In Bordeaux wine region

Wineries to visit in Medoc, France

Last updated on November 2, 2023 No Comments

Medoc is one of the most renowned wine regions in the world with chateaux that look like they were taken from a fairy tale.

Many visitors to the Bordeaux wine region tend to visit Saint Emilion due to its beautiful medieval village and superior wine. And while I agree that Saint Emilion is kind of a must-visit in the region, I think that the Medoc region should not be overlooked.

If you have a few days to spend here, I have a very detailed guide about visiting the Medoc peninsula, including its wineries and beaches.

However, in this article, I want to recommend specific wineries in Medoc, for people who are primarily interested in wine. If you need help with planning your trip to the Medoc, here’s my article with the best ways to get to the Medoc wine region as well as details about a great guided tour that can take you there from Bordeaux.

The best wineries to visit in Medoc — *Wineries in Medoc – Lost in Bordeaux*

The best wineries to visit in the Medoc wine region

The Medoc wine region consists of eight appellations (AOC), which include Médoc, Haut-Médoc, Margaux, Pauillac, Saint Julien, Saint-Estéphe, Moulis, and Listrac.

The Medoc wine is classified according to the Bordeaux wine official classification of 1855 and its five levels with “Grand cru classé, Premier cru classé” being the highest of the five.

There are 60 Grand cru classé wineries, craft and cooperative chateaux, and many other incredible wine chateaux that you can visit on the Medoc route.

During the years I’ve been living here I had the chance to visit dozens of wineries in the region. In this article, I want to recommend the wineries that I thought offered the best visiting experience. I take into account the guides, the wine, and the estate itself and generally how enjoyable the visit was.

Château Hourtin-Ducasse

Let’s start with the one I enjoyed the most!

This family-owned winery in the Haut-Médoc AOC is located in the small village of Saint Sauveur in the west part of the Medoc wine region. In their 18-hectare vineyard, they grow Cabernet-Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot which they later use as their grape varieties.

The couple that runs the winery are two of the more welcoming people I’ve met in this region. On special events, you can meet their lovely 7 kids who come to visit and help at the chateaux.

Château Hourtin-Ducasse - one of the most fun wineries to visit in Medoc — *Château Hourtin-Ducasse – Lost in Bordeaux*

The place and especially the cellar has a very personal touch to it. It feels like a brocante within a winery. Tasting tables and cozy sofas are spread over the aisles, the vineyard, and the courtyard. A perfect atmosphere for an aperitif with friends!

It’s one of the most kids-friendly wineries I have had the chance to visit in Medoc. Your little ones can find plenty of toys in the garden that will occupy them for hours while you enjoy the estate. Here are more ideas for family-friendly wineries in the Bordeaux wine region.

Château Hourtin-Ducasse is open most of the year upon appointment only.

You can book a tour here

Address: Lieu-dit Le Fournas, 3 Rte de la Chatole, 33250 Saint-Sauveur

Chateau d’Arsac

One of the most beautiful wineries in the Margaux wine region is Chateau d’Arsac. This huge wine estate spreads over 250 hectares, including 108 hectares of vineyards. They produce wines under three different appellations: Margaux, Haut Medoc, and White Bordeaux (only red wines can be labeled as Medoc AOC)

If you’re interested in art, this is one of the best wineries for you to visit in Medoc. The château has an impressive collection of modern art sculptures spread all over the property, making visits there feel like an art tour. Every year, the owner of Chateau d’Arsac expands the collection by acquiring new artworks so it’s a spot worth coming back to.

Chateau d'arsac - one of the most beautiful wineries in Medoc — *Chateau d’Arsac – Lost in Bordeaux*

The château offers a variety of tours, which include wine, art, and live music. You can book a visit or just stop by the stunning gardens which are open from Mon to Fri from 9:00 to 17:00.

Book your visit here.

Address: 1, allée du Comte Arsac-en-Médoc, 33460 MARGAUX

Château Marquis de Terme

Château Marquis de Terme, located in Margaux, has been owned by the Sénéclauze family since 1935. The fourth classified growth winery spreads over 40 hectares of cabernet sauvignon, merlot, and petit verdot grapes.

I highly recommend visiting this chateau during the summer so you can enjoy their open bar in the garden. Château Marquis de Terme also has a great restaurant which is yet another reason to go there.

Château Marquis de Terme - medoc - one of the only wineries in Bordeaux you can visit by public transpot — *Château Marquis de Terme – by Lost in Bordeaux*

If you’ve already visited a few wineries in your life and don’t necessarily want to go through yet another explanation about winemaking, this place also offers wine tasting without a tour.

You can book your visit here.

The winery is located close to the center of Margaux, a few minutes walk from the train station, which makes it one of the best wineries to visit by train.

Address: 3 Rte de Rauzan, 33460 Margaux

Château Ferrière

Another great winery to visit in Margaux is Château Ferrière, founded in the 18th century by a shipbroker named Gabriel Ferriere. In 1988 the château was sold to Jacques Merlaut, the owner of Château Chasse-Spleen, La Gurgue, and Haut-Bages Liberal.

The Merlaut family revived the winery and produced its first vintage in 1992. Today, the château is run by the granddaughter, Claire Villars, who took over the family business after the tragic death of her parents in a car accident.

Château Ferrière - one of the best wineries to visit in Medoc — *Château Ferrière – Lost in Bordeaux*

A variety of tours are available to you at Château Ferrière, all of which include wine tasting, of course. One of their popular tours takes you through the history of the chateau while another is more focused on the agricultural aspect of wine production.

Book your tour at the Château here.

The winery is located in the center of Margaux and is one of the best wineries to visit by train.

Address: 33 bis Rue de la Tremoille, 33460 Margaux-Cantenac

Château Malescasse

Located in the village of Lamarque, Château Malescasse is known for its unique terroir and wine. The winery sits between Margaux and Saint Julian and produces Haut-Médoc wines. That’s a great appellation to try if you’re not a fan of the tannic wines produced in Paulliac and Saint Estephe.

In recent years Château Malescasse has been renovated and is now home to one of the most beautiful tasting rooms in Medoc.

Château Malescasse in Medoc with its stunning tasting room — *Château Malescasse – Lost in Bordeaux*

Since 2020 the winery has been classified as Cru bourgeois exceptionnel, a classification that was created to include wineries that weren’t included in the 1855 classification. The winery offers several wine-tasting experiences, you can book them here. You can also privatize the chateau for special events.

Address: 6 Chemin du Moulin Rose – 33460 Lamarque

Chateau du Taillan Medoc

Château du Taillan is a beautiful Bordeaux wine estate dating back to the 19th century. Today it’s owned by five sisters who all contribute in some form to their wine-making business. The winery produces red, white, and rosé wines and is classified as “Médoc Cru bourgeois”.

The winery offers several visits. The classic one allows you to taste two wines of Château du Taillan. While their most expensive tour takes you on a more intimate journey to discover the house where the sisters grew up. This one ends with tastings of four different wines accompanied by cheese and chocolate. You can read about all their tours and book your visit here.

