Bordeaux-Merignac Airport

Southampton has always been an important port, back in the Roman period and after the Norman invasion when it was the natural outlet for Winchester, the capital city at the time. It was a major ship-building site as well as a successful commercial port and it was in Southampton that many emigrants boarded ships, including The Mayflower, destined for America, and, in 1912, passengers set off on the doomed Titanic for its first and last voyage. Severely hit during the Second World War, the city and its region now welcome more than 5 million tourists a year, to view its fortifications, its ships and the surrounding natural environment. It is a popular family destination in Great Britain.

The ties between Southampton and the sea are eternal. Even today, the city welcomes the largest transatlantic liners such as the QE2 and the Queen Mary 2. The medieval ramparts and the famous Bargate were built to protect the city from pirate attacks. Southampton is a good starting point for touring the Isle of Wight and its magnificent beaches, Portsmouth, a Mecca for yachters, or stylish Brighton with its well-known seafront and beautiful Victorian pier. Southampton is also blessed with a very famous natural park, The New Forest, a protected area comprising forests and vast stretches of moorland reaching all the way to the sea.

For a comprehensive guide to this destination, visit visitbritain.co.uk

• Time difference:  France: - 1 hour
• Currency:  Pound Sterling
• Contacts and useful links:  

  Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

  Southampton Airport

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