Nouvelle-Aquitaine : d’Arçais à Saint-Émilion, marais & grands crus – Les villages de nos régions-MG

Nouvelle-Aquitaine : d’Arçais à Saint-Émilion, marais & grands crus – Les villages de nos régions-MG

Discovering France
means wandering its cobbled streets, climbing to the top of its most beautiful towers,
tasting its specialties, climbing its trails or sailing on its rivers. It also means meeting its inhabitants,
those who, every day, maintain and strive
to bring our heritage to life. Discovering our country
means immersing yourself in the villages of our regions. Let’s stop in New Aquitaine. It is the largest region in France. Result of the merger of the former
regions: Aquitaine, Limousin and Poitou-Charentes. Its prefecture is Bordeaux. A vast region therefore,
with strong identities and firmly anchored traditions,
as you will see in the Landes or in the Marais Poitevin. Contrasting and varied landscapes,
from the seaside of Charente-Maritime to the mountainous terrain
of the Pyrénées-Atlantiques. For this trip to the great Southwest
of France, we will begin our journey in the north,
discovering the village of Arcey. Then, we will offer you an
unusual visit at the foot of the Rochefort transporter bridge ,
before reaching Talmont-sur-Gironde, a village perched above the water. We will then take a detour
to the flamboyant Colongela-Rouge, before going to the star of stars,
Saint-Émilion, of course. And finally, in the far southwest
of the country, we will take you to Labastide d’Armagnac, an authentic
Landes fortified town. And in Espelette, a village
that is not lacking in spice. Come on, it’s time to take the plunge. To begin this walk
in New Aquitaine, let’s explore the surroundings of the Marais Poitevin. There, we recommend a pretty village
lined with canals called Arçais, 40 km from La Rochelle,
in the Deux-Sèvres department. And you will quickly understand why it is
also called the Green Venice. In fact, if you walk
through the streets, you won’t come across many people, because in Arçais,
everything happens on the water. Demonstration with Jean, a
happy retiree from the village, and like everyone here,
owner of several boats. These three little ones, which are twelve
feet, were mainly used to go to the garden, to go and
sort the beans. The 22-foot boats, on the other hand,
were used to transport much larger loads such as
cows, tractors or horses. Today, they are mainly
used for moving around the marsh. Alone or accompanied by a guide,
as soon as you arrive in Arçais, take possession of one of these famous
boats, the best way to discover this astonishing village.
Good morning. For apprentices, it’s not bad. That takes a young person. We weren’t born on the boat,
but almost. 300 years ago, Arsène was still just an uninhabitable expanse of swamp. The creation of Les Conches allowed
the river, the Sèvre, to meander through the village,
giving residents direct access to water. Formerly inhabited by the village’s farmers, these houses in the Marais have a very particular architecture. We are facing what was once
the agricultural activities of the farm. The boat where we arrived with the jugs
of milk, with the hay, with… Whose is it?
Including with livestock. We have the accommodation which is on the street side,
but here, we are facing the gutter, the millrace, dawn path. And the whole outbuilding is three
times larger than the dwelling itself, the dwelling which is on the street side. A sober architecture which bears witness to
the rural past of this small town of barely 600 inhabitants. Among them, many are those who,
today, live happily, enjoying the fish-filled waters
of the Niortaise river. So, Christian, where did you go? Eel fishing. Eel fishing?
Yes. We’ll look into that then.
Yeah. Look at that peach. There are two beautiful ones in there. Are they already beautiful?
Yes. They come in that way,
then they can’t get out. There is a bottleneck.
Yes. Tons that were fished in the past. Oh yes, that was the specialty of the swamp. The eel, which is becoming rare in the marshes,
has become a protected species and its fishing is regulated. A rare product, then, but delicious,
especially when served as a fricassee at the local guinguette. This is an eel fricassee.
THANKS. Enjoy your food.
