Top 10 things to do in Entre-Deux-Mers

Located southeast of Bordeaux, in the Gironde department, lies the Entre-Deux-Mers, a hilly region of vineyards with green landscapes, where castles overlook the estates between the Garonne and the Dordogne. A small haven of greenery and nature, it is the ideal destination for wine lovers and lovers of cultural visits, with charming little towns full of stories to discover. On foot or by bike, follow us between two rivers in Entre-Deux-Mers.

Opening photo: AdobeStock_SpiritProd33 / The vineyards of Entre-Deux-Mers

1- Cadillac sur Garonne

Let's start with the town of Cadillac-sur-Garonne, 20 minutes north of Langon. Listed as one of the most beautiful towns in the Gironde department, it retains a rich medieval past to observe during a stroll through the old town. Porte de la mer, bastide, porte de l'horloge, church of Saint-Blaise and Saint-Martin, the historical monuments tell their story through arcades, towers and arrow slits. Emblematic of the life of Cadillac, the Château de Ducal, medieval heritage of the 17th century, is one of the first examples of French architecture. Admire its marble and sculpted stone chimneys, before continuing your stroll to the town's central square, where halls under the arcades host a very lively market every Saturday morning, the largest in the southwest.

2- Rions in Entre-Deux-Mers

Rions, 10 minutes north of Loupiac, is a small medieval village nestled in the heart of the vineyards. Stroll through the flowery streets, overlook the Garonne from the citadel and discover the hidden gardens in a city that experienced the Hundred Years War during battles between France and England.

3- Podensac and its Lillet factory

We stay around to visit a small hidden treasure of the Gironde, Podensac. With its 3 castles each having their own history, you are immersed in the past to discover the memories of the city through the years. The Château de Cailhau, feudal and medieval, is the ruins of a site classified as a Historic Monument. The Château de Chavat, located in one of the most beautiful nature parks in Aquitaine, overlooks the Garonne and offers a pleasant stroll between the cedars, redwoods, magnolias and the many statues that punctuate the park. Finally, the Château d'eau is the first work in reinforced concrete made by Le Corbusier. Built in 1917, it was commissioned by François Thévenot to irrigate his new property in Chavat Park. Before leaving, stop at a local bar to taste the famous Lillet, a white aperitif made from a mixture of Sémillon, Sauvignon and fruit liqueur. Its taste of candied orange, honey and exotic fruit will delight your taste buds to continue the visit.

4- La Réole on the banks of the Canal des Deux Mers

Continue along the Garonne to La Réole, 20 minutes from Monségur, to discover a thousand-year-old city on a human scale. Labeled city of Art and History, it is the guardian of many monuments such as the fortified castle of the Quat'Sos from the 13th century, one of the oldest town halls in France from the 12th century, or the priory church from the 12th century. The narrow, winding streets of the old town promise lovely walks along the Garonne.

5- The fortified town of Monségur

We go further inland to discover Monségur, 25 minutes north of Marmande, a charming town with atypical architecture, a vestige of the Middle Ages. The Bastide de Monségur is unmissable, the only high-rise in the Gironde with an original geometry where the square central square is surrounded by very beautiful glass and cast iron halls. The ramparts, the typical church, the Gothic tower, the narrow streets and the half-timbered houses tell the story of Monségur's medieval past.

6- The wine chateaux of Entre-Deux-Mers

We cannot continue the visit without mentioning the wines of Entre-Deux-Mers. A well-known wine region in the Bordeaux region, it is bordered by the Dordogne and the Garonne, thus providing the ideal setting for the breeding of vineyards. Wine lovers and the curious can visit many estates and taste red wines, dry whites and sweet whites such as the famous Sainte-Croix-du-Mont.

7- Créon and its cycle path

During your excursion, make a stop in Créon and visit the fortified town of Créon founded in 1315 by the Seneschal of the King of England. Observe the characteristic arcades and the Notre-Dame church before getting on your bike to criss-cross the Roger Labépie track. Pleasant greenway between forests and railways, it allows you to reach Sauveterre-de-Guyenne with a few pedal strokes. The bravest can set off from Royan and cycle to Sète via the Canal des Deux Mers cycle path, a route that includes the Roger Labépie trail along the Garonne Canal and the Canal du Midi.

8- The oyster cliffs at Sainte-Croix-du-Mont

On the road, get off the bike to discover a unique geological site in France at Sainte-Croix-du-Mont, 10 minutes from Langon. At a height of 10 meters overlooking the Garonne, stands a cliff of fossil oysters dating back 22 million years. The sea, present at the time, accumulates the shells which are found at the bottom of the water and then overhanging the valley after thousands of years. Admire this geological curiosity dating from the Tertiary era before continuing your excursion.

9- The Garonne Canal

Turn your handlebars towards the Canal de la Garonne, a cycle path surrounded by nature with authentic landscapes of the south-west. Walk a few kilometers or do the grand slam from Bordeaux to Toulouse, a 270 km hike to discover the region. Do you want more? So we spice up the route and join the scandibérique, a route linking Norway to Spain, part of which runs through France, via the Garonne canal. Muscle your legs, it's time to pedal.

10- Aquatic leisure sites in Entre-Deux-Mers

After the effort, the comfort, you have the right to dive into the 7 hectare lake of the Domaine de Blasimon, east of Bordeaux. On a natural area of 70 hectares, many activities are offered in a wooded and hilly environment. If you stayed near the Garonne canal, stop off at the Fontet leisure centre, the ideal place for swimming, fishing and resting in the shade of the wooded park. Playground, picnic area and bowling alley, there is everything you need for a lazy day. Finally, if the weather is capricious, take refuge in one of the many municipal swimming pools in the region, between La Réole, Monségur, Sauveterre, Latresne or Saint-Loubès. How good it is to cool off after a hard day.

It's time to announce the end of this trip to Entre-Deux-Mers. You now have a very complete schedule to occupy you, to criss-cross the region to discover the heritage on foot or by bike. Geocaching enthusiasts can take advantage of the application to discover the Tèrra Aventura circuits during their excursion.

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