Ira Szmuk, Author at Lost in Bordeaux

In Charente and Charente Maritime

How to spend one day in Île de Ré

Last updated on August 13, 2023 No Comments

Île de Ré, located on the Atlantic coast, is one of France’s biggest Islands. With its ten villages, amazing beaches, and a variety of natural sites and historic landmarks, you need at least a few days to cover it fully. But where should you go if you only have one day in Ile de Re?

In this article, I’ve built a detailed plan to help you discover the highlights of Ile de Re in one day. You will visit the salt marshes, eat oysters, discover the best markets, and spend some time on the beach. The program is quite packed but with enough energy, you can get it all done in one day 🙂

Saint Martin de Re - one day in Ile de Re — *The port of Saint Martin de Re – Lost in Bordeaux*

If you have only one day in Ile de Ré, the best way to move around is by bike (you’ll get all the info later in this article). Most of the places I’m going to suggest here are reachable by car/bus but it’s more complicated and less fun than cycling on the Island.

Start your day in Saint Martin de Ré

Saint Martin de Ré is labeled as one of the most beautiful villages in France and one of three such villages in Ile de Ré. It’s considered the capital of Ile de Ré and is the most lively and interesting village to visit.

How to spend one day in Ile de Re - Saint Martin de Re — *Saint Martin de Re – Lost in Bordeaux*

Saint Martin is home to the biggest port on the Island as well as a bustling city center with plenty of restaurants and shops. It’s a perfect place to start your one busy day in Ile de Ré.

Stroll the center of Saint Martin de Ré

Saint Martin de Ré has one of the busiest town centers and ports in Île de Ré. Many houses here date back to the 17th and 18th centuries. During that time the village saw great financial growth with many salt and wine merchants moving into the town center.

Take a stroll in the historic center and discover the interesting mix of architectural styles. Don’t miss the colorful houses and historic buildings such as the Eglise Saint-Martin with its bell tower and panoramic terrace.

Stroll the streets of Saint Martin de Re — *Saint Martin de Re – Lost in Bordeaux*

Springtime is particularly beautiful in Saint Martin de Ré with many houses decorated with local flowers from Charentes Maritimes. The most prominent one is the stunning hollyhock flower which you can find in abundance in the region.

Saint Martin is also home to the famous citadel, the historic star-shaped fortress that was built at the end of the 17th century by Vauban, a renowned French military engineer. Built originally to protect the city in case of a siege, the citadel was later used as a prison.

The tourist office offers weekly tours of the citadel, every Tuesday from April to June, you can book the tour here.

The citadel of Vauban in Ile de Re — *The Citadel of Vauban – Lost in Bordeaux*

A drink at the port of Saint Martin de Ré

The port of Saint Martin de Ré is one of the highlights of this charming village. It was a thriving economic center of the salt and wine trade, turned today into a popular sailing destination. The port is abundant with terrace cafes and restaurants with a beautiful view of the resting boats. it’s a perfect place to start your day with a café-et-croissant on a terrace 😉

Saint Martin de Re - the most beloved village in Ile de Re — *Saint Martin de Re – Lost in Bordeaux*

Saint Martin de Re is also famous for its ice cream. One of the best ice cream shops, La Martiniere with about 50 ice cream flavors is located here on the port.

Go to the market

Saint Martin has a very nice covered market located just next to the port. If this is the only village you’re going to visit, this is a great market to buy some local specialties. However, if you’re going to visit more villages on my list, you can skip this one, as our next destination has a better market.

*The market of Saint Martin de Re – Lost in Bordeaux*

Rent a bike to start discovering the Island

Now it’s time to start the most popular activity to do in Ile de Ré, cycling!

Cycling is the best way to discover the most interesting parts of the Island. Ile de Ré is covered with dedicated cycling paths that connect the villages to one another. Most of the paths around the villages and the salt marshes are car-free making it a very easy ride.

The best way to spend one de in Ile de Re is cycling — *Cycling in Ile de Ré – Lost in Bordeaux*

Cycling is the way I usually get around the Island and I based my list on the fact that you’ll do the same. You can of course visit most of it by car or using the Navette (shuttle bus) but I believe that it’s less enjoyable.

Keep in mind that Ile de Re is a very popular destination so during summer the bicycle paths can get quite busy. If possible try to start your biking tour as soon as possible.

Where to rent bikes in Ile de Re

There are a few good bike rental shops in the center of Saint Martin like Beach Bikes and YooToo.

You can also build your own trail with the map provided by the tourist office. You can get a physical copy of it at any tourist office in Ile de Re as well as the rental bike shops. Or just follow this article to discover all the best spots to visit in one day.

Go to the beach at Le Bois Plage en Ré

After an approximately 20-minute ride through the vineyards of Ile de Ré, you’ll arrive at Le Bois-Plage-en-Ré. This village on the southern coast of the Island is home to some of the best beaches on the Island.

Here you’ll find one of the biggest daily markets that I highly recommend visiting. The market offers a huge selection of seafood and all the specialties of the region like salt, Cognac, and cheese. You can buy some snacks and do a picnic on the beach, which is our next destination.

Le Bois Plage en Ré - one of the best markets in Ile de Re — *Le Bois Plage en Ré Market – Lost in Bordeaux*

The village is bordered by 6km of sandy beaches hiding behind dunes. The most popular beach here is Plage des Gollandières, loved by surfers and families alike.

Take some time to swim in the ocean and enjoy this amazing beach.

The beach at Le Bois Plage en Ré - Ile de Re — *Plage des Gollandières – Lost in Bordeaux*

Salt Marshes, oysters, and other beautiful villages in Île de Ré

La Couarde-sur-Mer

Get back on the bike to discover one of the most charming villages in Île de Ré. La Couarde sur Mer is strategically located on the southern part of the Island between wine, oyster, and salt production areas.

La Couarde has a cute center with restaurants, bars, and a big carousel for kids. It’s not as lively as other villages on this list but it has one of the best markets on the Islands. So before we enter the salt marshes, take some time to enjoy lunch or have a drink at one of the terrace cafés in the center.

La Couarde-sur-Mer - a perfect place for a drink — *La Couarde-sur-Mer – Lost in Bordeaux*

If you didn’t go to the beach in Le Bois-Plage-en-Ré, there’s another great beach right here. La Couarde borders a long 5km strip of sandy beaches and offers a variety of water activities such as surfing, jet skiing, SUP, and more.

Salt and oysters

From here you’ll continue to one of the highlights of Ile de Ré. Les marais salants (the salt marshes) are located in the Fier d’Ars area, surrounded by the villages of Loix, Ars-en-Ré, Portes-en-Ré and Saint-Clément-des-Baleines.

Salt farming was a thriving economic activity in Ile de Ré from the middle ages until the end of the 19th century. More than 1000 salt workers were working at the time in the salt industry. While today it’s a much smaller industry with less than 100 salt workers, they still use the traditional techniques that have been passed from generation to generation.

Bird watching and salt marshes in Ile de Re — *The salt marshes of Ile de Re – Lost in Bordeaux*

You can learn about the traditional methods that haven’t changed from the middle ages by visiting the ecomuseum of Salt Marshes in Loix. However, it’s definitely not a must to enjoy La Route du Sel.

Continue on the cycling path towards Loix and it will take you into the heart of the salt marshes. If you’re visiting from June to September you can see the workers harvesting the salt.

On the car-free cycling path, you’ll notice tables with small bags of salt. If you want to buy some, just leave the money there and take a bag as a souvenir of salt with you.

cycling in Ile de Re - one of the most kids friendly vacations in France — *La Route du Sel with kids – Lost in Bordeaux*

Loix

If you followed the route of salt you have just arrived in Loix, another charming village. Loix is almost an Island within an Island, bordering the salt marshes and surrounded by a 14km coast. It’s home to one of the more kids-friendly beaches, Pointe du Grouin, that feels more like a lake beach.

The village has a cute town center with a few coffee places. It also hosts a little market that takes place daily during school break and the summer.

There’s also a sailing school here called Ile de Re voile, where you can take sailing classes or rent equipment in case you want to sail or do kayaking.

*Sailing school in Loix – Lost in Bordeaux*

One of the most interesting parts of Loix is the village artisanal. Plenty of merchants and craftsmen open their workshops and boutiques for visitors. Among the most interesting ones are the soap producer (savonerie Atisanale de re) and l’Abeille en Ré, a honey farm.

Stop for oysters

Another agricultural production in the Fier en Ars area is oysters. On the cycling path, you can find several oyster cabins where you can enjoy fresh oysters in an authentic atmosphere. The menu in these cabanes usually also includes shrimps, pork patés with bread, white wine, and not more than that really. But what more do you really need? 🙂

I recommend La cabane du Feneau at La Platière de la Passe, La Couarde-sur-Mer.

Oysters in Ile de Re — Oysters in Ile de re *by Lost in Bordeaux*

Depending on the time it took you to get here, you might be towards the end of your day. If that’s the case, you should feel proud of yourself for discovering so much of the Island, However, if you have an hour or two, continue with me to two other magical places.

If you have more time to spend in Ile de Ré

If time permits, it’s a good opportunity to discover the western part of the Island which is calmer but very special nonetheless.

The view from Phare des Baleines – Lost in Bordeaux

Ars En Ré – one of the most beautiful villages on the Island

Go back on the route du Sel and cycle until you arrive at Ars en Ré. This small village is labeled as one of the most beautiful villages in France, partly thanks to its church, Église Saint-Étienne.

The church, dating from the 15th century, has a black and white bell tower that is seen from every corner of the village. In the past, the bell tower was used to guide boats sailing toward the Island. Hence its unique colors.

Ars en Ré is also home to one of the best markets in Ile de Ré, taking place daily in the summer. In the winter it’s happening only on Tuesdays and Friday mornings.

The village has a cute center and a port with plenty of small restaurants, which would be perfect for dinner at the end of the day.

The beautiful port of Ars en Ré – Lost in Bordeaux

Phare des Baleines

Let’s end your one day in Ile de Ré with a stunning view!

The lighthouse of the whales, Phare des Baleines, is located at the most western spot on the Island, in a village called Saint-Clément-des-Baleines. It’s one of the tallest lighthouses in France and one of the most visited landmarks in Ile de Ré. To be able to see the breathtaking view you’d have to climb 257 steps to the top of the tower. From there you’ll see the Island, the ocean, and the nearby “old tower” erected by Vauban.

The staircase of Phare des Baleines – Lost in Bordeaux

To reach Phare des Baleines you can continue cycling on the Route du Sel or go through a more forestry southern route.

The lighthouse is open for visits all year long. See the opening hours here. On the site, you can find plenty of nice souvenir shops and places to snack and have coffee.

Hope you enjoyed your day in Ile de Ré, now start cycling back so you don’t miss your boat/bus back 🙂

Here are other articles about amazing places in the Charentes you might like to read about when planning your trip to Ile de Re:

Where to eat at La Rochelle
What to do in Cognac
Discover the French capital of comics and street art – Angouleme
Aubeterre sur Dronne – the most beautiful village in Charente

You can also get plenty of tips on things to do in the Southwest of France via Lost in Bordeaux’s social media accounts and email list, check them out here:

Facebook |Instagram |Email | Facebook group

*Note – Some of the links in this article include affiliate links for which I earn a small commission. It adds absolutely nothing to your cost and helps me continue writing about this amazing region. Don’t worry, I’m not getting rich here, I’ll never recommend anything I don’t believe in 🙂

In Discover Bordeaux

The best outdoor bars in Bordeaux

Last updated on May 11, 2023 4 Comments

Bordeaux is a lively city throughout the year, with plenty of restaurants and wine bars which are perfect for a night out. However, summer is when Bordeaux truly shines with plenty of rooftops, terrace cafes, and open bars all over the city. Many of the outdoor bars in Bordeaux are open only during the summer season so you have a limited amount of time to enjoy them.

In this article, I included some of my favorite rooftops and terraces all over the Bordeaux metropole. Some are posh and chic and others are more simple and chill, there’s something here for everyone. You need to know that every district in Bordeaux has a different vibe to it so you need to visit a few to really enjoy the Bordeaux spirit 🙂

Mama shelter- one of the best rooftops in Bordeaux — *by Lost in Bordeaux*

If you’re about to spend the summer in Bordeaux be sure to also check my article about the best things to do in Bordeaux in the summer. If you’re interested in wine tastings in Bordeaux check out my article about the places for wine tasting in Bordeaux. For specific events and other ideas for things to do every weekend, I invite you to subscribe to my email list here.

Here’s a list of the outdoor bars and drinking terraces in Bordeaux for a perfect cocktail evening or an afternoon apero!

