The Garonne Valley

Zoom in on travelling the Garonne from Bordeaux to La Réole

Bordeaux :   the Port de la Lune – listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site – is the nickname given to Bordeaux‘s crescent-moon shaped port located on a meander of the Garonne. Thanks to the wine trade, it was France’s leading port for centuries, reaching its apogee in the 18^th  century.

Nowadays it is Europe’s leading port for exportation of maize, and includes excellent facilities for yachtsmen (Queyries and Port Bastide) and a landing stage (at Yves Parlier).

Bègles : Well worth a visit: the ruins of an ancient aqueduct, a swimming pool listed as a Historical Monument for its mosaic decoration, and the Création-Franche site, comprising an art gallery and a museum.

Portets : “Port I was, vineyard I remain” – so goes the motto of this ancient and very active port from where barges once set out carrying Graves wines to Bordeaux. Well worth a visit are Château de Mongenan and its remarkable botanical garden (a thousand varieties of roses, and medicinal, tinctorial and antique plants).

Le Tourne : the age-old know-how of the bargeman is kept alive today thanks to Chantiers Tramasset,  one of whose main activities is reconstruction of such typically Girondian boats as the flat-bottomed craft known as a “filadière”. Unaccompanied or guided visits to the shipyard, with an introduction to the arts of tying sailors’ knots and caulking. Visits also to the little river port of Le Tourne.

Langoiran : the port is located below an impressive 13^th -century château-fortress, and a leisurely stroll along its recently restructured quays is a very pleasant way to pass the time.

Podensac : besides a water tower built under the auspices of Le Corbusier in 1918, the town also houses the head office of Maison Lillet , producers of the far-famed Gironde  aperitif .

Cadillac:   the bastide town and the Château des Ducs d’Epernon overlooking this sailors’ stop-off are well worth going out of your way to see.

Barsac : departure point for the Sauterne region, either by kayak along the Ciron or on foot.

Preignac:  a typical old Garonne port. Worth a visit: the superb 18^th -century Château de Malle (18^th  century) and its Italian-style gardens.

Loupiac : pay a visit to Château Portail Rouge (Saint-Romain locality) to admire the remains of a large Gallo-Roman villa (built between the 2^nd  and 5^th  centuries) and its thermal baths (+33 5 56 62 93 82). The château’s winegrowing owner took part in the archaeological excavations of the villa, and will be delighted to tell you about them over a glass of Loupiac.

Langon:   the painter Toulouse-Lautrec had a special affection for this port, which is now the arrival point for a somewhat out-of-the-ordinary convoy – the barges carrying Airbus A 380 components. And for river cruise enthusiasts, there are excursions aboard “l’Escapade” to enjoy.

Saint-Macaire : well worth a look: Place du Mercadiou and its fine 15^th  and 16^th -century houses, and the murals in the 14^th -century Saint-Sauveur church chancel.

Saint-Pierre-d’Aurillac : a picturesque little port (old fishermen’s houses); the banks of the Garonne are equipped with a covered picnicking area. From here you can get to Saint-Maixant  and the writer François Mauriac’s house, Malagar.

Castets en Dorthe : gateway to the Deux Mers Canal in Aquitaine – it is here that the Canal du Midi flows into the Garonne. Very pleasant walks to be had along the old, sycamore-tree lined towpaths.

Barie:   pay a visit to L’Oseraie de l’Ile, a willow-growing farm where you can sit in on (and help with!) the processing of willow branches used in basketry and cooperage. Park of woven vegetable creations and living willow maze.

Bassane : Well worth seeing: the Piis Mill, facing the village of Gironde-sur-Dropt.

La Réole :   The town stands on a hillside overlooking the Garonne and conserves a rich medieval heritage.

Cruises along the Canal aboard “l'Escapade”  (Société de Croisières Fluviales), from Castets-en-Dorthe to Meilhan

+33 5 56 63 06 30 or +33 6 85 20 98 48 .