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Bordeaux
(20 Minutes away)
Surrounded by the green of
the vineyards, near the ocean, the forest and the mountains, Bordeaux
rises proudly on the banks of the Garonne. Text taken from Discover
Bordeaux - http://www.bordeaux-tourisme.com/
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Discover Bordeaux, a prestigious
city of art and history in the heart of the largest fine wine producing
region of the world. click here for
more>>
Marvel at the historic town of Arcachon.
The magnificent 19th century "Ville des Quatres Saisons" on the bay,
with its sandy beaches, fishing villages and oyster ports. click
here for more>>
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The medieval citadel of Saint
Emilion, a unique site in the heart of one of the world’s
most beautiful vineyards. click here for
more>>
The
Port de la Lune unites the heart of the city around its
crescent shape (its shape inspired the Bordeaux coat of arms). And
while most of its commercial activity and installations have been
transferred downstream to the estuary (the largest in Europe) to
accommodate larger vessels, the harbour now attracts a growing number
of cruise liners and pleasure craft.
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Place de la Bourse - Bordeaux,
France |
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Arcachon
& The Atlantic
Less than an hour away
lies the Atlantic Ocean and its endless beaches of white sand
(dominated by the Pyla Dune, the highest in Europe, which marks the
entrance to the Bassin d'Arcachon). These give way to the immensity of
the Landes forest, the largest forest in Europe and a haven of peace
that offers endless opportunities for walkers and hikers.
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turn, the forest gives way to the vineyards and their 4,000
châteaux - with grape vines omnipresent. Surrounded by the
Médoc and the Côtes de Bourg et de Blaye to the
north, Saint-Emilion, Pomerol and Entre-Deux-Mers to the east and,
finally, by Graves and Sauternes to the south, Bordeaux even has
flourishing vineyards that encroach on the Metropolitan area itself,
where there are still a few prestigious wine-producing
châteaux. |
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Saint Emilion
Home to some of the finest Red wine in
the World, it Is located 20km from Chateau Lagorce. This beautiful
mediaval town stands proudly at the top of a hill overlooking the
Dordogne valley, and was built in the shape of an amphitheatre. Saint
Emilion is an incredible open air museum with only footpaths in the
vilage centre. The most surprising remains with no doubt are the
undergournd monuments. Here you will find a monolithic church dug out
of solid limestone as well as underground galleries covering more than
7O hectares. A fascinating Romanesque church and ruins streching all
along the steep and narrow streets. The soft ochre colour stones
somehow symbolise the town's spirit.
Any holiday to the Dordogne has to be
accompanied with a visit to Saint Emilion.
Les Cordeliers, Monastery and Cloisters
The chapel and
cloisters of this monastery, built for the Franciscan Cordeliers, a
lesser order, dates from the end of the fourteenth century. It is well
worth a visit and the atmosphere invites you to take your time. The ivy
and plants which cover the entire former monastery are also quite
attractive.
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The Collegiate
Church, Organ and Cloisters
A collegiate church was
established in the eleventh century in order to restore discipline to
the Saint-emilion religious community. A convent with cloisters was
therefore built, as well as a Romanesque church which later became the
Collegiate Church. Built in the twelfth century, the nave and the
porch, topped by the remains of a church tower, have retained their
Romanesque style. The chancel dates back to the fourteenth century and
houses a listed organ. This unique instrument was built in 1892 by
Gabriel Cavailleè-Coll, son of the famous nineteenth century
organ builder, Aristide Cavaillè-Coll. The Cloisters were
rebuilt in the fourteenth century on the ruins of Roman cloisters, and
is a perfect place for meditation. Magnificent paintings have been
restored inside the church and the cloisters.
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It is a massive construction and the
only remains of what is believed to have been the king's
château. This fortress was the symbol of royal power within
the town walls.
Entrance: 1 euro per person.
Pottery Museum
This museum offers an excellent collection of pottery from the
South-West dating from the thirteenth century. It is located in a
former underground quarry. Entrance: adults 4 euros, children (13-18
years old) 2 euros, and groups (more than 10 people) 2 euros per
person.
Tel.: 05.57.24.60.93 - Fax: 05.57.55.51.61
Tickets available at the museum
or the Tourist Office. |
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Village of Saint Emilion |
The Church Tower
Located directly above the monolithic church, the church tower was
built between the twelfth and fifteenth centuries. It towers 133 meters
over Place du Marché, which makes it the second tallest in
the Gironde department after Saint-Michel in Bordeaux. Visits every
day, all year round.
Entrance: 1 euro per person. |
Sport
and leisure - in Saint Emilion
Bike hire
It is possible to hire touring bikes or montain bikes from the Tourist
Office all year round.
Information and hire from the Tourist Office.
Price : 60 FF for a half-day. 90 FF for a full day. 70 FF per day, for
more than two consecutive days.
Tel. : 05.57.55.28.28
Tennis
Court hire : 50 FF/hour. Lighting : 10 FF/hour.
Information at the Tourist Office.
Hot air ballooning
Hot-air balloon flights including maiden flights.
Information from The Tourist Information Office.
Discotheque
le bdl - discotheque - au Bois De L'or.
Theme evenings every week-end.
All year round from 22:00 until 5:00 in the morning.
RD 670 - 33330 Saint-Emilion Tel. : 05.57.51.35.43 - Fax :
05.57.51.92.78
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Nérac
(1 Hours drive)
The area around the
château, the port, the Petit Nérac, Garenne Park,
and the King's Baths make up a first-rate historic site and resort.
The
area around Henry IV's Château
Begun in the 14th century, it was completed in the 16th. Only the north
wing survives. Saint-Nicholas Church looks over Place du
Prieuré. The Town-Hall is housed in a 17th-century mansion.
On the Maison de Romas a plaque reminds the visitor of the illustrious
Lot-et-Garonnais Jacques de Romas, whose house it was.
The
Port
Facing the quay, the Galerie des Tanneries houses pictoral expositions.
Downstream from the port previously called "la Cale", the flowered
guinguettes (small restaurants with music and dancing) allow you to
study the locks (reconstructed in 1835) and the Old Bridge leisurely.
Its pointed arches might make you think it dates from the Middle Ages,
even though it was rebuilt in the 16th century.
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