Great ideas and activities to enjoy the South Médoc off-season!

Just an hour from Bordeaux, the southern Médoc is a natural haven, perfect for enjoying the fresh air, the gentle ocean breezes, wine châteaux, charming Médoc villages, and a multitude of activities for families and friends. Make this attractive region your autumn and winter retreat , a place to explore year-round. The Bordeaux Gironde Guide and the Médoc Plein Sud Tourist Office offer a wealth of ideas, games , and sporting activities to enjoy in the southern Médoc. Shall we go?

Visit vineyards and discover local products directly from the producers.

Meet the winegrowers and winemakers of the Southern Médoc

Around forty producers share the cultivation of the precious vines of the Southern Médoc, just a stone's throw from the most prestigious Médoc wines. Three AOCs are represented across these three villages: Moulis, Listrac-Médoc, and Haut-Médoc. These charming little wine-growing villages boast a terroir that, we assure you, rivals the Classified Growths of the Médoc. Dare to venture off the beaten path and meet the men and women who work the land with passion, producing exceptional wines that will live up to the most discerning palates. The vineyards of the Southern Médoc welcome you; simply consult the map (click) to make your selection, contact the winemakers, and arrange your visit to the estates, cellars, and, of course, taste these distinctive wines !

Stroll leisurely through the weekly markets of the South Médoc

Markets are where you rediscover the identity of a region. Here, producers showcase their local produce each week, sourced from their farms within a few kilometers of each other. It's a chance to visit small villages, enjoy the fresh air with the locals, surrounded by colorful and delicious fruits, vegetables, and local specialties. Click to find the market that suits you best, depending on your availability.

Visit the producers and discover the delights of local farms

Many producers are located in the area; you can visit some of them and take advantage of the local shops – that's what being a locavore holidaymaker is all about! Check out the shops at these three farms listed below:

• La Ferme de Vertessec, in Avensan, is a family farm established in 1973, raising heritage and rustic poultry breeds: chickens, pullets, guinea fowl, ducklings, as well as a few ducks and rabbits. The shop is open Thursdays from 2 pm to 6 pm, Fridays from 9 am to 12 pm and from 2 pm to 6 pm, and Saturdays from 9 am to 1 pm. All products are, of course, raised and prepared on-site!
• La Ferme de la Noune is located in Brach, a dream destination for snail lovers. Florence and Hervé open their shop Monday to Friday and Saturday. The snails are available from April to August; the rest of the year, come and discover the delicious dishes they prepare on-site using their own produce. You'll also find other farm products there.
• Les Jardins du Plec in Salaunes is a haven for market gardening ; the vegetables and fruits grown on-site are available for purchase by order or at local markets. Call 06 89 89 84 46 to reserve a vegetable basket and pick it up at the farm.

Enjoy nature and the countryside in "slow tourism" mode!

We warned you, everything here is designed to give you a breath of fresh air. There's the beach, of course, but also the welcoming and bountiful pine forest. It's perfect for family walks, creating art with pine cones (as they're called in the Médoc region), needles, and leaves.

The Roar of the Stag in the South Médoc

In autumn, the red deer reigns supreme in the forest. The stag's rut is a moving event, eagerly awaited by nature lovers. From September 15th to October 15th (approximately, as nature has its own rhythm), the stag roars at dusk and throughout the night to attract females during the mating season. The roars and clashing of antlers create an impressive spectacle, audible to all, which can be enjoyed with specialists during nature and heritage tours organized by the Médoc Plein Sud Tourist Office, for example. Following the same nature-based approach, we recommend birdwatching at the Avensan ponds, for instance.

Go for a walk in the forest and pick mushrooms

Mushroom hunting is serious business… It's well known that mushroom spots are closely guarded secrets, so we'll give you a few hints, but it's like a treasure hunt—you'll have to search carefully and keep your eyes peeled! In the South Médoc, you can find porcini mushrooms, the " king of mushrooms," which are delicious eaten on their own, in an omelet, with pasta, or in a risotto—yum! You can also find chanterelles from October onwards and girolles from November. A word of caution: be sure to stay on the marked trails and avoid trespassing on private property ! Stroll along forest paths and cycle tracks to find mushrooms.

More generally, for a walk in the forest, the southern Médoc is a paradise for the whole family, as the trails are easy and flat. Not far from the ocean, there are 4 hiking trails in Avensan around the ponds, and 6 trails in the commune of Saint-Raphaël. Click to learn more and get more details about the trails.

Have a picnic in the South Médoc

Are you returning from the market or a local producer with a well-stocked picnic basket ? Whatever the season, even in a thick down jacket, a picnic outdoors is always a pleasure when the weather is nice! In the South Médoc region, several picnic areas (click) are equipped with tables for you to settle in comfortably. Of course, you also have the option of going from the forest to the beach by exploring the two beaches in the area: La Jenny and Plage du Gressier. In summer, these beaches are supervised for swimming, and in winter, they are a sun-drenched paradise perfect for long walks.

Activities for playing sports and letting off steam, to do all year round in the southern Médoc

Looking to get moving ? Want to play sports and let off some steam? The South of the Médoc is a land of nature and therefore of sport. Grab your sneakers, your bike, or your wetsuit for a weekend, or longer if you like!

Horseback riding, exploring the forest on horseback

Tree climbing in the southern Médoc

Let's go on a treasure hunt in the towns of the South Médoc!

On holiday in the South Médoc, you won't be bored, whatever the season. There's always something to do here, even if it's a bit chilly. Between the beach, the villages, the walks, the forest, and the culinary delights, you can enjoy a pleasant family holiday or weekend getaway, with new adventures every day. And to add variety to your trip, the Bordeaux metropolitan area, the Arcachon Basin, and the charming villages of the Médoc are all within an hour's drive! See you soon in the South Médoc!

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