Between Garonne and Dordogne, Entre-deux-Mers offers the full range of Bordeaux wines: red wines, dry whites, sweet and sweet wines, rosés, clairets... All in an enchanting setting punctuated by bastides, abbeys, Romanesque churches and fortified mills.
To discover these marvels, we followed Dominique Bernède (Entre-deux-Mers Tourist Office) and Laetitia Cartier (Maison des Vins de Cadillac, on the Bordeaux Wine Routes in Entre-deux-Mers.
In the morning
On the program for the morning: visit to the abbey of Sauve-Majeure (UNESCO), stroll in the bastide town of Sauveterre-de-Guyenne, tasting at the cooperative cellar of Sauveterre and picnic in the smallest village in France.
La Sauve-Majeure abbey, Roman treasure
We start the day gently with the discovery of the Abbey. Listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO as part of the Chemins-de-Saint-Jacques-de-Compostelle, this Romanesque abbey offers a breathtaking view of the entire Entre-deux-Mers. At the top of the bell tower, we are speechless in front of this panorama, which must be beautiful to discover throughout the seasons… one thing is certain, we will be back!
Bastide of Sauveterre-de-Guyenne
Our walk then takes us to Sauveterre-de-Guyenne. The small town has, even today, the characteristics of bastides: its geometric plan, its square square lined with arcades and its four well-preserved rectangular doors. Built in 1281 at the request of King Edward I of England, Sauveterre-de-Guyenne changed suzerain ten times during the Hundred Years War!
Tasting at the cooperative cellar of Sauveterre-Blasimon
Tuesday, market day in the bastide, we take the opportunity to stock up on local products. To accompany our meal basket made in Entre-deux-Mers, we are missing a little something. Our guides now take us to the Sauveterre-Blasimon cellar.
In this cooperative cellar, it is all the diversity of Bordeaux wines that is offered to us. To make a gift, bring back a souvenir or simply have fun for the picnic, this is the ideal place.
Castelmoron d'Albret, the Middle Ages in focus
For a picnic, we take the direction of Castelmoron d'Albret.
Did you know that this town is the smallest town in France (3,54 ha)? It's fascinating ! In this pocket village, hollyhocks embellish the houses and the medieval ramparts, it's absolutely beautiful!
PS: for those who haven't had time to put together their packed lunches, our guides recommend the Farm inn Gauvry, which offers 100% farm-produced lunches (duck, Bazadaise meat, wine) in Rimons.
The afternoon
After this good meal, our discovery of Entre-deux-Mers continues with the program: Stop in the bastide of Monségur, visit of La Réole, City of Art and History, and the old village of Saint-Macaire, then tasting at the Maison des Vins de Cadillac to end in style.
Monsegur
The only Gironde bastide built high up, Monségur was founded in 1265 by Eléonore de Provence, wife of the King of England. It offers an admirable view of the Dropt valley. At the foot of the ramparts, a walkway allows you to go around the bastide and join the towpath for a pleasant shaded walk along the river, you don't have to be asked!
La Reole,
We then arrive in a "City of Art and History" which houses an important architectural heritage: La Réole. We discover the church of Saint-Pierre, dating from the XNUMXth century, the fortified castle of Quat'Sos (late XNUMXth century), the Benedictine priory and its entrance gate, a true masterpiece of XNUMXth century ironwork, as well as as the oldest City Hall in France (XNUMXth century), and many half-timbered houses.
Saint Macaire
Our day is coming to an end soon, and we can't wait to wander around Saint-Macaire. Overlooking the Garonne, Saint-Macaire retains magnificent fortified gates from the Middle Ages and ramparts from the XNUMXth century. If you are passing through, we advise you to take a few minutes to admire: the Saint-Sauveur church and its remarkable murals, the priory as well as the Mercadiou square and its superb medieval houses (Maison de Tardes, Maison Eyquem, Maison La Roque, etc.), and Renaissance (Henri IV post office, XNUMXth century).
Tour/Tasting at the Cadillac Wine House
We end our beautiful day in Entre-deux-Mers with the very pretty village of Cadillac. You should know that beyond the building, Cadillac is also a wine appellation. And to learn more about this appellation we take the direction of the Maison des Vins de Cadillac
Through the main grape varieties of the Bordeaux region gathered in a route adjoining the Maison des Vins, we discover the work of the vine in a fun way (riddles to be solved as a family)!
La Cadillac Wine House also houses an Ecomuseum of Vine and Wine, a screening room, as well as a shop area presenting all the wines of the Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux, Côtes de Bordeaux, Cadillac and Premieres Côtes de Bordeaux appellations.
You will also find cooking classes, tasting workshops, as well as walks starting from the Maison des Vins: winegrower or nature walk, the choice is yours!
Also to be seen in Entre-deux-Mers:
What a day ! We covered a beautiful part of Entre-deux-Mers. Our guides already make us want to come back, because there is still so much to discover:
- The domain of Malagar, holiday resort of the writer François Mauriac and Malrome Castle, former residence of the painter Toulouse-Lautrec;
- The Castle of the Dukes of Epernon (Cadillac);
- The old and characterful villages of Rions, Sainte-Croix-du-Mont, Verdelais;
- The bastides of Blasimon, Cadillac, Créon, Pellegrue;
- Planet Bordeaux – Headquarters of the Regional Wine Syndicate of AOC Bordeaux and Bordeaux Supérieur. Slide show, sound and light in the middle of the cellars, olfactory discovery, commented tasting.
- The Celestine Grotto de Rauzan which shelters an underground river with concretions of 2,5 km, for a visit of 45 mn caving style, 13 m underground in the depths of the quaternary era.
By bike in the vineyards of Entre-deux-Mers
Between two visits to wine estates, you can discover the exceptional heritage of Gironde Tuscany by bike by taking the great cycle route of the Canal des 2 Mers®, which connects the Atlantic to the Mediterranean, by the Roger Lapébie track (the local child).
To find all the useful information for your bike rides in Entre-Deux-Mers, meet at the Créon Bike Station.
And if you want to prolong the pleasure...
Visit www.bordeauxwinetrip.fr to discover all the riches of the Bordeaux vineyards and much more!
Contacts
Entre-Deux-Mers Tourist Office
04 rue Issartier – Monségur – Tel. 05 56 61 82 73 – www.entredeuxmers.com
Cadillac Wine House
Route de Langon – Cadillac – Tel. 05 57 98 19 20 – www.maisondesvinsdecadillac.com