Welcome to the countryside
Escape to the gates of Bordeaux
Do you want to escape from city life while staying away from the beaches of the coast? Come and relax in the countryside on Montesquieu's land. In the heart of the Graves vineyards, the villages on the banks of the Garonne, the pine forest and the Saucats nature reserve are conducive to peace and relaxation.
At the gateway to Bordeaux, plunge into the world of Graves wines and Pessac-Léognan grands crus. Take advantage of a stay in the countryside in the vineyards of Bordeaux to visit the small estates, domains or great wine châteaux. The villages of Léognac, Martillac and Castres-Gironde offer great opportunities to escape in the middle of the vineyards where the most beautiful Graves crus flourish.
Stroll through the vineyards on foot along the "Parcours des Graves" and relax on the banks of the Lac Bleu in Léognan. This little corner of paradise surrounded by a forest park reserves a bucolic stopover for a picnic or simply to rest during a family outing.
From Montesquieu's oak tree in Martillac, follow the "voie verte" to reach La Brède. The village is famous for its castle which belonged to Montesquieu. It is bordered by a wooded park of about 150 hectares. Vast lawns, ornamental trees, roses and magnolias make up this English garden open onto the countryside.
Discover the Geological Nature Reserve of Saucats-La Brède which is home to fossils more than 20 million years old. Take part in a nature outing with an animator from the Maison de la Réserve to discover the secrets of this exceptional geological heritage. A real open-air museum spread over seven sites and 80 hectares awaits the visitor. They can also be visited freely: all you have to do is respect the regulations and follow the signposted paths. Don't forget to bring a location map to the Maison de la Réserve before starting your exploration.
A sensitive natural area of nearly 270 hectares, the Migelane Forest site offers a number of hiking trails that have been laid out and marked out for all types of visitors. Interpretation tables and kiosks allow you to understand the fauna and flora of this forest area.
In the heart of the bocage on the banks of the Garonne, on the left bank of the river, you will find several picturesque ports in Isle-Saint-Georges, Beautiran and Cadaujac. Beautiful 18th and 19th century residences line the quays and old streets of these villages, which were once very busy during the era of river trade.
Around the medieval castle of La Brède, the country lanes offer beautiful walks between fields of vines and forests of maritime pines. In Saint-Selve, don't miss the healing fountain of Notre-Dame-de-la-Houn. Finally, several Romanesque churches are worth a visit, such as those of Saint-Morillon, Léognan or Castres-Gironde.
