The Médoc
From the Atlantic shoreline to the Gironde coast, the Médoc region is brimful of widely diverse, enchanting scenery : beaches, lakes, dunes, pine forests, rocky shores and vineyards.
The Médoc vineyards
Médoc, the strip of land between the Gironde and the Atlantic, has a wealth of unique scenery, unspoilt countryside, traditions and ancestral skills, which explain why it is a Regional Natural Park.
There is no need to introduce the world-famous Médoc vineyards like Margaux, Pauillac and Saint-Estèphe, which are spread out along the Gironde estuary. Stop to visit some of the wine-growing châteaux and taste the great vintages of the region. Take the opportunity to meet the passionate men and women who will let you in on some the secrets of the magnificent Médoc wine-growing area and invite you to taste their delicious nectar.
The sandy beaches
There is another side to Médoc along the 80km Atlantic coastline and sandy beaches from the Pointe de Grave to Le Porge. An ideal destination to enjoy water sports, sailing, surfing and swimming at the many seaside resorts which include Soulac sur Mer and it 500 Neo-colonial style villas, Le Verdon, Vendays- Montalivet, Hourtin, Carcans – Maubuisson and Lacanau-Océan, well-known to surfing enthusiasts.
Surfing, of course, but also standup paddle-boarding, kitesurfing, wakeboarding, skimboarding and sailing - an endless choice of board sports !
The lakes at Lacanau and Hourtin-Carcans, the largest freshwater lake in France, are ideal places to swim. Unspoilt and with crystal clear water, they are also a paradise for water sports enthusiasts.
Médoc is a paradise for nature enthusiasts too ! It has more than 125km of cycle routes, footpaths and hiking paths which provide a marvellous way to explore the incredibly diverse landscape : nature reserves, wetlands, marshes, dunes, lakes and huge forests.
A rich heritage of buildings
The estuary coast has a rich heritage of lighthouses, fishing huts, little harbours, prestigious châteaux and other reminders of the long trading and strategic history of the Estuary, a maritime trading route since Antiquity.
You cannot fail to be impressed by magnificent buildings like Fort Médoc and Fort Pâté, which along with the Citadel at Blaye, form the famous ‘Verrou’ barrier designed by Vauban and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Phare de Richard and the famous Phare du Cordouan lighthouses and the amazing string of islands are also part of this vast stretch of water.
The banks of the estuary are dotted with huts on stilts and oyster farms, picture postcard scenes which make you hungry for local oysters and prawns !
We simply have to finish by mentioning the famous Marathon du Médoc when at numerous stop off points, châteaux offer their best wine free-of-charge; oysters and entrecote steak complete the picnic basket. A perfect alliance of fun and sport !"
Our selection of accommodations
Guest house
Au Jardin des Libellules
in SOULAC-SUR-MER - Gironde
