Visit the Médoc : full guide

Are you in the southwest of France? Don’t miss visiting the Médoc, this beautiful region well known for its vineyards, but also full of activities!

Direction la Gironde! And more precisely this small tip to the north of the department: the Médoc. Often, when we talk about the Médoc, we first think of its prestigious vineyard, internationally known! But the Médoc is also the ocean, pine forests, marshes, ponds, lakes... The whole parsemé in the middle of a territory of character, to the historical and architectural heritage of an unheard of wealth!

Whether you're a hiker, surfer, sinner, or a barouder, veetist, naturist, or camper, or œnophile or gourmet end, you'll find your happiness by visiting the Médoc! To help you discover this sublime little corner of France, we inform you in this comprehensive guide, the best ways to visit the Médoc.

The Médoc in a few words

The Médoc is a French natural region located in the region of New Aquitaine, in the department of Gironde . It is delimited by the Northwest of Bordeaux , the tip of Grave the Atlantic Ocean, the Gironde estuary, and the Landes Forest.

The Médoc region is divided into three parts:

• The Highness, along the Gironde estuary, is the winery par excellence. Its rocky soil welcomes many grape varieties, which, thanks to the humid climate of the place, offers wines among the most prestigious in the world. It is in this part that you can discover the famous « châteaux », these vineyards located around sublime bourgeois houses;

• Le Bas-Médoc is a former marsh territory, where the richness of fauna and flora is exceptional and thus protected. Lesparre-Médoc, Saint-Vivien-de-Médoc, or Soulac-sur-Mer are the must-see cities to do in this corner;

• I mean, Les Landes du Médoc are home to a large part of the incredible Landes Forest. This pine forest borders the Atlantic on an area around 1 million hectares! Les Landes du Médoc also owns two major unmissable lakes: Lake Carcans-Hourtin and Lake Lacanau. But also well-known seaside resorts such as Montalivet, Carcans, or Lacanau.

1. Hiking

What's better for visiting the Médoc than walking? The region is a true paradise for all walkers and hikers in the soul. You will find a wide variety of terrain and landscapes, accessible for all levels.

Miles of marked trails are available to you in the heart of vineyards, marshes or pine forest. You can also borrow part of the GR8 bordering the ocean façade, or the Compostela Road , from the Pointe du Verdon-sur-Mer to Bassin d’Arcachon .

The Médoc also has many natural reserves to be explored, such as the exceptional National Natural Reserve of the Dunes and Hurtin marshes. We advise you to discover it with a naturalist guide, for an exciting experience.

Practical information :

• Guided tours: harvest mushrooms, deer blade, crane migration... There is a whole program of guided tours and thematic tours set up each year, and for each season. Some are free, like the natural reserve of the dunes and marsh of Hurtin. Other requests for participation ranging from 1 to 5€ about;
• Hiking solo: If you want to visit the Médoc on foot and your rhythm, know that many trails are very well marked. You can also choose a topoguide from the region, offering a whole bunch of circuit. loops, circuits, crossings, from 1 to more than 100 km, make your choice;
• Hiking with guide: if you want a guide to accompany you, it will cost you between 100€ and 300€ a day.

2. The bike

Another very nice way to visit the Médoc is the bike. And the region is ready, since it has more than 400 km of bike paths! If you are more connected mountain biking, you can enjoy the suitable trails that go through the beautiful sea pine forest of the Landes.

And for the most athletic, you should know that the “Movedyssey” and its various places of accommodation labeled “Home bike” are completely crossing the Médoc along the Atlantic coast.

Whether you’re looking for a sporting moment, or simply a convivial one, visiting the Médoc by bike is often unanimous!

Practical information :

To visit the Médoc by bike, there are several solutions. If you own your own bike, you can without any problems discover the site independently, with family or friends.

But you can also rent bikes at one of the many hires in the region. Count on average 8€ half day, 10€ day and day 40€ Week.

3. Equestrian walk

Go to the trop or the galop through an infinity of different landscapes to visit the Médoc! Horse riding is an original and pleasant way to discover this exceptional region. Along the beach or in the forest, for 1 hour or several days, choose the formula that suits you for a memorable moment, that’s certain.

Practical information :

• Would you like to visit the Horseback Doctor? You can book a hike accompanied in one of the equestrian clubs in the surrounding area;
• The walks are accessible to all and supervised by wise professionals;
• For 2 hours walk, count around 40€, 55€ for half day and 90€ day.

4. Surfing

Are you coming to visit the Médoc in search of the best wave? The region has no less than 15 of the best spots in Gironde, on 120 km of beach! Whether you're a beginner or confirmed, the Médoc is the ideal playground of any good surfer who respects each other.

From Lacanau to Cordouan, to Carcans Plage, Hourtin Plage, Montalivet-les-Bains or Soulac-sur-Mer, you will have the choice to make one with your board.