La guinguette chez Alriq – the best tavern in town

La Guinguette chez Alriq is one of my favorite places in Bordeaux and its opening event usually means that summer has officially started!

what to do in the summer in Bordeaux — *by Lost in Bordeaux*

The Guinguette is a big tavern located on the right banks of the Garonne in the Bastide neighborhood, hosting plenty of open-air concerts every summer. The performing bands and artists are coming from all over the world and create a laid-back party atmosphere.

There’s usually a small price to pay for the concerts taking place on Thu-Sat and on Sundays the entry is free. You can see their program here. The place is very popular so expect to see a line at the entrance.

Where: ZA Quai des Queyries, Port Bastide, 33100 Bordeaux / When: Thu-Sat from 19:00 to 1:00 and Sunday from 12:00 to 22:00

Les Chantiers de la Garonne

Just next door to La guinguette chez Alriq you can find one of Bordeaux’s best-hidden gems. Les Chantiers de la Garonne is an old hangar turned into a sailing club and a restaurant with one of the best outdoor spaces in Bordeaux.

The restaurant is located on the board of the Garonne River with an outdoor space that feels like a real beach. Low wooden tables are spread over the fine white sand adorned by fresh seafood and cold bottles of white wine. You can find more info about the restaurant and other activities proposed by the Chantiers de la Garonne here.

Where: 21 Quai de Queyries, 33100 Bordeaux / When: The bar is open from Wednsday to Sunday, see the hours here.

Mama Shelter – classic Bordeaux rooftop

Mama Shelter is probably the most popular summer rooftop bar in Bordeaux. It has a funky design and many original cocktails but I believe its location should also get a lot of credit for its popularity. It’s one of the only rooftops in the center of Bordeaux, located just next to the Cathedral Saint André, and has one of the best views of the city. If you come in the evening hours, booking in advance is recommended.

The most popular rooftop in Bordeaux - Mama shelter — *Mama Shelter- by Lost in Bordeaux*

Mama Shelter is also one of the best hotels to stay in when visiting Bordeaux.

Where: 19 Rue Poquelin Molière, 33000 Bordeaux / When: Open daily for lunch, dinner and drinks, see specific hours here.

Plage de L’IBOAT

The Iboat is a three-level ferry spanning 687m2, anchored to one of the docks of Bassins a flot and mostly known as a concert venue. During the summer they also open their “beach”, a fun outdoor space on the board of the Bassin a flot with a bar, comfy sofas, and different outdoor events. La Plage de L’IBOAT is definitely one of the best summer bars in Bordeaux for an afternoon drink! You can see the list of concerts and events here.

Iboat Bassin a Flot Bordeaux — *by Lost in Bordeaux*

For more cool places to visit in the Bassin a flot area check out my article about the Bacalan district.

Where: Bassin à Flot n°1, Cours Henri Brunet, 33300 Bordeaux / When: Every day, check out the list of events on their website

Le Bar de la Marine

Le Bar de la Marine is another hidden gem and like many places in this list, it’s also located in the Bacalan district. A few minutes walk from la Cité du Vin, you’ll pass by a little restaurant that doesn’t seem very impressive from the outside, but once you enter the door you’ll discover a magical universe.

La Bar de la Marine in Bordeaux — *by Lost in Bordeaux*

Since 2019, the Bar de la Marine belongs to chef Frederic Coiffe who not only makes great food but also knows how to create a perfect summer vibe. The restaurant has a secret garden in the back where you can enjoy lunch, meet friends for an afternoon drink or have a delicious family brunch on Sunday. See more details on their Facebook page.

Where: 28 Rue Achard, 33300 Bordeaux / When: open daily – see hours on their Facebook page

Les Planches Éphémères

Les Planches Éphémères opened its doors last year and quickly became one of the local’s favorites. A huge outdoor bar, located at the Hippodrome of Bordeaux in La Bouscat, the place offers two bars, a dj set, and a huge chill-out area under the trees. The place is open every day until September 30. Check out their site for more info.

Address: 8 Avenue de l’Hippodrome, 33110 Le Bouscat

Where: 8 Avenue de l’Hippodrome, 33110 Le Bouscat / When: open daily from May 17 to August 31, from 17:00, see the opening hours here.

Effet Mer

If you didn’t have enough reasons to go to Bassin a flot, here’s another one. Effet Mer is a fun summer bar, located just next to the Base Sous-Marine. This cool place is open seven days a week and offers daily life concerts and dj sets. For more details click here.

L’Effet Mer is located just next to Les Bassins des Lumières, one of the best art venues in Bordeaux. A perfect opportunity to combine art with afternoon drinks!

Where: 280 Boulevard Alfred Daney, 33300 Bordeaux / When: open daily starting May 12, see the opening hours here.

Gina

Another very popular summer place in Bordeaux is Gina, a rooftop bar and Italian restaurant located at the new Renaissance hotel in the Bassin a flot district. The place is open seven days a week and on weekends offers brunch as well. The restaurant requires a prior reservation, you can see more details and book here.

Where: Place des Millésimes, 33300 Bordeaux / When: open daily – see the hours here.

Domaine de Raba

The beautiful chateau of Demaine de Raba is well hidden in a residential neighborhood in Talence. This place is a bit hard to describe as it has everything from a spa to a fancy restaurant, a bar, and different events like cinema nights and morning yoga. The menu of the bar changes every week and it has many special evenings with Dj sets and concerts. Booking in advance is recommended, you can do it online here.

In case you’re also looking for a romantic weekend, you should check out their cute hotel – Hôtel Domaine de Raba Bordeaux Sud.

Where: 35 Rue Rémi Belleau, 33400 Talence

Les Halles de Talence

The Talence market is the little brother of the Bacalan market, built by Biltoki in December 2018. Inside the market, you can find a very good cheese stand, tapas, Moroccan food, sushi, oysters, and more. The prices are a bit high except for the bar, which has a great variety of wines at a good price. The best part, however, is the outdoor area! Plenty of tables are spread in the afternoon between the market and the other restaurants in the Forum and you can enjoy a really fun apero or dinner with a very local vibe.

Halles de Talence - chic market near Bordeaux — *by Lost in Bordeaux*

If you want to discover other markets in Bordeaux check out my articles about the best markets in and around Bordeaux.

Where: Place Alcala de Henares, 33400 Talence / When: Daily except for Mondays, the market closes for a break between 14:30 to 16:30 on weekdays

Canopee Café in Merignac

If you want to avoid going to the city center the Canopée Café is a great option! The Canopée Café in Merignac has both an indoor restaurant (open for lunch and dinner) and a very chic rooftop with a huge selection of cocktails and a petanque court, called the Bodega.

This rooftop is located in the industrial zone in Merignac and thus lacks the beautiful view in Bordeaux’s rooftop bars but the place itself is super chic and there’s plenty of parking 🙂 If you’re a group of 15pl, you must book a table- all the details are here.

Canopée Café Mérignac - chic rooftop near Bordeaux — by Lost in Bordeaux

Where: Face Mérignac Soleil, 1 Chemin de Pouchon, 33700 Mérignac / When: The rooftop (La Bodega) is open Mon to Sat from 17:30.

Eklo’s Guinguette

Eklo in the Bastide neighborhood is an eco-friendly hotel and also a fun bar/restaurant with a huge terrace. The atmosphere there is very chill and less posh than some of the other places on this list, and it’s definitely a positive thing. The menu mostly includes charcuterie, cheese, and some snacks so don’t expect a proper dinner. There’s usually a D.j set in the evening, see the program here.

Where: 10 Rue de la Gare d’Orléans, 33100 Bordeaux / When: Thu to Sat from 16:00 to 23:00

Moxy

A similar vibe of a light, fun, and unpretentious terrace bar you can find at Moxi, a 3-star hotel located next to the Bacalan market. The bar has a chic interior space (which is even kids-friendly) and a fun outdoor space. Like many other summer bars, they have quite a lot of live shows and dj sets. See the program here.

Where: 25 Quai du Maroc, 33000 Bordeaux, France

Le Café Utopia

This isn’t specifically a Bordeaux summer bar but it’s one of my favorite Terraces in Bordeaux all year long (when it’s not raining of course). For those who’re not familiar with the place, Utopia is an independent cinema theater, installed in an ancient church, l’église du Vieux Bordeaux. At the entrance to this beautiful building, you’ll find le Cafe Utopia, a nice bistro, and a good to take your laptop for a few hours of work.

However, the best part is the terrace which has plenty of tables on one of the liveliest squares in Bordeaux, Place Camille Jullian. If you’re looking for a nice, simple place for a drink in the center of the city, this one is recommended.

Cafe Utopia - one of the best terraces in Bordeaux — *Cafe Utopia – one of the best terraces in Bordeaux*

Where: 5 Place Camille Jullian, 33000 Bordeaux / When: Daily from 10:00 to 22:30

You can also get plenty of tips on things to do in the Southwest of France via lost in Bordeaux’s social media accounts and email list, check them out here:

Facebook |Instagram |Email | Facebook group

Liked the article? Want to read it again when you’re in Bordeaux? Save it on your Pinterest board.

If it’s your first time in Bordeaux you may also like to read some of the following “intro to Bordeaux” articles I wrote:
The Ultimate Guide to Bordeaux
The best districts in Bordeaux
Where to stay in Bordeaux
What to do in one day in Bordeaux
Things to do with kids in Bordeaux

*Note – Some of the links in this article include affiliate links for which I earn a small commission. It adds absolutely nothing to your cost and helps me continue writing about this amazing region. Don’t worry, I’m not getting rich here, I’ll never recommend anything I don’t believe in 🙂

In Around Bordeaux

Where to stay in Arcachon, France

Last updated on April 14, 2023 No Comments

Arcachon is one the prettiest resort towns in the Southwest of France. You can make it a quick day trip and wholly enjoy it, but I highly recommend spending a few nights to fully absorb the Arcachon experience. In this article, I gathered a list of the best hotels in Arcachon as well as some tips regarding the best places to stay in Arcachon.

This list includes hotels only, so if you’re looking to stay on a camping website – check my article about the best camping sites in Arcachon and Cap Ferret.

If you have a few days to spend around Arcachon Bay, check out my article about the best places to visit in Arcachon.

Where to stay in Arcachon and some important tips

Where should you stay in Arcachon?

The city is divided into 4 parts, the most central one is Ville d’Ete (the summer town). That is where most of the restaurants, shops, and other attractions are located. So if you want to be close to everything within a short walking distance – that’s where you should stay.

However, other parts of the city are not less charming so if you’re traveling by car/ bike, you should consider them as well. Other parts of the city include the winter city with its amazing 19th-century villas, the port, the beaches, and the Le Moulleau neighborhood. In my Arcachon guide, I have a detailed explanation of what to expect in every neighborhood.

Ville d'hiver - one of the best neighborhoods in Arcachon — *Ville d’hiver*

A few important tips when booking your hotel

The southwest of France can get very hot in the summer, so be sure to book a place with AC if you are visiting during peak season around July-August. It has become a must in the last few years but not all places provide it so double-check.

Parking is not easy to find in Arcachon during the summer season and even if you do find one close to your hotel it can be rather expensive. So if you’re coming by car, try to look for a hotel that offers a parking option. These are not free but it’s usually cheaper per day than the ones offered outside.

Restaurants on the riverfront of Arcachon — *Coffee places in Arcachon*

Breakfast – most hotels offer that option. If you’re located in Ville d’Ete, just know that you have plenty of coffee places where you can have a light breakfast, so don’t feel obliged to have one at the hotel.

Best hotels in Arcachon

Le B d’Arcachon

If you’re looking to stay as close as possible to the main beach of Arcachon this is the hotel for you! Le B d’Arcachon is a popular 4-star hotel with direct access to the beach. The hotel is located in Ville d’Eté, a few minutes walk from the train station, the theater, and the market.

The rooms have a modern clean design to them, as well as other spaces such as the breakfast hall. Breakfast is not included in the normal price of the room but you can add one if you want a nice start to the day with a view of the beach.

Many of the rooms have a little balcony with a beautiful view, which I’m sure you’ll enjoy on the beautiful summer days of Arcachon. You can also rent bikes at the hotel and go on a ride along the beach.

Pets are welcomed upon request. There’s a private parking option at the hotel at an extra cost.

Book it here

Residhome Arcachon Plazza

People traveling with kids or for a longer period of time will probably prefer staying in an apartment. If that’s something you’re looking for, I have a great option for you – Residhome Arcachon Plazza.

This beautiful aparthotel building is located at the most central place in Arcachon in Ville d’Ete. It’s a short walking distance from the main beach, the market, the train station, the casino of Arcachon as well as other important facilities.

Every room has a small kitchen complete with a refrigerator so you can buy the best ingredients at the Arcachon market and cook in your apartment. The rooms come with air conditioning and Wifi.