THANKS. When you come to Arcey, you
absolutely have to eat eels. It is the Arceziens’ favorite dish. Once you’ve had your fill, continue your stroll
along the water’s edge along the 40 kilometers of canals that border the village. Guaranteed re-realization. After sailing on water, we
now invite you to walk on water. Yes, yes, you heard correctly. Halfway to the next
village, less than an hour’s drive south of Arcey,
stop at the foot of the Rochefort transporter bridge for an unusual visit. An iron lady over 100
years old, 175 meters long and 65 meters high. Some people think
they can go up there. And then afterwards, they are surprised to see
that it is this small platform that will cross them above the water. This is the very principle of the ferry. A bridge from which a gondola is suspended
that will transport you from one side of the river to the other. An unusual way
to visit a monument. On the water,
on the river, on the seashore, on We could see it, the bridge, from afar. We asked ourselves the question
without really knowing what it was. I thought we were supposed to climb up there. Lost. However, the reason this bridge is so high
is because in the last century, sailing ships had
gigantic masts, hence this very elaborate metal structure. There are only eight
like this one left in the whole world. A setting that inspired director
Jacques Domi when he filmed this young lady from Rochefort in the town. It was on this gondola, converted
for the occasion into a dance stage, that he shot the first
scene of his legendary film. Jacques Demi had the idea
of ​​repainting this ferry in pink. Unfortunately,
the film’s finances did not allow for repainting the ferry in pink,
and especially afterward, returning it to its original color. It still takes nine
tons of paint. It would take something like
months to completely retake it. But you will see, in its natural state,
this monument already looks great. From above, there is another site
nearby that is worth a look. Not far from Rochefort, here is
a city perched above the ocean. Its name: Talmont-sur-Gironde. A small citadel overlooking
the Gironde estuary. We are 80 km from La Rochelle,
in Poitou-Charentes. This medieval village with white facades
is known as a stopping place on the Way of St. James. A promontory that was built in the 13th
century by Edward I of England. When you arrive in Talmont,
explore the pretty flower-lined streets. As the site was once an island,
you can easily walk around it without the risk of getting lost. Stéphane, a guide in Talmont,
takes us to the town hall square, where we can still admire this very
pretty fisherman’s house, typical of the village. Hi Daniel.
How are you ? The shape. It is an old fisherman’s house
where some outgrowths remain. And if you look closely,
they are actually beef bones. And so that was enough to dry
the fishermen’s windows which were made of cotton at the time. Yes, it’s a row of yol.
A row of yol, yes. And actually, I hung it there
because that’s where it originally belonged. I’m not a fisherman,
but a little bit. Before going to the water’s edge
to see the fishermen, a mandatory stop in front of
the Saint-Tradegonde church. The building is said: At the peril of the waves. No wonder, when you know where he has been challenging wave associations
for more than eight centuries . Once in Saint-Tradeogonde,
you will see the Roche du Caillot and its pretty fishing huts on piloti
called carrelais. Hi Odette.
How are you doing ? Good, good. The name carrelais actually comes from
the square net that is placed in the water. These fisheries have existed for around a hundred
years on the Charente coast. It is mainly a recreational fishing activity. It’s recreational fishing. It is the most ecological fishing. Because when we are little, we are
given the living. And if you too dream of staying
in one of these magnificent carrelais, there is only one possibility:
to be friends with the owners. No need for phones,
no TV, nothing. Nature, rest, birds,
nature, evening. We wish, we forget everything here. So cheers and then… Ah, that makes me talk. We don’t come for fishing,
we come for the joy of fishing. Finally, some people still come
for the fish. At the end of the day, go to the port to
watch for the return of Tutu, one of the last fishermen in the village still working. The fishing is good. What good thing did you bring back there? There are some beautiful rays there. Curly, thin,
all then a merlange. Can I take the lean ones or not?
If you want. I like to drink fish,
I like to touch fish. It’s inexplicable, I’m
drawn to it and it’s my life. In Talmont, whether you are a fisherman or an artist,
you don’t hesitate to declare your love for this charming town. Only the words differ. We can’t exist without
places like this when we create. We need all of this. Everything I write,
I owe to the place, to nature. Life is meant to be loved. Foggy day, pale morning, alone,
we can manage the time to live well in the moment. If you too are feeling
poetic or romantic, nothing beats a stroll along the
seafront at the end of the day. There are evenings when I manage to escape. There is no one left in the village
and I find myself there all alone, facing magnificent sunsets. And so, I’m here,
I’m enjoying myself and I’m telling myself that I’m incredibly lucky compared
to a lot of people, you know. And I wouldn’t want to be
anywhere else but here, you know. And as we understand it. But we still have some wonderful
stages to discover on these roads of the South-West. Let’s now deviate from our itinerary
to introduce you to this purple-colored city. Here we are in Colonges-la-Rouge. Located 100 km from Limoges, in Corrèze,
believe us, this village is worth the detour. Just for that red
that makes it so unique. A color obtained thanks to a
nearby sandstone deposit which, in the 8th century, was used in the construction of the city. An idea of ​​the Counts of Thuren, who
could thus establish their power and have the guarantee of being seen from afar
and impressing visitors. A ploy that, centuries
later, still works. Is this a permanently inhabited village
or are there just shops? No, no, it’s a village
that is permanently inhabited. There are about 400 inhabitants. And in winter, you come, there are
fewer tourists, but there are very friendly people. The people of Collonges are very warm.
