Castle / Ruins Sights in Bordeaux — 7 of Our Favourites

The castle dates back to the 13th century and was an important city defence. The only Romanesque keep still intact in the Gironde, it rests on a rocky massif isolated from all sides and dug in natural caves and quarries exploited since the Middle Ages. From the floor to the lower terrace at the top, there are 32m.

It was probably promoted by Henry III Plantagenet, King of England and Duke of Aquitaine, in 1237, when Saint Emilion fell again under English control.

The tower is an important site for the 'Jurade', a local organisation that is responsible for ensuring the quality of the Saint Emilion wines and promoting them around the world. They celebrate the Saint-Emilion wines twice a year with town parades which finish at the top. There are great views over the town and the surrounding vineyards.

The chateau's style, quintesentially French, combines splendour and military pomp. Its stunning interior décor includes panelling and painted ceilings, and monumental fireplaces made from marble and sculpted stone.

The Duke of Epernon was captain of Gascony, and he ascended to the highest ranks in the late 16th century, as a favourite of king Henri III, until he died in disgrace under the reign of Louis XIII. 

A Renaissance classic, it became a prison in the 19th century, and until the 1950s it held female prisoners. It has an exceptional collection of tapestries, as well as a good museum depicting the harsh times when the building was a prison.

Overlooking the Gironde, Fort Médoc was built in 1690 in typical French stone and is protected by ditches which could be flooded as a first line of defence.

Although it has never been used in battle, the three forts which were intended to work together makes this militarily interesting. Blaye and Fort Paté make up the trio of forts, though it's not possible to visit Fort Paté which is sited on an island in the middle of the river.

The square shaped fort, at right angle with the shore, made up of four bastions joined up by walls. An outer triangle shaped fortification protects the King's door and is located opposite the estuary. Its huge body was protected thanks to moats flooded by means of locks, surrounded by a covered lane and an outer moat. Inside the fort, there were two lines of barracks, a housing for a chief of staff, a chapel, a bakery and a powder store. At that time 300 soldiers could be housed. 

Today you can visit the bakery and ovens, the barracks, a small chapel and the surgeons room.

Dating back to the 14th century, this château has been rebuilt several times, particularly after the huge fire in 1885. The château tower, saved from the flames, was Montaigne's refuge and can be visited, although the château itself is a private property.

The first floor houses the bedroom of Michel de Montaigne, where he died in 1592, but most importantly you must visit the library where he wrote much of his famous 'essays'. Some of the engravings he made on the beams of the library still remain.

On the ground floor, there is a pretty chapel dedicated to Saint Michael.

The building itself dates to the 14th century and, in unique style, has two fortresses within the stone castle walls.

It was subject to a massive restoration in the 19th century by Viollet-le-Dic whose interior decorations and furniture are a key reason for this castle being listed as an Historic Monument.

Still privately owned by the Roquetaillade family, who have been resident here since 1306, as well as the castle being classified as an Historical Monument, there is also a working farm on the land alongside an A.O.C. Graves vineyard that produces a variety of wines. Tours are available (in English) for individuals or groups and cover the history and architecture of the area and the building itself.

They do organise weddings, banquets and cocktail parties in this magnificent setting, and for more information please visit their website using the link above.

He spent much time here, even editing some of his text "The Spirit of the Laws" in the library. This château has been immaculately preserved inside; the library contains thousands of books from Montesquieu's era and its furnished rooms maintain the décor you would expect from the 17th century.

It is located in 150 hectares of woodland featuring an English-style park. Guided tours of this important site are available.

Built by Vauban, together this group are named the Fortifications of Vauban and are classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The site of the citadel saw its first castle in the 7th century. Vauban's fortress though was built in 1689 and took three years.

The largest of the three fortresses, Blaye has both landward and seaward defences with dry ditches dug out of the rock. He incorporated some of the existing defences into his structure to the benefit of the fort. Some elements are still inhabited today. An impressive spot offering a panoramic view.