Day 1: Arrival at Bordeaux
Arrival at Bordeaux and transfer to the Medoc. « Bordeaux », named before “Burdigala”, is a Roman city, inseparable from its vineyards and prestigious stones architecture. The quays of the river Garonne in the heart of the citysuit everyone, hoping to witness the stop of a cruise ship, "amazing show" of a giant of the seas in the city centre. Capital of wine, Bordeaux is endowed with a rich history and architecture. Transfer by taxi to your accomodation in Pauillac where you will find your road book describing your circuit. Night and breakfast in hotel 4* or charming guesthouse.
Day 2: Pauillac : Châteaux’s walking tour ~ 15 km
You will leave Pauillac, home of three of the five first Grands Crus Classés and 15 Crus Classé Medoc. On this itinerary of small roads, you will discover the biggest stars of the 1855 wine ranking with stunning architecture, but also all the other jewels of this reference vineyard. Your tour will pass by the famous Lafite Rothschild, Latour and Mouton Rothschild, 1st Great Classified Growths, but also by the Châteaux Pichon Longueville (2d cru), Pontet Canet and Lynch Bages (5th classified growth). At the end of the afternoon, back to the hotel in Pauillac.
Day 3: Between forest, vineyards and marshes ~ 14 km
09h30: taxi transfer to Vertheuil. Start your walking day by discovering one of the most beautiful villages of the Medoc where the well-known Abbey of Vertheuil is. This will be one of the must-see stops on your itinerary. You will also see the remains of the former castle, an old mill. You will discover the history of Medoc through the vestiges walking through the archaeological site of Brion in St Germain d’Esteuil. Your route continues through marshes, vineyards but also forest. Your itinerary will take you back to Vertheuil for a taxi transfer to Margaux at about 16h30. Night and breakfast in hotel 3*.
Day 4: Margaux: from water flows to Wine Estates: 8 to 15 km
At a few steps from your hotel, make a stop in front of the park of the Chateau Margaux to admire the front of the classic building built at the beginning of the 19th century and get close to the vines of origin of this prestigious wine. Your itinerary will folow most of the time along the vineyards and chateau and will take you to the banks of the estuary. Enjoy the magnificent point of view on the Island Margaux and the Estuary of Gironde. Your walking day takes you then in the heart of the marshes and the surrounding forest to discover the fauna and flora. Your loop walk will take you back to your hotel. Night and breakfast in hotel 3*.
Day 5: Along the Gironde Estuary from Margaux to Blaye 8 à 22 km
This itinerary leads you to « Lamarque » to take the boat crossing the estuary of the Gironde. You will reach the magnificent citadel of Blaye. Imposing and majestic, the citadel overlooks the estuary with its 33 hectares in the heart of the city, offering a splendid view over the Gironde. On the other side of the estuary your itinerary will continue through the vineyards of Blaye. The Garonne River and the estuary of the Gironde mark profoundly the landscapes, through swamps, banks and small ports. There are so many spaces to discover the fauna and flora and the islands. The banks of the Gironde have a unique identity: neither maritime, not really river, nor strictly ground. Night and breakfast in hotel 3* or in a charming guesthouse.
Day 6: From the Gironde Estuary to the vineyards, from Blaye to Bourg 18 km
Today’s walk takes you on tracks and little roads to go through the vineyards of the Cotes de Blaye AOC, Bordeaux and Bordeaux Superior. You will follow the direction of Bourg-sur-Gironde along the famous "Corniche Fleurie" (the flowery ledge), where the presence of countless palm trees, pink laurels and oaks reflects a climate of great sweetness. The setting-up of the vineyard in this region goes back to the roman time (1st century before JC). But it is during the XVIIth century that the culture of the vineyards was really developed, which produced white wines intended for the distillation. This region was then the main region of production of the Liqueur brandy of Bordeaux. Dinner, night and breakfast in Bourg in a charming guesthouse
If no availibility in Bourg, transfer at 5pm from Bourg to Bordeaux and night and breakfast in hotel 3 or 4* in Bordeaux (which replaces the night in Bourg with half board). Free departure the day after.
Day 7: Departure
After breakfast, taxi transfer to Bordeaux