Château du Taillan - how to visit wineries in Bordeuax without a car — *Château du Taillan by Lost in Bordeaux*

During the high season, you can also order a picnic basket from the château and have a fabulous lunch in their garden. You can see more info about that here.

Château du Taillan is located in Le Taillan-Médoc, one of the towns of Bordeaux Metropole and you can visit it by bus.

Address: 56 Av. de la Croix, 33320 Le Taillan-Médoc

Château Lamothe Bergeron

The stunning Château Lamothe Bergeron is located in Cussac-Fort-Médoc between Margaux and Saint Julian. The Cru Bourgeois classified winery produces Haut Medoc wine, using Cabernet sauvignon and Merlot as their only grape varieties.

One of the highlights of the visit is the 19th-century château that has been fully renovated in 2015. Touristic experiences are a high priority for Château Lamothe Bergeron which has recently received an award for their quality.

The winery offers a variety of tours and activities that can fit both wine amateurs and professionals. You can choose anything from wine-tasting training to a cellar visit, a wine siesta, and a gourmand visit. See all the available tours here.

Address: 49 Chem. des Graves, 33460 Cussac-Fort-Médoc

Château Cos D’estournel

You can guess from my list that I really love the Haut Medoc and Margaux appellations. But the list won’t be complete without at least one winery from the northern part of Medoc.

So I decided to finish the list with one of of the most prestigious wineries in Medoc, Château Cos D’estournel. Located in the Saint Espehe wine appellation region, the estate was classified as Deuxièmes Crus (Second Growths) in the 1855 Bordeaux Wine Official Classification.

The vineyards cover around 91 hectares and primarily grow Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grapes, resulting in wines of great finesse and depth.

Château Cos D’estournel - one of the most beautiful wineries to visit in Medoc — *Château Cos D’estournel – Lost in Bordeaux*

While driving on the route des chateaux (the Medoc route of castles) it will be impossible to miss this unique estate. The château’s architecture is a striking fusion of Eastern and Western influences, showcasing exotic elements that make it stand out among the traditional Bordeaux châteaux. This distinctiveness has earned it the nickname “The Oriental Palace of Saint-Estèphe.”

The winery can be visited upon appointment, you can contact them here.

Address: Cos S, 33180 Saint-Estèphe

If you’re interested in other parts of the Bordeaux wine region you should also check my articles about:

A detailed guide to the Bordeaux wine region
A day trip to Saint Emilion
Wineries to visit in Saint Emilion
Wineries to visit in the Sauternes wine region
Wineries in Bordeaux to visit by public transport
A weekend in Medoc

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

How to visit wineries in Bordeaux without a car

Last updated on September 6, 2023 No Comments

Visiting wineries in Bordeaux is definitely one of the highlights of traveling in the Southwest of France. More than 6000 wine châteaux are scattered across the 120,000 hectares covering the Bordeaux wine region. Many of these offer tours and tastings but due to their rural location, they are quite hard to reach by public transport.

I highly recommend visiting the Bordeaux vineyards by car so you can enjoy more flexibility and the magical view of the vineyards on the way (here’s a link to find a car rental in Bordeaux).

But even if you don’t want to drive, don’t give up the dream to visit a Bordeaux winery just yet! Several amazing châteaux are reachable by train or bus, and I’m here to help you discover them!

*Before you decide what wineries you’re going to visit I recommend reading my article about the Bordeaux wine region where I explain what to expect in every wine sub-region.

To make it easier for you to understand the region, I divided the article into subregions, with a list of wineries you can visit without a car. So whether you want to learn how Saint Emilion wine is produced or visit an ancient winery without actually leaving Bordeaux, I have you covered.

If you’re looking for more organized options such as private or semi-private tours to the vineyards, check out my article about wine tours from Bordeaux.

See other wine-related articles here:
Best wineries to visit in Saint Emilion
The Medoc wine route
Best family-friendly wineries in Bordeaux
Bordeaux wine region – the full guide
All the Open door events in the wineries of Bordeaux

Here are the best wineries in Bordeaux you can visit without a car!

Visit wineries in Bordeaux by bus or tram

You’d be surprised to learn that a few of Bordeaux’s wineries are sitting within the city limits and are reachable by tram/bus. These are naturally the easiest ones to get to and that’s why they are the first on my list.

Château Pape Clément in Pessac

A simple bus ride from the center of Bordeaux will bring you to one of the most gorgeous châteaux in Bordeaux. Château Pape Clément is a Grand Cru Classé wine labeled under the Pessac Leognan appellation. The vineyards of Château Pape Clément were planted at the request of the Archbishop of Bordeaux, the future Pope Clement V. The castle itself was built much later and has beautiful Neo-Gothic embellishments.

Today apart from producing wine, it’s also one of the most beautiful luxury hotels in Bordeaux. 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.

The château is located in Pessac, one of Bordeaux, most interesting suburbs. You can spend the whole day, discovering Pessac with the help of my article – check it out here.

Chateau pape Clement Pessac — *Château pape Clement* by Lost in Bordeaux

Address: 216 Av. Dr. Nancel Penard, 33600 Pessac
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday 10:00 to 19:00 and Sundays 10:00 to 18:00

How to get there:
You can take a direct bus (line 4) from Place de Tourny in the center of Bordeaux. The second option is to take Tram B to the Pessac Centre station and then continue by foot for about 20 minutes until you reach the château. See more info here.

Château du Taillan in Le Taillan-Médoc

Château du Taillan is a beautiful Bordeaux wine estate dating back to the 19th century. Today it’s owned by five sisters who all contribute in some form to their wine-making business. The winery produces red, white, and rosé wines and is labeled as “Médoc Cru bourgeois”.

Château du Taillan is labeled under the Medoc wine appellation, but I’ve put it in this segment just because it’s located in the Bordeaux metropole region and is easily reachable by bus from the center of Bordeaux.

The winery offers several visits. The classic one allows you to taste two wines of Château du Taillan. While their most expensive tour takes you on a more intimate journey to discover the house where the sisters grew up. This one ends with tastings of four different wines accompanies by cheese and chocolate. You can read about all their tours and book your visit here.

During the high season, you can also order a picnic basket from the château and have a fabulous lunch in their garden. You can see more info about that here.

Address: 56 Av. de la Croix, 33320 Le Taillan-Médoc
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday 10:00 to 18:00 and Sundays 10:00 to 16:00

How to get there from Bordeaux:
You can take a direct bus (line 2) from Place des Quinconces in the direction of le Taillan la Boetie, get down at La Pargaud station, and walk for 5 minutes until you reach the chateau. See the schedule of line 2 here.

Château Les Carmes Haut Brion

Château Les Carmes Haut Brion is one the most interesting visits for both wine and art lovers. Its history goes back to the 16th century when the Lord of Haut Brion, Jean de Pontac, donated a windmill surrounded by vines to the Carmelite Order. In the 17th century, the Carmelite order purchased more land with vines and continued to develop the estate for more than two centuries.

