Lisa & Nicky
Lisa & Nicky
Things to Do
Welcome to the wine capital of the world!
There is plenty to do between Bordeaux and our village of Gensac and beyond. Below are a few suggestions and links to help you plan a worthwhile trip!
Obviously there are PLENTY of vineyards and wine tasting options in the area - a quick online search will offer a great selection to choose from, depending on where you will be staying. Make sure you scroll down to the bottom of this page for more info on wine tastings and the wine region of Bordeaux.
things to do Near Gensac
LOCAL MARKETS:
Ste Foy la Grande – Saturdays 8am – 12pm
Issegiac – Sundays 8am – 12pm
POINTS OF INTEREST:
Chateau Monbazillac - 10 mins from Bergerac. Wine tasting, sweet wine, castle visit
Saint-Emilion
Located just 30 minutes form the wedding venue, this gorgeous medieval town, steeped in history and quaint cobblestone streets, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a must-visit!
Explore world-class vineyards, local delights (St Emilion is the home of the original French macaron!), lovely boutiques and restaurants, and don't miss the impressive 12th century monolithic church built into the rocky hillside, hidden beneath the town's iconic bell tower.
Rustic Vines Tours
E-Bike through the stunning vineyards of Saint-Emilion!
Wine tasting experience in Saint-Emilion and Bordeaux region of Medoc. Guided E-Bike and private walking vineyard tours with wine tasting through Saint-Emilion village.
Use code: RVspecial20 to receive a 20% discount when making your online booking!
Canoë-kayak - Club FJEP de Pessac-sur-Dordogne
Enjoy a lovely morning kayaking along the Dordogne river and finish off with a lunch and well-deserved glass of something cold at their Palma Nova restaurant at the quayside.
MEDIEVAL TOWNS & VILLAGES
BERGERAC:
Just 40 minutes from Gensac is the quaint town of Bergerac, set along the Dordogne River with a lovely medieval style old-town. A lovely place to walk around, peruse the local shops and enjoy a French meal.
SARLAT - LA - CANÉDA:
A must-visit medieval town if you want to do a day trip. Just 1.5 hours by train from Velines station, or a 2 hour drive. Go back in time through old cobble stone streets and enjoy the medieval architecture, old churches and local delicacies.
ROCAMADOUR:
"The Citadel of Faith". Just a 1 hour drive from Sarlat, and 2.5 hour drive from Gensac, lies this stunning fairy-tale village of Rocamadour, a pilgrimage site perched on the side of a limestone cliff overlooking the Alzou valley.
Famous for it's impressive gothic chapels and churches, carved out of the rock, an important relic the Black Madonna statue, and it's award winning soft, potent goat's cheese (if that's your thing!), it is well worth the drive if you have a day or overnight to spare.
SUGGESTED "BASTIDE" TOWNS:
Here are a few nearby Bastide towns or fortified towns with historical Chateaus, local squares, lovely shops and restaurants.
Duras
Eymet
Monsegur
Castelmoron D'Albert
VISIT BORDEAUX
Of course, your trip to this famous region of France will not be complete without some time spent in the city of Bordeaux. Locally known as "Le Petit Paris" the downtown area of Bordeaux offers picture-worthy promenades, beautiful 18th century French architecture, museums, and fabulous shopping - not to mention one of their local sweet delicacies - the Canelé!
POPULAR POINTS OF INTEREST:
Place de la Bourse and its water mirror
The Big Bell - "Grosse Cloche"
The Pey-Berland tower and the Saint-Andre cathedral
Rue Sainte-Catherine - pedestrian street for shopping and restaurants
Bassins des Lumières
Set in the former submarine base of Bordeaux, Les Bassins des Lumières, (Pools of Light) the largest digital art center in the world, presents monumental immersive digital exhibitions dedicated to the great artists of the history of art and to contemporary creation.
SURROUNDING BORDEAUX
BASSIN DE ARCACHON:
Approximately 1 hour from Bordeaux city, lies the Bay of Arcachon, where one can visit the coastal Dune du Pilat (the tallest sand dune in Europe), lovely seaside towns and the perfect place to enjoy fresh coastal oysters!
POINTS OF INTEREST:
Lège-Cap-Ferret & Village d'Herbe The Oyster Villages along the peninsula of Arcachon - spend the night and enjoy the postcard-worthy colourful villages, the freshest oysters and take in the scenery by bike or on foot.
BORDEAUX WINE REGIONS
Since Bordeaux is the wine capital of the world, it is an excellent destination for wine tourism, offering visitors the opportunity to explore its rich wine culture and history.
There are numerous wineries and vineyards in the region that offer tours and tastings. Some of the top wineries to visit in Bordeaux include:
Château d’Yquem, among others.
These wineries are known for their exceptional wines, beautiful grounds, and fascinating histories.
In addition to winery visits, there are several other wine-related experiences available in Bordeaux. Visitors can take part in wine tastings and food pairings at local wine shops and restaurants or attend wine festivals and events throughout the year.
Some notable wine appellations within the Bordeaux region:
Medoc
Saint Estephe
Pauillac
Saint Julien
Margaux
St Emilion
Pomerol
Entre-Deux-Mers
Sauternes
Graves
A suggestion of some the best wineries to visit:
https://www.ruedesvignerons.com/en/region/vignoble-de-bordeaux
