Religious sparkle at Chateau Pape Clément, medieval strength at Chateau La Tour Carnet, warriors’ exploits at Chateau Fombrauge ... Each of the grands crus classés, enhanced by Bernard Magrez, boasts a dazzling history and heritage.

Set foot in a 700-year-old place and understand the excellence of Chateau Pape Clément, a famous wine from the Graves region. Smell the fertile soil and share the passion of an ingenious pope. Discover the vineyard as it was during the period of Pope Clément V and let yourself be transported to the heart of a unique emotional experience where ancient, contemporary and religious arts intertwine as you walk among the private collections of Bernard Magrez. This alliance between ancient and modern can also be seen in the vineyard, where you find both traditional methods and the latest technology, from aerial video drones to clay bottles! The horses protect the soil and classical music is used to cure diseases in the vines …

Architecture, gardens, history … Be transported to the heart of a unique experience where ancient, contemporary and religious arts meet.

Several different tours are available to explore this exceptional heritage. The 'Secret of an Icon' tour concludes with a wine tasting of five different vintages of Chateau Pape Clément red and the rare Pape Clément white.

One of the oldest chateaux in the Médoc

At Saint-Laurent-Médoc, enter the legend of one of the most beautiful buildings in the Médoc district, Chateau La Tour Carnet, which has been ranked as one of the most famous French wines since 1855. This authentic medieval chateau sits majestically at the end of an entrance road bordered with flowering lawns. You are struck by the beauty of the twelfth-century quadrangular tower. The magic continues as you pass the thick surrounding walls, which reveal magnificent furniture. The rooms – Montaigne or La Boétie – remind us that the great names of literature met here!

The largest vineyard in Saint-Emilion

Finally, walk through the French-style gardens of Chateau Fombrauge and discover its history: battles, wars and successions have all been part of the history of this area, which produced its first harvest in 1599. From the Canolle, in the sixteenth century, to Bernard Magrez today, six families have succeeded one another at the head of Chateau Fombrauge, giving a incomparable stability to the largest vineyard in Saint-Emilion. 

Climb aboard a boat and sail towards the discovery of the Bordeaux vineyards. Taste wines and fine foods during the delightful cruises on the Garonne River. 

Feel like discovering the vineyards of Médoc and de Blaye at a leisurely pace? Then why not sail along the Garonne River! A boat takes you to the most beautiful wine districts before a tasting of fine wines and a delicious lunch ‘at your fingertips’ at the Patiras Island lighthouse. Bordeaux River Cruise offers you different types of cruises for an unforgettable half-day in the Bordeaux vineyards. Or perhaps you would prefer to raise a toast to the wines of Bordeaux on board the Sardane along the quays, or while enjoying a fabulous meal on board the Sicambre boat-restaurant?

Two hours away from Paris, the Pouilly-sur-Loire and vineyards of Sancerre provide an essential wine-appreciation experience and an unforgettable trip to the Loire Valley!

The first stop is Pouilly-sur-Loire, where a sensory experience in the Tour du Pouilly-Fumé reveals some of the winemakers’ secrets. Then make a stop on the wine route at Belvédère de Saint-Andelain and admire the view over the Loire River, its islands, and the vineyards. Cross the majestic river to discover Sancerre, with its unique panoramas and welcoming wine cellars. Then refine your knowledge at the Maison des Sancerre, before a dinner of local delicacies such as the famous Chavignol goat’s cheese. Afterwards, enjoy a night in one of the stylish rooms at the Hôtel des Monts Damnés. At Chavignol, put your best foot forward with a walk, a bike ride in the vineyards, or a boat trip on the Loire.   

Travel through the kingdom of Cahors, the wine king of south-west France. Follow the winding roads, the vineyards bathed in golden light, the meandering pathways of the Lot River.

During your voyage, the grand sweep of human history intertwines with the intimate local stories of the winemakers’ families, who welcome you to their vineyards to share the fruits of their passion for the wines of France’s south-west. Labelled Vignobles & Découvertes (Vineyards & Discoveries), the ‘Destination Cahors Malbec’ route circles the wine district of Cahors. The various stages of this trip take you through historic sites, magnificent countryside, and vineyards.

The journey starts in Cahors, the regional capital and a UNESCO World Heritage site, and takes you all the way to the authentic golden-stoned villages of the Lot Valley, one of the most beautiful regions in France, at the moment of the year when the vineyards are at their best.

Reconverted into a three-star hotel with a gourmet restaurant, the Chateau des Comtes de Challes offers an exceptional stay where you can taste the wines and fine food of the Savoie region.

With its fifteenth-century chimneys and beams and its romantic garden, the Chateau des Comtes de Challes, near Chambéry, has been reconverted into a charming three-star hotel. In the magnificent original wine cellar, where some 15,000 bottles are stored, the sommelier, or wine steward, will reveal the secrets of tasting the wines of the Savoie region.

In the evening continue your introduction to wine appreciation during a dinner prepared by a renowned chef. The hotel can also add to the pleasure of your stay with a relaxing health treatment or a helicopter or glider flight over the Savoie vineyards.

Literature and wine expert Evelyne Léard-Viboux is a child of the Maurienne mountain region who went on to become a literature teacher. She shares her passion for the wines and countryside of the Savoie region in words and photographs. A scenic wine region combining diversity and quality. 

Why did you produce the book Wines and Vineyards in Savoie Mont Blanc?

This book arose out of a meeting with the photographer Laurent Madelon, who, like me, has a passion for the mountains and the vineyards of Savoie. My intention is to enhance the image of Savoie wines. These are remarkable wines which age very well; some of them are rare, while others are delicate and very original.

What did you intend to show to readers?

We wanted to reveal the scenic vineyards, marked by history, as well as their bracing climate and chaotic geography, all of which give the wines their character. In short, we wanted to reexamine the clichés and the assumptions about Savoie, such as its rustic nature or the coarseness of the wines. These clichés are still too widespread. 

Why did you give such a prominent place to photography?

The Savoie vineyards are extremely photogenic: the abrupt slopes, the well-defined seasons, the proximity of the lakes and the mountains. All this contributes to making it a sublime place, and the photography highlights its originality. The text provides complementary information to showcase the great diversity of grape varieties present in the Savoie vineyards.

What else have you done to champion Savoie wines?

I present wines during tasting sessions, I am on the judging panels of the major wine competitions and I produce wines for the Savoie winemakers with whom I collaborate to further improve the quality of the wines.