Les Roulottes Vesta

Start your exploration of this pretty corner of Aquitaine with a wander around the forested shores of Lac Bleu (five minutes’ drive), where there’s a small sandy beach for soaking up the sun and a bar for alfresco drinks. And talking of drinks, many of the local Pessac-Léognan (also five minutes) and Bordeaux (20 minutes) wineries are open for tours and tastings. Pay homage to wine at La Cité du Vin in gorgeous and cultured Bordeaux (half an hour) itself, which also offers up the Gothic splendour of Cathédrale St-André, and the unique Miroir d’Eau water fountain outside the landmark Palais de la Bourse. If a day on the coast beckons, head for Arcachon Bay (45 minutes), renowned for its extensive system of dunes – in particular the ever-shifting Grande Dune du Pilat – to have a dip in the sea and then make a beeline for one of the local oyster farms to sample their produce. You can also eat seafood in gourmet restaurants overlooking the water, take a yacht cruise around the bay and cycle boardwalks backing the beaches.