Choosing your area
South-West France is made up of départements — the French administrative counties. Each one has its own climate, property market, economy and character. Here is a clear guide to finding yours.
Main town: Rodez
Wide open country, characterful villages and true farmhouse cooking
Main town: Périgueux
The Périgord: a thousand châteaux and a timeless pace of life
Main town: Auch
Authentic Gascony: rolling hills, bastide towns and a gentle way of life
Main town: Bordeaux
Bordeaux, the Atlantic and the vineyards — the South-West trio
Main town: Toulouse
Toulouse, the Pink City, and the gateway to the Pyrenees
Main town: Tarbes
The Pic du Midi, Lourdes and the great Pyrenean cirques
Main town: Mont-de-Marsan
Pine forest, Atlantic surf and the Gascon way of life
Main town: Cahors
Cliffs, rivers and the ochre villages of the Quercy
Main town: Agen
The orchard of France, midway between Bordeaux and Toulouse
Main town: Pau
Basque Country and Béarn — ocean, mountains and strong identity