A Dozen Reasons for Visiting The Médoc

WINE The Medoc produces THE FINEST RED WINES IN THE WORLD. With over 300 chateaux within the hour to visit for tastings and tours ranging from a modest 4 to 5 Euros to the sky's the limit Mouton-Rothschild or Margaux. The newly opened "winery" at St Laurent, a 15 hectare park devoted to art, sculpture and all to do with wine is Europe's largest wine centre for learning and tasting.
COAST The Gironde has 120 miles of unbroken coastline with some of the BEST SURFING BEACHES IN EUROPE.
LAKE The Hourtin-Carcans lake is the LARGEST LAKE IN FRANCE , 6000 hectares, a paradise for water sports and fishing.
FOREST The Medoc has the LARGEST EXPANSE OF FOREST IN EUROPE
ESTUARY The Gironde estuary is the LEAST POLLUTED ESTUARY IN EUROPE and has 3 metre sturgeons and a small caviar industry. The little "ports" along the estuary have a charm of their own.
LIGHTHOUSE The Cordouan lighthouse at the mouth of the Gironde is THE OLDEST LIGHTHOUSE IN EXISTENCE and has a beautiful interior. There are trips available by boat at low tide with picnic provided and a hunt for mussels.
FOOD The BEST OYSTERS come from Arcachon. They are served every morning at Montalivet market, 6 with a glass of ice cold wine costs around 5/6 Euros. It is claimed the BEST CREPES COME FROM THIS AREA which is known for its champignons, duck and Pauillac - milk-fed lamb bred on the salt marshes.
HEALTH The Medoc has the GREATEST NUMBER OF LIVING CENTENARIANS IN FRANCE even though it is the LEAST POPULATED AREA OF FRANCE (1 person every 2 kilometres). Montalivet has the LARGEST PRIVATE NUDIST COLONY IN EUROPE and has a good Thalassatherapy spa. The luxurious Caudalie health spa is the ONLY "VINOTHERAPIE" SPA IN THE WORLD. Original exclusive treatments using grapeseed for anti-ageing, fitness, slimming or relaxation are applied by expert hands - with two restaurants this makes an interesting days visit.
HISTORY Bordeaux is the BEST PRESERVED EIGHTEENTH CENTURY CITY IN EUROPE with 4000 listed buildings and now a WORLD HERITAGE SITE. Despite its size it is an approachable city and agreeable to explore on foot.
MARKETS The square around the basilique St Michel, Bordeaux, is taken over by different markets most mornings (bustling antique market on a Sunday from 8-2pm) "while the church's modern stained glass windows are stunning". Montalivet has the LARGEST EVERYDAY MARKET IN FRANCE in summer, with over 150 stalls selling everything you could desire from hippy beads to champagne; it also has wine tasting, champagne and wine by the glass from local chateaux and delicious snacks from around the world.
SHOPPING Bordeaux claims the LARGEST PEDESTRIANISED SHOPPING STREET IN EUROPE (rue St Catherine). It is claimed there are more Hermes scarves per sq kilometre than you can wave a Lacroix handbag at! Excellent Sales in July!
COOL "Wallpaper" magazine voted Bordeaux Europe's "coolest city" in 2007. Futuristic trains and new stunning waterfront gardens.

 
   The website and many pictures are copyright and courtesy of Archibald Butler.