From one vineyard to another, this trip is specially designed for connoisseurs of great vintages. You’ll get to wander through the Médoc and Sauternes regions before an enchanting stopover in Saint-Émilion. The names of great chateaux follow one another to your delight. You’ll discover Cap Ferret and the Arcachon basin, the Cité du Vin, and the amazing Millésima wine cellars in the heart of Bordeaux before heading up to the citadel of Blaye and the Cognaçais region for a wine tasting experience in which the degree of alcohol will determine your degree of happiness! (Drink responsibly)
Restaurant and hotel in a vineyard. Located between the estuary and the beaches of the Atlantic, this classic Gironde charterhouse is a lively place where the Cazes family cultivates the discreet charm and warm elegance of a home surrounded by vineyards and adorned with the works of contemporary artists. The wine list, with more than 1,800 vintages, includes Bordeaux Grands Crus such as the renowned Château Lynch-Bages, which has been with the family since 1939. During a winemaking session, assemble your own wine and start tasting. A few steps away, the village of Bages is an essential stop on the Bordeaux wine route, where you can wander at your leisure and truly experience art de vivre!
... Learn moreless
Seven years of reflection was the time devoted to conceiving and designing the new wine cellar of the prestigious Château Lynch-Bages. In order to optimize the winemaking process for this Médoc Grand Cru Classé, the Cazes family worked with Chien Chung Pei (son of the builder of the Louvre pyramid)....
Read Moreless
Bages, a village unlike any other
The village of Bages, which has been renovated house by house since 2000, is today an essential stopover on the Bordeaux Wine Route, a lively place open to all. You can meet here to enjoy a meal inside the bistro or out on the terrace, learn about the art of wine tasting and the winemaking profession,...
Read Moreless
Lunch on the island of Patiras
Opposite Pauillac, the little island of Patiras is a truly peaceful haven. With the help of the coastal Conservatoire, here Philippe Lacourt restored his beautiful white lighthouse and built a refuge with designer lines. A port of call at the heart of the estuary where you can come and watch the river...
Read Moreless
Discover the Lynch-Bages region by bike
The perfect family activity, guaranteed to create beautiful memories. Pedal through the hamlet of Bages... We create an itinerary based on your preferences and include a guide if necessary: on your right will be the Grand Puy Lacoste castle, a little further will be the Fonbade castle. Then, you’ll...
Read Moreless
A new wine cellar by Pei
Seven years of reflection was the time devoted to conceiving and designing the new wine cellar of the prestigious Château Lynch-Bages. In order to optimize the winemaking process for this Médoc Grand Cru Classé, the Cazes family worked with Chien Chung Pei (son of the builder of the Louvre pyramid)....
Read Moreless
Bages, a village unlike any other
The village of Bages, which has been renovated house by house since 2000, is today an essential stopover on the Bordeaux Wine Route, a lively place open to all. You can meet here to enjoy a meal inside the bistro or out on the terrace, learn about the art of wine tasting and the winemaking profession,...
Read Moreless
On the route
Cap Ferret - Bassin d’Arcachon
You must come to Cap Ferret and try a few oysters, washed down with a nice glass of wine. One possibility is the Hôtel de la Plage in L’Herbe village, which was recently taken over by some locals.
This property is temporarily closed. Reopening on 03/09/2025
Hotel and restaurant in a village. The Saint-James occupies buildings designed in 1989 by the famous architect Jean Nouvel. They nestle in the delightful little village of Bouliac, in a garden fragrant with lemon trees and antique roses. Inspired by the old tobacco drying lofts, four pavilions, linked by a gallery, create a modern pure space. Far away, you can see the Landes of Gascogne forest, the biggest collection of maritime pines in Europe. The gourmet cuisine is one of the major attractions of the Saint James: the chef serves cuisine which is full of flavour and based on local market ingredients, rounded off by the selection of wines from an outstanding cellar and panoramic views of Bordeaux.
... Learn moreless
Opened in 1973, this site was one of the first to be entirely dedicated to contemporary art in France. Installed in an immense colonial foods warehouse dating back to the 19th century, today the museum houses a collection which boasts some 1,600 works by 200international artists. Here you can also find...
Read Moreless
The submarine base
Bordeaux’s submarine base is a must-see. This gigantic concrete structure was built to house a flotilla of German submarines during the Second World War. Today, part of the base plays host to living art shows and very fine photography exhibitions.
The Millésima Wine Storehouses
The two-hundred-year-old storehouses belonging to this merchant are definitely the most beautiful in Bordeaux. Picture an 8000 m² storehouse, built entirely of freestone! Inside you will find 2.5 million bottles, 80% of which come from local vineyards. Guided tour and wine tasting by reservation.