Private parking is available on-site, however, it’s an extra cost.

Book your room here.

Where to stay with kids in Arcachon — *Arcachon – a family friendly vacation*

If you’re traveling with kids, learn about all the best kids-friendly activities Arcachon has to offer.

Hôtel Villa-Lamartine

Another great hotel in the center of Arcachon (Ville d’Ete) is Hôtel Villa-Lamartine. It’s a 3- stars boutique hotel situated in a beautiful Arcachon villa. Located within a few minutes walk from the main beach and the train station, and surrounded by plenty of boutiques and restaurants.

This small hotel offers only 20 rooms, which include a few simple rooms as well as larger family rooms and beautiful suites. The rooms are beautifully designed but in a more traditional way with darker colors and heavy wooden beds. It’s fully renovated and has some great facilities like terrace tables for breakfast and a spa.

The hotel has two conference rooms and is often rented to companies attending the events at the conference center of Arcachon.

The hotel provides private parking at an extra cost of 25 euros a day.

Their prices are very good considering their amazing location and great facilities.

Book your room here.

Victoria Boutique Hotel

Victoria Boutique Hotel is a great option for an affordable modern hotel. It’s the newest hotel on my list, opened in 2020 so all rooms are new and spotless.

The hotel is quite chic and would please people who love a more modern clean design. It’s a very small boutique hotel with only 3-4 rooms on every floor. Pro tip: If you choose the ground floor rooms they come with a small private garden 😉

The hotel also has a cool rooftop where you can have breakfast or a drink.

Victoria Boutique Hotel good value for money — *Victoria Boutique Hotel*

Victoria Hotel is not as central as the other hotels on this list but still located within a walking distance from the beach and the commercial center of Arcachon.

The gives is great value for money, as during the season you can find rooms at around 200 euros per night, which is quite rare for a 4-star hotel in Arcachon.

Book your room here.

Hôtel Ville d’Hiver

Now moving to one of my favorite parts of Arcachon City – Ville d’Hiver. The winter town, built on the hills of the city in the late 19th century, attracts many visitors thanks to its gorgeous architecture. While it’s a bit farther away from the beach and the restaurants, it offers a calm magical atmosphere.

If that sounds like a place you want to stay in this next hotel is for you!

Hôtel Ville d'Hiver - the best hotel in Ville D'Hiver in Arcachon — *Hôtel Ville d’Hiver*

Located in a beautiful complex with several separate villas for the guests. It has a beautiful garden inviting you to walk around and enjoy the scenery. The highlight of this hotel is the restaurant which offers a big menu of local specialties.

The hotel is located about 15 minutes walk from the main beach. But to compensate for that in the summer you can enjoy their pool as well as a small spa facility.

The only disadvantage is that the hotel can be a bit somber in the lobby and the rooms on the ground floor. Try to get a room with a terrace if you stay there.

Other than that it’s a very cool well kept hotel.

Book your room here.

Hotels close to Dune du Pilat

La Co(o)rniche

If you’re looking for a luxury experience, I would highly recommend going to La Co(o)rniche!

La Co(o)rniche is a 5-star hotel designed by Philippe Starck with the most amazing view of Dune du Pilat and the Bassin d’Arcachon. It has a very chic pastel-colored design and each room is unique. Every room has a balcony or a private terrace with a beautiful view.

The Co(o)rniche is located just a few minutes by car from the Dune du Pilat but you can also access the dune by foot from the beach.

*infinity swimming pool at La Co(o)rniche*

The highlight of this hotel is the infinity swimming pool with a view of the ocean, where you can relax and enjoy the stunning scenery with a cocktail at their outdoor bar. The hotel is open all year long and when it’s too cold to use the outdoor pool, the hotel guests can use the indoor pool at their sister hotel Ha(a)ïtza.

Book your room here.

Ha(a)ïtza

As previously mentioned Ha(a)ïtza is the sister hotel of La Corniche and another project of Philippe Starck. It has a delicate style with warm white tones and touches of steel.

It’s yet another 5-star luxury hotel that hosts one of the best restaurants in Arcachon – the two-Michelin-starred Le Skiff Club. They also have a bistro with great food and more affordable prices.

Haaitza - one of the bets hotels near Dune du Pilat — *One of the restaurants at Ha(a)itza*

The highlight of the hotel is the covered swimming pool under a glass roof that’s open all year long. Ha(a)itza also offers other great facilities like a spa, a fitness room, and a hairdresser.

The hotel is located on the main street of Pyla sur Mer, the quiet town of Dune du Pilat. Within a few minutes walk from the hotel you can enjoy the calm beaches of Dune du Pilat which are the best ones to go to when the main beaches are getting too crowded.

Book your room here.

Hope this article will help you find the best place for your Arcachon vacation!

Don’t forget to check all my other Bordeaux-related articles before traveling to the region!

You can also get plenty of tips on things to do in the Southwest of France via lost in Bordeaux’s social media accounts and email list, check them out here:

Facebook |Instagram |Email | Facebook group

*Note – Some of the links in this article include affiliate links for which I earn a small commission. It adds absolutely nothing to your cost and helps me continue writing about this amazing region. Don’t worry, I’m not getting rich here, I’ll never recommend anything I don’t believe in 🙂

In Around Bordeaux

The most beautiful villages in Île de Ré

Last updated on August 17, 2023 No Comments

Ile de Re, a little piece of heaven on the French Atlantic coast is home to many beautiful villages. There are ten villages on the Island, each with a unique soul and character. Some of the villages on Île de Ré are lively with buzzing city centers while others are very peaceful with long sandy beaches.

Île de Ré is not a huge Island and if you have a few days, you can visit all ten villages and discover their uniqueness. However, some villages are more beautiful and interesting than others and in this article, I’ll make you discover them. So if you’re time limited and want to make sure you visit the top spots on the Island, follow my list of the most beautiful villages in Île de Ré.

If you’re going to the Island for a day trip from La Rochelle, check out my article about how to spend one day in Île de Ré.

*If you need more recommendations for places to visit in the SW of France, join my Traveling in the Southwest of France group.

Beautiful villages in Île de Ré you shouldn’t miss

La Flotte – an ancient port with the most beautiful market

Île de Ré prides itself on having three out of its ten villages formally labeled as “the most beautiful villages in France” (Les plus beaux villages de France). One of these three stunning villages is La Flotte.

La Flotte is located on the northern coast of the Island and it’s the first village you’ll pass by after crossing the bridge from La Rochelle. The charming village has a rich history dating back to the middle ages. It was a busy port during the 13th century playing an important role in the salt trade on the Island.

La Flote - one of the most beautiful villages in France — La Flotte – Lost in Bordeaux

What’s not to miss in La Flotte:

The market

La Flotte is home to one of the best markets in Île de Ré. Built as a medieval-inspired market, it’s a perfect place to try some of the regional specialties just before you leave the Island. The market is located at Place du Marche and is open daily throughout the year.

The medieval market of La Flotte in Ile de Re — *The medieval market of La Flotte – Lost in Bordeaux*

The historic center:

La Flotte has a bustling historic center with plenty of nice restaurants and beach fashion boutiques. Take a stroll through the narrow paved street and absorb the atmosphere and the architecture of this beautiful town. The village has a beautiful little church, L’église Sainte Catherine that’s also worth a visit.

The Port

From the old center, you can continue to the port with its beautiful green lighthouse. In the past, La Flotte was a commercial port and nowadays shelters many touristic boats. From the port, you can do a nice walk along the Promenade du Front du Mer.

If the weather’s getting hot, head to the small beach located right next to the city center, Plage de l’Arnerault

Recommended hotel in La Flotte:

Hôtel & SPA Le Richelieu is a great Spa hotel located within 10m from the beach. The hotel is perfectly located next to the port and the market.

Saint Martin de Ré – the main village of Ile de Re

Saint Martin de Ré is a lively port town with beautiful half-timbered houses and historic landmarks. Like its neighbor La Flotte, Saint Martin de Re is labeled as one of the most beautiful villages in France.

The village is considered the unofficial capital of Île de Ré thanks to its rich history and economic development. And while it’s not the biggest village on the Island, it’s definitely the most important and liveliest of them all. It’s not hard to see why this village is so loved by both locals and tourists.

Saint Martin was an important military port and you can still see its star shape fortifications and its beautiful citadel. This historic monument was built by Vauban, a French military architect, at the end of the 17th century. It is one of the 12 famous Vauban fortified towns some of which are located in the Southwest of France.

Blaye in Gironde is another example of a Vauban fortified town, see more details about it my article about the most beautiful villages around Bordeaux.

In 2008, Saint Martin de Ré was classified as a Unesco world heritage.

What not to miss in Saint Martin de Ré

The old center

Saint Martin de Ré has a very busy center with lots of restaurants and boutiques, especially around the port where a lot of seafood restaurants and coffee places are located. It’s a perfect spot for lunch. Be sure to be there early to get a spot on one of the terrace cafés.

Saint Martin de Re - one of the most beautiful villages in Ile de Re — *The center of Saint Martin de Re – Lost in Bordeaux*

Many houses date back to the 17th and 18th centuries. During that time the village saw great financial growth with many salt and wine merchants moving into the town center. Take a stroll in the historic center and discover the interesting mix of architectural styles. Don’t miss the colorful house and historic buildings such as Eglise Saint-Martin with its bell tower and panoramic terrace.

The beautiful houses in Saint Martin de Re — *The center of Saint Martin de Re – Lost in Bordeaux*

Springtime is particularly beautiful in Saint Martin de Ré with many houses decorated with typical flowers from Charentes Maritimes. The most prominent one is the stunning hollyhock flower which you can find in abundance in the region.

The port

This is the main port of the island and where most of the sea excursions are leaving from. If you’re staying on the island, taking a cruise is one of the best activities you can do here. You can take a cruise to the magical île d’Aix or just a boat trip with a tour around Fort Boyard.

A boat trip to Fort Boyard from Ile de Re — *Fort Boyard – Lost in Bordeaux*

You can book your tickets online.

Eat Ice Cream

Another thing this town is known for is ice cream! One of the best ice cream shops here is called La Martinière. It was established in 1970 and is still considered the best ice cream on the Island La Martinière closes during the winter season.

Recommended hotel in Saint Martin de Ré:
La Martinoise Garden is a charming 4-star guest house in the center of Saint Martin de Re. Book here.

If you’re traveling with a big family, here’s a great villa with 5 rooms close to the center of Saint Martin de Ré.

Ars en Ré – the best place to discover the salt marshes

The third village in Île de Ré to be labeled as one of the “Plus beaux villages de France” is Ars en Ré. It’s a very tranquil village, especially in comparison to Saint Martin de Re and La Flotte.Ars en Ré is located on the South-west coast of the Island, about 30 minutes drive from the Pont de l’île de Ré. However, the village (as well as the route there) is remarkably beautiful and well worth the drive.

La Route du Sel - Ile de Re — *The salt route next to Ars en Re – Lost in Bordeaux*

Ars en Ré is perfectly situated between the ocean and the salt marshes of Fier d’Ars. If you’re interested to discover how salt is being produced in Ile de Re, this is the perfect place to start your discovery tour.

Cycle paths are spread along the salt marshes and the port so biking is the best way to discover it. You can also do it walking but I’m a friend that the monotonic scenery might get boring at some point.

If you have a few days on the Island, Ars en Re is a great point to start discovering the western part of the Ile de Re.

What’s not to miss in Ars en Ré

The church

The most famous monument in Ars en Ré is its church, Église Saint-Étienne built in the 15th century. The church has a black and white bell tower that is seen from every corner of the village. In the past, the belltower used to guide boats sailing toward the Island. Hence its unique colors.

*Église Saint-Étienne in Ars en Re – Lost in Bordeaux*

The port and the little center

Ars en Re has a very cute little town center and port with a few nice restaurants. It’s a great place to stop for lunch.

The port of Ars en Re - a perfect spot for Lunch — *The port of Ars en Re – Lost in Bordeaux*

After you finish eating, the center is also where you can rent a bike for your trip. We rented our at Beach Bikes in the center, but there are several shops that all seem good. Most bike rental shops are open from April to November.

Here’s a map of all the cycling routes on the Island.

The market

Ars en Ré is also home to one of the best markets in Ile de Ré. In the summer, the market takes place in the town center every day, whereas the rest of the year it takes place only on Tuesday and Friday mornings.

If you’re visiting in the winter, market days are the better days to visit this lovely village.

