We knew we were going to spend Christmas in France this year. It will be the last chance to spend the holiday while our daughter is living with her family in Paris. Erin and Pat (our daughter’s in-laws) were also making plans to go to France. Like us, they like to see sights they have not seen so that crossing the “Pond” is not just to see family. Family is reason enough, but who would pass up the opportunity to travel to a world famous wine and food destination with people who are fun to be around. Not me for sure! Unlike us, Erin and Pat are not retired, Finding time to travel is still more of a challenge for them than it is for me and my wife, so it was a special treat to be invited to spend a couple of days with them in Bordeaux.
We had a previous positive experience with Val de Loire Travel, so Erin contacted them again. She was able to get two guided tours set up with a very capable and interesting tour guide named Emiline. She had vast knowledge of the region surrounding Bordeaux; including the culture, history, food and wine.
The first day was centered around the Unesco World Heritage village of Saint-Emilion. We walked the village and toured the 12th century monastery including the Monolithic Church which was an important stop on the Camino de Santiago, an important pilgrimage. The region has had vineyards since Roman times and it is still an important and famous wine region today. We tasted wines in a wine shop in the village and then toured Château de Candales and Château Coutet where we visited the wine making facilities and the cellars and had a private wine tasting at each vineyard.
Day two started with a tour of Cadillac-sur-Garonne including a tour of the national monument, Le Château Ducal de Cadillac. Emiline gave us an interesting account of the history of the village and the history of the Château. It was for a time the impressive home of the Duke of Épernon, but after the French revolution it was recommissioned as a womens’ prison. After the visit we went to see Château Margaux, a renowned wine producer, but not open for public tours or tasting. Emiline gave us a lesson on the region and what makes the wines so special. We then visited two different wineries; Château Dauzac and Château Haut Breton Larigaudière.
Thanks Emiline, for your expertise and your spirit. Thanks Erin, for setting up everything!
If you would like to see more photos from the region click here.