Discover the vineyards of St Emilion, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as well as Entre-Deux-Mers, Sauternes and Graves
Explore the historic village of Saint Emilion with its troglodyte dwellings and pretty alleyways
Guided visit of Saint Emilion and wine tasting visit at Convent des Jacobins included in price (7 night holiday)
Beautiful guest houses and hotels in historic properties with 5 lunches and 5 evening meals included in price
Pretty rolling countryside with easy walking through vines, woods and along estuaries
xChance to visit the historic city of Bordeaux
Pick up from Bordeaux or direct to your accommodation in Saint Emilion. St-Emilion is renowned not only for its wines but for the town itself, which dominates the Dordogne valley from its hilltop position.
Your first day's walking trail explores the Saint Emilion area. All around the town, the vineyards stretch out on the undulating landscape. Its compact nature is very reminiscent of Burgundy. You will have 2 options for today's circuit, whichever you choose, there will be opportunities to stop for some wine tasting.
Overnight: Camiran, Walk: 8 or 14km, +70m
Private visit and wine tasting in one of the oldest wineries of the region. This will be followed by a guided visit to the town of Saint Emilion which is built in an amphitheatre with troglodyte buildings built into the limestone rock as well as over 70 hectares of underground galleries. Its church is also built into the rock. Above ground, medieval buildings line the pretty alleyways along with ruins from older periods. At the end of the afternoon, taxi transfer to Caudrot, in the “Entre-Deux-Mers” vineyard. This day of visits is optional.
Overnight: St Emilion
The Entre-Deux-Mers region takes its name from its location, being nestled between the Garonne and the Dordogne rivers. The region has a long wine-producing history with the earliest vines planted by the Romans 2000 years ago. In the Middle ages, Benedictine monks established Entre deux Mers' reputation offering sweet white wines to pilgrims on route to Santiago de Compostela. The main grape varieties used to produce the area's dry and sweet white wines are Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon and Muscadelle. Today's walk will traverse the gently rolling hills planted with vineyards which are bounded by small valleys, meadows, and forests and criss-crossed by several streams. Transfer at the end of the walk, and transfer back to your accommodation.
Overnight: Camiran, Walk: 15km, +100m
After a short transfer, today's walking trail takes you along the vines and estuary of the Gironde, passing chateaux and fishermens huts on route. You will also come to the small port and its locks which mark the start of the “Canal du Midi”, linking the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean. Your day's trail will lead to the medieval city of St Macaire. Dinner and night in hotel*** in the very heart of the town.
Overnight: St Macaire, Walk: 10km +25m
Today on your self-guided trail you will have a couple of walking options depending on the distance you wish to walk. From above Saint-Macaire, you will be treated to wonderful scenic views. The landscape of hills and small valleys, give way to meadows and woods. In this ever changing landscape, you will spot many old mills and chateaux. The circuit will take you to the 'Domaine de Malagar', the residence of the writer François Mauria as well as the tomb of the painter Toulouse Lautrec. You can visit Château Laurette or Château Loubens (wine producers) before reaching the village of Sainte Croix du Mont. The village offers spectacular views of the Garonne Valley and is also known for its wines and caves, the walls of which are covered by a fossilised oyster bed, formed millions of years ago. At the end of the afternoon, return to the hotel at St Macaire and transfer by taxi to your guest house in Sauternes.
Overnight: Sauternes, Walk: 8 or 16km +100m
Today's walking trail follows the left bank of the Garonne, where the superior Sauternes wines are produced. You will pass the vineyards of some of the most famous wine producers in the region. Sauternes is where some of the world's finest sweet white wines are produced. There are some wonderful small communities in this area, so as well as chateaux, there are churches, mills and washhouses set in a beautifully varied landscape of vines and forest. You will also encounter the wild Ciron river, which in the past was used to transport logs from the region. Finish the day with an aperitif tasting in the Château Gravas, a wine producer dating from the 12th century.
If available, accommodation and dinner in the 19th century Chateau de Camperos with its rooms enjoying views over the vines or the park. You can relax in the Jacuzzi at the end of your week's walking trail.
Overnight: Sauternes, Walk: 15km +60m
Breakfast and transfer to Barsac train station.
Optional extra night Bordeaux before or after your walking holiday
Self-Guided
Distance: 8-16km per day
Ascent: 25-100m per day
Small quality guest houses & hotels
Full board except 2 evening meals and one lunch (7 night version)
Similar self-guided Walking holidays
Bordeaux Wine Trail
This wine trail walking holiday in France traverses some of the most famous vineyards in the world. Walk at your own pace and discover a rolling countryside steeped in history, from its 2000 year old vines planted by the Romans to its wine chateaux and historic villages. Your self-guided walking trail starts by exploring the famous St Emilion vineyards home to some of the most sought after Bordeaux wines. You have the opportunity to have a guided visit of the historic town of St Emilion as well as wine tasting in the Jacobins Convent. Over the course of the next few days you'll pass through several more exceptional wine areas such as Sauternes and Entre-Deux-Mers. Easy walking will lead you through vines and woodland to the mighty Gironde Estuary where chateaux and fishermen's huts vie for attention. Wine tasting visits are possible along the walking trail and at the end of each day you'll be warmly welcomed to your quality guest houses and hotels.
