On board a toue cabanée, a typical boat of the Loire River, mix the discovery of the natural heritage of this majestic river with historic monuments and tastings of the Loire Valley wines. 

With the winemaker Denis Retiveau as your captain, enjoy a timeless experience and let yourself be carried along by this majestic river. The very gentle glide of the wooden boat is perfect for the discovery of the Loire Valley vineyards, chateaux and historic monuments from a fresh angle. The boat trip turns gourmet with the tasting of Loire wines and local delicacies. A scenic and friendly experience of wine tourism.

Not far from there, in Chinon, aboard a traditional boat on the Vienne River, discover exceptional landcapes and heritage with Julien Ayrault, your captain, and taste Chinon wines and local products with the winegrower, Jean-Max Manceau.

In Nantes, come aboard a typical traditional wooden boat called « Toue cabanée ». On the Erdre river, one of the most beautiful rivers in France according to French king Francis 1, you will enjoy a comfortable journey that will enable you to marvel at beautiful landscapes while meeting up with a winemaker from the Nantes vineyards. A truly unique encounter!

And if you’re looking for a spot of relaxation, then climb aboard the Raboliot, a typical local boat, for a trip down the Loire river, at the foot of Piton de Sancerre and its vineyards. Sylvain, its captain, will share with you the secrets of the flora and fauna of the  last wild river in Europe.

At Chateau Coutet, the Beaulieu family has always produced a great organic Saint-Emilion wine. A magnificent vineyard well suited to biodiversity, near Bordeaux.

Situated within the three major wine-growing areas of the Saint-Emilion vineyards, the Chateau Coutet covers 16 hectares. Wild tulips, orchids, newts and small lizards are some of the diverse range of plants and animals which thrive in this leading example of organic wine growing, which won the Best Environmental Practices in Wine Tourism category in the Best of Wine Tourism Award 2016.

The universal and living cultural heritage of wine now has the perfect setting: La Cité du Vin in Bordeaux. Follow the guide, Philippe Massol, director of the foundation that is leading this unique and pioneering project.

Philippe Massol, Managing Director

What is the Cité du Vin?

The Cité du Vin is a cultural and tourist site dedicated to wine, unique in the world. It opened on 1 June 2016 in Bordeaux.

Through an approach based on culture, civilisation, heritage..., the Cité du Vin is a showcase for all the vineyards of the world. On site, visitors can take advantage of a wide range of activities. Starting with the Permanent exhibition of 3000m², which shows how wine has influenced human life and territory through 19 thematic modules. The entrance ticket also includes access to the Belvedere, where visitors can taste a glass of wine from around the world and enjoy a panoramic view over Bordeaux. Visitors can also take advantage of a temporary exhibition each spring; tasting workshops (discovery, food and wine pairings...); cultural events (conferences, meetings, debates) in the Thomas Jefferson auditorium. The Cité du Vin is also a place for outings, with several food outlets, a cellar with wines from around the world, and a boutique, a true concept-store for wine.

Who is the Cité du Vin aimed at?

The Cité du Vin is accessible to all! It doesn’t matter if you are a newcomer, a connoisseur, a wine lover or a professional, with family and children, or with a disability (the Cité du Vin has the “Tourisme et Handicap” label for the 4 categories of disability). It is a site suited to all audiences, both French and international, with trilingual signage and a tour companion available in 8 languages to activate the multimedia content in the Permanent exhibition.

The Cité du Vin is managed by the Foundation for Wine Culture and Civilisations. What is its role?

The Foundation for Wine Culture and Civilisations is a recognised public-interest foundation. Its role is to safeguard, enhance and pass on the multiple cultural, historic and symbolic facets of wine, by making them accessible to the widest possible audience. It is committed to an approach that combines individual, collective, educational, immersive, dreamlike and multisensory experiences. It’s for this reason that the City of Bordeaux entrusted it with the operation and development of the Cité du Vin, the world’s leading cultural site dedicated to wine cultures and civilisations. The Foundation has also been selected to take part in the creation of the Universal Wine Museum in Beijing, which will open in spring 2022.

Owner of 42 vineyards around the world and a famous producer of great Bordeaux wines, Bernard Magrez likes to share his fabulous treasures: leading Bordeaux heritage sites such as the Pape Clément, Tour Carnet, Fombrauge and Clos Haut Peraguey.  

Some see it as the career of a man driven by a quest for perfection, others see the passion of a determined entrepreneur. Many have listed the crowning moments in the career of Bernard Magrez, a man still striving for excellence. His genius found its full expression in the wine district of Bordeaux and, in 1986, the purchase of Chateau Pape Clément. Home to seven centuries of wine production, this chateau became his life’s work.

In 1999, Bernard Magrez purchased Chateau Fombrauge (grand cru classé Saint-Emilion) and Chateau La Tour Carnet (Grand Cru Classé 1855 Haut-Médoc), adding to the list of 40 properties owned by this passionate wine expert. In 2012, these were joined by Clos Haut-Peyraguey (Premier Grand Cru Classé dans l'AOC sauternes​).

The pursuit of excellence and sharing the art of the Bordeaux vineyard lifestyle

In this frenetic quest for perfection, there is a respect for the beauty of the fruit and for the wine connoisseur savouring each and every taste. At the same time, Bernard Magrez, ‘the man with 40 chateaux’ and ‘the creator of rare wines’, now pursues excellence by organizing tailored visits, activities and events, during which he shares the experiences of a unique and authentic lifestyle.

This exclusive event, which includes a description of the origins of the great Bordeaux wines, forms part of a range of luxurious and refined visits, in which guests plunge into the heart of the centuries-old legend. This is how the concept of the Bernard Magrez Luxury Wine Experience was born. 

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.