Médoc Wine Route
Route des Châteaux du Médoc
Following the D2 road along the left bank of the Gironde estuary, this route links famous villages such as Margaux, Saint-Julien, Pauillac and Saint-Estèphe, along with the estates classified in 1855.
The Médoc peninsula lies north of Bordeaux on the left bank of the Gironde estuary. Its full-bodied, Cabernet Sauvignon-based reds are highly prized, and the vast majority of the 61 estates classified at the 1855 Paris Exposition are located here. Along the D2 (the Wine Route) from south to north you pass Margaux village (Château Margaux's neoclassical estate), Saint-Julien (Ducru-Beaucaillou, Léoville and others), Pauillac (Lafite, Latour and Mouton, the three top First Growths) and Saint-Estèphe village (Cos d'Estournel, whose exterior resembles a Chinese pagoda). Castles and vineyards line the route, with wide-open views. Visitor tips: most major estates accept visits by appointment only, and First Growth slots are extremely limited, so apply weeks or even months ahead via the website or by email. Many second- and third-growth and mid-range estates offer paid tours and tastings (about €20–60). Many estates close on Sundays, and some close in August. The tourist office in Pauillac has wine cellar and tasting services and is a good starting point. Note: do not drive after tasting. France enforces strict drink-driving limits, so hire a driver or join a half-day or full-day wine tour from Bordeaux. Getting there: driving from Bordeaux takes about 40 minutes to Margaux and about an hour to Pauillac. TER trains stop at Margaux and Pauillac, but the stations are some distance from the estates.
Opening hours
Wineries require reservations; mostly Mon–Fri or Sat
Nearby sights
- Citadel of Blaye
- Bassins des Lumières
- Musée du Vin et du Négoce
- Jardin Public
- La Cité du Vin
- Basilica of Saint-Seurin
- Chartrons
- CAPC Musée d'Art Contemporain