Visit Bourg | Blaye Vineyards

Just a few kilometers from our estate, Bourg features a hilltop historic center, medieval ramparts, a port on the Dordogne River, and a renowned vineyard. With fewer visitors and the colors of the season, you can explore this “Petite Cité de Caractère” (Small Town of Character) in ideal conditions, all while enjoying a stay in the heart of the Blayais region.

From our property in Mazion, we invite you to visit Bourg to discover another side of the Right Bank vineyards. This town in the Gironde department, nestled between the Dordogne River and the vineyard-covered hillsides, stands out for its historic heritage, its winding, sloping streets, and its long-standing connection to the river. It’s the perfect way to round out a trip dedicated to wine, the landscapes of the Blaye region, and exploring the charming villages surrounding our estate.

Why visit Bourg?

Bourg now holds the certification Small Town of Character. According to Gironde Tourism, the village is divided into an upper town and a lower town, featuring the remains of medieval fortifications, historic houses, and an old port that serves as a reminder of the town’s former importance as a center of river trade.

Explore the Upper Town and its heritage

A visit to Bourg often begins in the upper part of the village. Perched on a rocky promontory, it preserves several features that bear witness to its history. These include the remains of medieval ramparts, historic houses—some dating back to the 15th and 16th centuries—and the Château de la Citadelle, rebuilt in the 18th century and surrounded by a French-style garden.

The narrow streets lead to various viewpoints and buildings in the historic center. The Halle, the Hôtel de la Jurade, and the passageways leading down to the harbor are among the village’s most distinctive features. The terrain sometimes requires climbing a few flights of stairs, but the distances are reasonable, and visitors can explore at their own pace.

The Porte de la Mer, also known as the Porte Batailleyre, has historically connected the upper town to the harbor district. Designated a Historic Monument, it is one of the key landmarks along the promenade. To prepare for this tour, we recommend that you also visit the website of Gironde Tourism, which compiles up-to-date tourist information about the area.

Head down toward the port of Bourg

After exploring the narrow streets of the upper town, the stroll can continue down to the lower part. The wide quays bear witness to the port activity that long shaped life in Bourg. Today, the town is located directly on the banks of the Dordogne River, and not on the estuary as its former name, Bourg-sur-Gironde, might suggest.

The harbor and marina offer a different view of the village. From the docks, you can see the hills, the ramparts, and the stone buildings overlooking the river. According to Gironde Tourism, the port remains a popular stop on river cruises and a favorite spot for strolls.

In the lower town, you can also see a a washhouse dating from 1828, fed by a spring at the base of the limestone cliff. This complex serves as a reminder of the role water played in the village’s historical layout.

Explore the Côtes de Bourg wine region

Visiting Bourg also offers a better understanding of the diversity of the vineyards on the right bank. Bourg is located in the heart of the Côtes de Bourg appellation, adjacent to our Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux appellation. Both regions share hilly landscapes, while retaining their own distinctive viticultural characteristics.

The Côtes de Bourg Wine Growers' Association indicates that the appellation has been recognized as an AOC since 1936 and covers approximately 3,000 hectares spread across about fifteen municipalities. The terrain consists of hillsides and valleys, which give the region its distinctive landscape.

This tour around Bourg can thus complement a Wine tourism experience in the Bordeaux region. Throughout your stay, you'll discover the vineyard's many facets without having to travel long distances.

Combine a visit to Bourg with a stay at Château Gigault

Our location in Mazion makes it easy to plan outings in the Blaye region and neighboring wine-growing towns. A day trip to Bourg can be part of a longer stay that also includes exploring Blaye, the Gironde estuary, and the vineyard-dotted landscapes surrounding our property.

Once back at the estate, you can continue exploring the world of wine with our Tours and tastings at the château. We present our work in the vineyards, our approach to terroirs, and the wines we produce from our plots.

To extend your stay, our charming vacation rental near Blaye allows you to stay right on the property. This option is ideal for families and groups of friends who want to take the time to explore the surrounding area while having a fixed base in the heart of the vineyard.