Today the château is owned by Patrice Pichet, who turned it into a modern winery. The 35 hectares château produces red wines under the appellation of Pessac Leognan. It’s actually the only winery to be located in the limits of Bordeaux city. What makes the tour more exceptional is the stunning modern reception area designed by Philip Starck in 2016.

This is a prestigious château and the prices of the tours are higher than most wineries on this list (ranging from 45€ to 70€ per person). See all the details of the tours they offer here.

Address: 20 Rue des Carmes, 33000 Bordeaux
Opening hours: Mon-Sat from 9:30 to 12:30 and from 14:00 to 18:00 (by appointment only).

How to get there:
Take line A of the tram at Hôtel de Ville (in the direction of Pin Galant), get down at the Saint Augustin station, and walk about 10 minutes until you get to the château. You can also take the bus and get directly to the chateau in about 15 minutes. Take the bus (line 24) from Republic Station (next to Place de la Republique). See the schedule here.

Château Olivier

Another gem in the Pessac Leognan appellation is Château Olivier. Just a few km from Bordeaux, you’ll find a beautiful château, surrounded by a forest and vines. Château Olivier is a Grand Cru Classé producing red and white wines. Since 2014, the winery produces only organic wines from its 60 hectares.

The château offers several visiting experiences where you could learn about their wine-making process, and taste wine straight from the barrel.

Book your visit here.

Address: 173 Av. de Bordeaux, 33850 Léognan
Opening hours: from Monday to Friday from 10:00 to 18:00 by appointment only – book here.

How to get there from Bordeaux:
Take bus number 5 from Palais de Justice (a few minutes walk from Place Pey Berland). Get off the bus at the Piscine Chambéry station in Leognan, just a few minutes walk from Chateau Olivier. See more info here.

Château Saint Ahon In Blanquefort

If you’re traveling with kids, I highly recommend vising Château Saint Ahon in Blanquefort. The Chateau is a family-owned winery located at the very beginning of the Medoc wine route.

My kids particularly enjoyed the gardens, called Les Jardins de Mirabel. The gardens offer a fun discovery trail that teaches kids about winemaking and nature in the region in a playful way. For more info about the visit and the gardens click here.

Château Saint Ahon in Medoc is easy to reach by bus — *Château Saint Ahon – by lost in Bordeaux*

Address: 57 Rue de St Ahon, 33290 Blanquefort
Opening hours: The winery is open all year long apart from August and you don’t have to book the visit in advance, just check out the opening hours before going.

How to get there from Bordeaux:
Take line C to the Blanquefort train station and then continue 20 minutes by foot or take bus 38 from the Blanquefort train station to the Caychac station. See the timetable here.

Discover more family-friendly chateaux in the Bordeaux wine region in my article.

Visiting wineries in Saint Emilion by public transport

The best way to get to Saint Emilion without a car is by taking the train from Gare Saint Jean in Bordeaux. The train doesn’t stop in the center of Saint Emilion, but a 20 minutes walk will get you into this medieval treasure. Most châteaux are located quite far from the town itself but a few are within walking distance from the city center.

Leave some time to discover Saint Emilion itself, it’s one of the most beautiful villages around Bordeaux. For more wineries to visit in Saint Emilion check out my article. If you’re planning to do a weekend in Saint Emilion, here are my recommendations for the best places to stay in the Saint Emilion region.

Château Villemaurine

Château Villemaurine is one of the most popular wineries for tourists visiting Saint Emilion. The Château combines tradition, modernity, centuries of history, and the refined production of great wines.

Château Villemaurine offers two group guided tours. A discovery tour where you get to visit the vineyards and the monolithic cellars which are located underneath the vines of the estate. A Heritage tour where you will discover the stunning network of quarries owned by the Château. Click here to book the tour online.

Address: 23 Villemaurine-Sud, Saint-Émilion
Opening hours: Château Villemaurine is open daily all year long (closed from mid-Dec to mid-Jan). Book a tour in English here.

How to get there from Bordeaux:
Take the train from Gare Saint Jean to the Saint Emilion train station and walk for about 20 minutes in the direction of the center of Saint Emilion.

Château Soutard

Château Soutard is an impressive 18th-century winery, located a few minutes walk from the center of Saint Emilion. It’s about 30 minutes walk from the train station but it’s worth a visit if you’re going to spend time in the village anyway. The Château offers plenty of fun activities such as a wine blending workshop, biking in the vineyards, a gourmet picnic, and of course, wine tours.

Their basic wine tour (20€ / person) starts at 15h every day from April to October. The tour includes a visit to their vineyards and cellars and a tasting of their renowned Grand Cru Classé wines. To book any of their activities click here.

Chateau Soutard in saint emilion — *Chateau Soutard by lost in Bordeaux*

Address: Soutard, 33330 Saint-Émilion
Opening hours: The schedule is changing during the less touristy season. When in Bordeaux, be sure to contact them for information about tours in English.

How to get there from Bordeaux:
Take the train from Gare Saint Jean to the Saint Emilion train station and walk for about 30 minutes in the direction of the center of Saint Emilion.

Château La Gaffelière

Closer to the train station you can find Château La Gaffelièr. The winery is classified as Premier Grand Cru Classé under the Saint Emilion wine classification, making it one of the more prestigious estates on this list.

The château belongs to the Malet-Roquefort family who is very passionate about sharing their wine-making craft. Their group tours, lasting for about an hour, take you through their colorful vats and the underground barrel cellar. The visit includes a tasting of three of their wines. Book your tour here.

Address: Château La Gaffelière, BP 65 / 33330 Saint-Emilion
Opening hours: Château La Gaffelière is open daily from April to November 12 and on a few specific dates during other months of the year. Check out their availability here.

How to get there from Bordeaux:
Take the train from Gare Saint Jean to the Saint Emilion train station and walk a few minutes to get to the chateau.

Visiting Medoc without a car

There are a few wineries in Medoc you can easily reach by train but yet again, if you have the option to do it by car, I highly recommend it. Driving the Medoc wine route is one of the most remarkable experiences Bordeaux has to offer. If you want to follow that advice, here’s a link to find a car from a few locations in Bordeaux.

One of the easiest parts of Medoc to reach by public transport is the town of Margaux. A direct train from Gare Saint Jean (train 42) will take you to the famous wine town with several options for chateaux to visit. Check out the schedule here.

Château Marquis de Terme

If you choose Medoc for your wine trip, I highly recommend visiting Château Marquis de Terme. It’s a fantastic place to visit during summer times as they have an open bar in the garden where you can get wine, cheese, and charcuterie. A perfect way to end your tour.

If you’ve already visited a few wineries in your life and don’t necessarily want to go through yet another explanation about winemaking, this place also offers wine tasting without a tour. Château Marquis de Terme also has a great restaurant which is yet another reason to go there.

You can book your visit here.

Address: 3 Rte de Rauzan, 33460 Margaux
Opening hours: Château Marquis de Terme offers visits daily from April to mid-November and only on weekdays during the winter season.

