Entre-deux-Mers means “between two seas” and is often synonymous with the wine appellation. This Gironde area is so-called because it lies between two tidal rivers, the Dordogne and Garonne. We’re surrounded by the vineyard, deep in the biggest group of Gironde Appellations d’Origine Contrôlées where red, dry white, dessert, rosé, Clairet and Crémant wines are made. The Bordeaux hinterland of Entre-deux-Mers is peppered with vines and old stones giving it a Tuscan feel with its rolling landscapes. Hop on board a “dolce vita” wine trip!
Wherever you are in Entre-deux-Mers, you’re never that far from a bastide, château, old mill, abbey or romanesque church. The architectural heritage is unique and simply oozes history. Sauve-Majeure Abbey, listed as UNESCO World Heritage as part of the Camino de Santiago, is home to incredible relics of romanesque art and unique views of the area. The Maison des Vins de l’Entre-deux-Mers provides an appealing combo with a tour and tasting inside the city walls. Château de Cadillac is a duke’s castle that reigns over the medieval bastide of Cadillac and captures two contradictory periods: the pomp of the 17th century after it was built by the Duke of Epernon and the harsh reality of being a women’s prison for 130 years from the 19th century.
Your visit will take you deeper into the Middle Ages, with the bastides of Blasimon, Monségur, Sauveterre-de-Guyenne etc. and their ever-colourful markets with La Réole, a “Ville d’Art et d’Histoire” (“City of Art and History”) by the Garonne, its cobbled lanes and half-timbered houses. You’ll love Château du Grand Mouëys for its unique personality and, to top it all off, the hilltop village of Sainte-Croix du Mont gives you incredible views of the Garonne Valley and even the Pyrenees on clear days from its rocky spur!
By bike on the Piste Roger Lapébie
The green path is named after a famous Gironde cyclist who won the Tour de France in 1937. The Piste Roger Lapébie was built on a former railway track and bursting with different landscapes, from the leafy valley to the vine growing hillsides near Sauveterre. Purpose-built break areas and heritage stops to suit your fancy at Sauve-Majeure Abbey, in the winery châteaux and beautiful bastides of Créon and Sauveterre-de-Guyenne.
Sainte-Croix-du-Mont may be famous for its dessert wine but it has another surprise up its sleeve: a bed of fossilised oysters from 22 million years ago when the site was under the Atlantic Ocean! It’s a unique geological site in France providing incredible views of the Garonne Valley and Sauternais. The caves are still used to store wine (summer tastings). In terms of things to do, there’s something for everyone in Entre-deux-Mers! Treat yourself to a wine tour in Cadillac (you’re right, there’s a link between the town and the car), a cool drive in a convertible through the vineyard from the Maison des Vins de Cadillac or a thrilling ride on board an electric motorbike with Green Trail Loisirs at Château de Camarsac. You may prefer to watch the show-stopping history of winemaking expertise with the sound and light Vitishow at Château de Seguin.
This land of wine and winemakers knows how to party. Getting together is our thing. The famous open doors events and wine festivals bring the year to life, in Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux in May, Sauveterre in July, Camblanes and Meynac in October and Loupiac in December paired with foie gras tasting. If you’re looking for thrills then hit the bastide markets and theatrical guided tours as you explore local attractions through the eyes of local figures from days gone by (July-September). In terms of festivals, Jazz 360 brings you a magical “entrejazz” event just outside Entre-deux-Mers (Cenac, June). At Pulpe, we really love the Ouvre la Voix Festival (September) that brings together cycling on the green path, rock music and local product tasting… it’s an original way to explore Entre-deux-Mers by bike with your hair in the wind!
Cabanes en fête
The annual festival celebrates the pairing of Arcachon Bay oysters and Entre-deux-Mers white wine, it all happens in the Bay, Andernos-les-Bains to be precise, on the first Saturday of December.
Wine lovers will be in their element here. Entre-Deux-Mers is an invitation to uncover the art of winemaking deep in Gironde. As a land with a Gascony lifestyle, gastronomy is a way of life here. Feast on the Gironde speciality of Lamproie à la bordelaise (Bordeaux lamprey stew) and drink in the warm welcome at local cafés! Here, “dégustation” means enjoying yourself, getting together and making new friends.
Entre-deux-Mers wine
When you think about Entre-deux-Mers, the first thing that comes to mind is dry white wine served with oysters or as an aperitif. But you’re actually in the biggest vine growing region in Bordeaux. Entre-deux-Mers makes a multitude of wines. Red, rosé, clairet, dry white, sweet, dessert and even sparkling wine. There are countless appellations: Bordeaux, Bordeaux supérieur, Entre-deux-Mers, Cadillac, Loupiac, Sainte-Croix du Mont, Côtes de Bordeaux and more. Even more surprisingly, the area still makes Fine de Bordeaux, an ancient and little-known spirit appellation.
At the Michelin-starred Maison Darroze
Maison Claude Darroze is one of Gironde’s 19 Michelin-starred restaurants. The family home serves honest, seasonal, flavourful dishes with nods to the South West. This is one fine dining eatery you should try for its authentic style!
Wellness is all about taking things slow in Entre-deux-Mers. Taking your time to explore the bike paths between rows of vines, gaze at an old abandoned mill just off a footpath… Relaxation is a philosophy here and it’s something we nurture, just like the Sophrowine class at Château du Payre, an easy-going sensory experience that brings together the benefits of sophrology and aromatherapy to take you on an inner journey where you follow your nose. Be pampered in the great outdoors at Salvéo with a whole host of treatments, fitness and relaxation activities or spend a night beneath the stars, cosy in a Bulles de Bordeaux bubble up close with nature and the starry sky.
A trip to Entre-deux-Mers whisks you back in time, seeps you in the vineyard and is a good, honest social experience.
Check out our Entre-deux-Mers wine tasting selection
In the Bordeaux vineyard and especially in Entre-deux-Mers, there are lots of must-dos. Since you’re twisting our arm, let’s talk about three places we hold dear. The Cabane dans les Vignes at Château Bessan in Tabanac is the coolest vineyard spot for wine tasting with a fabulous view. Cosy and tucked away, it has amazing views of the surrounding vineyards and the Garonne.
Château Malromé sets the scene for history, art, food and drink. The ingenious artist and illustrator Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec used to come here to see his mother Adèle, deep in 50ha of grounds planted in the 14th century and vines. The artist made it his summer studio and the château atmosphere simply oozes it.
Planète Bordeaux is open all year in Beychac-et-Caillau outside Entre-deux-Mers, just 20 minutes from Bordeaux. The centre introduces and showcases Bordeaux wine and brings you a fun-filled interactive experience with 6 areas to awaken your senses.
