Breathtaking Villa With Large Outdoor TerracesN°001
Bordeaux Region, France
Private poolSki-in/ski-out
From $5,814 per night
Photo by Czapp ÁrpádNouvelle-Aquitaine is France's largest region, sweeping from Bordeaux vineyards to Atlantic surf beaches and the medieval Dordogne. Renting a luxury villa here pairs space, privacy and concierge care with easy reach of wine estates, Basque coast and prehistoric valleys, ideal for families and groups seeking varied days.
- World-class Bordeaux wine estates and the elegant Place de la Bourse
- Atlantic surf from Biarritz to Hossegor, plus the towering Dune du Pilat
- Medieval Dordogne villages, châteaux and prehistoric caves
- French-Basque coastal culture and gastronomy in the south
- Curated luxury villas with private pools and concierge service
Known forBordeaux wine, Atlantic surf beaches, the Dordogne valley and Basque coast culture
Best time to visitMay to September for beaches and vineyards; September harvest season is exceptional
Nearest airportBordeaux-Mérignac (BOD); Biarritz Pays Basque (BIQ) for the southern coast
Ideal forFamilies, wine lovers, surfers and multi-generational groups
Grand Countryside Estate With Heated PoolN°002
Dordogne / Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France
From $2,494 per night
Exquisite Historic Castle in French CountrysideN°003
Dordogne / Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France
Private pool
From $2,413 per night
Beachfront Four-Bedroom Villa with Sauna and PoolN°004
Bordeaux Region, France
Private pool
From $2,105 per night
Magnificent Contemporary Villa On The Sand DunesN°005
Bordeaux Region, France
Private poolSea view
From $2,058 per night
Chic Setting Of The South Coast Of The LandesN°006
Bordeaux Region, France
Private pool
From $1,704 per night
23homes available
4–20bedrooms
up to 44guests
15with a pool
Nouvelle-Aquitaine in pictures
Where to stay in Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Events not to miss in Nouvelle-Aquitaine
- June and September
Jurade de Saint-Émilion
The scarlet-robed wine brotherhood of Saint-Émilion processes through the medieval town for the Fête de Printemps in June and proclaims the harvest from the Tour du Roy in September. Essential viewing for Bordeaux wine lovers.
- July
Les Francofolies de La Rochelle
French chanson, pop and rock take over the Atlantic port of La Rochelle for five nights each summer. One of France's great music festivals in one of its prettiest harbours.
- Late July to early August
Fêtes de Bayonne
More than a million visitors in white and red fill Bayonne for five days of Basque bands, bull-running traditions and street feasting. The Basque Country's biggest party, a short drive from Biarritz villas.
- August
Caraïbos Lacanau Pro
Professional surfing returns to Lacanau's Atlantic beach break in a fixture dating back to 1979. A festival atmosphere spreads through the beach town all week.
Nouvelle-Aquitaine through the seasons
- Spring (March – May)
Vineyards waking and uncrowded coast
Bordeaux's châteaux welcome visitors as the vines leaf out, and the Île de Ré and Basque coast are mild and quiet. A lovely season for touring from a countryside villa with a pool.
- Summer (June – August)
Atlantic surf and pine-backed beaches
Europe's finest surf beaches run from Lacanau to Biarritz, with the Dune du Pilat and Arcachon oysters close by. Villas among the pines put beach, festivals and wine country within reach.
- Autumn (September – November)
Harvest in the world's wine capital
The vendanges sweep through Bordeaux, Saint-Émilion proclaims its harvest and the surf stays warm into October. The region's most rewarding season for gourmets.
- Winter (December – February)
Ocean storms, oysters and quiet cities
Dramatic Atlantic swells draw winter surfers to the Basque coast while Bordeaux's restaurants and museums are at their calmest. Oysters and white wine by a villa fireside is the local prescription.
The Area
Nouvelle-Aquitaine spans much of southwest France, an unusually varied region that rewards a longer stay. Bordeaux anchors the north as the wine capital, all honey-stone façades, the mirror-still Place de la Bourse and renowned estates within easy reach. East lies the Dordogne, a tapestry of clifftop villages, châteaux and prehistoric caves above slow-moving rivers. The Atlantic edge runs from the surf towns of Biarritz and Hossegor to the colossal Dune du Pilat, Europe's tallest sand dune. Further south, the Basque Country blends French and Spanish character, while the Pyrenees rise for serious walkers. A luxury villa makes a calm base from which to explore each of these distinct worlds at your own pace.
Where to Stay
Our curated collection of luxury villas in Nouvelle-Aquitaine spreads across the region's most rewarding corners. Around Bordeaux and its vineyards, elegant country properties put tastings and the city within a short drive. On the Basque coast, villas near Biarritz and Hossegor offer ocean views, private pools and quick access to the surf. In the Dordogne, restored stone houses sit among medieval villages and river valleys, perfect for families wanting space and seclusion. Each home is chosen for privacy, comfort and setting, and every booking comes with concierge support to arrange chefs, transfers, tastings and activities. Book direct with Smiling House for a seamless, personally managed stay.
Things to Do
Days here range from cellar visits to clifftop walks. Surfers chase the powerful Atlantic breaks at Hossegor, while paragliders launch off the Dune du Pilat for sweeping views over pine forest and bay. The Dordogne invites slow exploration by boat, drifting past medieval villages and floodlit châteaux, with prehistoric caves nearby. Bordeaux rewards a day of architecture, markets and wine bars, and the Basque Country tempts with its own culinary identity. Seasonal highlights include the Bordeaux Wine Festival, the Biarritz Surf Festival and the Festival de Sarlat, which celebrates theatre and film in a beautifully preserved town. Concierge can pre-book tastings, guides and tickets.
Dining and Nightlife
The region's table marries classic French gastronomy with coastal and Basque influence. In Bordeaux, the historic Le Chapon Fin carries Michelin pedigree, while Bar à Vin offers an accessible introduction to local wines in the city centre. On the coast, Mirené in Biarritz serves Basque-inspired seafood with ocean views, and the Dordogne specialises in foie gras and truffle. Evenings stay relaxed and characterful: Le Caveau in Biarritz is a cosy jazz bar with live music, while Rock Food in Hossegor draws surfers for beachside cocktails. Your villa concierge can secure tables, arrange a private chef at home or plan a vineyard lunch among the estates.
When to Visit
Late spring through early autumn is the sweet spot. May and June bring warm, quieter days ideal for vineyards, cycling and the Dordogne. July and August deliver full beach weather along the Atlantic, lively surf towns and long evenings, the busiest stretch and best booked early. September is arguably the finest month: harvest energises the wine country, the sea stays warm and crowds thin. Autumn suits gastronomy and walking, with golden valleys in the Dordogne. Winters are mild on the coast but quieter inland. For surf, the shoulder seasons often offer the most consistent swell.
Getting There
Nouvelle-Aquitaine is well connected for international travellers. Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport serves the north and wine country with frequent European links, while Biarritz Pays Basque Airport is the gateway to the southern coast and Basque Country. High-speed TGV trains reach Bordeaux from Paris in around two hours, making rail an easy and scenic option. Once here, a car is the most practical way to move between vineyards, coast and the Dordogne, given the region's scale. Concierge can arrange private transfers, chauffeured days and car hire so you arrive at your villa without logistics. Distances reward planning a base or two across a longer trip.