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Walking from the Médoc to the shores of the estuary

Price per person

From 1130€

Type of stay

Randonnée

Location

Bordeaux - France

Duration

7 days

Difficulty

Departures

On request from April to October

Capacity

2 people minimum

Reference

Hiking 02

Your stay

This hike, with its varied landscapes, alternating paths/trails through woods and flat terrain along waterways and vineyards, will enable you to discover an exceptional natural setting. You’ll be able to admire the richness of the Gironde estuary, with its string of islands between the Médoc and Blayais, deserted or long inhabited, visitable or secret, havens of peace, planted with vines, a paradise for flora and fauna, these are privileged places of call.

But also, and above all, the Médoc wine region, from Margaux to Pauillac, this walking tour offers you all the keys to discovering and understanding the wines of this region, as rich as it is. First, you’ll follow the wine route, which takes in the most famous châteaux: Giscours, Margaux, Pauillac, Lafite Rothschild and Mouton Rothschild, then criss-cross the wine-growing villages that boast some of the world’s most prestigious crus. A vision of a wine-growing terroir of worldwide renown, with 60 grands crus classés.

For nature lovers, it’s also the scent of maritime pines, the ocean and its beautiful, unspoilt beaches. But also the great lakes and the Gironde estuary. These entities – the Médoc Viticole, with its limestone soils, and the Médoc Maritime, with the Atlantic coastline and the Verdon, which marks the boundary with the Gironde estuary – come together to form a territory where the preservation of the environment and natural spaces are paramount. The Médoc also boasts a striking diversity of landscapes: a walk through marshes, horse breeding and aquaculture. The hillsides are home to windmills and ancient castles. In the villages, superb Romanesque churches and inland, unique Gallo-Roman sites.

Next, take a boat across the estuary. Continue your tour on the other side, discovering the citadel of Blaye and the famous corniche fleurie.

You'll enjoy :

The prestigious vineyards of Pauillac and Margaux
Some of the world’s most famous castles
A wide range of daily hikes
The Vauban citadel at Blaye classified by Unesco
The wild banks of the Gironde estuary

Daily program

Arrival in Bordeaux and transfer to the Médoc

Arrival at Bordeaux train station or airport.

Bordeaux, the ancient Roman “Burdigala”, indissociable from its vineyards…shines brightly in its stone finery to dispense with artifice. The Garonne River, the heart of the city, welcomes walkers on its banks or for boat trips. Everyone can make the quays their own, in the hope of witnessing the stopover of a cruise liner, the “astonishing spectacle” of a giant of the seas in the heart of the city.

Transfer by cab to Pauillac and welcome at your hotel****

We’ll provide you with documentation on the region and a road book indicating your itinerary.

Overnight in a 4* hotel with breakfast

The Grands Crus hike

You’ll set off from Pauillac, home to three of the Médoc’s five premier crus and 15 crus classés. This itinerary of small roads invites you to discover some of the great wine estates of the Pauillac appellation. Your tour will take you past the prestigious Lafite Rothschild, Latour and Mouton Rothschild, 1er Grands Crus Classés 1855, as well as Châteaux Pichon Longueville, Pontet Canet and Lynch Bages.

Return to the hotel in Pauillac at the end of the day.

Night and breakfast in a 4* hotel

Between forest, vineyards and marshes

09:30: Short cab ride to Vertheuil

You’ll start your walk by discovering one of the prettiest villages in the Médoc, where the well-known abbey and abbatial church are a must-see on your itinerary. Keep your eyes peeled for the ruins of an ancient château, an old mill…

Your route then takes you to discover the history of the Médoc through its vestiges, passing by places such as the Brion archaeological site in Saint Germain d’Esteuil. You’ll continue through marshes, vineyards and forests to reach Vertheuil.

4:30pm: Transfer by cab to Margaux.

