Day 1 – BORDEAUX/PESSAC

10:30 AM – Arrival in Bordeaux

Our first mission is to settle into a conveniently located place. I’ve chosen Hotel Bleu de Mer, right in the historic city center of beautiful Bordeaux. A cozy spot with charming décor and comfy rooms. The extra touch? A complimentary bottle of Bleu de Mer upon arrival. A good start, right?

12:00 PM – Oh my bus!

After wandering around Rue Saint-Rémy, I’ll let you pick whichever restaurant catches your eye for lunch. Then, we head to the “Porte de Bourgogne” bus stop and take line 24 (towards Pessac Romainville) until the “Pont de l’Orient” stop (40 minutes). A short walk later, we spot it…

2:00 PM – Welcome to Château Pape Clément (Pessac)

Impressive! Château Pape Clément, owned by the renowned Bernard Magrez, boasts 700 years of history. After a quick tour, we delve into the secrets of this Grand Cru Classé from Graves and taste three red wines. But don’t overdo it—more surprises await! We hop back on bus 24 (towards Porte de Bourgogne) from “Pont de l’Orient” to “Campus Carreire” (15 minutes).

4:00 PM – Visit to Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion (Bordeaux)

Your wide eyes say it all: yes, we’re in a true nature oasis within the city. Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion blends landscaped gardens, ponds, and vineyards seamlessly. The cellar, designed by Philippe Starck, is a marvel of art and technology. We end the visit with a tasting of two vintages. Which one’s your favorite?

6:30 PM – Evening tasting and return to the hotel

We catch our faithful friend, bus 24, back to “Porte de Bourgogne” (20 minutes). Time to stroll along the quays in search of our dinner spot. Let’s try L’Ampélo, a wine bar with over 700 selections and a team of sommeliers ready to pamper us. After indulging in fine wine, it’s off to the hotel for a well-deserved night’s sleep.

Day 2 – MÉDOC

8:58 AM – Regional train to Margaux

An early morning rendezvous at Bordeaux Saint-Jean station to board the regional train (named TER in France) to Margaux (45 minutes). Excitement is building! The legendary Médoc and its famous châteaux are just a few kilometers away by rail. Full of energy, we walk 16 minutes to discover one of the smallest vineyards in the Margaux appellation: Château Ferrière. A breath of fresh air in this unique vineyard—we love it.

10:30 AM – Visit to Château Ferrière

The theme I’ve chosen for you? The biodynamic experience. Château Ferrière, a Third Grand Cru Classé from 1855, is a Médoc pioneer in this field. This deserves a dedicated tour: strolling through the gardens and their rich biodiversity, exploring the herbal tea workshop, the vat room, the cellars, and finally, a tasting of three certified organic wines. Everything here is so green (aren’t we glad we took the regional train?).

12:30 PM – Exquisite lunch

After an 8-minute walk, we arrive at Château Marquis de Terme and its enchanting restaurant. The aromas from the kitchen are tantalizing, and I can already tell we’re in for a treat. A divine harmony between food, wine, and hospitality. Sound good? At 2:00 PM, we’re in for a private, exclusive tour where all the estate’s secrets will be revealed… Quite the teaser, right?

3:28 PM – Regional train to Blanquefort

We hop back on our trusty regional train to Blanquefort station (20 minutes). Then, we cycle over on a Vélo (6 minutes) to Château Saint-Ahon. What a coincidence—we arrive just in time for a mid-afternoon treat! And as “luck” would have it, we’re about to enjoy the Visite Fondante, a special tour where wine tasting meets French chocolate pairings. Thank you, fate!

6:00 PM – Return to Bordeaux and dinner

After returning our Vélos, we take tram C (toward Gare de Bègles) from “Blanquefort Station” to “Place de la Bourse” (30 minutes). Back in town, we explore the authentic Saint-Pierre neighborhood and settle on a rustic wine bar: Ô P’tit Bahut. It’s true, all this public transport makes you hungry! A plate of fine charcuterie, some farmhouse cheese, a glass of wine, and we’re ready to head back to the hotel. See you tomorrow!

Day 3 – SAINT-ÉMILION

9:41 AM – Regional train to Saint-Émilion

Oh, it’s you again! It seems you’ve become quite familiar with Bordeaux Saint-Jean station. This time, we’re boarding the regional train (34 minutes) to Saint-Émilion. After arriving, a 20-minute walk takes us to the Couvent des Jacobins, a stunning building in the heart of the medieval town, with a soulful atmosphere that grabs you instantly.

12:00 PM – Lunch at the Cloître

Just steps from the Couvent, we arrive at the Cloître des Cordeliers. To fully embrace the Saint-Émilion vibe (we’re model tourists, after all), we order a glass of Cordeliers sparkling wine, called Crémant de Bordeaux and a picnic basket filled with local products. For those less inclined to picnic, I recommend Chai Pascal, just a minute away, with its delicious homemade dishes.

At 2:00 PM, we embark on a rather unique underground tour of the Cloître des Cordeliers by electric tuk-tuk (low-carbon, remember?). Groovy baby!

3:15 PM – Visit to Château Villemaurine

A quick 6-minute walk, and we reach Château Villemaurine, a Grand Cru Classé in Saint-Émilion. We can choose from three tour themes: vineyards, heritage, or wine culture. No matter what, we’re about to discover prestigious winemaking expertise. I can’t wait!

5:00 PM – Underground immersion

Our final visit of the day is a big one: the underground caves of Saint-Émilion, led by the Office of Tourism. We meet at the monolithic church (a 7-minute walk away) to descend into the stone heart of the town. It’s even more impressive from below, don’t you think? So many hidden secrets waiting to be uncovered… but hush, we’ll leave some surprises for you to discover.

7:29 PM – Regional train to Bordeaux

Of course, we’ve already planned our 20-minute walk back to Saint-Émilion station. Seated comfortably on the regional train to Bordeaux, we’re set to arrive at 8:05 PM. For our final dinner together, I suggest Le Bistrot du Gabriel on the iconic Place de la Bourse. The cuisine is refined and regional, with a fresh touch from their new head chef, Bertrand Noeureuil, a promising young talent. It’s the perfect way to wrap up the day—our bellies full and our feet longing for rest.

Day 4 – CITÉ DU VIN

10:00 AM – Tram to the Cité du Vin

You couldn’t possibly leave Bordeaux without visiting the inimitable Cité du Vin. We take tram B (toward Berges de la Garonne) from “Grand Théâtre” to “Cité du Vin” (11 minutes). Here we are at this one-of-a-kind cultural attraction! Inside, immersive and sensory exhibitions take us through the history of wine across ages, cultures, and civilizations. The icing on the cake? Access to the belvedere, where you can enjoy a 360° view of Bordeaux with a glass of wine in hand. Isn’t this the perfect spot atop the wine world?

3:00 PM – Time to say goodbye (but definitely not farewell!)

Our journey together ends here, dear travel companions. I hope this car-free vineyard adventure has sparked both your imagination and your senses. Traveling while reducing your carbon footprint? Totally doable! So, think differently about your future trips. Safe travels home!

La Blogueuse Pulpée,

P.S. For those of you unfamiliar with our local and regional public transport systems, feel free to ask the helpful team at the Bordeaux Tourist Office for advice, or check out practical information online:

• Bordeaux Métropole Transport (tramway, bus, self-service bike system “Le Vélo”, river shuttle “BAT3”)
• TER Nouvelle-Aquitaine(regional trains)