6 reasons which make Nouvelle-Aquitaine the oval-world paradise

A chapel dedicated to rugby in the Landes

Notre Dame du Rugby located in Larrière-Saint-Savin south of Mont-de-Marsan in the Landes. It was built in 1861 on the site of an old Roman oratory. Following the death of three young rugby players, in 1964 Abbot Devert decided to restore it and to turn it into a sanctuary and place of prayer dedicated to the realm of rugby.
It is known as the little Lourdes of rugby. Its stained glass windows depict scrums and scenes from matches, and its walls are covered with shirts worn by stars of the oval ball. Before the start of the season, local teams come here to light a candle. A pilgrimage takes place every Whit Monday and sees thousands of players gathering together.

Find out more Notre Dame du Rugby

A museum dedicated to rugby in Bayonne

This museum, located in Bayonne, is one-of-a-kind in France. Here, you’ll find out everything there is to know about the history of French rugby. On site: exhibitions, a library dedicated to rugby, an activity space for children and a zoom on the art of tattoos in rugby.
Must-sees: the impressive collection of over 400 rugby shirts!
From stars of the South-West to those of the French squad, international players, 15-a-side, 7-a-side and even in wheelchairs, here, the whole realm of rugby is represented.
Match nights and themed conferences, a great atmosphere guaranteed in this kingdom.

Rugby Tattoo Family Muséum
Stade Jean Dauger
Avenue Fernand Forgues
64100 Bayonne
Email
+33 7 68 83 93 13

In Nouvelle-Aquitaine you can enjoy a stay and dine at a former rugby player’s place

Philippe Etchebest is now a world-renowned chef. His brasserie Le Quatrième Mur in Bordeaux, has been awarded a Michelin plate and his Table d’Hôtes located in the basement gained a Michelin Star in 2019.
Le Quatrième Mur in Bordeaux.
Marc Lievremont, has opened a bar-restaurant in Biarritz, hand-in-hand with his brother Thomas.
The Bar de la Côte in Biarritz à Biarritz

Mouthwatering Delights !

The region invites to discover its host of wonderful, let's-indulge flavours and its numerous specialities. Everyone knows the South-West's foie gras, duck breast, Bayonne ham, Périgord truffles, first-class meat (Limousine, Charolaise, Blonde d’Aquitaine, black pork from the Basque Country, etc.), Espelette pepper, Arcachon Bay and Marennes Oléron oysters, Ossau Iraty Basque cheese, Échiré butter, Bordeaux cannelés, Basque cake, Agen prune, Landes pastis...

And to accompany these delights, enjoy sipping on some of the region's grands crus: Saint-Emilion, Mouton-Rothschild, Côtes de Bourg, Pomerol, Margaux, Sauternes, Bergerac, Jurançon, Irrouleguy, to name but a few, and finish off your meal with a Cognac or an Armagnac.

Here, great food, great wines, the ocean and beaches, celebrations to the sound of local bandas invite to enjoy a one-of-a-kind lifestyle.

In NA we have rugby-dedicated songs

In France, tradition means shaking hands at the end of a match and pursuing the festive atmosphere through the evening. This is the famous 3rd-half! Third-halves generally take place in a bar.
To discover our best addresses for a successful 3rd-half.
A symbol of rugby, it’s a one-of-a-kind moment of shared merriment, fraternity between teams and supporters, where we know where it all starts but rarely where it will all finish. IN Nouvelle-Aquitaine, it’s a tradition to sing chants such as: “Hegoak”, the Basque chant par excellence, and “La Pena Baiona”, “Aviron Bayonnais'” official anthem and, lest we forget, a handful of bawdy songs which highlight the evening (popular songs with bold lyrics).
As for Paquito chocolatero, Biarritz Olympique’s official anthem, it embraces a major South-West tradition where you dive head first over the top of a row of people sitting on the ground one behind the other.

Nouvelle-Aquitaine is the heart of the oval world

The rugby spirit is also showcased in many of the region's ferias: Bayonne, Dax, Mont-de-Marsan, etc. led by bandas (fanfares) which parade through the streets.

The feria is a traditional bull-focused celebration characterized by a series of bullfights and cattle races, parades, bodegas, free concerts, etc. Here, everything is combined to ensure unforgettable festive moments. In a rugby-focused festive spirit, supporters often dress up as the "Stade Rochelais Convicts" and attend matches disguised as prisoners.