Visit Pauillac and its surroundings

Pauillac is located on the edge of the Gironde estuary , it is a place known by wine lovers , all over the world! Located on the Médoc Wine Route, a must-see if you want to know more about this precious beverage and discover a city centered around its vines , giving it an extraordinary reputation. We suggest you visit the city of Pauillac and then go hiking (on foot or by bike) for a tour of the greatest Médoc wine châteaux.

Photos from the report: Bordeaux Gironde Guide

Walking tour to discover Pauillac

Pauillac is a small town on the edge of the Gironde estuary. It is quiet and one can feel a past elegance still palpable in its architecture. It is pleasant to walk there for a few hours, have lunch in one of its restaurants and walk along the estuary.

Newly arrived, go for a walk to La Maison du Tourisme et des Vins, it is the ideal place to pick up a map of the region and ask for information on wine tourism tours organized around Pauillac. Many castles are present, but not all are open to visitors.

Vines have been cultivated in Pauillac since the ^14th century, one of the oldest estates is Château Latour. In the ^18th century, thanks to the presence of the estuary, the cultivation of vines and a glassmaking activity, Pauillac was a flourishing town. Beautiful houses can be seen as you stroll through town, testimony to this lavish era. Phylloxera (vine disease carried by a parasite) and the wars of the first half of the ^20th century, were the reasons for the growth of Pauillac, which was reborn thanks to its wines in the second half of the 20th century.

Walk towards the small marina which offers a panoramic view of the estuary and its nature. The port is home to pleasure boats, but also small fishing vessels. The estuary has been a food resource since the dawn of time, today you can still find the famous civets (or pibales, small eels) which have become rare but are a delicacy for gourmets. Shrimp, shad, lampreys ... are also on the menu. Opposite, is the island of Patiras , which can be visited in season, to see its lighthouse, eat at the restaurant and all this from the port of Pauillac.

As you turn around, you will see the quays of Pauillac, which stretch over 1.3 km (it is the longest river frontage in Gironde). Beautiful opulent houses, bourgeois dwellings show here the full extent of the opulence of Pauillac in the ^18th and ^19th centuries. The Château Grand-Puy Ducasse is the only wine estate in the heart of the city, the others being on the outskirts. As you continue your walk, you will notice that the vine is present in a multitude of clues and evocations, in the architecture of the buildings (coats of arms, engravings, bas-reliefs, etc.). The same is true for the river environment (anchors, boats and ornamental fish). You will pass by the covered market where the weekly Pauillac market takes place every Saturday morning.

Continue the walk in the city center of Pauillac, enjoy its shops and small restaurants, cafes. You will pass by the renovated and imposing Saint-Martin church with its large facade and its octagonal bell tower.

The Pauillac castles hike

After discovering the city, get on a bike or walk on this 16km ride (easy because it's all flat!). Ideal to do in spring or autumn, it's a unique way to discover the region's greatest wine appellations and some curiosities. The departure will be from the Maison du Tourisme et du Vin, there are several sections of roads to take, be careful, but you will quickly arrive on small roads or even paths. You will cross the curious village of Bages where the Cazes family owns many places and has made it a perfect wine village for wine tourism discoveries. Small shops, restaurants, it's an amazing place in the middle of the vineyards! The Grotte d'Artigues is one of the replicas of the Lourdes grotto and it dates from 1897. Why this grotto in this place? Because it is located on the way to St-Jacques de Compostelle! The hike will then take you past several large castles: Pontet Canet, Mouton Rothschild, Lafite Rothschild, Château Pédesclaux, before returning again to Pauillac and the Maison des Vins! Did you enjoy the walk?

We wish you a great holiday in the Médoc!