House Pannier is located just outside Paris in the Marne Valley, where it is home to a magnificent mediaeval cellar and a remarkable complex designed to host seminars and receptions.

With its 31 Vignobles & Découvertes vineyards, Provence Verte & Verdon – in the very heart of the Var – has made a name for itself as a refreshing destination for wine-tourism… and it’s just 60 minutes from the major sites of Provence, including Marseille and Saint-Tropez.

Provence conjures up images of a hinterland sprinkled with typical villages, cicadas singing under the southern sun, lavender-scented roads, and fields of olives and vines stretching as far as the eye can see. The first picture that comes to mind is worthy of Van Gogh's most beautiful paintings! And a whole host of artists has immortalised this region with its picturesque landscapes full of charm, where today a throng of talented winegrowers continues to write the history of this unique land.

Far from the madding crowd, our fascinating and passionate winemakers will welcome you to their domains with open arms, giving you the chance to meet and chat about the ins-and-outs of their profession. 

These men and women love their land and are keen to preserve their terroir, with many of them devoted to organic farming. And this, we should remember, is an area in which Provence has been a pioneer: Correns, for example, was the first organic village in France. From the Vignerons de Correns cooperative winery to the cellars at Domaine des Roseaux or Château Trians, oenophiles are free to discover the secrets of a form of winemaking that respects the land, the special type of soil… and the people who drink the wine!

In the heart of Dracénie, less than an hour from Cannes and Saint-Tropez, "La vigne à vélo" greenway combines a ride in the open air with a spot of wine tourism as you soak up the beautiful Provençal hinterland.

Far from the traffic, "La vigne à vélo" route is a little over 15 km long, and is divided into three different itineraries that have been developed for environmentally-friendly modes of transport only. In the long term, these soft tracks are scheduled to join up the Dracénie region over a total of about 40 km. Whether you’re a cycling or walking enthusiast – or a jogger, skater or scooter freak – these trails are ready and waiting for you!

The all-season trails are accessible to everyone, offering a variety of landscapes with stunning views over the vineyards that disappear over the horizon. Don’t forget to take a breather on one of the benches and tables you’ll find along the way, where you can contemplate the splendid panoramas that open onto the Maures massif, the Rock of Roquebrune, the red rocks of Muy and the waterfalls at Nartuby.

The cultural attractions that pepper the circuits are a further highlight. From the mediaeval town of Parage via Arcs sur Argens to the Maison des Vins Côtes de Provence, the sites you can visit reflect all the riches of the region. On the same cycle routes, the Château Sainte Roseline (where the chapel is a listed historical monument) and the Château Font du Broc will open the gates to their vineyards in all simplicity.

And why not dare to venture ever so slightly beyond the signposted paths? Visit other vineyards and meet their winemakers – a wonderful opportunity to taste wines with the Côtes de Provence appellation.

There’s no doubt about it: on "La vigne à vélo" you can share an invigorating ride or walk with family or friends, a paean to a quiet and peaceful life – the very epitome of the art of good living in Dracénie.

Around 1.5 hours from Bordeaux in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, the Domaine de Siorac and Muriel Landat Pradeaux offer visitors a chance to discover the winemaking traditions of AOC Bergerac and sample Périgord grape juice.

When was the Domaine de Siorac first established?

In 1818, when the estate was just a family operation here in the Périgord. My grandfather began direct sales under the “Domaine du Siorac” label in the 1970s. His three sons redeveloped the vineyard in 1981, combining the family’s expertise with the needs of the clay-limestone soil.

Were you always going to take over the family vineyard?

I’m a trained engineer and spent ten years working in manufacturing before becoming a young farmer in 2016. I was keen to see this estate, which has been in the family for six generations, maintain its values and continue to produce Bergerac wine!

Do you protect the environment in your wine growing?

This is our third year of converting to organic wine production and we are committed to achieving Haute Valeur Environnementale (High Environmental Value) certification.

You are the only winemakers in Dordogne to produce Verjus, can you tell us more?

We brought it back into fashion in the 1980s. The term “Verjus” comes from French slang and refers to a green grape made from a forgotten grape variety, the Périgord. It is widely used in the region's cuisine!

Apart from visits and wine tastings, what other activities do you offer?

Each year we organise an evening event at the farm, as well as picnics with winemakers and, as holders of the Tourism and Handicap certification label, we offer accessible cultural activities too. We also provide fun and educational activities for families, from geocaching – a vine and wine themed treasure hunt – to a trip through the vineyard on an all-terrain scooter.

La Cité du Vin in Bordeaux, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, is a place of discovery and experiences and, in addition to its Permanent exhibition and temporary shows, offers guided tours of its stunning building and oenocultural tasting workshops.

What unites Bordeaux, the world’s markets, books and sensory experiments? As we’ll see, wine!

La Cité du Vin invites you to take part in themed wine tastings like no other. From activities centred around sight, smells and taste in enticing spaces to a classic (or innovative!) introduction to wine tasting, or book readings accompanied by an introduction to wine crus. Come and experience a fresh approach to wine discovery here in Nouvelle-Aquitaine.

The city of Bordeaux is an iconic capital of France’s Nouvelle-Aquitaine region and its surrounding vineyards have acquired a global reputation. Against this prestigious backdrop, the city opened the world’s first museum dedicated to showcasing the diversity of wine: La Cité du Vin. This building, with its strikingly modern and majestic design, sits like a sentinel beside the Garonne river and has become an unmissable attraction for visitors to Bordeaux.

Similar to a classic museum space, but at the same time quite different due to its interactive educational and fun approach, La Cité du Vin takes you on an in-depth journey through the world’s winemaking heritage. At the heart of La Cité du Vin you’ll find over 3,000 m² of space dedicated to its Permanent exhibition. This journey of discovery through time and space passes through 20 or so themed areas that cover all aspects of wine dating back thousands of years.

Against a highly evocative architectural décor, visitors are presented with the diverse influences that this precious drink has had on society: from its influence on our landscape, to its ability to generate myths and beliefs, act as a source of inspiration for artists and the collective imagination, develop traditions and expertise, bring people together and provide pleasure and a sense of sharing...

After winning the Wine Tourism Trophies Special Jury Prize for it's International Influence in 2019, La Cité du Vin has been awarded with the "Exceptional Offer" prize at the 2024 Wine Tourism Trophies in the "Art, culture & savoir-faire” category. 

Numerous multimedia and sensory features, including 3D image projection and smells, allow visitors to engage with the exhibition on their own or as a group as they travel from 6,000 BC to the present day, encountering each civilisation that incorporated winegrowing into their culture.

There are activities for all kinds of visitor – for those visiting as a family or with friends, as a couple or on their own – and for all levels of knowledge, from connoisseurs to novices, wine tourists or those just keen to find out more. Visitors will discover how climate and land can influence a wine’s character, learn the secrets behind wine production and have their senses awakened as they are introduced to a host of aromas. They will climb aboard a merchant vessel and cross the world’s oceans as they trace the history of wine across the water, or visit Bordeaux at different periods in its history as they wander through some of the city’s iconic locations such as 17th century Chartrons or the Mitchell glassworks.

Each visit to the Permanent exhibition ends in the 35-metre tall Belvedere, with its panoramic view of the city of Bordeaux and an opportunity to sample wines from around the world.

La Cité du Vin is one of the unmissable major attractions in Bordeaux and N-Aquitaine. It is a space dedicated to wine, to those who produce it now and have done throughout history, and to those who enjoy it today around the world.