In a charming, unspoilt setting, discover the authenticity that cradles the vineyards of Blaye-Bourg, meet passionate winemakers.
A day in Blaye and Bourg
Facing the Médoc vineyards, the coteaux de Bourg-sur-Gironde et de Blaye make up an atypical and discreet winegrowing terroir, which is approached via two remarkable wine routes: one land-based, the other river-based.
The Gironde estuary, a landscape between river and memory
On board a Gironde river cruise boat, the river reveals a territory unlike any other. Blond waters glide between fishing carrelets perched on the banks and the wild islands of a long-forgotten archipelago: Patiras, Nouvelle, Margaux, Cazeau, Bouchaud.... These scattered lands, bathed in light, recount an ancient history between man and river.
At the heart of Europe's largest estuary, navigation becomes a slow, sensitive immersion in a world shaped by the tides, river traditions and exchanges between the two shores.
Blaye and Bourg, must-see ports of call for river tourism
On the right bank of the estuary, Blaye and Bourg stand out as two major stops for tourism on the Gironde. Their river ports, recently redeveloped to welcome small cruises, open the doors to a territory where heritage and viticulture intertwine. These ports of call are ideal for discovering the AOC Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux and Côtes de Bourg, but also the architectural treasures of the waterfront, starting with the citadelle de Blaye, a 17thᵉ century military masterpiece, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Route de la Corniche Fleurie, an itinerary between nature and culture
From Bourg-sur-Gironde to Villeneuve, the route de la Corniche Fleurie (or route des Capitaines) winds along the foot of limestone cliffs sheltering ancient troglodyte dwellings. Over a dozen kilometers, the route skirts the Gironde estuary in an exceptional setting, ideal for walks or mountain bike rides.
On the way, you'll discover the prehistoric cave of Pair-non-Pair, the Gallo-Roman site of Plassac, the flower gardens of former sailors or the Fenêtres sur l'Estuaire educational modules, which tell the story of the local ecosystem in a playful way.
