If ever there was a wine region to welcome you warm-heartedly, this must be the Blayais and Bourgeais country.

Those two areas are located on the right bank of the Gironde estuary.

There you will discover wonderful landscapes of vine-covered hills looking down onto the estuary, villages built of honey-coloured stone, Norman churches, famous archaeological sites as well as small nostalgic harbours.

To visit the châteaux and for all additional information, contact the Wineries for the various appellations. (Click on the « Wineries » page).

To visit the châteaux and for all additional information, contact the Wineries for the various appellations. (Click on the “Wineries” page).

From Bordeaux, drive over the bridge of Aquitaine in the direction of Paris, via the A10 motorway and leave the motorway at Saint-André-de-Cubzac.

In Saint-André-de-Cubzac, you must visit the Château du Bouilh, a royal castle (listed), built by the same architect who built the Grand Theatre in Bordeaux. Do not miss the exceptional panoramic view at the site of the Montalon windmills.

When you leave Saint-André-de-Cubzac, take the D669 to Bourg-sur-Gironde. There, go straight to the harbour and its old Wash House.

Back on the D669, follow the surprising ridge road towards Blaye. You will discover, at Pain de Sucre (literally Sugar Loaf), the Castles of Tayac and Eyquem, with their magnificent panoramic view over the mouth of the Gironde, the Ile Verte and the Médoc area.

Go through Bayon (beautiful Norman church), Gauriac and Plessac (Gallo-Roman villas ruins).

Discover the small delightful harbours along the estuary; there a few friendly restaurants will give you a warm welcome and serve local specialities.

In Blaye, the majestic citadel is a must; ordered by Louis XIV, it was built by Vauban and is a splendid example of military architecture towering over the Gironde. There you could visit art and crafts workshops, have lunch on pavement cafés or in typical restaurants and taste full-bodied fruity red wines and excellent fruity white wines; just for the pleasure of it.

The N137 is the more direct route, giving a faster access from Saint-André-de-Cubzac to Blaye.

• At the far end of the allées Marines, a half-hourly car ferry, operating every day, connects Blaye to Lamarque, on the opposite bank. Tel. 33 (0)5 57 42 04 49

• Also worth a visit : the Archaeological Museum in Saint-Ciers-sur-Gironde ; the Estuary Museum ; the Musée de la Boulangerie (Bakery Museum) in Blaye ; or the Gallo-Roman Villa in Plassac.

Other informations :
 Les musées à Bordeaux
 Les sites historiques et monuments à Bordeaux
 Visiter Saint-Émilion
 Les Châteaux et domaines à visiter en Gironde
 Les sites historiques et musées en Gironde