- Wine Tour Destinations
Elected Best European Destination in 2015, Bordeaux is a vibrant, dynamic, and cosmopolitan city. More recently, its commitment to innovation and visitor experience was recognised when it was named a European Capital of Smart Tourism 2022 by an independent European jury.
Bordeaux is a vibrant, dynamic, and cosmopolitan city. Its cultural heritage is impressive, with stunning 18th century architecture throughout the city, earning Bordeaux its classification of “City of Art and History”.
The rich history of the Bordeaux region is divided between France and England. Eleanor of Aquitaine, who at the time had recently divorced the King of France, married Henry Plantagenet (King Henry II of England) in 1154. Following their marriage, the Aquitaine region, including Bordeaux, became part of the English Crown and remained under English rule for the next three centuries.
At this time, the wine industry traded mostly with England, playing a vital role in the development of Bordeaux as a city and the surrounding region. The city’s close links with England brought increased wealth and a number of valuable privileges, enabling Bordeaux to grow rapidly into a prosperous and influential region.
In 1453, Bordeaux was taken back by the French. Having spent three centuries under English rule, the city had become highly Anglicised, with strong economic, cultural and political ties to England. As a result, the French kings continued to grant Bordeaux significant privileges to secure its loyalty and maintain stability. Even today, Bordeaux has an unusually large British community (and a large number of pubs!)
Bordeaux is bordered by the largest pine forest in Europe, la forêt des Landes, while the beautiful coastline of Arcachon Bay is just 45 minutes away. The Arcachon market on the main square is our travel experts’ favourite place to find fresh seafood to enjoy with a glass of local white wine.. In addition, the Basque Country, the Pyrenees, and Spain are only two hours away.
Outside the city, the premium wine regions spread out in almost all directions. Heading north towards the estuary of the Gironde is the Médoc, home to the most famous Châteaux of Bordeaux including Margaux, Lafite, Latour, and Mouton Rothschild.
To the south of Bordeaux, the historic vineyards of Graves give way to the rolling hills of Sauternes, home to the region’s world-renowned sweet wines.
To the east, following the Dordogne river, lies the beautiful medieval town of Saint-Emilion, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its historic vineyards. Nearby is the equally prestigious appellation of Pomerol, famous for its exceptional Merlot-based wines.
The history of Saint-Émilion can be traced back to prehistoric times. Today, the village is home to a wealth of remarkable historic monuments, including the 13th Century King’s Tower, the monolithic church and its bell tower, the collegiate church and its cloister, the Great Wall, the Cordelier cloister, and the Cardinal Palace. These treasures are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, adding to Saint-Émilion’s charm.
As well as producing world-famous wines, Saint-Émilion is actually a wonderful holiday destination in itself. It is a charming medieval village based in the middle of the Bordeaux wine region with breathtaking views across the surrounding vineyards, quaint cobbled side streets, and authentic boutiques selling delicious local specialties. This lively town has a large selection of unforgettable restaurants and characteristic bistros serving tasty traditional dishes.
To experience Saint-Émilion with our wine experts, check out our exclusive Saint-Émilion tour!
Absolutely brilliant, nothing went wrong, the whole trip was smooth and effortless for me as the coordinator at our side. We all had such a fantastic holiday because there was no stress or nasty surprises!
Katie- London, UK
