Médoc Cultural Heritage

The Ocean, the Lakes, the Estuary

Land of contrast. With its Ocean beaches as far as the eye can see, sand dunes, ponds and lakes, calm and wild havens for a preserved nature. Its vast forest and network of trails that can be explored on foot or by bike. Seaside resorts, starting from numerous excursions between the sea and the estuary, from the Pointe du Médoc to the resorts of the Atlantic Médoc (Hourtin, Carcans, Lacanau...) - there is something for everyone’s taste, from the youngest to the oldest! Relaxation, every kind of board sports, hiking, sea trips, horse riding, cycling.... All this is possible for an unforgettable family holiday.

From the Pointe de Grave, explore the small ports of the estuary or "esteys", come and discover net fishing and perhaps you will be tempted to taste what you caught (some municipalities such as Talais provide fishing nets – for rent).

The marinas of Pauillac and Port-Médoc, starting points for beautiful walks on the river "l'archipel de Garonne" or at sea "the Cordouan lighthouse".

Bordeaux, world capital of vines and wine, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site..

My Beautiful Castle !

The word "château" in the Bordeaux area refers to a vineyard, a vintage. many castles open their doors free of charge to visitors for visits to their cellars and of course wine tastings.

Château la Tour - Pauillac château Cos d'Estournel the famous Médoc vineyards covers 15,000 hectares and is divided into 8 regions: Margaux, Moulis, Listrac, St Julien, Pauillac, St Estèphe, Médoc and Haut-Médoc.

Named the "Médoc Rouge", you can visit it on foot, by bike or on horseback, by helicopter or in a hot-air balloon, from the river Gironde during a boat tour or by car along the famous D2 "Route des Châteaux".

Learn about Architecture of local castles - in the land of a thousand and one castles – on an approx. 52 km tour; please check with the Pauillac Wine and Tourism House for more information.

The Médoc through the ages

For history and historical buildings enthusiasts, come and discover the Romanesque houses, on the site of Brion at St Germain d'Esteuil visit the Soulac archaeological museum! the Cordouan Lighthouse, the Blanquefort Fortress, the Tower of Honour in Lesparre, or the Fort-Médoc in Cussac (classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site) which, along with the Blaye Citadel and the Fort Pâté and the Vauban lock, which protected Bordeaux from an attack coming in from the estuary !

Fall under the spell of Soulac sur Mer (500 neo-colonial-style villas), which became a seaside resort in 1849 when sea bathing came into fashion, and learn about the history of the Notre-Dame de la fin des terres basilica, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Baroque church of St Estèphe, the Romanesque apse of St Vivien-de-Médoc, the monumental church of Pauillac, the abbey and abbey church of Vertheuil with its Romanesque portal, or the listed site of St Raphael, in Avensan. galleries, awnings, porches.

Come and re-discover traditional crafts and age-old know-how through different itineraries / visits:

- the art of pottery at the Brick factory, in Brach

- the flour mill at the Moulin à vent, in Vensac

- the gemmage technique (pine tapping) during a workshop / guided tour in the heart of the forest.