Museums and UNESCO sites in New Aquitaine

This collection showcases the diverse heritage of Nouvelle-Aquitaine, spanning from the Upper Paleolithic cave paintings of Lascaux and Rouffignac to the Romanesque and Gothic architecture of UNESCO-listed cathedrals in Périgueux and Agen. It includes significant landmarks on the Way of Saint James, such as the Abbey of Saint-Savin and the medieval pilgrim hospital in Pons. The list also highlights the region’s industrial history through the cognac houses of Cognac and the tragic modern history preserved at the Oradour-sur-Glane memorial.

UNESCO Sites & Museums — Map

A

Lascaux Caves

Monumental prehistoric art site containing Upper Paleolithic paintings and engravings primarily of animals. This UNESCO World Heritage site features ancient artistic expressions dating back 17,000 to 22,000 years.

B

Périgueux Cathedral

Périgueux Cathedral is a Catholic church located in the city of Périgueux, France. A cathedral since 1669, it is dedicated to Saint Front.

Flo641 / CC BY-SA 3.0

C

Château de Pau

The Château de Pau is a castle in the centre of the city of Pau, the capital of Pyrénées-Atlantiques and Béarn.

D

La citadelle el l’enceinte de Saint-Martin-de-Ré

A 17th-century star-shaped fortification designed by Vauban to protect the Île de Ré and the port of La Rochelle. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a prominent example of classic French military architecture.

AlMare / CC BY-SA 3.0

E

Otard Distillery

Otard, is a French cognac house founded in 1795 by Jean-Baptiste Antoine Otard.

BrokenSphere / CC BY 3.0

F

Rémy Martin

Historic cognac house founded in 1724. The estate features aging cellars and offers technical insights into the production of Cognac Fine Champagne, sourced exclusively from the Grande Champagne and Petite Champagne crus.

G

Abbey Church of Saint-Savin sur Gartempe

The Abbey Church of Saint-Savin-sur-Gartempe is a Roman Catholic church located in Saint-Savin-sur-Gartempe, in Poitou, France.

Philippe Lauzun d'après un plan du… / Public domain

H

Agen Cathedral

Agen Cathedral is a Roman Catholic cathedral located in Agen, Lot-et-Garonne, Aquitaine, France. It is dedicated to Saint Caprasius.

David Lally / CC BY-SA 4.0

I

Porte St Jacques

A medieval stone gate in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, serving as a historic entry point for pilgrims traveling the Way of Saint James toward Santiago de Compostela. It is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Cobber17 / CC BY 3.0

J

Hôpital des pèlerins

A 12th-century hospital in Pons built to house and treat pilgrims on the Way of Saint James. It is one of the few remaining examples of medieval pilgrim architecture and a UNESCO World Heritage site.

K

Rouffignac Cave

The Rouffignac cave, in the French commune of Rouffignac-Saint-Cernin-de-Reilhac in the Dordogne département, contains over 250 engravings…

Havang(nl) / CC0

L

Bazas Cathedral

Bazas Cathedral is a Roman Catholic church located in Bazas, Gironde, France. The cathedral is a national monument.

M

Church of Saint-Hilaire le Grand

The Église Saint-Hilaire-le-Grand is a church in Poitiers, France. It was named after Hilary of Poitiers.

CaptainHaddock / CC-BY-SA-3.0

N

Aquarium La Rochelle

Aquarium de La Rochelle is a family-owned public aquarium in La Rochelle, France.

O

René Descartes

René Descartes: 58 was a French philosopher, scientist, and mathematician, widely considered a seminal figure in the emergence of modern…

Daniel Villafruela / CC BY-SA 3.0

P

Abbaye Saint-Jean de Sorde

Benedictine abbey founded before the 10th century along the Gave d’Oloron. The site features significant Roman mosaics and historic monastic buildings, forming part of the UNESCO-listed routes to Santiago de Compostela.

Rprin / CC BY-SA 3.0

Q

Church of Saint-Pierre d'Aulnay

The Church of Saint-Pierre d'Aulnay is an important Medieval church on the way to Saint-Jacques de Compostelle, in Aulnay, Charente…

Gilles Messian / CC BY 2.0

R

Basilique Notre-Dame de la Fin-des-Terres

12th-century Romanesque basilica in Soulac-sur-Mer. Historically a stop on the coastal pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela, the church was famously recovered after being buried by shifting sand dunes for centuries.

zhang / CC-BY-SA

S

Musée des arts du cognac (MACO)

Located in the historic Perrin de Boussac mansion, this museum explores the history, viticulture, and industrial techniques behind cognac production, from distillation and cooperage to glassmaking and marketing.

T

The Memorial Center of Oradour

The Centre de la mémoire d'Oradour has made it its mission to commemorate the Oradour-sur-Glane massacre by the 2nd armoured division of…

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 Natural Wonders Top Campsites & Caravan Parks