Entre deux-mers

Automatic translation

Entre-deux-Mers, between two rivers

 

Entre-deux-Mers is this vast territory to the South West of Bordeaux, enclosed between the right bank of the Garonne to the south, and the left bank of the Garonne to the north, which extends to the Bec d'Ambès.

It is a land of wine tradition, producing twelve controlled designations of origin. In terms of architectural heritage, Entre-deux-Mers is distinguished by the conservation of a large number of bastides and medieval towns, Romanesque churches, castles, fortified houses and mills, saved from oblivion thanks to enthusiasts. It is an ideal place for tourist and cultural walks, as close as possible to nature. The Roger Lapébie cycle path follows the route of an old railway line for 52 km between Sauveterre de Guyenne and Latresne.

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Cadillac, proud bastide

Built in 1280, fortified in the 14th century, Cadillac has preserved many vestiges of past centuries that can be admired while walking through the city or walking around the ramparts. The castle of the Dukes of Epernon can be visited all year round.

It was raised in place of a medieval building razed to rebuild a sumptuous residence rivaling the royal residences. During the Revolution, it served as a prison for women until the end of the 19th century, then as a supervised education center for young girls until the middle of the 20th century. The Cadillac wine house contains a vine and wine museum.

Rions, former stronghold

Today a small medieval village nestled in the heart of the vineyards, Rions was the capital of ancient Aquitaine. This stronghold witnessed battles during the Hundred Years War between the kingdom of France and England. You can still see vestiges of its defensive past, such as the Lhyan Tower or the old Seguin keep.

Sainte-Croix-du-Mont, perched village

On its rocky hillsides, the village overlooks the Garonne valley. The limestone cliff which extends over a hundred meters shelters caves imprinted with countless fossilized oyster shells dating back 22 million years. These caves are ideal for storing the sweet white wine produced by the vineyard.

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Saint-Macaire, medieval town

Surrounded by ramparts, Saint-Macaire is a remarkable medieval architectural ensemble, with many listed monuments, such as the arcaded square of Mercadiou and its houses dating from the 13th to 16th centuries. In the 18th century, underground galleries were dug to extract the stone transported to Bordeaux for the construction of buildings.

The Church of Saint-Sauveur, at the edge of the ramparts, was part of a former Benedictine priory. The Porte de Benauge, or Clock Gate, dating from the 14th century, marks the entrance to the city.

Near Saint-Macaire, you can visit Malagar, the family property of Francois Mauriac (1885-1970), overlooking the Garonne valley. The residence of the writer, academician, located in the heart of a vineyard, is classified as a historical monument. It is a place of living culture, which offers a varied cultural season from May to October.

La Réole, like a painting

The medieval town of La Réole, town of art and history, with its cobbled streets and half-timbered houses, is rich in a harmonious architectural ensemble.

Its Benedictine monastery dating from the 18th century now houses the city's services; its Saint-Pierre church built in the 12th century, then dismantled was rebuilt in the 17th century; its Château des Quat'Sos built in the 12th century on a primitive fortress, with its four corner towers, the origin of its name, dominates the Garonne; its former town hall is one of the oldest civil buildings in France. The town experienced a commercial boom thanks to river transport and the wine trade. La Réole is home to an astonishing museum of match monuments.

Monségur, bastide and defensive site

Perched bastide, Monségur offers a magnificent panorama over the Drot valley. From its medieval past, surrounded by ramparts, the bastide has retained its square square, its typical church, a 15th century Gothic tower with its walkway, its narrow streets, its half-timbered houses. Its 19th century hall, all in glass and cast iron, hosts the markets.

Pellegrue, bastide with three castles and five churches

Pellegrue is a concentrate of historical heritage. Located on a rocky outcrop, the bastide founded in the 13th century, with its square square and its characteristic right-angled streets, has two renovated churches, Saint-André located in the village, Genas, route de Duras, and three others partly destroyed, Saint-Laurent, La Reyre and Vignoles. From its rich historical past, three castles located on the heights remain: Boyrac Ségur castle, from the 15th century, Lugagnac castle, from the 15th-18th century and Puch de Gensac castle, from the 13th century, remodeled in the 14th and 18th centuries.

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Sauveterre-de-Guyenne, English fortified town

This former bastide founded in 1281 by King Edward 1st, changed suzerain 10 times to become French in 1451. Today it has retained its central arcaded square, its checkerboard streets, four enclosure gates of its ramparts and beautiful superbly restored half-timbered house.

In the surroundings, some architectural gems are available to visitors: the abbey of Saint-Nicolas de Blasimon, a former Benedictine abbey nestled in the Gamage valley, listed as a Historic Monument; the fortified watermill of Labarthe, built like a fortified house; the Haut Benauge mill museum, a windmill built in 1600 and restored in 1970; the abbey of Saint-Ferme, dominating the village of the same name, located on the paths of Compostela; and the village of Castelmon-d'Albret, the smallest village in France, perched on a promontory and surrounded by walls.

Rauzan and its fortified castle

The village is home to a fortified castle built between the 13th and 15th centuries, which is distinguished by an imposing cylindrical keep 31 meters high and a cave, the Celestine cave, decorated with very beautiful concretions.

The abbey of Sauve-Majeur, a jewel of Romanesque art

It is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful testimonies of religious architecture in Gironde. The building is registered with Unesco under the roads of Saint Jacques de Compostela. Built in the 12th century, it almost disappeared forever. The open-air site in the heart of Entre-deux-Mers offers exceptional sculptures and remains: sculpted capitals, bell tower, Romanesque vaults in the choir and chapels.

Créon, famous for its fairs and markets

This bastide of English origin, seat of the great Royal Provostship of Entre-deux-Mers until the Revolution, remained a commercial town with renowned markets and fairs. The town, labeled bike station, has a remarkable network of cycle paths.

CASTELMORON D'ALBRET