Gironde and the Southwest

The vineyards of the Southwest are considered by some to be the jewel in the crown of French wine. In June 2022, it was included in the European Cultural Route of Vine and Wine. The programme is intended to promote national heritage at European level, just like the Camino de Santiago or the European Route of Cistercian Abbeys. "This institutional recognition will make it possible to raise awareness among winegrowers, inhabitants, elected representatives and visitors of the heritage dimension - cultural, civilisational, ecological - of the Southwest’s vineyards beyond their sole productive dimension," said the Soutwest Wine Trade Association (IVSO) in a statement. 

Wine tourism is in full swing in Gironde. In Bordeaux, the Cité du Vin passed the 2 million visitor mark last May. It opened its doors in 2016 and even after the last two years, which were heavily impacted by the health crisis, the Cité has already become a symbol of the capital of Gironde thanks to its striking architecture and its cultural and leisure offer centred around wine growing. It is now the 4th most visited museum in France, outside the Paris region. In addition to its permanent exhibition, it also offers temporary exhibitions inspired by wine. From 15 April to 28 August 2022, the Cité du Vin hosted a major exhibition exploring the place of wine in the work of Pablo Picasso, thus appealing to wine tourists and lovers of fine art alike. 

The city of Bordeaux is undertaking other programmes to promote wine tourism, particularly by bicycle. It now offers three routes designed to help visitors discover ‘urban vineyards’. Starting from Blanquefort station, the three routes of 9, 23 and 29 kilometres allow participants to visit châteaux such as Château Dillon, Malleret, Paloumey, D'Agassac, Ségur, Saint Ahon and...