You will find many surf schools to initiate or perfect yourself! And for fans, don’t miss the “Caraibos Lacanau Pro” in August, where every year the world’s largest surfers compete.

Practical information :

• Surfing is an activity accessible to all, all public and all levels;
• For 1 hour or 2 hours of group surfing classes, count on average 40€. Special courses are included between 60€ and 90€ for 1h30 practice;
• The rates include the loan of the equipment, insurance and transport to the place of practice;
• If you only want to rent your equipment and go surfing independently, count around 12€ for 2 hours (plank + combi) or around 30€ day.

5. The camper or the van

Why not visit the Médoc on a motorhome or a furnished van? Thanks to this locomotion, a wind of freedom will blow on your vacation. Take the time, and enjoy the landscapes that you cross aboard your rolling house.

This is the ideal way to sneak the roads in search of the best spot. You will thus be free to stop wherever you want, to do the activity you like, at the time you have chosen.

Practical information :

• He is recommended to make an online reservation passing through a camping-car rental platform and equipped vans;
• Be sure to choose unlimited mileagefor more tranquility;
• Download before leaving, an application to find the best spots for the night, wild location, areas, parking or camping;
• The price varies according to several criteria, such as the number of beds, the model of the camper or the fitted van, the equipment available, or if the animals are allowed. In the Médoc region, the average daily price is 64€ about.

6. The veil

What better way to visit the Médoc than to indulge in the joys of sailing? For confirmed browsers, nothing like the Atlantic Ocean or the estuary to run on the water aboard a catamaran, a sailboat, a windsurfer or a surf kit!

And if you are a novice and these playgrounds are too hard to tame for you, prefer to initiate on the lakes of Hurtin-Carcans or Lacanau.

Practical information :

• Count 50€ for 1 hour special sailing or catamaran lessons, 25€ for a group course;
• A half-day exit in catamaran nearby 35€ by person;
• A surf kite session of about 15 minutes will cost you on average 40€.

7. Cruises

Coming to visit the Médoc, you can’t miss a tour on the largest estuary in Europe: the Estuary of the Gironde. And one of the best ways to enjoy it is to make a cruise there.

During your walk, you can discover the picturesque small ports that play it, some islands, but also sublime buildings such as Fort Médoc, the lighthouse of Richard, or the headlight of Cordouan.

Practical information :

• You can choose for walks with nearby skipper. 30€ per person (for a group of 6 people – 1 hour walk);
• If you have your boat license, it is possible to rent a small boat without skipper, which can accommodate up to 6 passengers. It will cost you 290€ half day and about 400€ day.

8. From the air

Visit the Médoc in an unusual way: seen from heaven! Are you trying?

Parachute

For lovers of strong sensations, opt for the parachute jump! Sensations guaranteed with stunning views!

Practical information :

• A parachute baptism will cost you between 250€ and 300€ on average;
• One. Medical certificate not counter-indication to the practice of a parachute jump dating less than a year will be necessary.

Montgolfière

To enjoy such a wonderful view and a moment of absolute tranquility, choose the Mdoc flight over the hot air balloon. A unique and emotional experience.

Practical information :

Environ 245€ for an initiation flight with a flight time of 20 minutes, and 350€ for 1 hour.

ULM

Another air experience to visit the Médoc is the ULM flight. Discover the beauty of the region by flying at an average altitude, to fully enjoy it.

Practical information :

Average 70€ for 20 minutes, 120€ 30 minutes and 170€ 45 minutes.

9. Water sports

Visiting the Médoc is also having a wide range of activities for lovers of swimming and nautical activities! Indeed, between the Atlantic, the Estuary and the different lakes that make up the region, you will have the choice: stand up Paddle, kayak, wakeboard and waterski or water parks... Little and old will be delighted!

Practical information :

• Stand up paddle : between 12€ and 25€ / by adult, for 1h / 1h30 rental;
• Kayak: between 10€ and 25€/by adult for 1h to 2h30 rent;
• Wake board and waterski : average 35€/person for a session of 20 minutes.

10. Naturism

What if you came to visit the naked Médoc?! And yes, you will be surprised (or not) to learn that the Médoc is a must-see naturist spot in France, especially towards Montalivet. The region has many naturist villages and campsites, for a completely free holiday in Adam’s outfit!

11. The car

Visit the Médoc by car... Simple but effective! In this way, you can easily explore the very famous route of the castles, one of the most famous routes of the wines in the world. So, start discovering the best wines, but always with moderation of course.

The biggest names like Château Margaux, Château Laffite-Rothschild, Château Latour, but also other small family estates or cooperative cellars open their doors to taste their productions.

With family or friends, a multitude of varied and varied activities are available to you if you come to visit the Médoc!