Discovering la Cité du Vin, Bordeaux
Inaugurated in 2016 in the new Bassins à flot quarter, the very modern Cité du Vin explores both the vineyards of the Bordeaux region, and wines from around the world. The route seems to have been created both by museum curators and oenologists. A pedagogical and sensory journey through the history of...
Read Moreless
Contemporary art at the CAPC, Bordeaux
Opened in 1973, this site was one of the first to be entirely dedicated to contemporary art in France. Installed in an immense colonial foods warehouse dating back to the 19th century, today the museum houses a collection which boasts some 1,600 works by 200international artists. Here you can also find...
Read Moreless
The submarine base
Bordeaux’s submarine base is a must-see. This gigantic concrete structure was built to house a flotilla of German submarines during the Second World War. Today, part of the base plays host to living art shows and very fine photography exhibitions.
Hotel and restaurant in a vineyard. It is in Bommes, in southwestern France, where the Hôtel & Restaurant LALIQUE at Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey upholds an art de vivre of unparalleled refinement. In harmony with the Gironde, a region enriched with a terroir of infinite treasures, this exceptional hotel reveals itself through an unprecedented symbiosis of worlds: Sauternes wine, crystal, gastronomy and hospitality. Located less than an hour from Bordeaux, the hotel boasts ten luxurious rooms and three suites of rare elegance that offer spectacular views over the estate’s vineyards. Enthusiasts and wine lovers alike flock here to celebrate the wonders of oenology with family and friends, pampered by the house’s wine specialists. These same connoisseurs welcome you to the gastronomic restaurant, where the decorative splendour and brilliance of the setting and service are matched only by the bewitching cuisine of renowned chef Jérôme Schilling. Hallmarks of the Hôtel & Restaurant LALIQUE at Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey, a stay here is one of peacefulness, intimacy, epicureanism and a sense of sharing.
... Learn moreless
These 5 letters form one of the most prestigious names in the world of wines. When oenologists evoke Yquem, they speak of "a harmony in the complexity of flavors and aromas". Discovering this 280-acre estate today is an unforgettable experience. The private guided tours are followed by a wine tasting...
Read Moreless
A treetop tasting experience at the Château de Rayne Vigneau
Tasting a 1er Grand Cru classé while seated around a hanging table at the top of a tree and facing the Sauternes vineyards and the pretty Ciron valley is one of the many original visits and tastings offered by the Château de Rayne Vigneau. Supervised by a professional tree climber, you’ll have a unique...
Read Moreless
An anthology according to Yquem
These 5 letters form one of the most prestigious names in the world of wines. When oenologists evoke Yquem, they speak of "a harmony in the complexity of flavors and aromas". Discovering this 280-acre estate today is an unforgettable experience. The private guided tours are followed by a wine tasting...
Read Moreless
A treetop tasting experience at the Château de Rayne Vigneau
Tasting a 1er Grand Cru classé while seated around a hanging table at the top of a tree and facing the Sauternes vineyards and the pretty Ciron valley is one of the many original visits and tastings offered by the Château de Rayne Vigneau. Supervised by a professional tree climber, you’ll have a unique...
Hotel and restaurant in a village. An essential stop along the famed Route des Grands Crus, the charming medieval village of Saint-Emilion is home to Hôtel de Pavie, an intimate establishment with an elegant atmosphere. With its gastronomic restaurant–whose menu is spearheaded by Yannick Alléno–it’s a must-visit for epicureans that’s just 40 minutes from Bordeaux. Rooms and suites are arranged around three buildings: La Maison du Clocher (or Bell Tower), named for its neighboring, iconic church; La Maison de Village, a historic residence featuring Roman ceramics and English style; and La Maison des Suites, which juxtaposes contemporary decor with the historic character of its 18th-century origins. Its restaurant–La Table de Pavie–offers its interpretation of regional haute cuisine, paired with wines from surrounding vineyards. You can admire the landscape from the raised terrace, which also offers breathtaking views over the city’s rooftops.
... Learn moreless
Enjoy wine and the sunset on a hot air balloon ride over the Vineyards of Montgolfière, Saint-Emilion
Experience an intimate and romantic journey. You’ll discover unprecedented views of castles, vineyards, rivers, forests and other beautiful sites of the region. Flyingover the forest, you can see and photograph the wildlife.
The pilot is an expert on the region and can describe the history of the vineyards...
Read Moreless
Attend the Jurade
The Jurade, the guild of Saint-Émilion winemakers, was created in 1199 by the king of England. It was revived in 1948 by local winemakers, and every June and September it organises a parade of “jurats” who march up to the top of the Tour du Roy, dressed in their traditional red robes.