How to get there from Bordeaux:
How to get there from Bordeaux: take a train from Gare Saint Jean to Margaux (in the direction of le Verdon) and walk a few minutes to the winery. If you’re staying closer to the city center, take tram C, to get to the Blanquefort station instead of Gare Saint-Jean.

Château Ferrière

Another great winery to visit in Margaux is Château Ferrière, founded in the 18th century by a shipbroker named Gabriel Ferriere. In 1988 the château was sold to Jacques Merlaut, the owner of Château Chasse-Spleen, La Gurgue, and Haut-Bages Liberal. The Merlaut family revived the winery and produced its first vintage in 1992. Today, the château is run by the granddaughter, Claire Villars, who took over the family business after the tragic death of her parents in a car accident.

A variety of tours are available to you at Château Ferrière, all of which include wine tasting, of course. One of their popular tours takes you through the history of the chateau while another is more focused on the agricultural aspect of wine production.

Book your tour at the Château he r e.

Address: 33 bis Rue de la Tremoille, 33460 Margaux-Cantenac
Opening hours: During the tourist season (June to mid-October) the château is open from Monday to Saturday from 10:00 to 17:30 and from Monday to Friday the rest of the year.

How to get there from Bordeaux:
Take a train from Gare Saint Jean to Margaux (in the direction of le Verdon) and walk a few minutes to the winery. If you’re staying closer to the city center, take tram C, to get to the Blanquefort station instead of Gare Saint-Jean. The winery is located about 1km from the train station.

Château Chasse Spleen

Staying in the same family, we move north to the Paulliac area. The beautiful Château Chasse-Spleen belonged to Jacques Merlaut, one of the most important figures in the Medoc wine region. For many years it was run by his daughter, Bernadette and she’s credited for its high reputation. Today it’s managed by one of her daughters Celine Villars and her husband. The 107 hectares winery is labeled under the Moulis en Medoc, the smallest appellation in the Medoc wine region.

The château, dating to the 16th century has a very long history before the Merlaut family acquired it. And you will hear all about it on the tour! You can also combine the classic visit with a light lunch (charcuterie, wine, and a small local dessert).

Choose and book your visit here.

Château Chasse Spleen - a winery to visit by train from Bordeaux — *Château Chasse Spleen by Lost in Bordeaux*

Château Chasse-Spleen also has a wine bar and an art gallery, which are worth a visit even if you don’t fancy a wine tour.
They also have a fabulous hotel, just in case you’re looking for a romantic weekend 🙂
Check it out here.

Address: 33 bis Rue de la Tremoille, 33460 Margaux-Cantenac
Opening hours: From April 21st to November 6th and on public holidays, open 7/7
10 am to 1 pm and 2 pm to 6 pm. From November to March, tours and tastings by appointment only from Monday to Friday (email at visites@chasse-spleen.com).

How to get there:
As with all the other Medoc wineries on this list, you need to take the train from Bordeaux in the Direction of Le Verdon. This time you’re getting off at the Pauillac station. The chateau is located about 15 minutes walk from there.

Visiting Graves by train

Château de Cerons

Château de Cerons is one of the more impressive properties on the list. It’s also one of the only wineries in the Graves region you can reach by public transport. A few other wineries in Graves are reachable by bike, but that’s for another article 🙂

The château is a historical Chartreuse (little house) dating back to the 17th century. The winery produces both red and white dry wines and offers a range of different visits that include wine tasting, picnic baskets with regional products, and more.

It’s one of the more kids-friendly chateaux in the region. You can rent bikes at the château and go on a beautiful rural path discovering the heritage of the village and the Garonne River. If you want to discover some other kid-friendly options, check out my dedicated list.

You can book their tours here.

For picnics and bike rentals, you can check their website.

Address: 1 Latour, 33720 Cérons
Opening hours: Mon to Sat from May to October and Mon to Fri from November to April – by appointment only.

How to get there from Bordeaux:
Take the TER train from Gare Saint Jean in Bordeaux to the Cerons station. Château de Cerons is located within a 15-minute walk from the station.

Wine tours from Bordeaux city

In case you’re too nervous to use public transport in Bordeaux there are a few other solutions. I detailed a few options here but you can read my full article about the best wine tours in Bordeaux here.

visit Saint Emilion — *Saint Emilion – by lost in Bordeaux*

A semi-private wine tour to Saint Emilion

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

St. Emilion Village Half-Day Wine Tour

With this semi-private tour, you get to visit the village and one winery in Saint Emilion. Book it here.

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 go to the Medoc wine region without a car. An afternoon trip taking you from Bordeaux to discover two very different wineries on the Chateaux route. One is a small family-owned winery and the other is one of Bordeaux’s more prestigious Great Classified Growth wine estates. Book the tour he r e.

Rustic vines

This company takes you from Bordeaux to Saint Emilion where you hop on an electric bike. That’s another really fun way to discover the religion. See more details here.

Just to conclude, visiting wineries in the Bordeaux region is a marvelous experience that you should not miss even if you don’t have a car. In this list, you have so many amazing options for chateaux reachable by public transport! Now it’s time to choose the one you like most! Enjoy!

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

Discover Bordeaux wineries – Open Doors in the Bordeaux wine region

Last updated on October 16, 2023 No Comments

There are a thousand châteaux in the Bordeaux wine region which makes it almost impossible to choose just a few when you visit this region. However, if your timing is right, you might be visiting during one of the open-door weekends taking place at the wineries of Bordeaux throughout the year. There are around 60 different appellations in the Bordeaux wine region with many of them hosting “Portes Ouvertes” (open doors) weekends at least once a year. These events are usually hosted by the wineries of each appellation and include free tastings, tours, and activities for kids.

In this article, I will be listing all the open-door weekends in the wineries in chronological order. Don’t worry If you’re visiting outside of these specific dates, many of these châteaux offer tours and tastings (by appointment). In the article, I will also recommend my favorite wineries to visit in each appellation of Bordeaux wine. The list is long so let’s go!

Most of these wineries in the Bordeaux region are reachable by car only, so if you want to learn how to visit wineries in Bordeaux by public transport, read this article.

*Before you decide what wineries you’re going to visit I recommend reading my article about the Bordeaux wine region where I explain what to expect in every wine sub-region.

The Blaye Spring Wine Festival

The Blaye Spring Wine Festival is usually the first event to start the wine festival season in the Bordeaux region. The event takes place at the Blaye citadel at the beginning of April, bringing together more than 80 winemakers from the Blaye appellation. The program includes discovery workshops (introduction to tasting, mixing, and food and wine pairing), guided visits to the citadel, and more. For the full program and tickets click here.

In 2024 le Printemps des Vins de Blaye will be taking place on April 13-14.

Open doors in the Médoc wine region

The first open-door event of the year is always the Portes Ouvertes weekend in Medoc, taking place in April. During the festive weekend, you can visit plenty of châteaux in the Medoc region and taste some of the finest wines in the world. I usually update you about the event and the wineries you can visit in this article. In 2024 the event will take place on April 6-7.

