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Once again, coming back at you with another off the beaten path gem of my belle France. These are again road warrior passing of me in my loving south , always with great architecture and history to boot. More older paper pictures found in my vault and of course,they need to be in my blog. Therefore, here is my take on the curiosities of the Nouvelle Aquitaine region, part I  !!! Hope you enjoy the post as I.

The town of Pauillac is located in the department of Gironde, 33 in the region of Nouvelle-Aquitaine. It is 50 km from Bordeaux , It belongs to the Médoc peninsula, renowned for its prestigious vineyards. The port Pauillac-La Fayette by Quai Albert Pichon in the city center of Pauillac, The port marina was built in 1977 to accommodate Médoc boats, but also those of yachtsmen in transit from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean via the canal du Midi. In 1777, fleeing the troops of the king, it was from Pauillac that La Fayette left France to reach the Americas. There, his role will be decisive in the victory of the War of Independence of the United States. A monument commemorates this departure on the port/ marina of Pauillac.

The City of Pauillac on its marina and harbor : https://www.pauillac-medoc.com/fr/pauillac-tourisme/estuaire/port-de-pauillac/

Arcachon is located in the department of Gironde, 33 in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region. It was created in 1857 by detachment of part of the town of La Teste-de-Buch. The Casino of Arcachon is at 164 bd de la Plage in the former sumptuous Château Deganne since 1903, in the heart of the city center , It vibrates 7 days a week in the popular seaside resort of stars and other personalities. Of course, traditional games (Black-Jack, English Roulette, Boule 2000) and slot machines are a delight for regulars. Tourists also enjoy outdoor concerts and shows in the summer. In addition, the Casino d’Arcachon has a restaurant open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner. You will also discover the works of local artists there as part of the monthly exhibitions and enjoy the live concerts on Saturday evenings. A nice alternative to the routine.

The official casino d’Arcachon: https://www.partouche.com/casinos/arcachon

The town of Capbreton is located in the Landes department, 40 in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, In the 15-16C, the port of Capbreton saw the flourishing trade of “sand wines”, from the vines planted on the dunes, which left for Spain, Portugal and the Netherlands. Today, the some 19 boats in the port of Capbreton have maintained an artisanal fishing activity, mainly with nets. What is less traditional, on the other hand, is that the fishermen sell their catch of the day at the quay, without going through the auction. Indeed, a decree signed by the hand of Colbert grants them this customary right since the 17C. To see this more closely, you have to go to the Capbreton fish market. During the season, an electric-powered boat offers to cross the harbor basin to connect Capbreton to Hossegor, this is the e-Boucarot, Lovely indeed !

The local Atlantic Coast Landes tourist office on the port of Capbreton: https://www.atlanticcoast-landes.com/destination/holiday-destinations-landes/capbreton/

The town of La Réunion is located in the Lot-et-Garonne department, 47 in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region. 3 km from Casteljaloux and 40 km from Agen, The Château du Sendat is located in the commune of La Réunion, . There is a fortified house from the end of the 11C. The castle was built in the 13C, but it was largely rebuilt in the 17C and transformed between 1851 and 1867. The castle belonged to three great families: the Montlezuns, the Montesquiou and then the Morins. The property combines a fortified castle on the north and south fronts with circular towers and borders an inner courtyard open to the east and closed to the west by a 17C building. This wing is confined by two pavilions with a central avant-corps on the courtyard side. A two-story gallery borders the north front. The neo-Gothic style of the 19C is very present. Part of the west and east fronts have been preserved from the medieval castle, I read the castle was sold at the end of 2021 to a Russian lawyer , and it is a private property, cannot be visited.

The Community of towns of the Landes Gascogne on La Réunion: https://cc-coteaux-landes-gascogne.fr/villes/la-reunion/

The Château de Duras is located in Duras, in the department of Lot-et-Garonne 47 and the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region. The origin of the occupation of the site is at the church of Saint-Ayrard, now disappeared which was located 1,200 meters from the castle. The first Duras castle dates from the 12C, built on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Dropt valley. It became the property of Gaillard de Got, brother of Bertrand de Got, Pope Clement V, probably as a gift from King Edward I of England. who wished to have the pope’s family among his followers. The Durfort family kept the castle until the French revolution. After the Duke of Duras emigrated to Germany, Duras Castle was declared national property. Its doors were forced opened and the castle was looted. The property was sold in November 1793, except for the castle, which remained state property until 1807. It was put up for sale on June 20, 1807, and was bought on June 27 by the last Duke of Duras who had returned to France. The castle then passes between several owners. The castle is deteriorating, and in 1969, was bought by the town of Duras, which had it classified and undertook its restoration. The roof of the wing was restored in 1975. The basements were restored in the years 1980-1990.

The official Château de Duras : https://chateau-de-duras.com/en/

The town of Biarritz is located in the department 64 of Pyrénées-Atlantiques in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, Successively called Plage des Fous, then Plage de l’Impératrice, the Grande Plage is the central beach of Biarritz. Located along a promenade with terraces and cafes, it stretches over 450 meters of fine sand. Access to this beach is easy from the Quai de la Grande Plage. To park, there is a charge for parking at the Vinci Grande Plage (our spot) or the casino car park , This beach is supervised from the beginning of May to the end of October. There are also beach clubs for children and surf schools. Very nice indeed.

The Biarritz tourist office on the Grande Plage/beach :https://tourisme.biarritz.fr/en/beaches/grande-plage

There you go folks, again, another gem and an off the beaten path sites of my belle France ! This is in wonderful 3 departements (provinces/states) of the south which we love to go so much and so many old pictures that I am glad putting in my blog, Great architecture and history as always, Again, hope you enjoy the post on the Curiosities of the Nouvelle Aquitaine region, part I !!! as I

And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!