Loix – an Island with in an Island

Look closely at the map of Île de Ré and you’ll notice that Loix is actually an Island within an Island. Most of the village is surrounded by the ocean, making it a 14km coast in total. The southern part of Loix is surrounded by the salt marshes of Île de Ré.

salt marshes of Île de Ré near Loix — *Salt marshes near Loix – Lost in Bordeaux*

The peninsula is connected to the rest of the Island by two main cycling paths. One path takes you along the coast from the east side, which is one of the most beautiful paths on the Island.

The second path is called “La Route du Sel”. This one goes through the salt marshes and leads to the salt eco-museum.

What’s not to miss in Loix:

Pointe du Grouin – a calm beach on the northeastern part of the peninsula. If you’re looking for a calm, kids-friendly beach, this is a great option.

Loix has a cute town center with a few coffee places. It also hosts a cute little market that takes place daily during school break and the summer.

One of the most interesting parts of Loix is the village artisanal. Plenty of merchants and craftsmen open their workshops and boutiques for people to visit. Among the most interesting ones to visit in the soap producer (savonerie Atisanae de re) and l’Abeille en Ré (honey farm).

La Couarde sur Mer – a calm village in a prime location

La Couarde sur Mer is another charming village on the southern coast of Île de Ré. It’s one of the more prosperous villages on the Island thanks to a variety of economic activities like oyster, salt, and wine production.

Couarde sur Mer - a great stop for a drink — *Couarde sur Mer – Lost in Bordeaux*

The village has a very cute center with restaurants, bars, and a big carousel for kids. It’s not as lively as other villages on this list but it has one of the best markets on the Islands.

What’s not to miss in La Couarde sur Mer

La Couarde sur Mer has one of the best coastlines on the Island – a strip of more than 5km of sandy beaches. You can enjoy a variety of water activities such as surfing, jet skiing, SUP, and more.

Another perfect activity offered here is yoga on the beach. The classes take place on Plage des Anneries in July and August. See all the details here.

Recommended hotel in la Couarde sur mer

This beautiful B&B with its beautiful garden is located within a few minutes walk from the beach of la Couarde sur Mer. It’s a perfect place for those looking for a calm vacation.

Le Bois Plage en Ré – the village with the best beaches

Le Bois Plage en Ré is the most popular village in the southern part of Ile de Re, mostly thanks to its amazing beaches. The village has a long 6km of sandy beaches which are perfect for families.

Le Bois Plage en Ré is known for its summer market taking place in the center of the town. It’s a perfect place to equip yourself with local delicacies before going to the beach.

What’s not to miss in Le Bois Plage en Ré

The town center is not as beautiful as in other villages on this list but it’s a very lively and kids-friendly village with plenty of restaurants. The market is definitely a must.

The market of Le Bois Plage en Ré — *The martket of Le Bois Plage en Ré – Lost in Bordeaux*

From inland, the village is surrounded by woods and vineyards. That’s where the Cooperative wine cellar is located. The cooperative includes about 60 wine producers, whose vineyards cover around 600 hectares (7% of the total territory of the Island). You can visit the cooperative in July and August. See details here.

Where to stay in Le Bois Plage en Ré

If you like camping sites, Interlude located next to the Gros Jonc beach is a great one. If you prefer to stay in a hotel, Les Bois Flottais is a very cozy hotel located between the beach and the city center.

How to get to Ile De Ré

To get to Ile de Re you first need to get to the main city nearby, La Rochelle. La Rochelle has an airport and one of the biggest train stations in the region so you have quite a few ways to get here.

You can find all the ways to get to La Rochelle here.

From La Rochelle, you can take a bus ( 3/3E), which stops at the train station and the city center. This is the cheapest way to get here, the ticket price is only 2.5 euros.

See the timetable here.

If you’re traveling by car you’ll have to pay the environmental tax to cross the bridge. The fee is 16 euros in the high season (mid-June to mid-September) and 8 euros in the low season.

You can also take a boat from the port of La Rochelle to get to the Ile de Ré- see all the details here.

Take a boat from La Rochelle to Ile de Re — *The port of La Rochelle – Lost in Bordeaux*

How to get from village to village in Ile de Ré

Even if you decide to come to Ile de Re by car, you can easily leave it in the parking. The best way to move around the Island is by bike. There are bike rental shops in every village and in many camping sites as well.

Some of the shops will even bring the bikes to your hotel.

The second option is the free shuttle that circulates around the Island. From April the subtle serves three villages: La Flotte, Loix, and Sainte-Marie-de-Ré. In the high season, July- August, the shuttle goes through all 10 villages of Ile de Re. See all the details here.

Here are other articles about amazing places in the Charentes you might like to read when planning your trip to Ile de Re:

Where to eat at La Rochelle
What to do in Cognac
Discover the French capital of comics and street art – Angouleme
Aubeterre sur Dronne – the most beautiful village in Charente

You can also get plenty of tips on things to do in the Southwest of France via lost in Bordeaux’s social media accounts and email list, check them out here:

Facebook |Instagram |Email | Facebook group

*Note – Some of the links in this article include affiliate links for which I earn a small commission. It adds absolutely nothing to your cost and helps me continue writing about this amazing region. Don’t worry, I’m not getting rich here, I’ll never recommend anything I don’t believe in 🙂

In Charente and Charente Maritime

The best distilleries to visit in Cognac France

Last updated on May 12, 2023 No Comments

Cognac is located about an hour and a half drive from Bordeaux and is one of the most interesting trips you can do in the SW of France. In this article, I will recommend the best distilleries to visit in Cognac (and the Cognac region). However, Cognac itself is also a beautiful little town, rich with history and unique architecture. If you have time to visit the city itself too, check out my article about the best things to do in Cognac.

the best things to do in Cognac — *Visit Cognac*

If you’re also interested in wine, you must dedicate some time to visiting wineries in the Bordeaux wine region. To help you do that, I have a detailed guide to the Bordeaux wine region, that will help you decide what chateaux you’d enjoy visiting.

A big shout out, to Marie, a fabulous guide in the Cognac region that took me to several of these distilleries. If you’re staying in Bordeaux and don’t want to drive to Cognac I highly recommend taking her as a private guide. There’s also a great semi-private tour from Bordeaux to Cognac that’s offered by Olala company – see all the details here. Finally, if you’re looking for a special activity in Cognac, join this masterclass and taste several different Cognacs.

How Cognac is made – some basic info before your visit

The eau-de-vie created in the cognac process has been called the “nectar of the gods” by Victor Hugo.

Cognac is a brandy made from white grapes, and is crafted in the region of… Cognac. 98% of the grapes used for making cognac are Ugni Blanc grapes. In fact, like with French wine and champagne, there are laws that control exactly how cognac is distilled. During the distillation process, the spirit must be distilled twice using copper alembic stills. The region even requires the cognac makers to distill their spirits before April 1st every year. Talk about pressure.

Then the cognac has to be matured in French oak barrels that are from Limousin or the Tronçais forests. Most cognacs have been mixed by a maître de chais. All of these rules ensure the quality of cognac, which has 63 different possible aromas.

French cognac-makers separate cognac into different vintages, or “crus” in French, which reflect their quality. The most revered is the “Grande Champagne”, widely known for its fine taste and wide range of aromas. Some might say it’s the “champagne of cognacs.”

A cognac of the “Petite Champagne” vintage is also prestigious but is grown in soil with less of a limestone layer, and therefore less prestigious. The “Borderies” and “Fins Bois” are two more high-quality cognacs, each with a distinct flavor. Borderies has a violet aroma and Fins Bois has a fruity flavor. There’s a fifth vintage, but nobody talks about that one.

Now that we have that covered, let’s dive into the best distilleries to visit in Cognac. I’ll start with distilleries located in the center of Cognac City and continue to other villages in the larger Cogan region.

The best Distilleries to visit in cognac city

Cognac Camus – traveler’s favorite!

The Camus Distillery has been in the Camus family for five generations. They use a special distilling method dubbed the “intensity” process. It allows them to find the most aromatic parts of the second distillation. This gives their cognacs a very fruity aroma and makes them 7 times more aromatic than the competition.

At the Camus distillery, there are tours offered in English with a tasting of their Horizontal Intense Classic cognac for 35 euros. You can also take a master class, during which you make your own cognac for 190 euros.

Where: 21 Rue Cagouillet, 16100 Cognac

Hennessy – the biggest Cognac house

Anyone that’s listened to U.S. or British rap in the past 20 years has heard of Hennessy. Fortunately, the actual spirit has nothing to do with fur coats or oversized gold rings.

We took the Hennessy tour and had a fabulous time. The company’s boat took us to the other side of the river to visit the cellars. Then we learned all about the processes of creating this luxurious spirit, from the terroir to the maturing and assembling processes. At the end of the tour, you get to taste two different Cognacs and a Cognac-based liqueur (which to be honest, I loved the most).

Cognac tasting - Hennessy — *Cognac tasting – Hennessy*

The price of the tour is 20 euros per person, you can book it here. Tours run from an introduction to a detailed look at the XO spirit of Hennessy.

Where: Quai Richard Hennessy, 16100 Cognac

Château Royal de Cognac

This is arguably the most historical château on my list. It dates back to the 10th century and creates both the Baron Otard and Ussé cognacs. Because of its rich history, visitors receive tours that are based both on history and on the craft of cognac making. Built along the river and meant to prevent invaders from Normandy from infringing upon the city walls, the château casts an impressive shadow over the water.

Starting in the 15th century, the château served as a royal residence, and King Francois I of France was born there. The Château offers two different kinds of visits: 1) At the heart of d’Ussé, which is 35 euros per person, and 2) At the heart of the Château, starting at 18 euros per person.

Where: 127 Bd Denfert Rochereau, 16100 Cognac

Cognac MEUKOW

The Meukow estate is a family-owned cognac property. Although it was started in 1850, the last building was not bought until 2012. Symbolized by a black panther, the property is unique in that it is also home to a restaurant, where you can take culinary courses with cognac pairings.

The château offers a tour with 3 cognac tastings, led by the cellar master of the property. Getting a tour from the cellar master herself is a rarity, but gems like this can be found on small properties like the Meukow estate.

Where: 7 Rue François Porche, 16100 Cognac

Martell – the oldest Cognac house

The Maison Martell has been producing cognac since 1715 and is known for its long history. It credits its 300 years of success to its founder, Jean Martell. At 21 years of age, he established the house and set its tone for innovation and reinvention. These aptitudes have allowed it to withstand the tests of time and modernity. As a grande maison de cognac, Maison Martell has a commitment to biodiversity.

The property offers three tours in English – one each of its XO (35 euros) and VSOP (25 euros) cognacs, and one on cognac-making craftsmanship (60 euros).

Where: 7 place edouard Martell 16100 Cognac

Best distilleries to visit in the larger Cognac region – the small producers

Domaine Pasquet

If you’re interested in visiting a small family-owned producer in Cognac, Domaine Pasquet is the château for you!

You will be welcomed by the lovely Amy, who is married to one of the owners and is managing the business with him. This is the most welcoming and cozy experience you can get in a Cognac, which is dominated by huge domains.

The estate produces organic cognac, a rarity, and is known for its ability to present a cozy experience while also being innovative with its product. Its commitment to producing small batches of cognac and to organic processes makes each bottle unique.
Domaine Pasquet offers a tour in English for 16 euros and includes a tasting.

Where: 27 Chez Ferchaud, 16120 Bellevigne, France France

Cognac Raby

Another great family-owned distillery to visit is Cognac Raby, located in the small village of Segonzac. The tours are free and run by the owner of the Cognac house, Cecile. The Raby family has owned the domain for 5 generations. The family did not start distilling until the 1970s, making Cecile a third-generation distiller. The family takes care of their land, and the estate has been certified as a High Environmental Value level 3.

The estate’s tours are one and a half hours long, and they are available in English. The estate’s shop on-site is open during general business hours without an appointment.

Where: 3 bis La Brée, 16130 Segonzac

Bourgoin Cognac

If you’re traveling through Angouleme (the capital of the Charentes department), this is the distillery you should visit.

The Bourgoin family thinks of its cognac as a winemaker’s cognac. Its website is reflective of the family’s irreverent sense of humor: “Receive the punch of the cognac like a gift. Whether the results are a light stupor or a razzle-dazzle, it promises not to leave you unscathed.”

The Domaine appreciates the people that work the land, names them on its site, and has their photos in its tour advertisements. It offers tours in English for 30 euros.

