Petit Chateau Medoc

About this property

Overlooking Grand Cru vineyards from the most prestigious wine appellation in Bordeaux, and possibly the world, Petit Château Médoc is an elegantly restored manoir in the famous wine village of Pauillac.

Formerly a wine château, this 150-year-old manoir has a fascinating history yet has recently been brought back to life by its current owners who have lovingly restored it with sensitivity and style. The manoir features stables which used to house the horses that worked on the vineyard, vaulted wings which were chais and a tower which previously had a windmill to make flour to feed the workers.

To date, it’s just the main house which has been renovated into an elegant five-bedroom home for 10 guests yet for 2022 the owners are also restoring the old stables to add two further beautiful bedrooms, all set in landscaped gardens with a glorious private swimming pool.

Each of the rooms are beautifully presented whether it’s the open-plan kitchen-diner with its range cooker and stylish dining table or the inviting living room with its TV and DVD player. Upstairs the master bedroom benefits from a marble-clad ensuite bathroom, whilst the family bathroom features Louis XV sinks. Four further bedrooms, including one downstairs, are gracefully furnished making this a fine home for family or friends.

Wander into the heart of Pauillac and discover some of the fine cuisine of Médoc region; dine in one of the excellent restaurants or buy oysters from the Saturday morning market, perfect with a glass of crisp white local wine on your al-fresco terrace. This is the home of one of the world’s finest wine appellations with over a hundred châteaux including the likes of Château Latour and Château Mouton-Rothschild. Wine-tastings can be arranged whether you wish to sample a world-famous Premier Cru or a lesser-known red from one of the smaller vineyards.

Hire bikes to explore the châteaux, sail on the Gironde estuary, ride horses across the wonderful landscapes or take a hot-air balloon ride over the surrounding countryside. This region is also a golf lover’s paradise with some of the country’s best courses nearby including the remarkable Golf du Médoc only forty minutes away.

Further afield, the wild beaches of the Atlantic coast await you with their vast sand dunes and perfect surfing spots or head south to sophisticated Cap Ferret where you can sample the region’s freshest seafood and best wine on the Bay of Arcachon. For gentler swimming, head to one of the delightful lakes near the coast, only half an hour away, where you can bathe in the calm waters.

Not forgetting the vibrant city of Bordeaux, under an hour away by car, where you can explore the fascinating 18th-century architecture or simply experience the fantastic restaurant and wine scene across the city.

Petit Château Médoc is a charming and elegant home from which to explore this enchanting region so rich in wine, gastronomy, history and stunning natural landscapes.

With views towards the Gironde estuary, Petit Château Médoc overlooks the Grand Cru vineyards of the Médoc in the heart of Bordeaux’s most prestigious wine region.

You can walk into the local village of Pauillac which is one of the most prestigious wine appellations in Bordeaux. In and around Pauillac you will find 115 châteaux with vineyards producing wine from three Premier Cru châteaux to more affordable small wineries; famous names include Château Latour, Château Lafite-Rothschild and Château Mouton-Rothschild. Over two million visitors come to the famous wine châteaux of Pauillac yet you will be able to arrange personal tours in the peaceful vines where you can learn what goes into producing such great wines. The nearest wine châteaux available to visit for tours and tastings are within walking distance starting at around 750m away.

The Médoc region is also famous for its gastronomy which you can experience in Pauillac and the surrounding area. Within ten minutes you can wander into the heart of Pauillac where you’ll find boulangeries, delis, fromageries, cafes and bars. There is also a good choice of restaurants by the quay as well as a Michelin starred restaurant in the town. Within a fifteen-minute walk you can reach the butchers, an excellent restaurant owned by Chateau Lynch-Bage as well as the weekly food market on a Saturday morning where you can pick up fresh oysters caught nearby along the coast.  

The nearby village of Saint-Julien, also featuring wonderful wine châteaux, has a couple of great restaurants to try whether you’re wanting a relaxed lunch or a special meal out.

Within walking distance guests will also be able to hire bikes, play tennis, swim in an indoor pool in cooler months or sail on the Gironde. Hiring a bike (manual or electric) is a wonderful way to explore the local castles and guided tours are also available. There are also some great cycling trails along the Atlantic coast and through local forests whilst horse-lovers can find riding stables nearby. For an ultra-special occasion, why not take a hot air balloon ride over the glorious countryside.

Keen runners may already be aware of the longest marathon in the world, Marathon du Médoc, which takes place in September and starts and ends in Pauillac. It’s especially unique as it features wine-stops and fine cuisine en route!

Golf-lovers are also in paradise across this region. The most famous course is Golf du Médoc, around 40 minutes away plus Golf de Lacanau a little further as well as other golf courses by the ocean with pine trees and sand dunes. Closer to home is Relais de Margaux Golf & Spa, around 20 minutes away, which also offers wonderful spa facilities.

Within forty-five minutes you can be at the Atlantic coast with its magnificent sand dunes leading to vast beaches that are perfect for watersports including some great surfing spots. For calmer beaches, head a little north to the likes of Soulac-sur-Mer (52km) or enjoy the charm and sophistication of Cap Ferret (85km) to the south. One experience not to be missed is trying oysters and chilled Médoc white wine in and around Arcachon Bay.

Another great option, especially for families, is some of the lake beaches just over half an hour away, towards the coast, such as around Hourtin (30km) and Lacanau (40km) lakes where you can bathe in warm water without the waves. You’ll also find kite surfing on Lac d'Hourtin.

Not forgetting the fantastic city of Bordeaux, only 52km away or possible by train from Gare de Pauillac. With its magnificent 18th century architecture (the old centre is a unesco World Heritage site) contrasting the uber modern Cité du Vin, it’s a fantastic place to visit not just for its beauty but also its vibrant restaurant scene, not to mention the fine wines!

Accommodation

1) Main Manoir only (10-person rate)
2) Main Manoir and Stables (14-person rate, from April 2022 only)
Main Manoir Interior

Ground Floor

-    Kitchen-diner, well equipped including range cooker, breakfast bar and dining table
-    Living room with TV and DVD player
-    Utility room with WC and laundry facilities
-    Double bedroom/study

First Floor

-    Master double bedroom with ensuite bathroom with bath and separate shower
-    Two double bedrooms
-    One twin bedroom
-    Family bathroom with bath and large walk-in shower
Stables Interior (available from April 2022 only)
-     Open-plan living area with kitchen-diner. Kitchen well equipped including dishwasher, oven, hob, fridge-freezer and microwave
-     Master bedroom with double bed
-     Bedroom with twin beds (bed type TBC in 2022)
-     Shower room with WC
-     Bathroom with bath, shower and WC

Outside Grounds

-    Swimming pool (11mx5m, depth up to 1.8m). Open approx. May to end of October. Surrounded by safety fencing
-    Al-fresco dining area
-    BBQ
-    Gardens

Facilities

-    Wi-Fi (via a Mi-Fi device)
-    TV (with English channels)
-    DVD player
-    DVDs
-    Table tennis
-    Washing machine