Nouvelle Aquitaine is France's largest region, stretching from the Atlantic coast and Pyrenees mountains in the south to the Loire Valley in the north. It encompasses world-renowned wine regions like Bordeaux and Saint-Émilion, the surf capital of Biarritz, prehistoric wonders at Lascaux, and the dramatic Dune du Pilat. With diverse landscapes, rich gastronomy, and centuries of history, Nouvelle Aquitaine offers an unrivaled travel experience in southwestern France.
Best souvenirs
Authentic items worth bringing home.
Bordeaux Grand Cru
A bottle of Saint-Émilion, Pauillac, or Pessac-Léognan purchased directly from a château is the ultimate Nouvelle Aquitaine souvenir
Price: €8-500+
Where: Wine châteaux in Médoc, Saint-Émilion; wine shops in Bordeaux
Périgord Foie Gras Terrine
Vacuum-sealed terrine of duck foie gras from Dordogne producers—ideal for bringing home as a luxury food gift
Price: €15-40
Where: Périgueux and Sarlat markets; specialist food shops throughout Dordogne
Bayonne Ham
Sliced or whole Bayonne ham (Jambon de Bayonne AOP), the Basque country's celebrated cured ham
Price: €8-80
Where: Bayonne covered market; specialist charcuteries in Basque country
Canelés de Bordeaux
Bordeaux's signature rum and vanilla custard cakes in their distinctive fluted copper molds
Price: €1-2 each; €8-15/box
Where: Bordeaux pastry shops: Baillardran, Lemoine, and L'Atelier de la Canelée
Espelette Pepper
Dried and powdered Piment d'Espelette AOP, the Basque country's signature condiment with a gentle fruity heat
Price: €4-10
Where: Espelette village shops; Bayonne and Biarritz markets
Armagnac
Single-vintage Armagnac brandy from the Gers region—older and more characterful than Cognac, and often cheaper direct from the estate
Price: €20-100+
Where: Armagnac estates; fine wine shops in Bordeaux
Basque Linen
Traditional Basque woven linen with the seven-stripe pattern in red, green, and white—tablecloths, napkins, espadrilles, and tea towels
Price: €10-80
Where: Bayonne and Saint-Jean-de-Luz boutiques; Basque craft markets
Limoges Porcelain
Exquisite hand-painted porcelain from Limoges, the world capital of fine porcelain, made using local kaolin clay
Price: €20-200+
Where: Limoges factory shops and museum stores in the city center
Périgord Black Truffles
Fresh or preserved black Périgord truffles (Tuber melanosporum) in season from December to March
Price: €1,000-3,000/kg fresh; preserved varieties from €15
Where: Sorges, Périgueux, and Sarlat truffle markets in season
Macarons d'Amande, Saint-Émilion
The original French macaron—not the Parisian sandwich cookie but a simple almond biscuit from a recipe dating to 1620
Price: €5-15
Where: Nouts Pâtisserie in Saint-Émilion (the original since 1620)
Traditional markets
Where locals shop and travellers find treasures.
Marché des Capucins, Bordeaux
Bordeaux's most beloved covered market, packed with oysters, cheeses, charcuterie, Périgord produce, and fresh flowers—at its most vibrant on Sunday mornings
Where: Place des Capucins, 33800 Bordeaux
Hours: 6AM-1PM Tue-Sun
Marché du Samedi, Sarlat
The Dordogne's finest market spread across Sarlat's medieval streets—foie gras, truffles, duck confit, walnut products, and local cheeses in extraordinary profusion
Where: Place de la Liberté, 24200 Sarlat
Hours: 8AM-1PM Saturday
Marché Couvert de Bayonne
The Basque country's most atmospheric covered market under a 19th-century hall, with Bayonne ham, Espelette pepper, Basque cheeses, and fresh Atlantic fish
Where: Rue du Pilori, 64100 Bayonne
Hours: 7AM-1:30PM Tue-Sat (daily in summer)
Marché Biologique, Bordeaux
Bordeaux's best organic market along the Garonne quays in the Chartrons district, with biodynamic wines, artisan cheeses, and organic regional produce
Where: Quai des Chartrons, Bordeaux
Hours: 8AM-1PM Sunday
Marché de Périgueux
Périgueux's twice-weekly market is one of the finest in France for Périgord specialties, expanding to include truffles in a special winter market (November-March)
Where: Place du Coderc, 24000 Périgueux
Hours: 8AM-1PM Wednesday & Saturday
Marché de Saint-Jean-de-Luz
A vibrant Basque market on the town's main square with local fishermen, Basque cheese makers, and vegetable producers
Where: Place Louis XIV, Saint-Jean-de-Luz
Hours: 8AM-1PM Tue, Fri (year-round); daily in summer
Shopping districts
Neighbourhoods known for retail.
Rue Sainte-Catherine, Bordeaux
One of the longest pedestrian shopping streets in France (1.2km) with mainstream fashion brands, department stores, and the Galeries Lafayette
Best for: Fashion, mainstream brands, department stores
Chartrons Antiques Quarter, Bordeaux
The Rue Notre-Dame in the Chartrons district is lined with antique dealers, vintage wine merchants, and artisan boutiques
Best for: Antiques, vintage finds, artisan crafts
Rue du Pilori, Bayonne
Bayonne's main shopping street for Basque specialties—ham shops, chocolate makers, and Basque linen boutiques
Best for: Bayonne ham, Basque chocolate, regional specialties
Saint-Jean-de-Luz center
The pedestrianized center of Saint-Jean-de-Luz has excellent Basque artisan shops selling linen, ceramics, and local food
Best for: Basque linen, artisan pottery, espadrilles
Biarritz Center
Biarritz center mixes surf shops (Billabong, Quiksilver), boutique fashion, and luxury stores near the Grande Plage
Best for: Surfwear, boutique fashion, Basque crafts
Malls & modern shopping
Air-conditioned, international brands, and food courts.
Bordeaux Lac Shopping Center
Large out-of-town shopping complex north of Bordeaux with major French and international brands, hypermarket, and cinema
Hours: 10AM-8PM Mon-Sat
Mériadeck Shopping Center, Bordeaux
Central Bordeaux shopping center with Carrefour, fashion brands, and services, linked to the tram network
Hours: 9:30AM-7:30PM Mon-Sat
Bargaining tips
Negotiate like a local.
Bargaining is not customary in France, even at flea markets—prices are generally fixed
At antique fairs (brocantes) a polite request for 'a small reduction' (une petite réduction) is acceptable
Wine châteaux rarely negotiate on bottle prices but may include extras for larger orders
Market vendors sometimes offer a discount for buying in quantity—ask for 'le prix au kilo'
Customs & restrictions
What you can and can't take home.
Restrictions: Cannot export antiques over 50 years old without an export certificate; contact the Direction régionale des affaires culturelles (DRAC)
Tax Refund: VAT refund (détaxe) available for purchases over €100.01 from eligible stores; claim at the airport departure
Duty Free: Within EU: no duty-free allowances; leaving EU: 2L wine + 1L spirits + 200 cigarettes
Shipping: Most wine châteaux can arrange international shipping; La Poste offices in all towns for parcels