Walking tour Pauillac, Margaux Vineyards & Gironde estuary
Pricing informations
Tour description
The Medoc walking tour in Bordeaux region through Pauillac and Margaux vineyards along the Gironde estuary. Daily walks on forest tracks, pathways and backroads. You will cross the vast peninsula of the Medoc. Then, you’ll take the boat to cross the estuary to reach the right bank. There, you’ll discover the citadel of Blaye and the “corniche fleurie” (the flowery ledge). During your 5 days walking tour, you will first take the “wine road” which picks off the most well known wineries. Chateau Giscours in Margaux vineyard, Lafite Rothschild and Mouton Rothschild in Pauillac vineyard. So you will furrow the winegrowing boroughs which own some of the most prestigious wine known worldwide.
The Medoc, is a stretch of land northwest of Bordeaux, limited on the east by the estuary of the Gironde and on the west by the Atlantic Ocean. It is protected from the Atlantic by a large forest. In the ideal climate of the region, the vines grow in a mix of sand and gravel soils. Medoc is made of eight appellations. this land is probably the most famous wine area in Bordeaux ( with Saint-Emilion), this is the first area for red wines production in Bordeaux wine region, you can ask for a guided tour in a chateau and you’ll do a tasting of red wines. You’ll learn all about winemaking, winemakers, Grands Crus, french wine regions, appellation, French wines, grape varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot or Merlot!
The Medoc has also a great diversity of landscapes; a walk through the marsh, horse breeding and aquaculture. On the hill are located windmills and old castles. In the villages you will find some superb Romanic Churches. And somewhere in the land, some unique Gallo-Romanic site. This journey with various landscapes alternates bicycle paths through forests and backroads alongside streams and vineyards,. Therefore you will discover the exceptional natural surrounding which will fulfill you with its diversity.
Countries where the waters of the Dordogne, the Garonne River and the Atlantic ocean wed to form the largest estuary in Europe. This Medoc walking tour has something for all appetites of nature and culture, leisure and sports, friendliness and gastronomy!
- The prestigious vineyards of Pauillac and Margaux
- Some of the most famous wineries in the world
- The diversity of daily walks
- The Citadel of Blaye citadel classified by Unesco
- The banks of the Gironde estuary
Program
Arrival at the train station or airport of Bordeaux.
« Bordeaux », named before “Burdigala”, is a Roman city, inseparable from its vineyards and prestigious stones architecture. The river Garonne, heart of the city, welcomes walkers on the banks and offers boat trip. The quays suit everyone, hoping to witness the stop of a cruise ship, “amazing show” of a giant of the seas in the city centre. Capital of wine, Bordeaux is endowed with a rich history and architecture.
Transfer by taxi on the left bank to Pauillac and welcome to your 3-Star hotel where you will find your road book which will indicate your circuit.
Overnight in a 3-star hotel. Breakfast included.
You will leave Pauillac, home of three of the five first Grands Crus Classés 1855 and 15 Crus Classé Medoc. On this itinerary of small roads you will discover the biggest stars of the 1855 wine ranking with stunning architecture,
but also all the other jewels of this reference vineyard.
Your tour will pass by the famous Lafite Rothschild, Latour and Mouton Rothschild, 1st First Classified Growths, but also by the Châteaux Pichon Longueville (2d cru), Pontet Canet and Lynch Bages (5th classified growth).
At the end of the afternoon, back to the hotel in Pauillac and taxi transfer until Vertheuil.
Overnight in a charming bed and breakfast. Breakfast and dinner included.
Start your walking day to discover one of the most beautiful villages of the Medoc where the Abbey of Vertheuil well known will be one of the highlight step on your itinerary. Open your eyes, you will also see the remains of the former castle, an old mill. You will also discover the history of Medoc through its remnants such as walking across the archaeological site of Brion in St Germain d’Esteuil.