If you wish to make this trip an unforgettable experience, you should go on the Medoc wine road trip that includes all the wonders this area of Gironde has to offer. I personally did the Medoc wine route a few years ago and wrote a very detailed article about it, read it here.

Medoc portes ouvertes - open doors in the chateaux of Bordeaux — *Chateau d’Arsac*

Recommended wineries in Medoc you can visit all year long

Château du Taillan (book a visit here), which is owned by 5 sisters, is one of the closest wineries to Bordeaux. Château d’Arsac, is one of the most beautiful properties in Medoc with an extravagant display of art in its enormous gardens (book a visit here). Closer to Margaux you have the charming family-run Chateau Siran (book a visit here), Chateau Kirwan (book a visit here), or the beautiful Chateau Marquis de Terme (book a visit here).
Discover all the wineries in the Medoc you can get to by public transport.

Open doors at Lalande de Pomerol

Another Open Doors weekend in April is taking place at the Lalande de Pomerol appellation. A neighbor to the highly prestigious wines of Pomerol and Saint Emilion, this appellation produces some great wines you’d really enjoy discovering. Some of the Lalande de Pomerol properties are owned by famous wine families, such as La Fleur de Boüard, which is owned by Hubert de Boüard of Château Angélus.

If you want to learn more about the Lalande de Pomerol appellation and its châteaux, click here.

Recommended wineries in Lalande de Pomerol you can visit all year long

Château Siaurac is one of the best wineries to visit in that part of Bordeaux’s wine region (check out their website). A bit less famous but also a great estate to visit is Château Tournefeuille (Book your visit here).

Open doors in Saint-Emilion

Saint Emilion, the most famous wine appellation in Bordeaux, celebrates its open-door weekend at the beginning of May. The weekend will include many activities such as wine tastings, visits to the chateaux, games for kids, and bike rides. Check out the full program for the participating châteaux, the activities, and the wine tasting proposed for that weekend – here. You can also plan your trip to this wine region with my detailed guide to Saint Emilion.

In 2024 the open-doors weekend takes place May 4-5.

Chateau La Croizzille - portes ouvertes in Saint Emilion — *Chateau La Croizzille in Saint Emilion*

Recommended wineries in Saint Emilion you can visit all year long

I tend to visit the Saint Emilion region quite often so I have many recommendations for wineries to visit there. I put some of them in my article about the best chateaux to visit in Saint Emilion.
Learn about the wineries in Saint Emilion that you can visit by public transport.

Grand Crus Weekend

One of the most anticipated events in Bordeaux’s wine world is the Grand Crus Weekend which usually takes place in June. This event, organized by the Union des Grands Crus (the regional wine classification), aims to create an international meeting of wine lovers. The highlight of this weekend is the major wine-tasting event with more than 100 Grand Crus where you get to meet different chateaux owners. Read more about the event and the full program here.

In 2023 the event will take place on June 9-11.

If you want to visit some of the Grand Cru châteaux in Bordeaux, here are a few recommended ones:

In Saint Emilion: Chateau Franc Mayne (Book your visit here) and Chateau Beau Sejour Becot (Book your visit here).

In Pessac and Leognan: Château Larrivet Haut Brion (Book your visit here), Château Pape Clement (Book your visit here), and Château Latour Martillac (Book your visit here).

In Medoc: Château La Tour Carnet (Book your visit here), Chateau Fourcas Hosten (Book your visit here), and Chateau de Camensac (Book your visit here).

Open doors in the Côtes de Bourg appellation

Ô Chais is the annual open-door event taking place at the Côtes de Bourg appellation situated on the west end of the Dordogne River before it flows to the Gironde estuary. It’s less known than the renowned Saint Emilion or Medoc appellations but it’s an excellent wine you should try when visiting the Bordeaux wine region. See more details here.

Château le Clos de Notaire in Bourg — *Château le Clos de Notaire*

Recommended wineries in Bourg you can visit all year long

One of my favorite châteaux in Bourg is Château le Clos de Notaire with its amazing view (see their website).

Bordeaux Wine Festival

Bordeaux Fête le Vin is the biggest wine event in Bordeaux! Once in two years in June, the banks of the Garonne River in Bordeaux are taken over by wine enthusiasts celebrating the Bordeaux wine festival. Apart from wine tastings, you should expect plenty of music, good food, and activities for kids. See more details here.

In 2023 the event takes place on June 22-25.

Sauternes Fête le vin

Sauternes is a prestigious wine area famous for its sweet white wines. This is the only wine appellation in Bordeaux that hosts two open-door events every year, one in June and the other in November. For more details click here.

Recommended wineries in Sauternes you can visit all year long

Château Guiraud is one of the most beautiful estates in Sauternes and often hosts interesting events (book your visit here). Also don’t miss the magnificent Château Lafaurie-Peyrague and its Michelin restaurant (book your visit here). Another fun option is the Château d’Arche (Book you visit here).

Open doors at the châteaux of Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux

Another smaller and less known appellation in Bordeaux wine is Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux. This appellation has a very active Maison du Vin which organizes an annual open-door event every June, with close to 50 participating chateaux.
See the list of participating Chateaux.
When there, don’t miss the beautiful Château de Cadillac, one of the most important historic monuments in Gironde. Check out other beautiful towns you can visit in that part of Gironde in my article about the most beautiful villages around Bordeaux.

In 2023, the open-door event in Cadillac will take place on May 27-28.

Portes Ouvertes de l’Appellation Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux

Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux appellation hosts its annual open-door event in early September and it’s usually a great event to start the Autumn with. Contrary to other appellations where you get to visit different châteaux, this one is a rather small appellation and the event usually takes place at the beautiful Château de Pitray, with many stands of smaller producers. See more info here.

Château de Pitray- Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux - open doors — *Château de Pitray- Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux*

Les châteaux de l’appellation Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux

Another hidden gem in Bordeaux wine is Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux, located near the Blaye citadel in the north of Gironde. I already mentioned this wine appellation in the first event of the year, however, in September, there’s a real Open doors weekend where you get to visit the winemakers in their châteaux. Many of them are family-owned wineries and the visit there feels very cozy. The information about their next event will be published here.

Open doors in the Chateaux of Graves

Graves is another famous sub-region of Bordeaux wine, located on the left bank of the Garonne river. It’s a huge appellation that includes within itself a few other appellations like Pessac Leognan, which often participate in the Open doors weekend as well. The event usually takes place in October with more than 70 participating chateaux. See more info here.

In 2023 the event is taking place on October 14-15.

If you want to visit Graves at any other time, one of the most interesting wineries to visit in that appellation is Chateau de Portets (book your tour here).

Portes ouvertes in Fronsac

Another great wine to try in Bordeaux is Fronsac & Canon Fronsac and their Portes Ouvertes is a good opportunity to do just that. The event usually takes place at the end of October with more than 30 chateaux hosting people for free tastings, guided tours, and more. One of the main events is taking place at the magnificent Château de la Rivière. The info about the next event will be published here. In 2023 the event will take place on October 21-22.