Where: 14 Rue du Puits, 16290 Saint-Saturnin

Here are other articles about amazing places in the Charentes you might like to discover when planning your trip to Cognac:

Where to eat at La Rochelle
What to do in Cognac
Discover the French capital of comics and street art – Angouleme
Aubeterre sur Dronne – the most beautiful village in Charente
The most beautiful villages in Ile de Ré

You can also get plenty of tips on things to do in the Southwest of France via Lost in Bordeaux’s social media accounts and email list, check them out here:

Facebook |Instagram |Email | Facebook group

Pin this article, for your next visit to the Cognac region

*Note – Some of the links in this article include affiliate links for which I earn a small commission. It adds absolutely nothing to your cost and helps me continue writing about this amazing region. Don’t worry, I’m not getting rich here, I’ll never recommend anything I don’t believe in 🙂

In Toulouse

The Best coffee shops in Toulouse, France

Last updated on March 7, 2023 No Comments

Toulouse is the capital of good coffee in the South of France, here I said it! Every time I visit the pink city, I’m quite amazed by the amount of specialty coffee shops in the center. Most of them are located in the Carmes district which is the hipster area of Toulouse. To complement the good coffee vibes, these places also have great cakes and brunch menus on weekends.

Most of the coffee shops in Toulouse are also designed in a cute and cozy way, which upgrades the whole coffee experience. I’m a coffee addict so finding good coffee places is very important to me 🙂

In this article, I want to help you discover the best coffee places in Toulouse. Save this list for your next weekend there!

If it’s your first time in Toulouse you should also check these two articles about Toulouse:

A weekend guide to Toulouse – all the best things to do
The best areas to stay in Toulouse
The best markets in Toulouse

Let’s dive in!

Coffee places in the center of Toulouse

In this part of the article, you’ll discover the best coffee places around Place du Capitole, the most central part of Toulouse.

Allegory Coffee Bar

Allegory coffee bar is located on the chic street Rue Peyras, about five minutes walk from the famous place de la Capitol. As you’ll discover in this article, most of the chic specialty coffee shops in Toulouse are located in the Carmes district. So if you’re looking for one in a more central location, Allegory is probably one of your best options in the Capitol district.

Decorated with gentle green and pink objects, Allegory Coffee Bar has a very romantic feel to it. The café offers an impressive pastry selection to accompany the great coffee. If you want to eat you have a nice savory menu to select from with more brunch-like options like pancakes, eggs, and savory waffles.

*Allegory Coffee Bar in Toulouse – Lost in Bordeaux*

The service is excellent and they even gave us some recommendations about their favorite boulangerie in the city. The place gets busy on the weekend and you can’t book a table so be there early.

Opening days: Allegory coffee bar is open every day except Wednesday
Address: 9 Rue Peyras, 31000 Toulouse
Check out their website: https://www.allegorycoffeebar.com/

Café Boutique Chapelle des Carmélites

This is one of the best-hidden gems in Toulouse, a coffee shop nestled in the garden of Chapelle des Carmélites.

The Chapelle features the most amazing 17th-century murals and ceiling paintings, that were inspired by the works of art at the Sistine Chapel. This is a real treasure worth visiting, regardless of the coffee shop.

But we’re here to talk about the best coffee shops in Toulouse and this is definitely one of them.

The café itself is tiny and most of the chairs are outside in the garden, so it’s definitely a place for sunny days. The coffee belongs to Hayuco, a famous coffee roaster in Bordeaux, whose coffee you can also find in other spots in the city.

*Chapelle des Carmélites – Lost in Bordeaux*

Opening days: Wednesday to Saturday from 12:00 to 18:00
Address: 12 Rue de Périgord, 31000 Toulouse
Check out their website: https://hello.hayuco.coffee/

Le Café Cerise

Le Café Cerise has two coffee shops, both located just next to the Garonne river.

The first one is situated on Quai de la Daurade and it’s their main café, where you can find both indoor and outdoor sitting. They have a great menu if you’re hungry for a big breakfast.

Their second place is an outdoor coffee shop on the other side of Pont Neuf in the Saint Cyprien neighborhood. It’s located in the garden of Le Château d’Eau, which is a cute photography gallery.

Le Café Cerise - good coffee in a great setting — *Le Café Cerise in Toulouse – Lost in Bordeaux*

Here you’ll find mainly sweet pastry and amazing coffee, of course.

Café 1- Daurade:
Opening days: Monday to Saturday
Address: 4 Quai de la Daurade, 31000 Toulouse

Café 2-Cote Jardin- Café éphémère
Opening days: Saturdays and Sundays only
Address: 1 place Laganne, Jardin du Chateau d’Eau

Check out their website: https://lecafecerise.fr/

Coffee places in the Carmes and Saint Etienne districts

Now let’s move south to the hippest part of Toulouse, the Carmes neighborhood where most of my favorite coffee shops are located.

Canopée Coffee House

Canopée Coffee House is a very popular place and arguably serves the best coffee in Toulouse. It has a more rustic design that calms you down the minute you step into the door.

On their menu, you can find quite a lot of juices and more healthy food options.

Canopée Coffee House in Toulouse - great brunch menu — *Canopée Coffee House in Toulouse – Lost in Bordeaux*

Every Saturday the place gets very busy so be sure to come early. My favorite spot there is the sofa next to the window, where you can see both the cafe but also feel the vibe of this hip neighborhood.

Opening days: Monday to Saturday
Address: 28 Rue des Couteliers, 31000 Toulouse
Check out their website: https://canopee.coffee/

La Belle Brune

This coffee was recommended to me by some of my Lost in Bordeaux followers who know that I’m a coffee addict and they didn’t disappoint. It’s one of my favorite coffee shops in Toulouse.

Just a warning, La Belle Brune (and many other good places in Toulouse) have a brunch menu on Sundays. So if you’re visiting the city on Sunday, going there only for a cup of coffee is not the best plan (unless you come early). Having said that, a Sunday brunch is a very trendy thing in France now, so you can do that too for the full experience 🙂

La Belle Brune - the best coffee in Toulouse — *The best coffee in Toulouse- La Belle Brune – Lost in Bordeaux*

On other days of the week, la Belle Brune offers another menu with a huge variety of cakes. They have a few tables indoors but also a fun terrace space on one of the chic streets of the Carmes district.

Opening days: Closed on Wednsday and Thursday
Address: 31 Rue Pharaon, 31000 Toulouse
Check out their website: https://labellebrune.fr/

Café Papiche

We are staying on the same street for yet another amazing coffee: Café Papiche!

A cute little place, serving one of the best cafes you can get in Toulouse. They have a really nice selection of homemade pastries, but their babka is something you shouldn’t miss.

Adored by coffee professionals - Café Papiche in Toulouse — *Café Papiche in Toulouse – Lost in Bordeaux*

Opening days: Open Wednesday to Sunday
Address: 44 Rue Pharaon, 31000 Toulouse
Check out their website: https://www.facebook.com/CafePapiche/

Kopi Coffee shop

Kopi Coffee shop is located at Place du Salin, one of the liveliest squares in Les Carmes. It’s a perfect place to stop on the way to the main park of Toulouse and grab a coffee.

Thibault the owner, is a coffee enthusiast that decided to open this place to share his love of coffee. He’s joined by his dad who serves as the chef of Kopi Café. Like other coffee shops on this list, they also have an amazing selection of sweet pastries.

Kopi Coffee shop - one of the best coffee shops in Toulouse — *Kopi Coffee shop -Lost in Bordeaux*

Opening days: Open Tuesday to Saturday
Address: 20 Pl. du Salin, 31000 Toulouse
Check out their website: https://www.instagram.com/kopicoffeeshop/?hl=en

Neroli Coffee Society

Neroli cafe is a holistic cafe, a concept I wasn’t aware of before coming here. You can order all the regular hot beverages but that’s not why most of their clients come here.

The specialty of Neroli is their whole foods, colorful coffee, mixed with ingredients that you would never imagine combining with hot milk. Their pink Latte for example has beetroot in it, while the golden latte is mixed with vanilla and turmeric.

*Neroli Coffee Society – Lost in Bordeaux*

I’m not sure I’d replace my caffeine intake with these on a daily basis, but it was definitely a nice experience.

Opening days: Open Tuesday to Saturday
Address: Neroli Coffee Society, 11 Rue Théodore Ozenne, 31000 Toulouse
Check out their website: https://www.nerolicoffeesociety.com/toulouse-coffee-shop

If you’re visiting Toulouse for the first time there are a few articles you should check:
My detailed guide to a weekend in Toulouse
Where to stay in Toulouse – the best districts
The best events taking place in Toulouse
The best things to do in Toulouse with kids

If you’re visiting during Christmas you might want to check my article about the best Christmas markets around Toulouse.

You can also get plenty of tips on things to do in the Southwest of France via lost in Bordeaux’s social media accounts and email list, check them out here:

Facebook |Instagram |Email | Facebook group

Pin this article, for your next visit to Toulouse

In Toulouse

The best markets in Toulouse

Last updated on March 7, 2023 No Comments

Toulouse is known for at least one amazing market, Marché Victor Hugo. But did you know that the pink city has many other great markets in almost every one of its central districts? Visiting a market is a must for those interested in local cuisine and discovering regional delicacies. That’s why in this article I want to introduce you to the best markets in Toulouse.

This list contains outdoor and covered markets where you can sit and dine. I included big food markets but also small organic ones, book markets, and even an antique market. There’s something interesting to check in almost every part of Toulouse center.

If it’s your first time in Toulouse, check out my detailed guide for a weekend in Toulouse. If you love French markets, check out my article about the best markets in Bordeaux.

Let’s dive into the best markets in Toulouse, one of the more foodie cities in France.

Best Markets in the Center of Toulouse

Marché Victor Hugo

If you have to choose only one market in Toulouse, Marché Victor Hugo is the place. The main market of Toulouse is a gastronomic institution attracting tourists and locals alike.

The first market in the center of Toulouse was built in 1827 after the walls of the medieval city were demolished. It was a wooden market and the square itself was called Place du Marché-au-Bois and renamed Place Victor Hugo in 1886. The modern covered market we see today was inaugurated in 1892 and is the biggest covered market in Toulouse.

Marché Victor Hugo - the main market of Toulouse — *Marché Victor Hugo- by Lost in Bordeaux*

The market’s first floor is where more than 200 stalls are located. Here you can find everything from the best cheese to charcuterie, bread, seafood, poultry, and more. It’s the best place to try some local tapas and delicacies that Toulouse is mostly famous for like the Saucisse de Toulouse and the Pavé Toulousain cheese. See a list of all the stalls and producers at the market here.

The second floor of the market is where the restaurants are located. That’s where many locals will finish their shopping journey on the weekend. On weekends, a lot of people flock here to enjoy lunch with their friends on the terrace of the market. If you want to try one of the market restaurants you must come early (not later than 12:05 🙂 ). My favorite restaurant at the market is Au Bon Graillou, try their mussels.

Opening hours: The market is open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 7:00 to 13:30.
Address: Pl. Victor Hugo, 31000 Toulouse

Food tour in Marché Victor Hugo

If you have the budget, I highly recommend taking a tour of the market with Jessica from Taste of Toulouse. Jessica is an American cheesemonger who moved to Toulouse in 2017. She created a food tour company specializing in local cuisine with the market tour being the flagship and the most popular tour.

You can book her market tour here.

Marché des Carmes

Marché des Carmes is another covered market located in the center of Toulouse. The market is nestled in the center of the chic Carmes neighborhood with plenty of stylish coffee shops and boutiques around. The market hosts around 40 stalls with a great selection of cheese shops, charcuteries, seafood products, and the most beautiful fruits and vegetables. Des Carmes market isn’t as big as Victor Hugo but it has everything you need. I feel this market is a bit less intimidating thanks to its smaller size and cozy design.

There aren’t many restaurants in the market itself but a huge number of restaurants around it so finding a good place to dine shouldn’t be complicated.

If you need a recommendation, try La Braisière on 42 Rue Pharaon.

Address: Marché des Carmes, Pl. des Carmes, 31000 Toulouse
Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 7:00 to 13:30

Marché des Carmes - one of the best markets in Toulouse — by Lost in Bordeaux

Do a picnic

On sunny days one of the more local things you can do is a picnic with everything you bought at the market. The Carmes market happens to be located just five minutes walk from Jardin Royal, a beautiful park with exotic trees and a little pond. This is the perfect place to spread your picnic blanket and take out all the goodies you bought at Les Carmes.

Marché Esparcette

If you like organic markets, there’s one waiting for you right in the center of Toulouse. Marché Esparcette is a small market taking place every Tuesday and Saturday on Square De Gaulle, behind Place du Capitole. The market hosts only small certified organic producers, among them you can find cheese and spice producers, a butcher, and a baker.

Address: Square De Gaulle 31000 Toulouse
Opening hours: Tuesday and Saturday from 8 am to 2 pm

Other markets in Toulouse

Marché de Saint Aubin

Marché de Saint Aubin is the perfect market for sunny Sundays!

