mode.
Despite all this, the region lacks any real blockbuster sights. Unless you're continuing on to Spain, it may not be worth the effort to get here. Then again, if you want to get away from the Disneyland crowd, this is the place to be. The southwest is about as off the beaten track as France gets.
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