6 or 7 nights/7 or 8 days: 5 days independent walking between guest houses
Everday of week subject to availability during 1 April to 31 October
This independent walking holiday in the Bordeaux region of France is made up of 5 walks some circular, some walking between guest houses. There are different walking trail options on several of the days meaning that the walking ranges from easy to easy+. The easier days average about 10km with plenty of time for visits and wine tasting. The maximum distance that you will cover in a day is 15km. The amount of ascent and descent is small, adding up to no more than 100m over the course of the day. The walking holiday takes place on good paths and tracks with the odd section on small lanes.
This walking holiday is graded easy. Everyone in reasonable health should be alright to undertake this walking holiday. See more information about walking grades.
Each night you'll be staying in charming guesthouses, hotels***, and sumptuous castles or wine châteaux in the heart of the vines. They are 3 star equivalent in quality offering authentic and very comfortable accommodation. They are often in historic properties that have been lovingly restored where you'll be reserved a warm and generous welcome and enjoy mouth-watering home cooked fresh cuisine.
Our self-guided walking holiday in the Bordeaux region is available from the beginning of April to the end of October. From April to October the Bordeaux region is generally warm, although it can be hot during July and August. However, relative humidity is often low (except during unstable thundery weather.) Ideal walking temperatures (ie late teens to the low twenties centigrade) are generally experienced from late April to early June and from mid September to mid October. Rainfall becomes more and more sporadic and linked to thunderstorms as you move from spring to summer, and this continues into the Autumn. On average there is rain on one in every three days, but this is often for relatively short periods. Autumn is often characterised by warm sunny days. Sunshine totals are characteristic of its position in France and the sun's strength means that you must protect yourself against the sun even on overcast days.
Other things to consider are the fact that the leaves are often not the trees or the vines until at least mid April. The grape picking season is often during the first couple of weeks of September and this provides added activity to the countryside. In October the Bordeaux takes on a different character with autumn colours.
Most of this walking holiday follows local trails waymarked in yellow. There are also several other waymarkings and signposts. The walking follows clear paths, tracks and minor roads for its entire duration. Our walking notes are very detailed (more information here) and include intermediate distances for sections of the trail. We supply one walking guide per person on this holiday. As well as the detailed walking notes we supply official walking maps produced by IGN at a scale of 1:25,000. Your trail is highlighted on the maps.
On this walking holiday your main luggage is transferred between guest houses so that you only have to carry a day rucksack with picnic lunch (supplied by the guest houses and included in the holiday price), water and spare clothes, waterproofs, camera etc. Please limit the weight of your bags where possible to 20kg. We only use hotels and small guest houses in historic buildings and some of the rooms are accessible by stairs.
Transfer between Bordeaux Airport or Bordeaux train station and Saint Emilion at the start of your trip is included in the price of your independent walking holiday. At the end of the holiday, you will be transferred to Barsac train station where you can catch a train to Bordeaux
Transfers from Bordeaux-Merignac airport
Transfers between Bordeaux Airport or train station and St Emilion are included in the price of your in
6 nights / 5 days walking between guest houses
On this independent walking holiday in the Bordeaux region you will be staying in a number of charming, spacious, and very comfortable guest houses and hotels full of local character. All rooms have private bathrooms. Examples of the guest houses are shown below. The accommodation varies in character between small B&B style guest houses, 3 star country hotels and wine producer chateau hotels in historic manors in the heart of the vineyards.
A hearty and healthy continental breakfast provides the perfect opportunity to discover the local specialties such as homemade jams and local cheeses. At midday, you will eat packed lunches lovingly prepared by your hosts. Five evening meals will be taken at your guest houses and hotels where you will be treated to fine regional cuisine. On the other two evenings (not included in the holiday price) you can eat at local restaurants and in some cases at your accommodation.
This beautiful 19th century country chateau close to Barsac has 5 gorgeous rooms, all decorated in a different theme. The chateau has a sun terrace, swimming pool, Jacuzzi, sauna and hammam, perfect for relaxing at the end of your walking holiday in the Bordeaux wine region.
Converted from a restored farm building from the 17th century, La Lezardiere is a small guest house located in a secluded and peaceful setting between Saint Emilion and Sauternes. Terrace and swimming pool with great views where you can relax after your day's walking and exploring. |
There is the option to add an extra night in Saint Emilion as part of the standard holiday. It is also possible to add an additional night at most of the guest houses including Chateau de Camperos which is featured in our accommodation section.
The nearby city of Bordeaux is a great destination for a city break and can be easily combined with this walking holiday, as you'll be picked up from the city. Bordeaux sits on the banks of the Garonne River and is known for its Gothic Cathédrale Saint-André, notable art museums such as the Musée des Beaux-Arts and its 18th- to 19th-century mansions, as well as public gardens which line the elegant river quays. We can book a city break for you and provide you with all the information you need for a great stay.
Please consult us for a price on any of the above options.
If you want to learn more about the region's culture through tailor-made activities and visits, check out those trips that include a few days in the Bordeaux region or focus on wine. Contact us to add them to your hike.
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