If you are planning a trip to Cognac, this tour would be the best to start your exploration of the area.

The name cognac, first produced in the 17th century, is well known all over the world as the finest French spirit but the town of Cognac was an important trading port for salt and local wine long before the discovery of the double distillation process that produced the famous drink.

If you visit the medieval quarter of Cognac or “Vieux Cognac” and you’ll be transported back in time. There are many buildings and quarters dating the 15^th and 16^th centuries.

It also had royal connections – François I was born in 1494 at Château des Valois, now home to the Maison Otard cognac. Many other prestigious cognac brands are based in the town today, including Hennessy and Martell, Remy Martin and Camus.

But, whilst it’s a must to visit one of Grandes Maisons of cognac, we definitely recommend to visit one of the smaller artisan producers, with a very different and close approach and philosophy. 

Cognac Country is also home to Pineau de Charentes, an AOC liqueur wine made from three parts grape juice to one part cognac. Drunk chilled as an aperitif or dessert wine, pineau comes in two varieties – white and red.

Saint-Emilion is a charming medieval village located in the heart of the famous Bordeaux wine area and the oldest active wine producing appellation in the Bordeaux region with a history that dates back to the times of the ancient Romans.

Today you can still find numerous Roman ruins all over the Saint-Emilion region. Saint-Emilion was the home of the famous Roman poet and wine lover, Decimus Magnus Ausonius who served as the inspiration for the name of the now famous, Chateau Ausone. But the town takes its name from a Benedictine Monk from Brittany, named Emilion.

Emilion lived a life of a hermit and, having accomplished a few miracles, he became very famous in the region. He is also responsible for starting to create the uniquely designed, limestone church that is central the village of Saint-Emilion.

Today, the village of Saint-Emilion is a protected, UNESCO, world heritage site – a Cultural Landscape, with the oldest wine society in France – The Jurade of Saint-Emilion which was formed in 1199! Saint-Emilion was the first region in Bordeaux to export its wines to England at the request of King Edward.

Medoc is the home of many of the most prestigious French wines. Among the famous appellations produced in this area are Saint Estephe, Margaux, Saint Julien and Pauillac. It was in 1855 that the wine producers of the Medoc region classified their 61 best wines according to a league table of “grands crus”, ranking from “Premier Cru” to “Cinquième Cru”.

The best way to discover the Medoc region is to follow “La route des Chateaux” or the Castle road. During this wine tour, you will visit and taste the most famous wine of Medoc, through the best appellations, from Margaux to Saint-Estephe.

South of the Medoc there is the Haut-Medoc, a larger region which includes the villages of St-Estephe, Moulis, Listrac, Pauillac, St-Julien and Margaux. With regard to the Haut-Medoc itself, this region includes five classed growths.

Most northerly of the top left bank appellations is St-Estephe, a region producing wines characterized by dominant tannins and earthy flavors in their youth, developing elegance with age.

Next, Pauillac and St-Julien are the two great appellations of the Haut-Medoc. Blackcurrant fruit with cedar, and more specifically pencil-shavings, gives Pauillac away every time!

St-Julien, characterized by a sublime balance of perfume, structure and mineral fruit, it is for some the epitome of red wine drinking.

Further south, and set back from the Gironde estuary, is Listrac. This region does not have the quality of St-Julien or Pauillac, more closely resembling St-Estephe in style.

Moulis is next door, similarly set back from the Gironde. It is the smallest of the six appellations in the Haut-Medoc. There are some classy and good value wines here.

And finally, Margaux, a perfumed, elegant wine, produced from vineyards at the southern end of the Haut-Medoc.

The Bay of Arcachon is one of those magical locations which have become a constant source of inspiration for numerous writers, painters, sculptors and photographers, drawn by the atmosphere, the environment and the changing light of the sites.

With its exceptional architecture and bustling town center all year round overlooking miles of beach… Arcachon has it all. Each quarter exudes its own unique atmosphere and charm: elegant 19th century villas in the Winter Town, sea front and piers in the Summer Town and a lively port in the Autumn Town, Pereire beach and its pedestrian promenades in the Spring Town.

One of the best-known sites is doubtless the 109m high Dune of Pilat that majestically stands over the entrance to the Bassin d’Arcachon. It is appealing not only for its beauty, but also for the physical challenge… namely that of climbing the mountain of sand.

The Bassin d’Arcachon is perfect for a variety of sporting activities, including hiking, cycling, sailing, beach sports, horse riding, canoeing and golfing. There’s something for everyone. Gourmet lovers will enjoy tasting the local seafood, children will love exploring the leisure areas and amusement parks, whereas art lovers will be fascinated by the architecture of the villas. Curious visitors will be interested in learning more about the history of the Bassin and the development of oyster farming.

The Bassin d’Arcachon is perfect for a visit year-round, regardless of your age or field of interests!

If you are looking to visit the Bordeaux region, with its mysterious history, sublime architecture, rich culture, its beautiful chateaux and terroir of so many delicacies, this page is for you.

If you are a wine lover, especially a Bordeaux wine lover, there is no better pleasure than visiting the wine regions you love. Here you’ll have the opportunity to meet the people who produce the wine that moves you. As all wine lovers know, it’s easy to spend time talking about wine.

But even if Bordeaux is of course famous for its vineyards, legendary chateau and wine, the city is also a beautiful place to visit with its incredibly long and rich History that dates back to the days of the ancient Romans when it was known as Burdigala.

You can easily spend days in the city center of Bordeaux with so much to see and do. Recently named a Unesco Heritage City, Bordeaux is a beautiful, untouched 18th century, romantic city that maintains its French Charm. It’s a city with a history that you can see, touch and feel today.

Moreover, today Bordeaux is a food and wine lovers paradise and continues to improve its reputation for fine dining with several starred Michelin restaurants as well as fine bistros.