Château de la Rivière in Fronsac - vin de Bordeaux — *Château de la Rivière in Fronsac*

Recommended wineries in Fronsac you can visit all year long

Château de la Rivière is probably one of the most interesting wineries to visit in the region (Book your tour here) however there are other great places to visit such as Chateau de la Dauphine with its impressive vat room (book your visit here) and Chateau George 7 with their fun summer terrace (see all the info here).

Open doors in the Chateaux of Sauternes et Barsac

The second event of Sauternes et Barsac wine appellations takes place in November. This wine area is famous for its sweet white wines and some of the chateaux look like historic monuments and are worth a visit. You can find the full program here.

In 2023 the event will take place on November 11-12.

Recommended wineries in Sauternes you can visit all year long

Château Guiraud is one of the most beautiful estates in Sauternes and often hosts interesting events (book your visit here). Also, don’t miss the magnificent Château Lafaurie-Peyrague and its Michelin restaurant (book your visit here). Another fun option is the Château d’Arche (Book you visit here). Another amazing vineyard to visit in Barsac is Chateau de Myrat (book your visit here).

Portes Ouvertes in Pomerol

Pomerol is probably the most prestigious wine appellation in the Bordeaux wine region, however, for some reason, its Open Doors Weekend is not as well known as the other ones.

The event usually takes place at the end of October and it’s a rather straightforward one. Most of their chateaux don’t offer tours or special activities during the event because they really only want you to taste their wine. But it’s Pomerol, so amazing wine is guaranteed! The list of the participating chateaux is usually published here.
In 2023 the event will take place on November 19.

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

Recommended wineries in Pomerol you can visit all year long

Château Beauregard has one of the most impressive Vat rooms I have ever seen and is one of the best places to visit in Pomerol (see info about visits here). Château de Sales is another magnificent chateau to visit, and they offer many different activities on and around their property (book a visit here)

les Journées Gourmandes Loupiac & Foie Gras

les Journées Gourmandes Loupiac & Foie Gras is a great opportunity to get familiar with the sweet wines of Loupaic, meet the farmers of the department, and taste their gourmet production. The event always takes place on the last weekend of November. See the list of participants here.

In 2022 the event will take place on November 25.

Open Doors in the Châteaux of Pessac-Léognan

The Pessac-Léognan appellation is usually the one closing the year with its Open Doors weekend in December. This event includes tens of wineries that offer wine tastings, tours, gourmet food, and activities for kids. All the information about the event is published on this website.

Pessac is a beautiful little town near Bordeaux so if you want to spend the day there, check out my article about it.

In 2023 the event will take place on December 2-3.

Recommended wineries in Pessac and Leognan you can visit all year long

Château Larrivet Haut Brion (Book your visit here), Château Pape Clement (Book your visit here), and Château Latour Martillac (Book your visit here), as well as the renowned Château les Carmes Haut-Brion (info about visits here).

See other wineries in Pessac Leognan reachable by public transport from Bordeaux.

I gave you a lot of information to process hoping it will help you choose the best time to come to Bordeaux. If you’re interested in more events taking place in Bordeaux, don’t forget to check out my monthly lists and subscribe to my newsletter where I update you about all the best things to do in Bordeaux and the region every weekend.

Cheers everyone!

*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 🙂

Is it your first time in Bordeaux? If it is you should definitely check out my ultimate guide to Bordeaux to get familiar with all the must-see places in the city. To help you choose a hotel 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 find your preferred AirBnB 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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In Around Bordeaux

The best kid-friendly wineries in Bordeaux

Last updated on September 6, 2023 2 Comments

I dedicate this article to all the parents who want to enjoy a whining-free hour of wine drinking while visiting Bordeaux. As someone who has three kids and also loves to visit châteaux in Bordeaux, I know how quickly a winery visit can turn into a frustrating experience for both parents and kids. There are thousands of châteaux to visit in the Bordeaux wine region, but to really enjoy a wine tour you now have to find a place that offers a fun experience for your kids as well. In this article, I gathered some of the most kid-friendly wineries I had the chance to visit here in Bordeaux. Not all of them have special activities for kids, but most have a big garden where kids could run around allowing you to have a fun family experience. Here’s my list of the best family-friendly wineries in Bordeaux!

Note – You need a car to get to most wineries on this list (with two lovely exceptions), click here to find a car.

For more kid-friendly activities in Bordeaux check out my article about 30 things to do with kids in Bordeaux. And if visiting wineries is your thing you should also check out my article about the best wineries in Saint Emilion, a dream wine trip in the Medoc wine region, and my guide to the Bordeaux wine region.

Kid-friendly wineries in Saint Emilion and Fronsac – the right bank

Château de la Rivière

One of the most beautiful châteaux in our region also happens to be a winery and a beautiful B&B. Le Château de la Rivière, overlooking the Dordogne valley, is an award-winning winery in the Fronsac appellation. It’s one of the biggest vineyards in the region, covering an area of 100 hectares and producing both red and white wines. Besides great wine, what makes the visit so interesting is the castle itself, a defensive fortress that was built in the 16th century. All the bottles are kept in caves dug in the 19th century, and visiting them with flashlights was my kids’ favorite part of the tours. Apart from that, the chateau has a huge garden and an inner court where your kids can run around while you’re tasting wine.

Château de la Rivière is open for visits all year long from Monday to Saturday, by appointment only. Free for kids under 10 yo and reduced price from 10-17 yo.

Book your visit here.

The chateau also has a beautiful B&B with a pool overlooking the vineyards, so if you want to make it a weekend experience, you can book it here.

Address: rue Goffre, 33126 La Riviere

Château Coutet

This elegant château is located about a 20-minutes walk from the center of Saint-Émilion. The property has a 400-year history as it has been handed down from generation to generation since at least the early 17th century. Today, the family’s 14th generation lives on the property and runs the winemaking business. One of the things that won me over when I first visited was their amazing garden with its own pond and ducks. Combine that with a glass of wine and you will enjoy the amazing picturesque scenery. It’s particularly great if you’re visiting with kids as they can enjoy the garden while you’re taking the wine tour. The David-Beaulieu family is very welcoming and they guide the tours themselves giving a very personal feel to it.

Chateau Coutet is open from Mon-Sat, you can book a visit here.

Address: Coutet, 33330 Saint-Émilion

Château Villemaurine

If you come to Saint-Émilion by train and you really don’t want to leave the village, Château Villemaurine is perfect for you as it’s a short walking distance from the village center. The Château combines tradition, modernity, centuries of history, and the refined production of great wines. They offer several tours but the one your kids will probably enjoy the most is the Underground quarries tour where you’ll discover the secular underground labyrinth and follow the path of the quarrymen who worked there. This tour is usually proposed on weekends, see all the details here.

Address: 23 Villemaurine-Sud, 33330 Saint-Émilion

If you’re traveling to Saint Emilion don’t forget to check my article about what to do and eat in Saint Emilion.

Discover all the other wineries you can visit in the region by public transport.