Go for a stroll in the streets of Saint-Emilion
Wandering the streets of Saint-Émilion is a real delight. Its World Heritage site status has made it possible to retain great uniformity. The variety of wine merchants and wine bars should be enough to please everyone’s taste buds.
A wine cellar visit
The Château Villemaurine, located on the outskirts of the village, offers Saint-Émilion’s most creative guided tours. Lantern in hand, you can discover the superb underground quarries of this grand cru classé, through a sound and light show which combines history and legend.
Enjoy wine and the sunset on a hot air balloon ride over the Vineyards of Montgolfière, Saint-Emilion
Experience an intimate and romantic journey. You’ll discover unprecedented views of castles, vineyards, rivers, forests and other beautiful sites of the region. Flyingover the forest, you can see and photograph the wildlife.
The pilot is an expert on the region and can describe the history of the vineyards...
Read Moreless
Attend the Jurade
The Jurade, the guild of Saint-Émilion winemakers, was created in 1199 by the king of England. It was revived in 1948 by local winemakers, and every June and September it organises a parade of “jurats” who march up to the top of the Tour du Roy, dressed in their traditional red robes.
On the route
Corniche between Saint-André-de-Cubzac and Blaye
On this flower-lined cliff road, don’t miss the view over the Bec d’Ambès, where the Dordogne and Garonne meet, or the houses…
Citatelle de Blaye
This impressive citadel, recognised as a World Heritage site, looks out over the Gironde estuary. The military complex, built under orders from Vauban, stretches over almost 38 hectares.
Château du Bouilh (Saint-André-de-Cubzac)
Built by architect Victor Louis, the Château du Bouilh is a superb example of late 18th century neoclassical architecture. Owner Jean-Frédéric de La Tour du Pin was appointed minister of war by King Louis XVI… in 1789! This listed building, which was never completed, is a real film set.
Corniche between Saint-André-de-Cubzac and Blaye
On this flower-lined cliff road, don’t miss the view over the Bec d’Ambès, where the Dordogne and Garonne meet, or the houses…
Citatelle de Blaye
This impressive citadel, recognised as a World Heritage site, looks out over the Gironde estuary. The military complex, built under orders from Vauban, stretches over almost 38 hectares.
Hotel and restaurant in a village. Set in a bucolic haven just a few kilometres from Cognac, "La Nauve Hôtel & Jardin" invites you to relax and recharge. Enjoy a few lengths of the pool or take a stroll in the formal gardens, which extend over nearly 10 acres (four hectares) to the Charente river. You can also reach the center of Cognac, an iconic city of art and history, by private boat, via a canal that crosses the property. This Belle Epoque residence and former distillery, dating to the 19th century, have been meticulously restored by a local architect. Local materials, such as avy stone, bring soul and authenticity to the rooms and shared spaces. In the kitchen, Chef Anthony Carballo channels glorious nature, highlighting products from the hotel's vegetable garden and orchard.
... Learn moreless
**Offer cannot be combined, valid for an itinerary in at least 2 different Relais & Châteaux establishments, reserved with Relais & Châteaux concierges, discount applicable on certain rates and certain establishments. List available from our concierges.
Total price communicated as an indication, based on a stay of the number of nights recommended on this webpage, taking place in the next 3 months, and based on double occupancy (excluding recommended activities, excluding properties not bookable online).
Reservation Service
To give you inspiration, Relais & Châteaux presents the Routes du Bonheur:
Suggestions for travel itineraries that you can fully personalise according to your wishes and the experiences you would like to discover. Our consultants are available to help customise your route and assist you in making reservations at our properties. It is up to you to reserve any recommended activities on-site or nearby that might interest you.
** Offer cannot be combined, valid for an itinerary in at least 2 different Relais & Châteaux establishments, reserved with Relais & Châteaux concierges, discount applicable on certain rates and certain establishments. List available from our concierges. Call our concierge to tailormade your booking and itinerary*. *Price of a local call
Through the vineyards of Bordeaux and New Aquitaine
Jean-Michel Cazes, a wine tourism pioneer, who was voted “Man of the Year 2003” by Decanter magazine, is the owner of the Château Cordeillan-Bages and producer of the grand cru classé Château Lynch-Bages. "I divided my youth between our home and the family’s vineyard. I love the Médoc more than any other place. For its wine, of course, but also for its landscapes. Here, pine forests border endless sandy beaches. Then there is the estuary and the ocean. There’s Bordeaux too. The route that I suggest winds through vineyards, taking in some of the most prestigious wines in the Bordeaux region. It takes you down into the Sauternes region before making a stopover in Saint-Émilion. Finally, as in any good meal, it follows the estuary and the vine-covered slopes of Bourg and Blaye to finish off with an excellent digestif. Cognac is right before you."
EUR (€) Euro
