Grands sites patrimoniaux
Le Sud Gironde ne manque pas de lieux culturels ! Entre châteaux, cités médiévales et édifices religieux, les différents monuments vous feront voyager dans le temps…
See contentExplore the châteaux
of the South Gironde
In 1305, Pope Clement V, born in Villandraut and known as Bertrand de Goth, assumed the role of first pope in Avignon. Returning to his native lands, he and his nephews built five Clementine castles. His tomb can be found in the collegiate church of Uzeste, near Villandraut, in southern Gironde.
These five fortresses are well worth a visit, each with its own personality and charm. Near Langon, don’t miss the medieval fortress of Roquetaillade in Mazères, with its magnificent interiors by Viollet-le-Duc! In the centre of Villandraut, play at being a knight by visiting the Château de Villandraut, the main residence of Clement V.
Near Langon, if you’d like to sample some wine, the Château de Fargues, a former medieval fortress, is a must for wine tasters. Strolling along the banks of the Garonne and its Canal, the Château du Hamel will surprise you with its magnificent view over the river. You’ll notice its unusual architecture: a medieval-style ground floor and a Renaissance upper floor.
The last Clementine château is that of Budos, built by Raymond-Guilhem de Budos.
Let yourself be guided to the Château Royal de Cazeneuve, set in the middle of listed parkland.
Stroll through the
medieval towns
The medieval towns of Bazas and Saint-Macaire invite you to wander through their narrow streets and visit their religious buildings.
At the foot of the towns’ ramparts, you can take a stroll and observe their fortifications. Don’t hesitate to wander around the central squares, stroll through the market or simply sit on a terrace for a drink and a re-cap of the world.
Découvrir les
Maisons des Illustres
While you’re in Saint-Maixant, don’t miss the Domaine de Malagar, the holiday home of novelist François Mauriac, which inspired him to write his literary works. You can find out more about the life of this famous journalist and writer.
In Saint-André-du-Bois, in the south of Gironde, you can visit the last home of the famous painter Henri de Toulouse Lautrec. Château Malromé, a magnificent monument surrounded by vineyards. During your visit, you’ll discover the secrets of this famous painter and be able to attend various cultural exhibitions.
Visit the great
religious buildings
The Gironde is also home to some magnificent religious monuments. In Gascony, in the central square of Bazas, enter the Cathédrale Saint-Jean-Baptiste, a UNESCO World Heritage Site on the Pilgrim’s Way to Santiago de Compostela, to admire its magnificent organ and collection of stained glass windows.
In the small commune of Uzeste, the Collégiale Notre-Dame-d’Uzeste will surprise you not only with its exterior portal, but also for what it houses! Inside this small church, historical treasures await you, including the tomb of Pope Clement V, a beautiful Virgin and Child and magnificent stained glass windows…
The Basilica of Verdelais, in the town of the same name, is a very important place of pilgrimage, as it lies on the route to Santiago de Compostela. Just a short walk from the church, you can follow the Way of the Cross to the top of the hill. At the end of this path, the Calvary dominates the landscape and offers a magnificent view of the Garonne valley. In Verdelais, take the opportunity to wander along the country lanes and admire the Cussol windmill, one of the few remaining working windmills in southern Gironde.