Visiting wineries in Medoc with kids

Château d’Arsac – Wine and art

Château d’Arsac - family friendly winery in Medoc — *Château d’Arsac*

If you love art, this would be a perfect winery to visit with kids. Château d’Arsac is one of the most extensive wine estates in Medoc and one of the highlights of the visit is the impressive collection of modern art sculptures spread all over the property. Every year, the owner of chateau d’Arsac expands the collection by acquiring new artworks which makes the visit there feel like an art tour. The château offers a variety of tours, which include wine, art, and live music. You can also just pay for the wine tasting alone and let your kids enjoy running around the garden, discovering huge and colorful sculptures.

Château d’Arsac is open from Mon to Sat from 10:00 to 14:30, by appointment only. If you’re interested to visit the estate by yourself before going on a tour, the gardens are open from Mon to Fri from 9:00 to 17:00. Book your visit here.

Address: 1, allée du Comte Arsac-en-Médoc, 33460 MARGAUX

Chateau Saint Ahon

You don’t have to go far from the city center to enjoy a family-friendly château, one of them is located in one of Bordeaux’s suburbs. Château Saint Ahon is a family-owned winery located in a town called Blanquefort. It is one of the easiest wineries to visit if you by public transport.

For my kids, the highlight of the visit was definitely the gardens, called Les Jardins de Mirabel. At the beginning of the tour, your kids receive a few working sheets with questions and missions guiding them through the different parts of the garden. This discovery trial will teach them about winemaking and nature in the region in a very fun way. For more info about the visit and the gardens click here.

The winery is open all year long apart from August and you don’t have to book the visit in advance, just check out the opening hours before going.

Chateau Saint Ahon - visiting the Bordeaux vineyards with kids — *Chateau Saint Ahon*

Address: 57 Rue de St Ahon, 33290 Blanquefort. To get there by public transport take line C from the city center to the Blanquefort train station and then walk for 20 minutes (or take bus 38 from the Blanquefort train station if you want to avoid walking with little kids).

Family-friendly wineries in Graves (and Pessac Leognan)

Moving to the south part of the Bordeaux wine region, the Graves appellation, where you can enjoy a few stunning chateaux with your kids.

Château de Cerons

Château de Cerons is one of the more impressive properties on the list and its surroundings make it one of the best places to visit with kids. The château is a historical Chartreuse (little house) dating back to the 17th century. The winery produces both red and white dry wines and offers a range of different visits that include wine tasting, picnic baskets with regional products, and more. You can also rent bikes at the château and go on a beautiful rural path discovering the heritage of the village and the Garonne river.

You can book their standard tours here.

For picnics and bike rentals, you can check their website.

The winery is open Mon-Sat from May to October and Mon – Fri from November to April – by appointment only. It’s one of the only wineries in the region you can visit by train.

Address: 1 Latour, 33720 Cérons

Château Smith Haut Lafitte

Château Smith Haut Lafitte is one of the most prestigious châteaux in the Pessac Leognan appellation, producing both red and white wines. It has a variety of tours from simple tasting visits to winemaking masterclasses, however, what makes it a kid-friendly winery is its magnificent senses forest. La Forêt des sens is a beautiful trail in the forest with tree houses and amazing sculptures made by local artists. The entry ticket to the forest for adults is 19 euros, free for kids under 6 yo and a reduced price for older kids. No need to reserve your places. See all the details here.

Open daily from 10 am to 7 pm during the summer, hours may change in the low season.

Address: 33650 Bordeaux Martillac, France

Château Larrivet Haut Brion

Another winery you can visit with your kids around Bordeaux is Larrivet Haut Brion. Located about 20-minutes drive from Bordeaux in the Pessac Leognan appellation. This chateau has one of the most impressive gardens in the region, le Jardin Millesime, designed by Soline Portmann. My kids absolutely loved discovering the beautiful garden with their new treasure hunt game (a few months ago they had only a French version, but they promised to work on an English version of the game as well). They usually also allow their visitors to picnic at the park, which is yet another fun experience for kids. And finally, another attraction is their vat room where you can find amazing concrete tanks decorated by local artists. It is probably one of the most special vat rooms I have had the chance to visit in the region. Château Larrivet Haut Brion is open from Monday to Saturday.

To book a visit click here.

Address: 84 Avenue de Cadaujac, 33850 Léognan

Visiting wineries in Sauternes and Barsac with kids

Château de Myrat

Château de Myrat is a popular destination for families wishing to discover Barsac, Bordeaux’s famous sweet wine appellation. The Château dates back to 1700 but since 1937 is owned by the famous Pontac family. Apart from their great wine and the beautiful property, what makes the visit fun for kids is the cute animal garden, with chickens, rabbits, dogs, and more. See more details about the chateau here.

They are open for visits every day, but you have to contact them by email to book a visit: myrat@chateaudemyrat.fr

Address: 33720 Barsac – France

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.

If you’re looking for more ideas for day trips in the Bordeaux region here are a few other articles you might want to read:

What to do every month in Bordeaux
The best beaches around Bordeaux
Day trips around Bordeaux – wine, beaches and villages
10 day trips from Bordeaux by Public transport
A weekend in Medoc – Bordeaux wine tours

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

Fun romantic ideas for Valentine’s day in Gironde

Last updated on March 4, 2021 No Comments

All the bars and restaurants are currently closed which probably makes you want to skip this Valentine’s day altogether. But during these tedious times, celebrating love is more important than ever and nature could be a magnificent scenery for that. In this article, I gathered a few fun ideas for couples to do together this Sunday on Saint Valentine’s day. So grab your bottle of wine, maybe even a picnic, and follow me to the most romantic places around Bordeaux.

See the sunrise from Plage de la Pointe aux Chevaux

The Pointe aux Chevaux beach in Petit Piquey is one of the most magical beaches in Cap Ferret. Surrounded by pine trees and a few oyster cabanes, it looks like a place taken for a movie. The beach worth a visit any time of the day but if you’re a morning person, I would really recommend leaving the house early that day and go see the sunrise, nothing will give you more romantic vibes than that.

*Sunrise in Cap Ferret by Lost in Bordeaux*

Dune du Pilat

Our beloved Dune cannot is a permanent resident on a list like this. The panoramic view of the forest and the ocean is quite hard to compete with. Of course, the ultimate pleasure would be to see the sunset from the top, but as there’s a curfew at 6pm, you’ll have to do with a romantic picnic on the top of the dune instead.

Saint Croix du Mont

This is one of my personal favorites in the region. Saint Croix du mont is a small village located in the south of the Entre Deux Mers region and is known thanks to its excellent white sweet wine. There’s not much to do there but the view from the top of the village is absolutely stunning. During the summer there is a nice bar there but currently, you’ll have to bring your own bottle of wine to enjoy the view. You can also do a little hiking trail from the top of the village.

Visit a winery

Did you know that many of the wineries in the region are open for visits? They are allowed to have up to 6 visitors but as there aren’t any tourists here, you’ll most likely be alone and have a romantic wine tour and tastings just for yourself. The choice, of course, is enormous so you’ll have to do some work to see which are currently open. Here are a few suggestions of wineries to visit in Saint Emilion.

