In Gironde, 40 minutes from Bordeaux and Bergerac (Dordogne). Here are 14 reasons to (re)come to Grand Libournais. There is something for everyone: from wine tasting to visiting towns with an incomparable architectural heritage, many activities await you in the vineyards, on the banks of the rivers, the most famous of which is called the Dordogne. Enjoy the varied landscapes, a rich and surprising built heritage while letting yourself be guided by your desires and your senses...
14 reasons to discover Grand Libournais
1 - Lands of wines, local and prestigious appellations
2 - The Bastides of Libourne, Sainte-Foy-la Grande and Pellegrue
3 – The medieval city of Saint-Emilion
4 – The village of Rauzan
5 – Castles to visit
6 – Stroll through the Jardin du Fond de l’Or
7 – Refresh yourself on the banks of the Dordogne
8 – Take the time to experience the Tidal Bore
9 – Savor local products
10 - Relax you
11 – Live miller's life
12 – Relive the 100 years war
13 – Take an art history class
14 – Get up to date
1 -Lands of wines, local and prestigious appellations
Explore the “Bordeaux Wine Route in Saint-Émilion, Pomerol Fronsac” along the Dordogne, between Bordeaux and Bergerac.
The jewel of the territory is the magnificent medieval city of Healthyt-Emilion, listed as a World Heritage SiteUNESCO as a "Cultural Landscape", and one of the most famous showcases of the Bordeaux vineyards. Saint-Émilion, Pomerol , Fronsac … Grand Libournais offers internationally renowned wines… but not only… Have you ever heard of “Sainte-Foy Côtes de Bordeaux(I.e.Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux”? These lesser-known appellations are the pride of the winegrowers of Castillonnais and Pays Foyen.
Go to meet producers and try to discover the different facets of Bordeaux wines… return
2 - The country houses from Libourne, Sainte-Foy-la Grande and Pellegrue
Built in the Middle Ages, these remarkably charming rectangular towns reveal many architectural treasures to visitors.
Walk the streets of Libourne, a former port bastide which owes its prosperity to the wine trade. The central square with its arcades and its houses from the 16th to the 19th centuries bear witness to the city's past.
Stroll through the alleys of Sainte-Foy-la-Grande. It was the brother of Saint Louis who ordered the construction of the bastide in 1253, today one of the best preserved in France. His église, built in the XNUMXth century by the Templars, was in turn destroyed, rebuilt then enlarged, it has one of the highest spires in Aquitaine.
And finally, visit Excavator. Founded in the XNUMXth century on a rocky outcrop, it still has some beautiful vestiges of medieval times. return
3 – The medieval city of Saint-Emilion
Saint-Émilion is an architectural jewel set in a setting of vines, with world-famous wines. The city was born around the cave where lived Saint-Émilion, a Breton hermit who retired in the XNUMXth century to a hermitage carved into the limestone cliff.
The city includes many listed monuments including thecollegiate church, the Doyenné cloister, the Cordeliers cloister, the monolithic church carved into the rock, the King's Tower. It is traversed via steep alleys called here mounds and escalettes.
The Jurisdiction of Saint-Émilion has been inscribed since 1999 on the list of World Heritage properties of theUNESCO as a 'cultural landscape'.
Many festive events are to be discovered according to the seasons: for culture lovers, the Philosophy Festival , for music lovers, the Vino Voce festival, for the greediest, the taste market will delight your taste buds, to be amazed, attend the Montgolfiades. return
4 – The village of Rauzan
This medieval village is built around a church built in Romanesque times. His castle is one of the most important fortresses of the Gironde built from the XNUMXth to the XNUMXth century. Take the time to stop there… A natural curiosity awaits you – the Celestine Cave. Go on an adventure in the bowels of the earth, boots and helmets with a headlamp. Discover the underground river "caving" style and admire the most beautiful concretions, feet in the water! return
5 – Castles to visit
The Grand Libournais counts many castles, and in particular wine-growing. Let’s take a look at three castles that are both very different but also surprising…
The castle and the Michel de Montaigne Tower : a real philosophy…because it was here, in Saint-Michel-de-Montaigne, that Montaigne spent “most of the days of his life and most of the hours of the day” meditating, thinking and writing his Essays.
Vayres Castle: an exceptional site to explore on the banks of the Dordogne: a French garden, a medieval garden, but also a unique natural environmental heritage thanks to its location along the river.
The Castle of the River: the alliance of wine and medieval architecture dominating the Dordogne river. Defensive fortress at the steps of the empire of Charlemagne, passed under English domination, stake of feudalism, object of alliances and vassalage, the Château de La Rivière is a magnificent property overlooking the Dordogne valley and the eponymous river. return
6 – Stroll through the Jardin du Fond de l’Or
The Garden at the bottom of gold, designed and maintained by trained ceramist Jacques Lubet, supported by his companion Babeth, is the result of twenty-five years of diligent work in a valley of over 7000 m2 where exoticism and lush plants compete.
