
Château Mouton-Rothschild, Pauillac
Owned by Baroness Philippine de Rothschild, this château produces some of the great Médocs.
© PWilliamson
© PWilliamson
© PWilliamson
© PWilliamson
A small village next to the Château Lynch Bages
An entire village that had been abandoned by the middle of the 20th century, was beautifully restored in 2003.
The work of Jean-Michel Cazes and dedicated to the vine and the Pauillac region.
The village, which is more a hamlet to be honest, has been designed with the art of hospitality in mind, it offers a bistro, fine bakery and grocery store, shops and bike workshop all arranged around the central square. Cellar tours are held throughout the year.
The Cazes family have owned the Château Lynch-Bages since 1939, the Cazes family spread its viticultural wings and developed a model brand of tourism that is steeped in a tradition of hospitality. From the Ariège mountains to the vineyards of the Mèdoc and elsewhere, the story is about journeys.
Like many others, the Cazes-family were labourers from the Ariège region of southwest France who left their mountains in 1875 and set up home in the Médoc. Starting as a baker in Pauillac, Jean-Charles Cazes, took charge of Lynch-Bages in 1939.
He crafted a wine that rapidly gained recognition.
André Cazes, the youngest of his four sons, was studying law, but was dragged into the turmoil of the Second World War, taken prisoner, and didn’t make his way back to Pauillac until after the Allied victory. Once home he went into insurance and it was not until the 1960s that he took the reins of the property. And like his father before him, his influence was decisive. He regenerated and expanded the vineyard, which attained almost 100 hectares at the end of the 1990s.
After his studies in engineering, André’s son Jean-Michel returned to Pauillac in 1973. He was accompanied by his Portuguese wife Thereza whose family came originally from Mozambique. Their marriage, officiated in Pauillac by André Cazes – at that time the mayor of the commune – was the building block of a family that became increasingly cosmopolitan. Their three Paris-born daughters, Kinou, Marina and Catherine, were soon joined by Jean-Charles, who made his entrance in Bordeaux shortly after their arrival.
This family history is traced in the book Lynch-Bages & Co., a family, a wine and 52 recipes.
The two vineyards in this small village are both worth a visit or a guided tour...or at least a tasting! The Château Lynch-Bages in particular.
Owned by Baroness Philippine de Rothschild, this château produces some of the great Médocs.
The building itself was regenerated and built with the materials from a previous church when it became too small!
A protected natural reserve with wild marshes, sand dunes and pine forests, this huge body of water is perfect for outdoor activities such as sailing, swimming, water skiing, windsurfing, canoeing, fishing, kite surfing, paddle boarding, or walking and biking along the trails and cycle paths that line the shores of the lake.
Just 12km away from the town of Hourtin, the beach of Hourtin Plage sits on the Atlantic ocean and offers a wide range of watersports for all levels.
Backed by the small town of Carcans Océan, this white sand beach on the western Atlantic coast is a popular surf spot.
Over time, the wind and ocean currents have gradually created a wall of sand dunes, behind which streams and rivers have allowed the formation of lakes and freshwater ponds.
The beaches extend to 7km of fine-sand beaches along the Atlantic coast; Centre Beach, South Beach and Amelie Beach making up the most popular and closest to the town.
Le Porge beach is also known for its large waves and strong undertow, even if the rescuers are not far away, you must remain cautious as you would for many of the ocean beaches.
Situated in the famous wine region of Medoc, this restaurant serves creative French dishes. The beautiful 19th-century building has an elegant dining room as well as a pleasant terrace where the chef grills fresh local produce.
Situated among vineyards, this restaurant offers the gastronomic creations of a new chef for 2017.
Read our guide to Bordeaux markets page to find out which market to visit when. From the vibrant array of local produce to the delightful scent of freshly baked delicacies, visiting a typical French market is an absolute must for anyone exploring everything French.
At the beginning of November, the Sauternes and Barsac Châteaux opens its doors for a weekend in which more than 50 estates welcome the public to sample their wines.
From the last week of November and throughout December, Bordeaux holds its great Christmas market in the Allées de Tourny. A festive event and a good place to pick up an original Christmas gift, or see Santa Claus and let him have your list.
The association Les Grandes Heures of Saint-Emilion offer you high quality classical concerts held within the magnificent wine estates of Saint-Emilion.
A mass is held where prayers are said for those who have perished at sea, followed by a procession to the Cross of the Sailors. Afterwards, the sea is blessed by the "Sailors of the Women's Committee Fishermen Basin" who throw a crown into the ocean from aboard a lifeboat.
With around 80 winegrowers from the appellation of Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux opening their doors and their bottles for visitors to come and taste their wines in a wonderful atmosphere.
A short, flat walk around the heart of Bordeaux. This route takes in many historical and cultural buildings that are well worth stopping at along the way.
Each session is tailored to the requirements of the participants.
You will be able to hire and learn how to drive a jet ski, with the assistance of qualified instructors, you can be on the water within 15 minutes.
Whether it's your first time on a board or you've been surfing for years, So Nice Surf School will give you the guidance you need to get started or to improve your tricks in a cool, laid-back atmosphere.
Nice villa for 10 persons located 4.5 km from the beach and 4 km from the shopping street.
Large and pleasant independent villa of 160m2 situated in the pine forest(enclosed garden) 800 metres from the beach, 1 km from shopping, 2.5 km from the golf and 5 km from the lake.
Close to city centre this villa is located 600 metres from the beach and shopping area and 3 km from the golf.
Excellent wines and delicious food are synonymous with South West France and so it is with great pleasure that they include Villa Marie in their portfolio, where gastronomic delights are to be found on the doorstep: the vineyards of Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte are just 1.3km away (a 20 minute walk), with the restaurants of the renowned spa hotel, Les Sources de Caudalie, a few 100 metres further along. Equally enticing is the proximity of the region’s capital, Bordeaux. Easily accessible by both car and public transport, visits to this wonderful city will become an integral part of the holiday.
Beautiful villa of 300m2 living space located on the heights of the Canon in the heart of Cap Ferret with a nice view of Arcachon Bay.
Villa Gaume is located on the front line a few steps from the famous Dune du Pyla and the Corniche.
In a timeless decor with modern touches, Château Cordeillan-Bages is home to a 4 star hotel and a Michelin-starred restaurant. From the terraces, you can quietly contemplate the vines whilst soaking up the verbena and pine fragrances that permeate the atmosphere.
A former late-19th century wine chateau with its modern streamlined extensions, boasts 100 individually decorated rooms that are spacious and quiet.
Set in a wine producing estate, the guest house Les Cinq Sens du Château Mayne Lalande is located in Listrac-Médoc.
The Chateau Haut Bourcier is a family-owned 38 ha of vineyards. The Maison de Jean is a house from the 19th century with 5 refurbished bedrooms offering all of the charm of the historic building with modern facilities.
This hotel is situated in Moulis, north of Bordeaux in the red medoc, the most popular vineyard in the world. The recently restored property welcome you for sleeping and dinning with your family or your friends.
Château Pomys looks like a white Italian villa, built with a gorgeous architecture and nestled under the shade of trees.
It is possible to stay in this small peaceful village as the Château Cordeillan-Bages is not only a vineyard but also a luxury hotel.