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Discover the legendary
vineyards of Bordeaux, Breathtaking scenery and the rich historical
towns of the Bordeaux countryside, the history and elegance of Bordeaux,
the city, as well as museums, festivals, sporting and outdoor activities
and more. Some of Bordeaux's main attractions are the vineyards that
surround the city. Take a tour of the varied landscapes of the Médoc,
Sauternes, the Côtes, Entre-Deux-Mers, St-Èmilion, Pomerol and
discover the grand châteaux of Bordeaux in vineyards
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After you've visited the
vineyards surrounding Bordeaux, you might want to look into some of the
other exciting things to do and see in the region. Bordeaux offers a
wealth of activities, from colourful gardens, medieval museums, casinos,
beaches, and golf courses to music festivals and riverboat excursions.
Here is a list of just a few towns and attractions not to miss.
Perhaps the best way to immerse oneself in its sophistication is to
start with a tour of the panoramic views. Then explore the central
districts from the Quartier des Chartrons to the Esplanade des
Quinquonces. Go down the alleyways of Tourny, and turn off towards the
Quartier des Grands Hommes. Admire the church of Notre-Dame and the
Cloister of the Dominican convent. Through Passage Sarget, enter the
ancient courtyard of Fossès de l'Intendance, the triumphal route of
princes, kings and heads of state and head towards Place de la Comèdie.
Admire the Grand Thèâtre and enjoy a quiet walk to the river via the
Cours du Chapeau Rouge, the residential quarter of the city in the XVII
and XVIII centuries. Down rue des Piliers-de-Tutelle join the romantic
covered passage of Galeries Bordelaises.
Then go along the quay to Place de la Bourse, formerly Place Royale
dedicated to king Louis XV. Just next to it, stop in Place du
Parliament, formerly Place du Marchè Royal. Continue towards Place
Saint-Pierre (which gives you a strange feeling of crossing a series of
film sets; of course, "Les Misèrables" ... Bordeaux has been
filmed so often!) Don't miss the Hôtel de Sèze - its interior
decoration is one of the finest examples of an XVIII century Bordeaux
home. Place Camille Jullian, Place du Palais.
Then go to the old salt fish merchant district, the quarter de la
Rousselle, and visit the family house of Montaigne who was twice Mayor
of Bordeaux, at 23, rue de la Rousselle. Carry on until you reach the
quarter Saint-Eloi where the Grosse Cloche, the symbol of the city,
stands against Saint-Eloi church. Cross Cours Victor Hugo towards the
quartier du Mirail, filled with privately owned mansions and continue to
Place Camille-Pelletan and quarter Saint-Michel.
Then turn back towards the
quarter de la République to soak up the atmosphere of this group of
neo-classical Bordeaux buildings. See the Saint-André cathedral and the
Palais Rohan, the former archbishop's palace and now the City Hall.
Don't forget the love match between Bordeaux and art and visit its 15
museums - Museum of Aquitaine, Fine Arts Museum, Decorative Arts Museum,
the Customs Museum and the Chartrons Museum which houses an astonishing
collection of wine in its cellars, and Maison des Métiers de
l'imprimerie (the Printing Trade museum).
To complete your tour, go to
the Modern Art museum, which displays some monumental works beneath the
golden vaults of the old Entrepôts Lainé.
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The
elegance of great wines
Sample with sensuous delight the really great wines of Bordeaux. See
what you think of the marriage of particular dishes and wines - oysters
with fruity Graves, foie gras with Sauternes, shad with great Médoc
vintages game with Saint Èmilion. Book a table in one of the kingdoms
of the greatest Bordeaux chefs. Don't forget to try the celebrated
hundred-year-old Bordeaux aperitif, red or white Lillet. Taste some brandy) "pavés" (chocolate fondant) and the wonderful
"canelés" (small"bouchons" (almond paste petits fours flavoured with Bordeaux
liqueur cakes made with egg yolks). Finally, yield
yourself totally to a tour of the vineyards to learn more about the 53
"appellations" of the six great families of Bordeaux wine.
For people
who enjoy wine, the Bordeaux region's main attraction is the vineyards
that surround the city. Along the tour, you'll marvel at the beauty of
the varied landscapes, from the gravely rises in the Médoc, to the
low-lying hills of Sauternes, to the slopes of the Entre-Deux-Mers.
You'll also want to stop at the large estates of the grand chateaux,
most of which welcome visitors often by appointment, for a cellar tour,
explanation of the winemaking process, and a tasting of the most recent
Vintage
After driving
along the famous Quai des Chartrons, cradle of the Bordeaux wine trade,
your tour of the Médoc starts just north of the city, in Blanquefort.
The Médoc wine road, route D2 located between the Gironde estuary and
the Landes forest, provides magnificent views of vine-covered gravely
rises as far as the eye can see.
Médoc vineyards are orderly and well kept almost to the point of
fanaticism, and the region's world-famous châteaux produce legendary
wines. Visit the famous communes - Moulis, Listrac, Saint-Julien,
Pauillac, Saint-Estèphe, Médoc, Haut-Médoc and Margaux (with the
celebrated château of the same name)...
There are
plenty of opportunities to taste recent vintagesof Médoc between
Margaux and Saint-Estèphe in cool, dark cellars called chais. You will
also be struck by the genius of associating great wines with the image
of an imposing château long before the concept of marketing ever
existed! The neat rows of oak barrels house wine that develops
exceptionally smooth tannin and aromatic complexity - but only great
wines require extensive aging.
After a stop at the Maison du Vin in Pauillac, our pilgrimage continues
to the Pointe de Grave along a wine road studded with
crus
bourgeois and cooperative cellars.
Graves, A Noble First Cousin
The Graves appellation begins on the very outskirts of Bordeaux and
stretches fifty kilometers south on the left bank of the Garonne, from Léognan
to the far side of Langon. The vineyards bear a close resemblance to the
Médoc and the gravely soil (hence the name Graves) is also much the
same, although the proportions of grape varieties are different. A
higher percentage of early-maturing Merlot grapes and Cabernet Franc
produces wines that are often rounder and softer in their youth. The
Cabernet Sauvignon variety nevertheless adds their essential taste
components.
Quality & Personality
Whether a great growth, a more humble estate, or a shipper's blend, red
Graves is delicate and elegant, with a refined bouquet and a magnificent
ruby colour. Often compared to their Médoc cousins, red Graves have
their own special character. The Graves vineyards are the oldest in all
Bordeaux and, like the Médoc, have been exported for centuries. In a
historical vein, a visit to Château de La Brède, home of Montesquieu,
is a highly recommended stop on your tour of the Graves.
 You
will delight in discovering the astonishing range of Médoc and Graves
wines in this vineyard region that stretches from the Atlantic coast as
far as the border of Bordeaux.
Whether a great growth, a more humble estate, or a shipper's blend, red
Graves is delicate and elegant, with a refined bouquet and a magnificent
ruby colour. Often compared to their Médoc cousins, red Graves have
their own special character. The Graves vineyards are the oldest in all
Bordeaux and, like the Médoc, have been exported for centuries. In a
historical vein, a visit to Château de La Brède, home of Montesquieu,
is a highly recommended stop on your tour of the Graves.
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