Your route continue through marshes, vineyards but also forest. Your itinerary will take you back at the same accommodation of the day before.
Overnight in a charming bed and breakfast. Breakfast and dinner included.
Taxi transfer in the morning until Margaux.
A few steps from your hotel make a stop in front of the park of the Chateau Margaux to admire the front of the classic building built at the beginning of the 19th Century and get close to the vines of origin of this prestigious wine. Your itinerary will go most of the time alongside the vineyards and chateau and will take you to the banks of the estuary with a magnificent point of view on the Island Margaux and the Estuary of Gironde. Your walking day takes you then in the heart of the marshes and the surrounding forest to discover the fauna and flora.
Your loop walk will take you back to your hotel.
Overnight in a 3-star hotel. Breakfast included.
This itinerary leads you to « Larmarque » to take the boat to cross the estuary of the Gironde.On the right bank, you will reach the magnificent citadel of Blaye listed as Unesco world heritage site. Imposing and majestic, the citadel overlooks the estuary with its 33 hectares in the heart of the city, offering a splendid view over the Gironde. On the right bank of the estuary your itinerary will continue through the vineyards of Blaye.
The Garonne River and the estuary of the Gironde mark profoundly the landscapes, through swamps, banks and small ports. There are so many spaces of discovery of the fauna and flora, the islands and the plaices. Neither
maritime, not really river, nor strictly ground, the banks of the Gironde have a unique identity.
Overnight in a 3-star hotel with breakfast included.
Today’s walk takes you on tracks and backroads to go through the vineyards of the Cotes de Blaye AOC, Bordeaux and Bordeaux Supérieur. You will follow the direction of Gauriac or Bourg-sur-Gironde along the famous “Corniche Fleurie”, where the presence of countless palm trees, pink laurels and oaks reflects a climate of great sweetness. The setting-up of the vineyard in this region goes back to the roman time (1st century before J-C). But it is during the XVIIth century that was really developed the culture of the vineyards which produced white wines(( sauvignon blanc ) intended for the distillation. This region was then the main region of production of the Liqueur brandy of Bordeaux.
Overnight in a charming bed and breakfast. Breakfast and dinner included.
Taxi transfer to the neariest train station : Saint-Andre de Cubzac
Practical details
Luggage
The documents
Accomodations
Support
We take care of transporting your luggage to the next accommodation so that you fully enjoy your daily ride.
You leave your luggage at the reception desk before your departure.
At the end of the afternoon, you recover them in the next accommodation (at the reception or directly in your room).
Luggage accepted per person: 1 suitcase or travel bag (20 kg maximum) + 1 hand luggage.
We remind you that rental bikes are equipped with saddlebags to be used to bring your belongings useful for the day.
Your travel pack corresponds to the documents or numeric files that you receive before your trip (usually one month before) and upon your arrival at the first accommodation.
It includes:
- A welcome letter with the main practical information:
- The time slot for luggage transport
- Details of the delivery and recovery of rental bikes if necessary
- Your local contact and telephone number(s) in case of emergency
- Any additional information
The travel book including a map with the route (at the appropriate scale) and directional, tourist and practical indications
The voucher(s) to be given to the service provider(s) (only if requested)
On request and depending on the tours:
The “Evazio” application to download to your Smartphone for a “GPS” guidance. This guidance is visual (reading of the track on the Smartphone’s screen) and vocal.
The application also contains practical and tourist information. Once the trip has been downloaded, no internet connection is necessary
The loan of a GPS device with pre-loaded tracks
GPX traces of every step for use with your own navigation device
The type of accommodation is classified into 3 ranges:
- Comfort : The trip mainly presents hotels classified 2 and 3 stars (or equivalent) and guesthouses.
- Superior : The tour mainly presents hotels classified 3 and 4 stars (or equivalent) and charming guesthouses.
- Luxe : The tour mainly presents hotels classified 2 and 3 stars or equivalent
Our assistance remains available for the duration of your stay.