The market takes place every Sunday morning around Eglise Saint Aubin, about a ten-minute walk from the city center. It’s a huge market where you can find stalls of absolutely everything. Cheese from the Pyrenees, next to local honey and jam producers; a farmer selling only apples next to a huge stall of olives and spices; freshly ground coffee, local desserts, and a huge variety of saucisson; and the list goes on and on.

Marché de Saint Aubin in Toulouse — *Marché de Saint Aubin – by Lost in Bordeaux*

Saint Aubin is predominately a food market but you can also find quite a few florists, craftsmen, clothing stands, and more. The market has an incredible vibe to it with many musicians and bands coming to play here every Sunday.

Saint Aubin is where many Toulousians meet their friends for a Sunday brunch after they finish their shopping. There are many restaurants in the area but you can also buy ready-to-eat dishes from many stalls in the market. Around lunchtime, the market gets very busy and the lines to buy food get long so be sure to come early (before 11 am).

Opening hours: every Sunday from 7 am to 1:30 pm
Address: Place Saint Aubin, 31000 Toulouse

Getting there: If you’re staying outside of the city center you can use the metro to get to the market. The closest station is Jean Jaures.

Marché de Saint Aubin - the best market in Toulouse for Sundays — *Marché de Saint Aubin – by Lost in Bordeaux*

The best picnic spot

If you can’t wait to taste all the delicacies you just bought at the market, go for a picnic at the Grand Rond. Located about 10 minutes walk from the market, this beautiful park is abundant with impressive sculptures, flowers, and hidden spots for a perfect picnic.

Marché Saint Cyprien

Marché Saint Cyprien is located on the west side of the Garonne river in the Saint Cyprien neighborhood. It’s mostly visited by the locals who are very proud of their neighborhood and almost never cross the bridge to the central part of Toulouse.

What makes this market particularly interesting is that it kept its original metallic structure. That is contrary to the Victor Hugo and Les Carmes markets that were completely rebuilt in the 20th century. If you’re interested in architecture, this is the most beautiful market in Toulouse.

The market has all the local products and you can find there anything from a butcher to cheese and flowers. Nevertheless, it’s a rather small market, so unless you’re staying in that part of town, I recommend visiting other markets on this list.

If you’re coming from the city center, take line A of the metro to the Saint Cyprien – République station.

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Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 7:00 to 13:00
Address: Pl. Intérieure Saint-Cyprien, 31300 Toulouse

Where to Picnic

The Saint Cyprien market is located within a few minutes walk from one of the biggest parks in Toulouse, Prairie des Filtres. The park is located on the banks of the river, so you’re guaranteed a picnic with a perfect view.

Marché Cristal

This is the biggest market in Toulouse, spread all over the main boulevards of Toulouse from Place Jeanne-d’Arc to Arnaud-Bernard. That’s where it got the nickname “marché des boulevards”. It’s the easiest market to get to if you’re located outside of the city center.

This market is more affordable than the three covered markets I mentioned in this article. It doesn’t offer the same experience as the other markets on my list, but a great option for people living in Toulouse and visitors looking for a large regular French market.

The best markets in Toulouse — *Toulouse market – by Lost in Bordeaux*

Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 7:00 to 13:00
Address: Boulevard d’Arcole and Boulevard de Strasbourg

La Brocante des Allées – Antique market

We cannot talk about markets in France without mentioning at least one antique market.

La Brocante des Allées is the main antique market of Toulouse taking place every first weekend of the month (Friday to Sunday). The brocante hosts more than 90 vendors, selling everything from art to fancy dishes and furniture. The market is taking place on allées François-Verdier, in the south of Les Carmes neighborhood.

A brocante in Toulouse — *Brocante in Toulouse – by Lost in Bordeaux*

Opening hours: Every first weekend of the month (Friday to Sunday) – from 9:00 to 18:00
Address: allées François-Verdier

Marché des Bouquinistes – Rue du Taur

Let’s finish with something rather cute, a book market!

Strolling the streets of old Toulouse, you’ll discover that this city has an impressive amount of bookstores. It’s thus not very surprising that the city hosts a weekly book market. Marché aux Livres du Taur takes place every Saturday on rue du Taur, one of the most beautiful streets in Toulouse. The market unites together six book shops that put out books from every possible genre, from comics to kids’ literature and cooking books. Most of the books are in French of course, but it’s a cute market to stop by even if you don’t speak French. See more info on their Facebook page.

Opening hours: Saturday from 9 am to 6 pm
Address: Rue du Taur

If you’re visiting Toulouse for the first time there are a few articles you should check:
My detailed guide to a weekend in Toulouse
Where to stay in Toulouse – the best districts
The best events taking place in Toulouse
The best things to do in Toulouse with kids

If you’re visiting during Christmas you might want to check my article about the best Christmas markets around Toulouse.

You can also get plenty of tips on things to do in the Southwest of France via lost in Bordeaux’s social media accounts and email list, check them out here:

Facebook |Instagram |Email | Facebook group

Pin this article, for your next visit to Toulouse

*Note – Some of the links in this article include affiliate links for which I earn a small commission. It adds absolutely nothing to your cost and helps me continue writing about this amazing region. Don’t worry, I’m not getting rich here, I’ll never recommend anything I don’t believe in 🙂

In Bordeaux wine region

The best wine tours in Bordeaux

Last updated on February 28, 2023 No Comments

If you’re looking for amazing wine tours and wine-related experiences, Bordeaux is your city! This shouldn’t come as a surprise in a region that is considered by many as the world wine capital.

If you’re confused and don’t know what are the best wine tours to take in the Bordeaux wine region, I’m here to help. After years of traveling and trying different tours, guides, and winery visits I gathered a list of the best experiences the Bordeaux region has to offer.

If you’re a wine lover or just interested to visit several wineries on your trip to Bordeaux, keep reading as there’s a lot of important information here for you.

Self-guided tours in the wineries of Bordeaux

In the last few years, I wrote many articles about visiting wineries in the Bordeaux wine region. So if you want to go on a self-organized tour, you can find all the info on this site.

Here are a few wineries that I recommend for English speakers: Château de Pressac in Saint Emilion, Château Pape Clément in Pessac Leognan, and Château du Taillan in Medoc.

Discover wineries in Bordeaux on self guided tours in the Bordeaux wine region — *Discover wineries in the Bordeaux wine region – by Lost in Bordeaux*

And this is a full list of all Bordeaux wine-related articles with more winery recommendations, that will help you plan your Bordeaux self-guided wine tour:

Best wineries to visit in Saint Emilion
A guide to the Bordeaux wine region
A day trip to Saint Emilion
How to visit wineries in the Bordeaux wine region without a car
A weekend in the Medoc wine region
Best wineries to visit in Sauternes
Best wineries in Bordeaux to visit with kids

If you’re planning on a wine road trip with several winery visits, I highly recommend renting a car. You can find good prices for rental cars in Bordeaux here.

If you’ve already decided what chateaux you’re planning to visit and you just want a driver to take you there, you can find one here.

In this article, however, I want to help those who don’t want the hassle of organizing a wine tour. Even though self-organized tours are fun, there are a few big advantages to taking a guide.

First, you get a lot of knowledge about the history of the Bordeaux wine region and about winemaking in Bordeaux. But also, it enables you to drink a lot of wine without worrying about driving back to Bordeaux.

*The best wine tours in Bordeaux – by Lost in Bordeaux*

How to take a wine tour in Bordeaux

Wine tours are probably the main attraction Bordeaux has to offer. So as you can imagine, there’s no shortage of guides and tour operators offering wine tours in the region. Some of them are very professional and knowledgeable and others less so. That’s why it’s important to know what you’re booking.

best wine tours in Bordeaux — *Wine tour in Pomerol – by Lost in Bordeaux*

There are several types of wine tours you can find in Bordeaux.

A private wine tour with a guide who takes you straight from the doorsteps of your hotel to visit several wineries in one day. A more popular option is the semi-private wine you, where a small group is going to visit 2-4 wineries in one or two wine regions in Bordeaux.

Then you have the big group tours with 10 to 50 participants. These are less recommended in my opinion but they are very well-priced. And lastly, you have more unique experiences that include food tasting, cycling, and more.

In this article, I summarized the best wine tours and experiences in each of these categories. All the tours on my list leave from Bordeaux which is great for anyone staying in a hotel in the city center.

Wine tours with kids

Most of these companies do not welcome kids on the tour, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the Bordeaux wine region with your kids. All you have to do is choose a château from my article about the most kids-friendly wineries in Bordeaux.

I also added a few recommendations for guides that offer kids-friendly tours – continue reading.

A semi-private wine tour to Saint Emilion

Semi-private tours are small group tours of 6-8 people. These tours feel quite intimate even though they are not private. They’re usually not too expensive, considering the fact that it saves you transportation costs. So all in all, that’s the tour I recommend taking if you’re not into self-guided tours.

take a semi private tour in Saint Emilion — *A semi-private tour in Saint Emilion*

There are quite a few companies offering private and semi-private tours from Bordeaux to Saint Emilion or Medoc. Here are a few I recommend.

St. Emilion Village Half-Day Wine Tour

This semi-private tour is offered by the Ophorus travel company. You first get to visit the most important landmarks of Saint Emilion and learn the history of this magical village.

The tour then takes you to a classified growth winery in Saint Emilion where you get to taste wine and learn about the wine-making process.

The company offers daily tours in the morning and the afternoon.

Book it here.

Take a tour in Saint Emilion — *A small group tour in Saint Emilion – by Lost in Bordeaux*

*See recommended wineries to visit in Saint Emilion.

Saint-Émilion Food and Wine Tour

If you want a full-day trip to Saint Emilion I recommend taking the one offered by Olala Bordeaux. Their tour lasts about six hours and includes a visit to three châteaux in Saint Emilion as well as a fun picnic. Book it here.

Afternoon Wine Tasting in the Medoc Region

This is a great option if you rather take a wine tour of the Medoc region. An afternoon trip taking you from Bordeaux to discover two very different wineries located on the stunning Medoc Chateaux route. One is a small family-owned winery and the other is one of Bordeaux’s more prestigious Great Classified Growth wine estates.

The tour is offered by Bordovino which is a very reputable tour company here in Bordeaux. Book the tour here.

semi private Wine tours in Medoc - the Bordeaux wine region — *Wine tours in Medoc – Bordeaux wine region – by Lost in Bordeaux*

From Bordeaux: Afternoon Saint-Emilion Wine Tasting Trip

If you want to start the morning in Bordeaux and get to Saint Emilion later in the day, this tour might be perfect for you. The afternoon wine tour offered by Bordovino includes a visit to two wineries and a tasting of four Saint Emilion wines.

As you get to visit one small family estate and a big Grand Cru winery, you have the chance to compare their wines and see the differences in their wine-making techniques. You’ll finish the day with an early evening tour of the medieval town.

You can book the tour here.

Discovering wineries by bike – biking wine tours in Bordeaux

There are a few companies offering biking tours in Saint Emilion.

Cycling from one winery to another while enjoying the landscape of Saint Emilion’s lush vineyards is a beautiful experience you don’t want to miss.

Both companies I mention here offer only electric bike tours and that’s because Saint Emilion is a very hilly wine region which makes cycling hard.

E-bike wine tours in Bordeaux — *E-bike wine tours in Saint Emilion – by Lost in Bordeaux*

Bordeaux: St-Emilion Vineyards e-Bike Tour with Wine & Lunch

This Saint Emilion full-day bike trip is offered by Bordovino. You start the day in Bordeaux and the company takes you to Saint Emilion where you’ll get the e-bikes.

You then get a bit of time to tour the beautiful medieval town before you head on your cycling journey.

The unique part of the tour starts once you get out of the center of Saint Emilion. You’ll cycle on the beautiful chateaux route, passing by famous estates like Petrus or Château Cheval Blanc.

On this tour, you get to visit two Saint Emilion wineries and taste their wines. The visit to the first château also includes a light lunch in their garden.

Their bike tours are offered only during the tourist season, starting in April.

Book your bike wine tour here.

Rustic vines – e-bikes tours

This is another recommended wine e-bike tour, offered by Rustic vines, a company that specializes in biking tours.

In this small tour, you get to visit two wineries and taste delicious local specialties during your lunch. You get a short walking tour of Saint Emilion at the end of the day and even have an extra wine tasting at a wine boutique.

Like in the previous tour I described, here too you start your tour in Bordeaux and the company takes you to Saint Emilion.

If you’re already in Saint Emilion you can start straight from there, and get a reduced price.

Book your tour here.

Group tours in the Bordeaux wine region

While I highly recommend taking a semi-private wine tour, their prices range from 90 to 160 euros p/p. It’s not extremely expensive for a wine tour, however, it’s not an affordable price for a lot of travelers to the Bordeaux region.

