Natural wonders in New Aquitaine

This collection highlights the diverse geography of southwestern France, spanning from the Atlantic coast to the high Pyrenees. It features the Dune of Pilat, Europe's tallest sand dune, and the historic La Coubre Lighthouse. The selection includes significant mountain passes such as the Col d'Aubisque and Somport, alongside glacial lakes like Lac Gentau and Lac Bersau. Inland, the list covers cultural landscapes including the 19th-century Haras National in Saintes and the botanical heritage of the Cognac Public Garden.

Natural Wonders — Map

France64160 / CC0

A

Col du Soulor

Col du Soulor is a mountain pass in the Pyrenees in France, linking Argelès-Gazost with Arthez-d'Asson.

Serge Ottaviani / CC BY-SA 3.0

B

Col d'Aubisque

The Col d'Aubisque is a mountain pass in the Pyrenees 30 km south of Tarbes and Pau in the department of the Pyrénées-Atlantiques, in the…

Kaprixo / CC BY-SA 3.0

C

Lac Bersau

Lac Bersau is a lake in the Pyrénées, department Pyrénées-Atlantiques, France. At an elevation of 2083 m, its surface area is 0.125 km².

MathieuMD / CC BY-SA 4.0

D

Dune of Pilat

The Dune of Pilat, also called Grande Dune du Pilat, is the tallest sand dune in Europe.

Patrick.charpiat / CC BY 3.0

E

Lac de Bious-Artigues

Lac de Bious-Artigues is a lake in Pyrénées-Atlantiques, Pyrénées, France. At an elevation of 1416 m, its surface area is 0.326 km².

zhang / CC-BY-SA

F

Cognac Public Garden

Cognac Public Garden is located in of the heart of the town of Cognac in the departement of Charente, France.

Clementp.fr / CC BY-SA 4.0

G

Lac Gentau

Lac Gentau is a lake in Pyrénées-Atlantiques, Pyrénées, France. At an elevation of 1947 m, its surface area is 0.093 km².

Dimimis / CC BY-SA 3.0

H

La Coubre Lighthouse

The La Coubre Lighthouse is a historic lighthouse that is still in service in La Tremblade, in Charente-Maritime, in France.

France64160 / Public domain

I

Lacs d'Arrémoulit

The Lacs d'Arrémoulit is a group of lakes in Pyrénées-Atlantiques, France. At an elevation of 2,265 m, their surface area is 0.11 km2.

M.Strīķis / CC BY-SA 3.0

J

Haras National

A former national stud farm established in 1846 in Saintes. The site features 19th-century stables and structures originally built to house breeding stallions for the French cavalry and agricultural use.

Alvig17 / CC BY-SA 4.0

K

Lac d'Anglas

A mountain lake situated at an elevation of 2,068 meters in the Pyrenees near Eaux-Bonnes. The area is characterized by its proximity to the remains of old iron mines and is accessible via high-altitude hiking trails.

Jean Michel Etchecolonea / CC BY-SA 3.0

L

Somport

Somport or Col du Somport, known also as the Aspe Pass or Canfranc Pass, is a mountain pass in the central Pyrenees on the border of France…

Myrabella / CC BY-SA 3.0

M

Etsaut

Etsaut is a commune in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in south-western France.

Jcb-caz-11 / CC BY-SA 4.0

N

Col du Pourtalet

The Col du Pourtalet, El Portalet or Portalet d'Aneu is a mountain pass and border crossing in the Pyrenees, between France and Spain.

Xabier Eskisabel / CC BY-SA 3.0

O

Hiru Erregeen Taula / Table des Trois Rois

The highest peak in Navarre and the Béarn region, reaching 2,444 meters. Historically, its summit served as a meeting point for the kings of Navarre, Aragon, and Béarn to confer without leaving their respective kingdoms.

Gilles Guillamot / CC BY-SA 3.0

P

Col de Burdincurutcheta

A mountain pass in the western Pyrenees at an elevation of 1,135 meters. It links the Esterenzuby valley with the Iraty plateau and is known for the steep gradients of its western approach.

Serge Ottaviani / CC BY-SA 3.0

Q

Pic de Ger

The Pic de Ger is a French Pyrenean summit, culminating at 2,613 m, located in the Ossau Valley in the Béarn province.

Other Lists

Nouvelle-Aquitaine Highlights Editor's Choice: Cognac Historic Heritage of Nouvelle-Aquitaine Historic Churches & Cathedrals Castles & Manor Houses Archaeological Sites & Ruins Regional Markets & Cuisine UNESCO Sites & Museums Top Campsites & Caravan Parks