Showing all 2 results
From Sauternes to Soulac sur Mer, and From Blaye to Bordeaux, the Gironde area extends over 200 km between ocean, estuary, vineyards… it offers a diversity of landscapes like pine forest, moors, marshes and sandy beaches.
Pauillac, halfway between Bordeaux and the Pointe de Grave is the undisputed capital of the Medoc wine region, with its 18 Grands Crus (Great Growths of 1855) including the famous Châteaux Lafite Rothschild, Latour, Mouton Rothschild, Pichon Longueville, Lynch-Bages, Pontet Canet… It is a small town that, since ancient times, sailors and winemakers has built on the edge of the estuary of the Gironde. Throughout the eighteenth century façade of golden stones, over a kilometer of quayside, you’ll find restaurants, hotels, shops… Everyone can stroll, take a walk on wooden walkways along the water, take a break on the marina.
When speaking of mythical road we immediately think of “Route 66”. Well the Médoc also has his “Château’s Road”. From Bordeaux, to get to Pauillac, you must take the D2 road. Over more than 50 km, the names of the wine villages succeed each other: Margaux, Beychevelle Saint Julien, Bages, Pauillac, Saint Estèphe … and you can count hundreds of wine Chateaux. Médoc is the first area for red wines production in Bordeaux wine region, you can ask for a guided tour in a chateau and you’ll do a tasting of red wines and you’ll learn all about winemaking, winemakers, Grands Crus, french wine regions, appellations, French wines, grape varieties like Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot or Merlot! You may also simply admire the facades of dozens of Chateaux, which architecture often nineteenth century’s, ranges from neoclassical to baroque through Mary Tudor style or even of an oriental palace…
Sauternes, the golden wine with a subtle robe, owes its sweet taste to nature…
It was in 1855 that Napoleon III requested that the various wines of France be classified for the World Fair in Paris. Only 27 châteaux were classified in the Sauternes and Barsac appellation, and were divided into three categories. A historical moment for the reputation of Sauternes! On your walking tour from St-Emilion to Sauternes, make sure you visit to the prestigious Château d’Yquem,the only Premier Cru Supérieur in Bordeaux. This iconic fortress on the top of a hill overlooking the whole Sauternes & Barsac appellation, produces its wines over some one hundred hectares. You can visit the estate, discover its underground cellars and taste this outstanding grand cru in a magnificent setting! Prepare your visit in advance, the Château d’Yquem is very popular and well worth it!
Saint-Emilion is a charming medieval village located in the heart of the famous Bordeaux wine area. It is a very unique site were world-famous wineries, fine wine, beautiful architecture and great monuments are a perfect match. The legend tells us about a monk from Brittany, to seek refuge in one of the natural caves in a place called Ascum bas (former name of the village) in the 8th century. His name was Emilion. Living the life of a hermit he accomplished a few miracles and rapidly became famous in the region and even far beyond its borders. Even after his death his followers carried on his legacy and even called the town after him: Saint-Emilion. In 1999 for the first time in the world a vineyard was written on the World Heritage List by the UNESCO as a Cultural Landscape, that is to say a historical landscape that remained intact but which is still carrying on its activity.
A major work by the famous military engineer Vauban, the Bolt of the Estuary is located on either side of the Gironde to protect Bordeaux from foreign naval attacks. It consists of three fortifications: the Citadel of Blaye on the right bank, Fort Pâté on an island in the middle, and Fort Médoc on the left bank. The Bolt of the estuary has been a listed UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2008, along with the 11 other fortresses making up the major Vauban sites.
Formed by the meeting of the Garonne and Dordogne rivers, the Gironde flows into the Atlantic Ocean. It is the largest estuary in Europe. This unique natural milieu includes an archipelago of nine islands. Some of these are accessible during the tourist season on cruises leaving from Blaye. There are numerous bird species.
Located between the estuary and the monuments of Blaye, the Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux appellation produces high-quality red and white wines. Blaye winegrowers are very enthusiastic about their profession, and are glad to welcome visitors to their family-owned estates.
Two walking tours through the famous Bordeaux vineyards. Walking holidays in Saint-emilion, Entre-deux-Mers, Sauternes and Medoc vines… Enjoy daily walks, wines and dinners !