A Japanese note due to the passage of their son Florian at Christian Courreau, brings a set of cut trees and shrubs. You will also find end-of-life trees sculpted by Christophe (twin brother of Florian) pruner by profession, as well as a collection of decorative objects brought back from his travels by Jacques, and driftwood objects, works of Adélaïde Fleury by Franck Espagnet and Irene Chollet. return
7 – Refresh yourself on the banks of the Dordogne
The Dordogne river originates at Puy de Sancy (1 m), the highest point of the Massif Central, in the Monts Dore range. It merges with the Garonne to form theGironde estuary, after crossing the department of Dordogne and part of that of Gironde. Enter here bastide of Sainte-Foy-la-Grande and the one at Libourne, its course is made of meanders at the foot of the hills from where the vineyards come to meet it. The entire Dordogne basin has been classified Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO the July 11 2012.
Typical villages are to be discovered along this river: Pessac-sur-Dordogne, Sainte-Terre, Cabara, Branne, Fronsac, Saint-Germain-de-la-Rivière… Not to mention the Bastides of Sainte-Foy-la-Grande and Libourne and the historic town of Castillon-la Bataille.
Many activities await you: hikes, Rabaska canoe, canoe Kayak, bike, cruises from the port of Libourne-Saint-Émilion… return
8 – Take the time to experience the Tidal Bore
Come and witness a fascinating and practically unique natural phenomenon in Europe… It occurs in the world only on nearly 80 rivers, rivers and bays. When the tide goes up the course of a river, it collides with the descending waters, this creates waves, waves and presto, the Tidal Bore is formed.
Between June and October is the good season to see it. The wave is formed thanks to the large tidal coefficients: the greater it is, the more imposing the wave will be. Like all waves, the Bore “surf” and many fans let themselves slide for a wave…
To meet him, find out about the timetables and post at the foot of the Castle of Vayres and at the port of Saint-Pardon, a recognized observation spot. return
9 – Savor local products
Are you looking for quality food or simply want to stroll in the friendly atmosphere of the markets?
Two markets have made Grand Libournais famous.
In 2021, the Sainte-Foy-la-Grande market was once again voted “the most beautiful market in Gironde”.
On the occasion of the weekly market on Saturday morning, the bastide of Sainte-Foy-La-Grande becomes pedestrian. This market will surprise you with the diversity of regional and authentic products that you will find there: freshly picked fruits and vegetables, cheeses, meats, local charcuterie, souvenirs, clothing,…
Libourne market, located in the Bastide de Libourne, the historic heart of the city, is one of the largest markets in Gironde where the starred chefs of Saint-Emilion themselves come to shop. Between fresh, farm, organic products, spice counters, local products, crafts… the market is full of quality products and will thrill all your senses. return
10 – Relax
Near the Dagueys Lake, Calinesia promises you a busy day with its 4 lagoons with different atmospheres.
During this day in the water, you can alternate between:
The relaxation lagoon with its hot and massaging water
(saunas, steam rooms, etc.)
The swimming pool and its 8 lanes of 25 meters
The summer lagoon to cool off and have fun (two slides and a lazy river)
The playful lagoon to taste the joys of aquatic leisure! return
11 – Live the Meunier life
Le Porcheres mill, immerse yourself in this unsuspected industrial heritage…
On the banks of the Isle river between Libourne and Montpon-Ménestérol, the Moulin de Porchères is an exceptional site. This place is located in a protected area and labeled Natura 2000 and Man and Biosphere by UNESCO. It is in this pleasant natural setting that stands the Moulin du Barrage, dating from the 2008th century and listed as a Historic Monument since XNUMX.
Many activities are offered to you…
The mill of the great vines, in the mood of time
Built in 1984, this windmill is fully serviced and still capable of grinding wheat. This mill has the particularity of having been built in stone, meticulously respecting all the old data. Completed in 1988, it is now possible to visit it and reflect on what the miller's work was like. return
12 – Relive the 100 years war
On seven hectares of scenic area at the foot of Château Castegens, in Belvès-de-Castillon, within cannon shot of the site of the battle, 600 volunteers and 40 riders take part in this historical evocation which has become one of the most grandiose spectacles in New Aquitaine. Beyond the feats of arms, these 95 intense minutes, enhanced by waterfalls and pyrotechnic effects, will take you back to the heart of the Middle Ages, between farms and inns, women at the well, harvest scenes, acrobats, tooth-pullers and street vendors.
From 18:30 p.m. to 21:30 p.m. the medieval village opens its doors offering craftsmen, children's games, shows, sword handling demonstrations, medieval dances, Murder Party and catering (inn, snacking, bar) and tasting of Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux wines. return
13 – Take an art history class
Are you passionate about art... but do you often find yourself in front of a work without knowing either the artist or the year? To review all your classics and be unbeatable on artistic currents, push the doors of the Libourne Fine Arts Museum where a chronological tour of the great movements awaits you.
The program to discover:
Art from the XNUMXth to the XNUMXth century
painting around the world
Libournais artists
The visit is free and completely free. return
14 – Get up to date
come visit the Book Village, the largest second-hand bookstore housed in a former flour mill. This architectural gem, which was also a former oil mill, now offers the discovery of collections of books and objects for sale.
Unique in France, this cabinet of curiosities offers you on 5000 m² in an architectural ensemble steeped in 5 centuries of history, an astonishing journey through time, art and culture.
Here from 3 to 99 years old, alone, with family or friends, we visit, we learn, we have fun and we marvel! return
