The Bordeaux vineyards tour itinerary

Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6 | Day 7

Day 1

Ready to hit the road.

Transfers are from Bergerac train station and airport. Our hotel is in the countryside on the outskirts of the village of St-Julien-de-Crempse. Early arrivals might like to stretch their biking legs with a 9km excursion to the the vineyards of Pecharmant. The best Pecharmants stand comparison with St-Emilion, with which they share a similar blend of grape varieties (cépage) at a fraction of the cost. We visit the Château de la Renaudie for a tasting and if we are lucky, le patron will be on hand to show us his collection of stone-age artefacts discovered whilst working the vines. Those coming later will be able to stroll in the extensive grounds of the hotel, or take a swim before the first of many memorable dinners.

Back to the top

Day 2

Recognising varieties, Chateau
de Tiregand

Heading south, our first visit of the day is the Chateau de Tiregand, owned by the St-Exupéry family (the famous aviator and author of 'The Little Prince'). We tour the vineyard and cellars followed by a tasting of this, one of the most prestigious Pecharmant wines. We then make our way into Bergerac for a coffee in the ancient port district on the river, with a chance to visit the impressive abbey-church. Climbing away from the river we reach the hilltop village of Monbazillac, an ideal stop for a picnic lunch. We visit the elegant 16C Château de Monbazillac famed for its desert wine which accompanies the foie gras of the region so well, and before getting back on the bikes we have a chance to sample the golden nectar.

Chateau de Bridoire

A short pedal through rolling countryside brings us to the Chateau de Bridoire. Currently being restored, the elegant exterior is a fantastic photo-opportunity. A downhill stretch followed by a flat run through vineyards along the river valley brings us to our hotel for the evening , the Chateau de Vigiers, dating from 1597 and now converted to a luxury 4 star hotel. Take a swim, stroll the grounds or relax with a drink before a sumptuous dinner, served with the hotel's own Bergerac wine.

Cycling in France staying at luxury hotels

Your hotel, Chateau de Vigiers.

Total distance: 52km

Back to the top

Day 3

A downhill stretch followed by a flat run through vineyards along the river valley brings us into the market town of Ste-Foy-La-Grande overlooking the Dordogne. This part of France was bitterly contested between the French and the English during the 100 Years War (1337-1453), and these medieval villages, called Bastides were built on a strict grid pattern around a central arcaded square, then enclosed within defensive walls. The square now makes a perfect place to stop for coffee and as a base for a quick wander around the old town.

Cycling in the Entre-Deux-Mers.

We cross the Dordogne and continue downstream to the village of Moncaret in the Montravel wine area. The elegant white wines are made with Semillon, Sauvignon and Muscadelle grapes. Moncaret is also home to a beautiful 11th Century church and is the site of a Roman settlement. This has been excavated and we will visit the fascinating exhibition before lunch.

The afternoon is an easy run along the Dordogne, skirting the town of Castillon-La-Bataille, the scene of the last battle of the 100 Years War. Crossing the river we climb to the village of St-Vincent-de-Pertignas and to our hotel at the converted Maison Fort or fortified manor of the Chateau de Naujan. The hotel has its own vineyard and we can visit and sample the Bordeaux appellation wines, and of course appreciate them more fully with dinner.

Total distance: 49km

Back to the top

Day 4

The rooftops of Saint-Emilion

An easy day through the vines from the Garonne to the Dordogne. We are now entering the heart of the Bordeaux vineyards, as we arrive in the Libournais. A gentle climb through the Côtes-de-Castillon vineyards sees us into the ancient ramparts of St-Emilion. In addition to its fabulous wines, St-Emilion is one of the prettiest towns in South-West France. Within its ancient walls can be found the 13C Château du Roi and, notably, the Eglise Monolithe – a church, dating from the 8th Century, carved from a single block of rock. We lunch in St-Emilion, then have various options of tasting visits or a wine appreciation course.

Lunch in St-Emilion.

The famous wines of the surrounding vineyards include Château Cheval Blanc and Château Ausone, the best vintages of which are legendary, with suitably stratospheric prices. We will visit a vineyard before returning to our hotel in St-Vincent to relax by the pool or stroll into the village before visiting a local restaurant for dinner.

Total distance: 30km

Back to the top

Day 5

Cycling through Entre-Deux-Mers

Today we are in the Entre-Deux-Mers wine region, named because it is in the land between the Dordogne and Garonne rivers. We take advantage of the Sauveterre to Bordeaux cycleway, which is a converted railway track and hence is a relaxed traffic- and gradient- free way of crossing the region. At various points along the way we leave the cycleway to explore towns and villages.

The first of these is La-Sauve-Saint-Majeure, a village surmounted by a magnificent Benedictine Abbey. Founded in 1079 it quickly became one of the greatest abbeys in the South-West of France. Its majestic ruins still testify to the size of the original buildings and to its builders' ambition. Thanks to its spiritual influence, the abbey was soon regarded as a major stop for pilgrims on the road to Santiago (St James) de Compostella. Next to the abbey, the Maison d'Entre-Deux-Mers is the visitor centre for all of the great white wines of the region; the different grapes are explained, and we will taste a variety of the wines to discover how terroir (the local soils and microclimates) can produce very different wines.

Abbaye de Sauve-Majeure

Depending on the weather, we can enjoy a picnic lunch on a grass covered former railway platform at Sadirac, or go into the bustling town of Creon to eat at a café.

After lunch the cycleway takes us into the heart of Bordeaux. Here is the opportunity to amble along the stately 18th Century customs houses which line the Garonne River, and to visit the magnificent Cathédral Saint-André founded in 1053 and rebuilt in the 16th Century, or find a café for a coffee or pastis.

Those wishing to continue on two wheels can make their way out of Bordeaux on dedicated cycleways; for those who don't want such a long day in the saddle, or to spend more time in Bordeaux, the minibus will be available for the transfer to the 4 star hotel in Pian-Medoc, at the foot of the Medoc peninsular, where tired legs can be pampered with a massage. Take a swim or relax at the bar before another memorable dinner.

Total distance: 48km / 68km optional

Back to the top

Day 6

On the road Medoc peninsular

The last day of riding takes us northward into the heart of the Medoc peninsular. On the way, we are pedalling through fields of Cabernet and Merlot grapes that produce some of the world's most renowned red wines.

The first port of call is Châteaux Palmer in the village of Margaux, where the elegance of the façade matches that of the famous wine. We continue through villages that have lent their names to great vintages such as Moulis and Listrac.

Tasting at Lynch-Bages

We arrive at the estuary village of Lamarque, where a selection of restaurants and cafés mean a good choice for lunch, then turn north through the renowned vineyards of the truly great names: Château Lannemassan with its stables and carriage museum, Château Talbot, Château Beychevelle, and Château Lynch-Bages, where we visit the cellars and the winery for a tasting. The route then takes us past the Château Lafite Rothschild, where the cellars contain treasures with vintages dating back to 1811. Cycling through the vines we come to the end of our tour in Pauillac, at the harbour from where these great wines used to depart for all corners of the world. Cafes and bars along the front provide the perfect setting for toasting each others' cycling prowess.

We transfer back to Pian Medoc for a final celebratory meal at the hotel.

Total distance: 50km

Back to the top

Day 7

After breakfast, another chance to stroll the grounds, and to exchange numbers and addresses with new friends, before making our way to the station or the airport for the journey home.

Back to the top

Bordeaux Vineyards Tour Overview

Overview Of Our Tours