The Médoc is home for us. But it is wide open to the curious, to lovers of nature and of the great French gastronomic culture.
Come and visit us at Château Mille Roses. We are 30 minutes from Bordeaux and its airport, and Macau has a coach station that takes you to Bordeaux very quickly. There is even a single train line that runs all the way to the northern tip of the Médoc.
How do you get to the Médoc?
Château Mille Roses is in Macau, about 30 minutes from Bordeaux and from Bordeaux-Mérignac airport. From Paris, the Médoc is easy to reach by train or by plane via Bordeaux, then by car, by coach from the Macau coach station, or on the train line that serves the Médoc up to its northern tip. It is an ideal destination for a long weekend for two.
A land of wine, far more than labels
The atmosphere strikes you the moment you arrive. Here, the rows of vines draw the horizon and tell of expertise handed down over generations. The area is known worldwide for its great reds and its renowned appellations: Margaux, one of the two we produce, but also Pauillac, Saint-Estèphe and Saint-Julien.
Yet the Médoc cannot be reduced to its prestigious labels. It is above all a living land, where wine culture is shared with passion.
Pushing open the château doors
Throughout your stay, you will be able to push open the doors of many wine châteaux. Behind their elegant façades lie family estates or great historic properties that open their cellars to visitors.
At Mille Roses we are clearly a small family property. But the shape of our buildings, in "small château" style, often makes it easy for visitors to picture themselves living there. The guided tours walk you through the stages of making the wine, from work in the vineyard to ageing in barrel. These encounters are a chance to talk with enthusiasts who tell you about their craft, their terroir and the history of their property.
The Médoc on foot and by bike
The Médoc can also be discovered at a gentler pace, thanks to a vast network of signposted walks and laid-out routes. Hikers will enjoy the paths that wind between the vines, the pine forests and the typical villages, with fine views over the châteaux.
Couples who love cycling will find plenty here too. Several waymarked circuits cross the most beautiful landscapes of the vineyard. I am a regular myself, with my friends, on the road bike as well as the mountain bike. Riding between the rows, stopping to visit an estate or to picnic in the shade of a tree is one of those simple pleasures that make a stay so enjoyable. The low urban density and the many suitable routes mean you can pedal along at your ease.
Less than 30 minutes away, the ocean
The Médoc has another treasure: its opening onto the Atlantic. In less than half an hour from the vineyards you reach long beaches of fine sand, among the most beautiful on the French coast. A preserved natural setting that draws lovers of wide open spaces and water sports enthusiasts every year.
Resorts such as Lacanau, Carcans and Montalivet are an ideal place to enjoy the sea air. Surfers will find waves with a reputation across Europe, with schools for beginners and for the experienced alike. Stand-up paddle, sand yachting, sailing and kitesurfing round out the offer.
Sophie and I regularly go kitesurfing at Lake Hourtin, in fact. And to finish, a walk hand in hand on a huge beach at sunset. Wow.
Nature lovers will also enjoy the dune areas, the coastal forests and the lakes dotted across the area. These varied landscapes create a striking contrast with the vineyards, and let you live several experiences in a single stay.
The other shore: the estuary and its carrelets
On the other side of the Médoc, the Gironde estuary reveals a completely different mood. Calmer, more intimate, this shore offers remarkable views over the largest estuary in western Europe. Following the banks, you will come across the famous carrelets, those stilted fishing huts fitted with large square nets. True symbols of the region, they make for particularly photogenic landscapes.
The small fishing ports, the peaceful villages and the scenic roads that line the estuary are all invitations to wander. Sunsets over the Gironde are among the finest natural spectacles in the area.
And of course, Bordeaux
A stay in the Médoc would not be complete without a trip to Bordeaux. At the gates of the vineyard, the capital of the Gironde has changed its face profoundly in recent years. Thanks to the people of Bordeaux, and to Juppé too.
The redeveloped quays along the Garonne are made for strolling. Pedestrian areas, cycle paths and renovated squares let you discover the historic centre in ideal conditions. A UNESCO World Heritage site, Bordeaux charms with the elegance of its architecture, its pale stone façades and its friendly atmosphere. Wine lovers can carry on their discovery at the many wine addresses. And do visit the Cité du Vin: it is worth the detour.
So, ready to come? The simplest thing is still to push open our door. Book a visit at Château Mille Roses, and make the estate your starting point for exploring the Médoc, from the vines to the ocean.