Robin Drôme. Well, it is done with pleasure. It must be said that everything here is
done to please visitors. Starting with the narrow streets of the town,
closed to traffic, which allows you to stroll past
the many stalls or linger on the terraces. Moreover, if you stop for lunch
in one of the eight restaurants in Collonges.
Good morning. Good morning.
I’m doing well ? Don’t be surprised to be offered
a mustard tasting, sometimes up to 18 varieties. This is the specialty here. Extra. For a digestive stroll,
we recommend you go and admire the many castles that dot the village. Don’t miss the Maison de la Sirène,
one of the most emblematic residences in Collonges. The Grain Market
and right next to it, Saint-Pierre Church. If you are a fan of old stones
and architecture, our next destiny of nations
should also interest you. Welcome to Saint-Émilion. Saint-Emilion, a true
open-air museum. Located around forty kilometers
from Bordeaux, it is an essential stop on this
trip to Nouvelle-Aquitaine. Guided tour with Matthieu, a
great lover of this heritage. There we are at the top
of the King’s Tower. We overlook the entire
Saint-Émilion vineyard. But what is interesting
is that people also, from this point of view,
discover the historic village with the multitude of these monuments. And yes, contrary to popular belief,
there is more to Saint-Émilion than just wine. The fortified city, listed as a
UNESCO World Heritage Site, is home to around fifteen
prestigious monuments such as the Cardinal’s Palace and the Collegiate Church
and its 14th-century cloister. Hello, it’s Steph.
Welcome to the Cordeliers Cloister. THANKS. We are fortunate to operate this
magnificent 14th century building. Among the long list of
possible visits, the Cordeliers cloister. On request, you can even
access these underground passages. So, the cellars here were
dug over several centuries. Saint-Emilion is a real Gruyère. They were
originally stone quarries. Yes, that’s it. So, we dug the ground,
we extracted the stones and we built the surface,
so the town of Saint-Émilion, certain districts of Bordeaux. How many kilometers of cellars do you have?
Three kilometers. But let’s get back to Earth. Another curiosity of the village: the
Monolith church, a building carved from a single block of limestone. Once there,
you will have the option of climbing the 200 steps that will lead you to
the bell tower or going underground to visit the interior. Be careful not to fall. Yes, well that’s what I’m trying to do,
well for now, it’s okay. But whatever your choice,
a little advice: when you come, be in good shape and remember to
wear good shoes. You will need it to walk
the steep and slippery streets of Tertre, the historic district. Finally, if you want to bring back a
souvenir of the village, take a detour to
Madame Fermichier’s shop. Obligatory passage. It still smells so
good in this house. This delicious smell
is that of the preparation of real Saint-Émilion macaroons. They have been made by
hand for several centuries. The Saint-Émilion macaron
was invented by the Ursulines. It was a religious community
that was in Saint-Émilion. So, there are many who say
that it is because during the revolution, they were persecuted. And the people of Saint-Émilion,
the bourgeoisie, helped them, protected them. And they invented this little
macaroon to thank them. And one way to enjoy these
tasty cookies is to pair them with a glass of red wine. Saint-Émilion, of course. But in this vast region,
it is only in Bordeaux that you find good things. The end of our trip
still has some wonderful surprises in store for us. Let’s now head south
to discover Labastide d’Armagnac, a village of 700 souls,
located 130 kilometers from Bayonne, on the edge of the Landes regional park. When you arrive, head
to the unmissable Place Royale. Michel, a local boy,
is proud to show us his homeland. The Bastille of Darmagnac
is 700 years of history. We find these small alleys which are
typical, the half-timbered houses and the perimeter of the square where the houses
are decorated with wisteria, with rose bushes and above all,
above all, we find tranquility. There is no noise,
everything is calm. The half-timbered houses that make
this place so unique were already present in the 16th century, when Henry
IV came here to relax. At the time, King of Navarre, the future King
of France liked to reside on this square. From one of his windows,
he admired this square and he had You know that if one day
he were king of France, he would make the same square in Paris. And you guessed it,
it’s Place des Vosges. The famous Parisian square and its arcades
would therefore have been inspired by this small square listed as a
historic monument. And here, due to the heat, you will enjoy
walking in the shelter of the Arches. In the alleyways, you might come across
bowling enthusiasts, a Landes tradition that is worth a look. In the It’s a sport.
