Cadillac offers several historical perspectives: the Château ducal combines early French architecture with its later use as a women’s prison, while two medieval gates display different defensive features. The Cimetière des Oubliés adds the history of interned First World War soldiers to this picture. The port and cycling route turn attention to the Garonne; the Cadillac AOP provides a regional connection to wine.

Château history and features

The Château ducal de Cadillac was built from 1599 under Henri IV and Louis XIII and is among the early examples of French architecture. Its history took on further significance in the later 19th century, when the Château became France’s first women’s prison. Its construction and later use as a prison thus represent two markedly different eras.

The Château’s features include monumental fireplaces and nearly 40 historic tapestries. Its architectural history and features complement each other: these preserved elements are part of the site’s story, alongside its place in early French architecture. Both its construction under two French rulers and its later use and furnishings are therefore relevant aspects when considering the Château.

Medieval town gates

The Porte de la Mer was built from 1315. At its rear, loopholes and machicolations from the original fortifications are visible. The Porte de l’Horloge dates from the early 14th century and has four levels with loopholes above a passage that was accessed via a drawbridge. The gate was originally called the Porte Vernihaut. The two gates thus represent different architectural features: elements of the fortifications are visible at the rear of the Porte de la Mer, while the levels and fortified passage are defining features of the Porte de l’Horloge.

Cimetière des Oubliés memorial site

The Cimetière des Oubliés was established in 1923 for First World War soldiers who died in Cadillac-sur-Garonne after being interned and as a result of their war trauma. A memorial and interpretation area complements the cemetery with texts, images, and audio and visual projections. An interactive panel provides information about those buried there. The presentation may change over time.

The Cimetière des Oubliés is open Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; outside these hours, it can be accessed via the municipal cemetery. Check access times again before your visit. This allows you to plan your visit to the memorial site based on the current access arrangements, without confusing opening hours with access outside those hours.

The Garonne, cycling route and wine

The port of Cadillac has moorings on the Garonne for river cruise ships. From there, visitors can explore heritage sites and vineyards in Entre-deux-Mers, Graves and Sauternais. Schedules and operators may change, so check dates if you plan to include a river cruise in your trip.

The “Iconiques à vélo: le château ducal de Cadillac-sur-Garonne” cycling route follows the Garonne along the hilly back roads of Entre-Deux-Mers and takes in the bastide and the Château de Cadillac. It is clearly different from a river cruise in how you get around: cycling and hilly roads define this route. Route details may change; check them before setting out.

The Cadillac AOP also connects the town’s name with a regional product. The appellation is named after the bastide of Cadillac and covers sweet white wines from the Gironde department. This gives anyone interested in regional wines a concrete connection to a product from Gironde; the designation itself also refers to the name of the bastide.

More destinations

Discover more destinations: Daignac, Mauriac, Le Puy, Arsac, Castets En Dorthe, Toulenne, Carbon-Blanc, Coimères.

For the broader travel overview: Gironde.