This large area of Southern France occupies a quarter of the gale-lashed Atlantic Coast of the country and offers large sandy beaches. It extends from the swamps of the MaraisPoitevin to the large pine forests of the country. Towards its centre lies the famous wine-growing area of Bordelais with its splendid castles. Most tourists are attracted by the beaches foamed around by waves. Whereas the inland has a lot to offer, too. Magnificent medieval buildings are lined along the pilgrim path to Santiago de Compostela, castles of all styles and dimensions characterize the wine-growing areas around Bordeaux. The afforestation of the 19th century was an ambitious project to turn to account this region made up of sandy and wet land. Plantations and meadows were created to stop the drifting sand dunes; in the hinterland the dunes were also “consolidated” by pines, reed and broom bush. In 1855 the swamps were drained.