Everyone knows this game. The goal, as mentioned above,
is to leave one right. It’s not always easy. It’s a sport. It’s because you see it,
it’s quite physical. Mallets, for adults,
weigh a kilo. It’s still necessary to balance it. We do this dozens
and dozens of times. When you’ve played for three hours,
it’s okay, you’re happy. And that’s not all. If you are a sports fan,
head a little outside the village to discover a place of worship like no
other: Notre-Dame des cyclistes. A pretty chapel renovated in the
1950s by Father Joseph Massy, ​​a religious man who was a great fan of cycle touring. A true curiosity of the region,
with its collection of 700 swimsuits, this museum is now a cult place. All the jerseys that have been deposited here,
it is the champions themselves who bring the jersey to us and it is they
who come to offer it to Notre-Dame des cyclistes. Today, cycling enthusiasts come
from all over the world to visit this chapel. But if we come from far away,
it is also to taste the true specialty of the Abbastide d’Armagnac. Armagnac, of course. Don’t hesitate to visit one of the
three cellars in the village open to visitors. You will be able to understand certain
phenomena such as evaporation, also called the angel’s share. The angels’ share, because ultimately,
we don’t see this evaporation. We just see it. We realize that after a year,
20 or 25 liters are missing from a barrel,
and we don’t know where it went. So, it was the angels
who took their part. It’s an option for heaven. We get along well with angels. But it’s not
only in the cafes of La Bastide that you can listen to the locals
speak to you with such passion. Before leaving, don’t forget to
stop at the café at Chez Colette, an institution in the village,
one of the oldest bistros in France. 128 years old. It was my grandmother who created it with
my grandfather who was a blacksmith. So, for three generations,
the men worked in mechanics and the women in the bistro. So. La Bastide, without
Colette’s bistro, is… There’s something missing. But no, don’t worry,
nothing is missing at La Bastide. However, it is time for us
to reach our final destination. Very close to the border with
Spain, another village like La Bastide d’Armagnac bears the name
of a world-renowned specialty. Did you guess? It is Espelette,
located 20 kilometers from Bayonne, in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques. Renowned for its chili pepper,
Espelette also has other attractions, as André,
the former mayor of the village, tells us. I really like to
stop in this space when I walk around my village because you can see a series
of very, very beautiful houses, very typical of the ploughing. But what makes the
village special are its facades decorated with long garlands of chili peppers. In reality, the chili pepper only dries in
autumn, but it has become so iconic that you can see it
decorating house fronts all year round. Espelette pepper is the only
spice with the AOC label in France. At Marichou, a producer in the village,
you can taste it like a great vintage. I find a scent of… How shall I put it?
Chili before. So, on the middle of the tongue,
knowing that the tip of the tongue is very sensitive to stinging. And so its spiciness afterwards,
which is progressive. It makes you… There you go, tears are
coming right now. So it’s really progressive. Marie-José, these are tears of emotion. After the tasting, she heads
towards the Saint-Étienne church. We are on the first street of the village,
that is to say we are in the Chérendin district, the Church district. This church has punctuated the life
of the town since the 17th century. Considered one of the most beautiful in the
Basque Country, it is open to the public. And on some days, you can even
visit it to the sound of the Alexander organ. This church is, for me,
many beautiful childhood ceremonies. It is true that in the Basque Country,
many things happen in church. We had our place without it being
really obligatory, but we always sat in the same place. So me, first gallery,
the first post on the right, there. I stood on one side
and my father was on the other. This is a village that is firmly
rooted in these traditions. Another example For example, here,
from a very young age, we practice Basque pelota, Basque dancing and even Basque strength. You have to pull the opponent
for four meters. Time doesn’t matter. So, you have to know that the ancestor of this
game, a river in the middle, and you had to pull
the dust into the river. These shooters perform
in Espelette every Wednesday during the summer. Don’t miss them. And as you walk through the village, listen
carefully. You may also be lucky enough
to hear the voices of these traditional singers. And this is how our
trip to New Aquitaine ends. A land of contrasts
and multiple riches. From bucolic landscapes to
characterful towns, including the seaside,
everyone can find what they are looking for in this region which definitely has it
all.

En Nouvelle-Aquitaine, le voyage démarre dans le marais poitevin avec la découverte d’Arçais, village bucolique bordé de canaux, où toute la vie s’organise autour de l’eau.

Pour découvrir les merveilles des plus belles régions de France, c’est ici – Abonnez-vous 👉 http://bit.ly/3zjR2Vj 🙏

Puis halte au pied du pont transbordeur de Rochefort, dans la ville du célèbre film de Jacques Demy “Les Demoiselles de Rochefort”. Puis direction Talmont-sur-Gironde, cité perchée au-dessus de l’océan, réputée pour ses carrelets, des cabanons de pêcheurs sur pilotis. Détour obligatoire à Collonges-la-Rouge qui, grâce à ses façades pourpres et ses ruelles animées, est un incontournable de la région, tout comme Saint Emilion.

Réalisé par Élodie BOUTIT.
© MORGANE PRODUCTION