Barsac brings together the history of the Port de Barsac with cultural and wine experiences. The options vary when it comes to planning: at the port, you can fish or picnic in the shade of the trees; guided tours of the Église Saint-Vincent are available by appointment. A visit to Château Simon lasts 60 minutes; Château Climens offers several formats focusing on its cellars, vineyard management and tastings. The experiences therefore range from spending time outdoors to guided visits with different wine-related themes.
Port de Barsac: History and Time Outdoors
The present-day Port de Barsac was established by an order dated 9 September 1752. Its construction included a footbridge for pedestrians and an access road for horse-drawn vehicles. These historical details show how the port was made accessible to pedestrians and horse-drawn vehicles at the time. They are part of the town’s history and differ from the ways visitors can spend time at the port today.
Visitors can fish there or picnic in the shade of the trees. These are two different ways to spend time: fishing offers an activity at the port, while a picnic provides a break in the shade. This lets you combine the historical connection with time outdoors, without needing a set programme.
Église Saint-Vincent: Guided Tours by Appointment
The Église Saint-Vincent de Barsac was designated a historic monument by decree dated 1 December 1908. This date anchors a visit in the history of the town. Guided tours are available by appointment. If you would like to explore the church with a guided tour during your trip, arrange a time in advance. A visit to the church is therefore an activity that requires an appointment.
Wine Visits with Different Focuses
At Château Simon, the Dufour family personally welcomes visitors for an in-depth tour of the estate. Allow 60 minutes for a visit. The family also offers Sauternes and a selection of its own wines from Graves and Bordeaux. The tour and wine selection are part of a visit with a clearly defined duration. Those interested in Sauternes will find it on offer alongside the family’s own wines from two other named regions.
Château Climens has been classified as a Sauternes Premier Cru Classé since 1855. Since 2010, the entire estate has been managed biodynamically to preserve nature and local biodiversity. The 2026 visitor programme includes cellar tours, an introduction to biodynamic management, a signature workshop, and tastings of dry white wine and Premier Cru. This management approach applies to the entire estate; the introduction also makes it a subject for visitors. The tastings focus on two different styles of wine.
The wine visits therefore offer different highlights: Château Simon has a 60-minute visit, with the Dufour family leading a tour of the estate; Château Climens combines cellar tours and tastings with insights into biodynamic management. This makes a practical difference when planning: one visit has a set duration, while the other offers several themed formats to choose from.
Discover more destinations: Gauriaguet, Rimons, Saint-Denis-De-Pile, Martillac, Cenon, Pellegrue, Fargues-Saint-Hilaire, Bassanne.
For the broader travel overview: Gironde.