That’s where the group wine tours come in handy.

group wine tours in the Bordeaux wine region — *Group wine tours in the Bordeaux wine region – by Lost in Bordeaux*

The Bordeaux tourism office offers tours to most wine appellations around Bordeaux, including the less-known ones. You can choose between a day trip to Saint Emilion with a visit to one winery and a wine tour to areas like Medoc, Blaye, Graves, and Sauternes where you get to visit two wine properties.

These tours are guided by professional guides who are generally quite charismatic 🙂 The main advantage of taking a group tour is the price which is usually under 50 euros p/p.

If you have the Bordeaux city pass, you get another discount of 15% – you can purchase the city pass here.

The downside of these group tours is the number of people allowed on a tour which can easily get to around 40.

Here’s the schedule of the group wine tours in Bordeaux:

Monday: Saint Emilion or Fronsac
Tuesday: Medoc
Wednesday: Graves and Sauternes
Thursday: Bourg and Blaye
Friday: Entre Deux Mers (the white wine region of Bordeaux)
Saturday: Medoc
Sunday: Saint Emilion or Fronsac

Some useful information:

All the tours start at the Tourist office of Bordeaux at 13:30 and last for five hours.
During the winter the tours are offered only on weekends
Kids under the age of 5yo cannot join their tours

You can book your tours directly on their website.

Private wine Tours from Bordeaux

Another option is private wine tours from Bordeaux. These tend to be quite expensive as you hire a person to accompany you the whole day. But if you find the right guide, a private tour can be an unforgettable experience.

The best guides in this region are personally familiar with many wine markers and can take you to unique places.

Here are a few of my recommendations for private guides in Bordeaux.

If you’re looking for a tour in Saint Emilion, I highly recommend Nicolle from Sip. Her tour focuses on small independent producers in Saint Emilion. She also wrote a great book about Bordeaux wine which I highly recommend.

Nicolle from SIP wine private tours in the Bordeaux wine region — *Nicolle from SIP wine tours – by Lost in Bordeaux*

As she has been working as a wine guide for more than two decades she can organize tours to Medoc, Pessac Leognan, and other parts of the Bordeaux wine region. This is her Medoc private tour, for example.

If you’re interested to discover the Sauternes world, I highly recommend Anne from Aquitaine travel guide.

*Aquitaine Travel Guide – wine and food tours in Gironde*

If you’re looking for kid-friendly experiences, Anne is great at that too.

Drop her an email with all your questions: aquitaineguide@gmail.com

Two other great English-speaking wine tour guides in the region are Malgorzata Balaban-Delcros and Marie Hallier who also offers amazing tours to Cognac.

Wine activity in Bordeaux

Finally, if you’re in Bordeaux for a very short stay and have absolutely no time for a wine tour you have a few other wine-related activities in the city.

Cité du Vin – visit the world’s biggest wine museum

La Cite du Vin is a unique cultural center, dedicated to the discovery of wine. Through its interactive exhibition, it offers a journey to both French and global wine history.

Read about what to expect when visiting the museum in my article about my visit to the Cité du Vin. You can avoid the lines at the entrance by booking the tickets online – here.

The ticket to the museum is quite pricy but you can enter the museum for free with the Bordeaux CityPass. To enjoy the free entrance you must enter the museum before noon.

Bordeaux Small-Group Wine Tasting class

You can also take a morning wine-tasting class with a Professional sommelier guide. This is a two hours workshop where you’ll learn about and taste wines from different wine regions in France.

Book the class here.

Pin this article, so you can use it on your visit to the Bordeaux wine region!

First time visiting Bordeaux?

If you’re visiting Bordeaux for the first time, be sure to check out my ultimate guide to Bordeaux, which will get you familiar with all the “must” places to visit in Bordeaux. To help you to choose a hotel in Bordeaux I’ve gathered a list of the best hotels in the center of Bordeaux as well as a guide to the districts of Bordeaux to help you choose your preferred location.

You can also get plenty of tips on things to do in the Southwest of France via lost in Bordeaux’s social media accounts and email list, check them out here:

Facebook |Instagram |Email | Facebook group

*Note – Some of the links in this article include affiliate links for which I earn a small commission. It adds absolutely nothing to your cost and helps me continue writing about this amazing region. Don’t worry, I’m not getting rich here, I’ll never recommend anything I don’t believe in 🙂

In Toulouse

Events and festivals not to miss in Toulouse

Last updated on July 4, 2023 No Comments

Toulouse has a very young population and hot weather during the summer and most of the fall. It’s not a surprise then that the pink city is home to many fun events and festivals.

In this article, you’ll discover the best festivals in Toulouse as well as other destinations in the Toulouse region. The list includes everything from electronic music festivals to piano concerts and a cute circus festival.

If it’s your first time in Toulouse don’t forget to read my detailed guide to a weekend in Toulouse and the article about where to stay in Toulouse. It will help you plan the best trip!

If you love festivals check out my list of the best festivals in Bordeaux.

Let’s dive into the cultural world of Toulouse and discover its best festivals!

The best events and festivals in Toulouse Metropole

Festival Spiral

Festival Spiral is a music festival hosted by some of the best music venues in Toulouse like Le Bikini and Le Metronum. The program includes tens of artists from all over the world that perform different events during the month of January.

Check out the details here.

The Violet Festival

Fête de la Violette takes place at Place du Capitole, the main square of Toulouse where the favorite Toulousian flower is celebrated in all its forms from decorations to food, perfumes, and more.

This year (2023) the festival will take place on February 4-5. See more info here.

MAP – The Photography festival of Toulouse

MAP is an amazing event for photography lovers in Toulouse. The festival takes place every year around May or June. Over several weeks places like Espace EDF Bazacle and Paul Dupuy Museum host amazing photography exhibitions.

The goal of the festival is to introduce photography and its artists to the wide public and create opportunities for amateur and professional photographers to meet. Access to the exhibitions is free.

The dates for 2023 will be updated soon.

See more details here

Photography festival in Toulosue - the best festivals in Toulosue

Rio Loco

Rio Loco, created in 1995, is one of the best festivals Toulouse has to offer. The festival is focused on world music and culture and aims to promote cultural diversity. Each year, the program includes plenty of open-air concerts, shows for kids, visual arts, and more.

The festival takes place at Prairie des Filtres in the Saint Cyprien neighborhood (read more about Saint Syprien in my district guide).

This year (2023) Rio Loco will take place on June 14-18. See more details here.

Le Nouveau Printemps

Formerly known as le Printemps de Septembre, Le Nouveau Printemps is one of the best events in Toulouse. This cultural festival was created in 1991 to promote arts of different genres and disciplines, from cinema to architecture and dance.

During the month-long festival, plenty of art events and exhibitions will be offered in the Saint Cyprien district in Toulouse. This year the festival will take place from June 2 to July 2, 2023. Follow this website to see the program of the festival.

Siestes Électroniques – Electro music

“Siestes Électroniques” is an electro music festival taking place every early summer in Toulouse. The event takes place at the beautiful gardens of Compans Caffarelli just north of the center of the city. The idea is to discover new music and artists in a very relaxed atmosphere, a sort of musical siesta in the park.

The festival was created in 2002 in Toulouse and has been traveling to other cities in France and the rest of the world since.
This year (2023) Siestes Électronique will take place from June 29 to July 2. See more details here.

Tangopostale – Tango Festival

Tangopoltale is a big Tango festival taking place in different places in Toulouse every summer. The events include concerts, dance balls, exhibitions, and more. This year (2023) Tangopostale will take place from June 30 to July 29. See more details here.

Open-air Cinema at the Cinémathèque of Toulouse

This is a two-month event in which the Cinematheque of Toulouse invites you to experience cinema “autrement” (differently). During July and August, more than 40 movies from different genres will be screened at the courtyard of La Cinematheque de Toulouse. With the long days and the hot weather in the summer, this is one of the highlights of the summer in Toulouse.

The Cinematheque is located in a beautiful building on rue de Taur in the center of Toulouse. The program for this year will be published on their Facebook page.

Concerts sous les étoiles à Toulouse

This is a new music festival taking place at Jardin Raymond VI in Toulouse (the Saint Cyprien district). All the concerts will take place on the board of the Garonne River, under the stars, as the name of the festival suggests. This year (2023) the festival is taking place on July 1-13. See more details here.

Electro Alternativ

This is one of the biggest electronic music events in Toulouse, hosted by different music venues in the city. The lineup includes some of the biggest names in Electronic music. The festival usually takes place in September.

The dates of the festival and the lineup for 2023 will be published here.

Piano aux Jacobins (Piano concerts)

Piano aux Jacobins is a Piano festival taking place every September at the Couvent de Jacobins in the center of Toulouse. Le Couvent de Jacobins is one of the landmarks of Toulouse and a must-stop on your visit there. This year (2023) the festival is taking place on September 6-29, see the program here.

See other places not to miss on your visit to Toulouse.

Couvent des Jacobins in Toulouse — *Couvent des Jacobins – by Lost in Bordeaux*

Festival Toulouse les Orgues

Every year Toulouse is hosting the International Organ Festival. During the days of the festival, several churches in Toulouse are hosting daily Organ concerts. This year the event will be taking place on October 4-15.

See all the info here.

Marché de Noël de Toulouse

The main Christmas market of Toulouse takes place on Place du Capitole for about a month from the end of November until Christmas day! More than 100 wooden cabins with gifts, local products, and food adorn Place du Capitol and its impressive buildings. If you’re looking for Christmas gifts, you will find everything from jewelry, kids’ toys, cosmetics, chocolates, local wine, and more.

If you want to learn more about this and other Christmas markets in Toulouse, read my article about Christmas in the Toulouse region.

Big events and festivals around Toulouse (in Occitanie)

Jazz en Comminges

This Jazz festival is taking place every year in Saint Gaudens, a little town in the Haute Garonne department. This year the festival is celebrating its 20th edition. The event is taking place on May 17-23, see all the info here.

Arts Scenics

Arts Scenics is yet another fun summer festival taking place near Toulouse. The music festival is hosted by the town of Lisle-sur-Tarn, about an hour’s drive from Bordeaux, This year the festival will be taking place from June 30 to July 2. See the full program here.

Pause Guitare

One of the biggest music festivals in Occitanie is taking place every July in Albi (about an hour drive from Toulouse). The festival, created more than two decades ago, annually hosts more than 90 artists on six stages around the city. The program cleverly combines performances by big stars and new artists.

In 2023, the festival will take place on July 4-9.

See more info here.

Fabulous Festival

Fabulous is a gastronomy and electronic music festival, a pretty cool combination, don’t you think? The festival takes place every August in Villemur-sur-Tarn, a village located around 45 km from Toulouse. The event is hosted by the stunning Château de la Garrigue, which makes it even more special.

This year (2023) the festival is taking place on August 16-18. See all the info here.

Festival de rue de Miremont

Festival de rue de Miremont is a fun festival dedicated to street performance. Two days with a very entertaining program that includes circus, puppets shows, music concerts, equestrian aerobatics, and more. The festival takes place in Miremont, about 30k northwest of Toulouse.
This year (2023) the festival is taking place on July 22-23, see all the details here.

Circa – A circus festival

Circa is an international contemporary circus festival taking place every year in Auch (about 1.5 hour’s drive from Toulouse). The shows in this festival are beyond traditional circus and include elements of dance, music, and digital arts.

The festival usually takes place in October.

The dates and updated program for 2023 are going to be published here.

I hope you enjoyed my list of the best events in Toulouse and that it gave you the inspiration to plan a trip to this region! If so, please share this article with your friends 🙂

You can also get plenty of tips on things to do in the Southwest of France via lost in Bordeaux’s social media accounts and email list, check them out here:

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In Bordeaux wine region

The detailed guide to the Bordeaux wine region and how to visit it

Last updated on July 20, 2023 No Comments

Temperate weather, ocean views, a city packed with culture, and gorgeous architecture are just a few of the attractions of Bordeaux. But once you’ve really tapped into Bordeaux wineries? You might never leave.

With so many delicious wines to sample in the Bordeaux wine region, how should you choose? The answer to that question will depend on the kind of wine you like, how you want to feel drinking it and what should be the setting.

In this article, I’m about the introduce you to all the Bordeaux wine regions. You will learn about the grapes used in every region and what type of wine they produced. And finally, I’ll provide detailed information about how to visit wineries in the Bordeaux region.

For every region, I also added a few recommendations of wineries to visit. So by the end of this article, you should have a rough idea of where to go while visiting the Bordeaux wine region. If you want to stay the night in a winery, check out my article about the best vineyards accommodation in Bordeaux.

