The region totals some 60,000 licensed members and 400 rugby clubs.Since 1899, the region's clubs have played 56 finals and won 29 times.
Five clubs rank in the Top 14:
- Stade Rochelais,
- Union Bordeaux Bègles,
- Biarritz Olympique,
- Section Paloise,
- CA Brive.
And three clubs in the Pro D2:
- SU Agen,
- Stade Montois,
- Aviron Bayonnais
Since 1899, the region's clubs have played 56 finals and won 29 times.
1 - Bordeaux
Union Bordeaux-Bègles - TOP 14 (first division)
Bordeaux, capital of Nouvelle-Aquitaine, is a city that's open to the world through its port, its numerous rail links (2h from Paris) and its multiple national and inter-national airlines. The largest urban centre to be listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, its centre city is characterized by its exceptional architecture. Its lively terraces along the riverside, its starred restaurants, its evermore vibrant artistic and cultural stage make it a must-visit destination.
A superb city to discover, along with its surrounding areas: its wine estates, its famous Lacanau and Hossegor beaches, paradise for surfers and bodyboarders...
Discover Europe's highest sand dune, Pilat, which guards the entrance to Arcachon Bay, and the world's most reputed vineyards by taking a trip along six major wine routes which will lead you from the picturesque village of Saint-Emilion, the fortress-town of Blaye through Sauternes, Pessac-Léognan as well as Médoc and its famous Margaux wines. An incredible programme awaits you.
Nouvelle-Aquitaine rugby can be traced back to 1877 in Bordeaux. This sport is an integral part of the city's culture, highlighted by the history of its club as well as by its national reputation and its stadium's record-breaking crowds.
Bordeaux will host the 2023 Rugby World Cup from 8 September to 21 October.
Biarritz - Basque Country / Bayonne
Biarritz Olympique Pays Basque – TOP 14 (first division)
Aviron Bayonnais - PRO D2 (second division)
A little paradise bubbling over with charm boasting the region's red and white! With its strong identity, the Basque Country has everything to please: the ocean, moun-tains, countryside, renowned seaside resorts, gastronomy and authentic villages with their brightly-coloured "euskal etxe" (Basque houses).
The kingdom of surfing and water sports invites you to enjoy its host of paradisiacal spots. Golfing enthusiasts can work on their swing along one of the many courses dotted around the region. The Basque Country is also the birthplace of the Cesta Punta, Basque pelota, which explains the existence of numerous "frontons" (pelota courts) in all the towns and villages.
It's also paradise for hikers and cyclists. The sportiest can set off for an exceptional hike along the famous GR10, which starts on the ocean-front then heads up to the Pic du Midi d'Ossau, or why not enjoy a bit of rock-climbing, canyoning, horse-riding and spend some unforgettable moments joining in traditional celebrations organized in many of the destination's villages and towns.
Here everyone dances, sings and cele-brates ham, sardines, cherries, peppers, and more... Friendly challenges are set between villages which are also an opportunity for sharing intense moments of pure emotion, get-togethers and laughter. And, it goes without saying, here we celebrate the major sporting events, and rugby in particular.
Follow us, the editors of Nouvelle-Aquitaine-Tourisme.com as we show you around… our home.
From the peaks of the Pyrenees to the Marais Poitevin canals via the wharfs of Bordeaux, the beaches of the Atlantic to the shores of Lake Vassivière near Limoges, Nouvelle-Aquitaine is full of fascinating, entertaining stories that will amuse one and all.