Night and breakfast in a 3* hotel

Margaux: from the water's edge to the châteaux

A short distance from your hotel, a stop in front of the entrance to Château Margaux’s grounds allows you to admire the classical facade of the building constructed in the early 19th century, and to get up close to the vines that produce this prestigious wine. Your itinerary will take you past vineyards and châteaux, linking up with the estuary for an exceptional view of Margaux Island and the Gironde Estuary. Your walk will then take you to the heart of the marsh and its surrounding forest, where you can admire the flora and fauna. Your circular tour will then take you back to your hotel.

Overnight in 3* hotel with breakfast

Between two shores

This route will take you to Lamarque, where you will embark on a crossing of the Gironde estuary. You’ll then reach the magnificent citadel of Blaye. Imposing and majestic, it overlooks the estuary with its 33 hectares in the heart of the town, offering a splendid panorama of the Gironde. The Garonne and the Gironde estuary leave their mark on the landscape, with marshes, riverbanks and small harbours, ideal for discovering the flora and fauna, islands and carrelets. Neither maritime, nor truly fluvial, nor strictly terrestrial, the banks of the Gironde have a unique identity. On the other side of the estuary, a stroll awaits you to discover the Blayais vineyards.

Overnight in a 3* hotel or charming bed and breakfast

From estuary to vineyard

You’ll pass through the vineyards of the Côtes de Blaye AOC, Bordeaux and Bordeaux Supérieur on paths and small roads. You’ll head towards Gauriac or Bourg-sur-Gironde, along the “Corniche Fleurie”, on the banks of the estuary, where the presence of countless palm trees, oleanders and holm oaks reflects a very mild climate. Vineyards in this region date back to Roman times (1st century BC). But it was not until the 17th century that vine cultivation really took off, producing white wines for distillation. At the time, this region was the main producer of Fine de Bordeaux.

Overnight half-board in a charming B&B.

Departure

After breakfast, transfer back to Bordeaux (train station or airport)

rates

Price per person

7 days – 6 nights: €1,130

Price includes

6 nights in 3 and 4* hotels and charming bed & breakfasts (in double/twin rooms)
1 dinner
Crossing the estuary by boat
Cab transfer from Bordeaux airport or train station to Pauillac on Day 1.
Cab transfer on last day to Bordeaux
2 transfers required during your stay
Route book (map and directions)
GPS smartphone application
Luggage transfer at each stage
24/7 telephone assistance

Further information

We take care of transporting your luggage every time you change accommodation, so you can travel light and enjoy your day’s hiking.

Leave your luggage at the reception desk of your accommodation before departure.

At the end of the afternoon, you’ll meet them at the reception desk of your new accommodation or directly in your room.

Luggage accepted per person: 1 suitcase or travel bag (maximum 23 kg) + 1 carry-on.

We remind you that rental bicycles are equipped with panniers that you can use to carry any items you may need for the day.

Your travel file corresponds to the documents or files you receive prior to your trip (usually one month before) and on arrival at your first accommodation.

It includes :

A welcome letter with key practical information:
Baggage transport times
Details of delivery and collection of rental bikes if required
Your local contact and emergency telephone number(s)
Any additional information
Travel logbook including map with route (at the appropriate scale) and directional, tourist and practical information
Necessary voucher(s) to be given to the service provider(s) (only if necessary!)

On request and depending on the tour:

Download the “Evazio” application onto your smartphone for GPS navigation with visual (reading the route on your smartphone screen) and/or spoken guidance.
The application also contains practical and tourist information. Once the trip has been downloaded, no Internet connection is required.
Loan of a GPS device with pre-recorded tracks
Send GPX tracks of each stage for use with your own navigation device

The type of accommodation is classified into 3 ranges:

Comfort: The tour features mainly 2 and 3-star hotels (or equivalent) and bed & breakfasts.

Superior: The tour features mainly 3- and 4-star hotels (or equivalent) and charming bed & breakfasts.

Luxury: The tour features mainly 4 and 5 star hotels or equivalent

For the duration of your stay, our telephone assistance service is available:

7 days a week
from 07:30 to 20:30.

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