Bordeaux wine region map — *By Domenico-de-ga, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1599323*

Bordeaux wine region- what you need to know

There are a stunning 7,000 wineries in Bordeaux and 57 appellations in the Bordeaux wine region. The appellations range from the world-famous Medoc appellation to the lesser-known but lovely Entre-Deux-Mers. Unbeknownst to many, the Bordeaux wine region produces delicious whites on top of its famous reds. Altogether, Bordeaux wineries produce 2.5 billion dollars worth of wine per year from 900 million bottles!

Over 86% of wines in the Bordeaux wine region are reds made from Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc grapes.

Wine harvest in Medoc - one of Bordeaux wine regions — *Harvest in Medoc by Lost in Bordeaux*

The Bordeaux wine region is arguably the most famous wine region on Earth. The unique nutrient-dense soil has filtered down over centuries from the Pyrenees mountains, through the Garonne and Dordogne rivers, into the ocean, forming the Bordeaux wine region.

You may also find that the people from this region of France are more down-to-Earth and welcoming than their Northern neighbors. This makes touring Bordeaux wineries a warm and pleasant experience.

For a closer look at the appellations, let’s pull out the Bordeaux wine map:

South of the Gironde estuary, we have the Left Bank, which includes eight Medoc appellations (including Margaux, Haut-Médoc, Pauillac, etc.), Graves (including Pessac- Leognan), and Sauternes and Barsac.

To the north of the estuary is the Right Bank, which includes the Blaye, Côtes-de-Bourg, Fronsac, Pomerol, and Saint Émilion appellations.

Finally, the Entre-Deux-Mers sub-region is between the two banks. That’s the biggest wine sub-region of Bordeaux and where most of the white wines are produced.

The amount of wineries here is overwhelming and it’s really to decide what region you should go to.

However, here’s a tip from me! Check your visit falls on one of the portes ouvertes events in the region. These are open-door events organized by the different appellations where you have the opportunity to visit several wineries at once. The open-door events are free and open to all. Check out my article about the open days in the chateaux of Bordeaux, to see all the upcoming events.

Château Beauregard - Pomerol- portes ouvertes — *Château Beauregard – Pomerol*

The 5 Bordeaux wine sub-regions you need to know

Saint Emilion – the Most Famous Bordeaux Wine Region

Saint-Emilion is famous for the hillside architecture that makes it a UNESCO World Heritage site. But don’t let your eyes distract your taste buds. This region’s wines are made from deep Merlot and Cabernet Franc, making the wine soft, and tannin-light. It is home to around 800 wineries.

Saint-Emilion is a land, or terroir (break that out for your tour guide for brownie points), of contradictions. Its people and its wine are warm and approachable, but absolutely elite. The Saint Emilion appellation and its four satellite appellations ( Lussac-Saint-Émilion, Montagne-Saint-Émilion, Puisseguin-Saint-Émilion, and Saint-Georges-Saint-Émilion.) are home to generational wineries. Think old-school families that bought the land years ago and saw the value skyrocket since. But also think of centuries of passed-down knowledge.

The strict guidelines that Saint-Emilion wines must follow are even presided over by the Jurade – a group of people that “bear witness to the traditions of the past.”

Pomerol is another rich red found in the Saint Emilion region. It is fruity, dark, and very drinkable.

Best wineries to visit in Saint Emilion - Chateau de Pressac — Chateau Pressac in Saint Emilion – by Lost in Bordeaux

Consider visiting Chateau Pressac for beautiful views and rich family history, Chateau Bernateau for a family-run visit and open grounds, and Chateau Coutet for a 400-year-old winery and scenic view. More information on each can be found in my guide to the wineries of Saint Emilion here.

Before going be sure to check out my articles about Saint Emilion:

A detailed guide to Saint Emilion
How to get to Saint Emilion from Bordeaux
The best wineries to visit in Saint Emilion
Where to stay in Saint Emilion

Medoc – the most prestigious wine region

Instead of a heavy reliance on Merlot like Saint-Emilion, the 584 Medoc wineries grow a more diverse mix of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot grapes. The Medoc is located on the peninsula between the Gironde estuary and the Atlantic Ocean.

Over many years, the estuary carried mineral-rich water from the Pyrenees, through the Garonne and Dordogne rivers, to form the peninsula. As a result, the soil is resistant to moisture, and is ideal for slow-ripening grapes, resulting in some of the most expensive wines in the world. With good reason – they’re delicious.

Besides being prestigious, Medoc is a leader in innovation for winegrowers across the world. Medoc winemakers were the first to exclude rotten grapes from the vinification process and to age wine in oak barrels, for two of many examples.

Some of the comforting flavors of Medoc wines are red and blackberries, dark cherry, hints of vanilla, and roasted coffee with aging. A perfect wine to relax at home with once you leave the beautiful vineyards of the Medoc. You can imagine that you’re back to bright green vineyards overlooking the water as far as the eye can see!

Chateau loudenne on the Medoc wine route — The pink house – Château Loudenne by Lost in Bordeaux

Some suggestions of wineries to visit in the region are Chateau Loudenne (a chateau with a private port), Château Beychevellel, or Château Lamothe Bergeron. You can find out about visiting these chateaux in my article on visiting the Medoc region.

The best way to explore the Medoc is to rent a car but you can also visit many chateaux in Medoc by public transport. Read my article to discover all the wineries reachable by train from Bordeaux.

Graves and Pessac Leognan – The Oldest Wine Region in Bordeaux

The most unique feature of this region is its pine forests. The trees protect the vines from the humidity and wind native to the Bordeaux wine region. It is the only region that makes a significant amount of both red and white wines. If you love the outdoors, this is the region for you, with the beautiful vineyards and pines all around.

The red wines created by Pessac’s 29 wineries have a breadth of flavor that is unique to the region: from smoky and cassis-filled wines to light, drinkable wines. The reds are made from Cabernet Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, and Petit Verdot. The whites are made from Sauvignon Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, and Muscadelle.

The dry white wines produced here are crisp and citrus, green apples, and honey. Just the smell transports me to one of the oyster shacks in the Bassin d’Arcachon. Bordelais people flock to these incredibly cheap and high-quality oyster providers every spring, summer, and fall (whenever they can) to gorge themselves on oysters, shrimp, and glasses of Pessac. If you’re interested in combining these two great pleasures of the region – its wine and oysters – see my article on the Bay of Arcachon.

Some winery suggestions in Pessac Leognan are:

Château Pape Clément in Pessac

Château Pape Clément is a Grand Cru Classé wine labeled under the Pessac Leognan appellation. The château offers daily visits in both French and English as well as winemaking workshops where you can assemble your own wine.

You can book the tour online – just click here. It’s also one of the most beautiful luxury hotels in Bordeaux.

Château Larrivet Haut Brion

A beautiful estate with stunning gardens and a very artistic Vat room. The winery is located around 20 minutes’ drive from Bordeaux. Book your visit here.

The best way is to rent a car but you can also visit many chateaux in Pessac Leognan by public transport. Find more details in my article on car-free winery visiting.

Sauternes and Barsac -discover the white sweet wine of Bordeaux

To take a break from dry white wines and dive into sweet ones, Sauternes is your go-to. The subregion benefits from noble rot – the shrooms that form on the vines from the morning mist from the humidity of the Garonne and Dordogne rivers. This gives the grapes a great variety of concentration, acidity, and complexity. The assemblages produced here include Semillion, Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Gris, and Muscadelle grapes.

As a fan of the occasional glass of sweet wine, I find the rich, amber color and the sweet flavors of peach and even “brioche” are the perfect end to a weekend spent among friends and family. A sweet – but not too sweet! – end to time spent enjoying myself before starting the working week.

Château d'Arche in Sauternes - wineries in Bordeaux — by Lost in Bordeaux

My favorite wineries in this region include Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey if you’re feeling fancy, Chateau d’Arche for 17th-century views, and Chateau Guiraud, which has made it into the big leagues: Grand Cru Classé. There are only 27 wineries in this region. You can find more details on these vineyards in my guide to Sauternes here.

How to Get There

You have to have a car to visit this region. Otherwise, take a train to Langon and a taxi from there.

Blaye and Bourg

This region is actually two regions, named – you guessed it – Blaye and Bourg. It produces dry white wines from Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon grapes and drinkable red wines from Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. The region contains another UNESCO world heritage site in Bordeaux – the Vauban Citadel.

Both are two of the most beautiful villages around Bordeaux.

What is unique about the region is the ability to see it from the boat, on the river. It is a quieter experience than some of the other subregions and has its own wonders. These include white stone buildings, valleys of green vineyards, water views, and roman churches. Imagine yourself as the hero or heroine in a movie about “remote” romantic wine regions in France.

Wineries to Visit in Blaye and Bourg

In Blaye, think of visiting the Chateau Monconseil Gazin. In Bourg, consider the Château le Clos de Notaire with its amazing view (see their website).

Château le Clos de Notaire - Bourg one of Bordeaux's wine regions — *Château le Clos de Notaire – by Lost in Bordeaux*

Entre Deux Mers – the white wine of Bordeaux

Entre-deux-Mers is located between the Garonne and Dordogne rivers and is bordered by the estuary formed by the two rivers in the North. Its soil is made of gravel and limestone. It classically produces dry white wines that are wonderful for a lunch on the terrace.

However, in the 20^th century, winery owners in the region saw the writing on the wall and many replaced their white grape plants with red.

Only the white wines from the region can be labeled under the Entre deux Mers appellation. The red varieties produced in this region can only be called Bordeaux or Bordeaux Superior. Although wine experts claim that the wine in this region pales in comparison to that of the other wine regions, Bordeaux Superior is pretty good. It is soft, but not light, and makes me think of charcuterie boards shared with a loved one in a cramped Parisian apartment, vespa rides, and discovering France.

In the Entre Deux Mers region, you can also find excellent sweet wines like Sainte-Croix-du-Mont and Loupiac.

The view from the beautiful Chateau Malrome in Entre Deux Mers — *The view from Chateau Mallrome in the Entre deux Mers region – by Lost in Bordeaux*

Entre Deux Mers is home to Chateau Biac, home to the Asseily family. Youmna, the matriarch, is well-known for her mastery of wine and French food and for her amazing hospitality. A visit to Chateau Biac feels like a visit between friends. Youmna is a perfect example of the warmth of the vineyard owners in this region.

Another great estate to visit is Chateau Lestrille, which produces red, white, and rose wines.

How to Visit Wineries in Bordeaux

There are many ways to visit wineries in the Bordeaux wine region. You can take a group tour, or a private guide, or do it on your own by train, car, or even biking.

Let’s break down the options.

Taking a tour guide in Bordeaux

Going on a group/ private tour will most probably leave you with better knowledge about the wines of Bordeaux. It also takes off the stress of organizing the visit and you can drink a lot of wine without worrying about driving back to Bordeaux.

The downside of it is usually the price. Taking a guide can be pretty expensive.

If you’re looking for a wine tour from Bordeaux, here are a few good options:

Saint-Émilion Food and Wine Tour – day trip to Saint Emilion that includes a visit to three different chateaux and a fun picnic. Book it here.

Afternoon Wine Tasting in the Medoc Region – An afternoon trip to Medoc that includes two types of chateaux, a Great Classified Growth estate, and a small. Book the tour here.

An electric Bike wine tour – a fun bike tour that includes a visit to two chateaux, a picnic, and a stunning ride in the vineyards of Saint Emilion. Book here.

Wine tour in Saint Emilion — *A tour in Saint Emilion – by Lost in Bordeaux*

Wine touring by public transport

Most wineries are located in very rural parts of the region and require a car to get to. Having said that, you have a few great chateaux in Saint Emilion, Medoc, and Pessac Leognan you can visit by train or buy.

Read my article about the best wineries in Bordeaux to visit by public transport.

Visiting wineries by car

Now let’s talk about my favorite option which is discovering the wineries of Bordeaux on your own by car. I feel like driving along the vineyards is an important part of the experience, which also allows getting to more distant chateaux.

Also if you have a car or rent one in advance, it can be a rather cheap experience, compared to an organized wine tour. If you’re looking to rent a car, here’s a website to help you choose the best deal in Bordeaux.

If you’re visiting Bordeaux for the first time, be sure to check up my ultimate guide to Bordeaux, which will get you familiar with all the “must” places to visit in Bordeaux. To help you to choose a hotel in Bordeaux I’ve gathered a list of the best hotels in the center of Bordeaux as well as a guide to the districts of Bordeaux to help you choose your preferred location.

You can also get plenty of tips on things to do in the Southwest of France via lost in Bordeaux’s social media accounts and email list, check them out here:

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*Note – Some of the links in this article include affiliate links for which I earn a small commission. It adds absolutely nothing to your cost and helps me continue writing about this amazing region. Don’t worry, I’m not getting rich here, I’ll never recommend anything I don’t believe in 🙂