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

Go biking together

There are plenty of beautiful biking paths in the region. If you want to stay in the city, you can cycle on the promenade from both sides of the Garonne. But if you don’t mind getting a little farther away, Roger Lapébie Bicycle path can be a great romantic adventure.

You can start your path from Pont Pierre in Bordeaux and cycle on the right side of the river until you get to Latresne, where the official path starts (follow the river bike path to Latresne). The official path is 57km long and it goes through the Entre Deux Mers region until it gets to Sauveterre-de-Guyenne. Here’s an article with more instructions.

Visit the smallest village in France

There’s something cute and romantic about being the smallest village in a country and in our case the smallest village in France is located in Gironde and called Castelmoron d’Albret.

There’s not a whole lot to do there, the town is simply very cute and you can have a picnic while enjoying a beautiful view. If you want to visit another place in that region you can stop by Duras or Sauveterre-de-Guyenne. For more info about villages to visit in Gironde read this article.

Go hiking

There are plenty of beautiful hiking routes in this region and if the weather is good, it can make a perfect Valentine’s day activity. Hostens is definitely one of the best hiking trails in this region but if you prefer going to Arcachon over the Landes forest, The Domain of Certes-Graveyron is a perfect place to spend the day.

For more experienced hikers, go to Saint Emilion and challenge yourself with more hilly trails. Here’s an example of a medium level hiking trail in Saint Emilion – https://www.saint-emilion-tourisme.com/bdd_fichiers/file_1564493621.pdf

For hiking ideas in Bordeaux, be sure to check out my article.

Do a fun street art day

If you love street art there are many places to discover in the region but nothing can be compared to Angouleme, the street art and comics capital of France. Tens of beautiful mural and funny comics decorate the city walls and it will take you hours to spot them all, a full fun, and romantic day :). It’s only 1.5 hours drive from Bordeaux and you can even reach there by train. Check out my guide to the street art of Angouleme before going.

Go to the Pyrenees to see snow

There’s so much snow this year, you must go see it before spring starts. Spend the day in one of the lovely ski towns in the Pyrenees and enjoy the tranquility created by the beautiful white powder. All the ski facilities are closed this year but you can go to Cauterets and enjoy this charming ski resort town. Then drive up the mountain to Pont D’Espagne for a hike in the snow.

That’s it for our romantic weekend!

I hope you find it useful and if you travel to one of these places don’t forget to tag me in your stories on Instagram @lost_in_bordeaux.

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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How to get from Bordeaux to Saint Emilion

Last updated on November 17, 2023 2 Comments

Saint Emilion is one of the most popular day trip destinations from Bordeaux. It’s a beautiful medieval town, abundant with historical monuments and surrounded by its famous vineyards. In this article, you find all the ways to get from Bordeaux to Saint Emilion as well as parking options (if you come by car).

I’ll start by saying that my favorite way of visiting the Bordeaux wine region is by car just because the route is stunning! But Saint Emilion happens to be one of the villages around Bordeaux that is easily accessible by public transport as well.

Before visiting Saint Emilion you might want to check out my articles about what to do, see and eat in Saint Emilion and the best wineries to visit in Saint Emilion.

How to get from Bordeaux to Saint Emilion without a car

How to get from Bordeaux to Saint Emilion by train

If you don’t have a car, the fastest way to get to Saint Emilion is by train! There’s a direct train from Bordeaux to Saint Emilion leaving from the Saint-Jean train station in Bordeaux.

The 40 km ride takes approximately 35 minutes by train. The first train leaves at around 6 am and then every one/two hours until 10 pm. You can check the timetable here. You can buy tickets online or at the train station in Bordeaux.

I recommend buying a return ticket to Bordeaux as the ticket vending machines at the little station in Saint Emilion are often broken. The price of a one-way ticket is approximately 10 euros. If you’re not sure about your return time, you can buy an open return ticket at the agent’s desk at no additional cost.

The Saint Emilion station is about a 20-minute walk from the city center. It’s a lovely easy walk, that you can easily do with kids.

Take a Bus from Bordeaux to Saint Emilion

Taking a bus to Saint Emilion is a much cheaper option than taking a train, with a ticket price of only € 2,60. The TransGironde company has a regular line from Bordeaux to Saint Emilion that takes about one hour. Line 304 goes from Place des Quinconces in the center of Bordeaux right to the center of Saint Emilion. You can buy the tickets on the bus.

The bus to Saint Emilion operates only during the tourist season (from April to the beginning of November). For the rest of the year, the train is your only option for getting there by public transport.

Take a guided tour from Bordeaux to Saint Emilion

Another option is taking a guided tour from Bordeaux to Saint Emilion. There are several options for full-day/ half-day tours to Saint Emilion, both group tours and private ones. That’s a great way to enjoy your wine trip without worrying about drinking and driving or choosing the wineries.

One of the most popular guided tours to Saint Emilion is offered by Bordovino. The half-day tour starts in Bordeaux and takes you to visit two wineries in Saint Emilion and the village itself. You can find all the details of the tour and book directly here.

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

If you prefer a full-day trip your best option is the tour offered by Ophorus. The semi-private tour includes a visit to three different chateaux in Saint Emilion. This is a great option if you want to see different techniques of winemaking and taste different wines from the same area. You can see all the details and get your ticket here.

You can also take the tour offered by the tourist office, which is the cheaper option. The downside is that these groups are quite big so don’t expect an intimate experience. See all the details and get your tickets here.

By Bike – an adventurous way to get from Bordeaux to Saint Emilion

If you’re in shape, making a bike trip to Saint Emilion can be a pretty amazing experience. You begin your trip cycling along the Garonne river, then continue on the Roger Lapebie cycle path where you can stop for lunch at one of the charming villages on the way.

After you cross the Dordogne river you start the famous route through the vineyards of Saint Emilion. The route is quite long and will take at least three hours without stops.
You can see the exact cycling road map here.

Alternatively, you can also take an electric bike guided tour in Saint Emilion. Bordovino, who runs these tours will take you from the center of Bordeaux and equip you with great e-bikes for the day. See all the details here.

By car – the best way to go to Saint Emilion

If you just want to visit the city and a winery next to the city center, a train will do just fine. However, the Saint Emilion wine area is quite big and if you want to discover more distant beautiful chateaux, you must rent a car.

Also, if you’re more than two people traveling, renting a car might be a much cheaper option. There are plenty of rental companies both at the airport and Gare Saint-Jean, the main train station, so renting a car is very easy. However, if you’re coming during the tourist season, be sure to book the car in advance. Here’s a website that will help you to find the best deals.

To get to Saint Emilion by car take the N89 (Bordeaux – Libourne) route.

Where to park in Saint Emilion

There’s a free parking lot at the Gendarmerie (police station) called Espace Guadet. However, this parking is often full so on busy days you can leave your car at the free parking next to the train station. There are several paid parking lots (about 2euros/ hour): around the collegiate church (the upper town) and Place Bouqueyre (the bottom town).

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.