Large Holiday Houses in Nouvelle-Aquitaine

Nouvelle-Aquitaine stretches across the southwest of France and includes everything from Atlantic beaches and surf towns to vineyard-covered countryside and the peaks of the Pyrenees. It’s the largest region in France, and one of the most varied, with coastal cities like Biarritz and La Rochelle, wine capitals like Bordeaux, and medieval gems like Sarlat in the Dordogne. The Atlantic coast is a major draw, offering sandy beaches, wide skies, and spots like Hossegor and Lacanau that are well known among surfers. Inland, rivers like the Dordogne and Vézère run past prehistoric caves and hilltop castles.

Nouvelle-Aquitaine is a practical and popular choice for multi-generational family groups, big groups of couples, and friends travelling together. The space, privacy, and outdoor options make it appealing for retreats and reunions. Groups that include kids can take advantage of the long beaches and forest trails, while groups of adults might plan around vineyard tours, food markets, or a few days in spa towns like Dax or Eugénie-les-Bains. Properties with several bedrooms and outdoor dining areas are common in the countryside, and many villas and estates are designed specifically for larger gatherings.

There’s real variety in what this region offers. In the Dordogne and Lot-et-Garonne, châteaux sit above green valleys and rivers where you can kayak past troglodyte villages and stop for lunch at riverside markets. On the coast, places like Arcachon Bay are built for long summer days, with oyster huts, pine forests, and dune-backed beaches. In the Basque Country, colourful towns like Saint-Jean-de-Luz have both seaside promenades and strong cultural traditions like Basque pelota and fetes de village. If your group is interested in wine, Bordeaux is the centre of a region that includes Margaux, Saint-Émilion, and Médoc, and many vineyards host tastings and private tours. There’s plenty of walking and cycling infrastructure across the region too, especially along the Canal de Garonne and in national parks like the Parc Régional des Landes.