Three themes come together in Moulis-en-Médoc to help you plan your trip: wine visits, a 14 km circular route and historic buildings. The Chemin pédestre de Moulis passes through vineyards, by châteaux, through forests and through the village. For wine enthusiasts, a range of visit formats takes centre stage; those interested in architecture will find notable examples in the Église Saint-Saturnin and the Fontaine de la Raze. You can therefore shape your stay around the circular route, wine or heritage, rather than trying to fit every stop into a tightly scheduled itinerary.
A circular route for different activities
The Chemin pédestre de Moulis is 14 km long and was created in 2002. Less than 10% of the route follows paved roads. It passes through vineyards, by châteaux, through forests and through the village. You can travel it on foot, by bicycle or on horseback.
This makes the circular route different from the wine visits, which are also available: for those, the key factor is the type of visit rather than the distance. Options range from self-guided visits to guided tours and tastings.
Wine visits: a range of formats
Château Chasse-Spleen offers classic visits, vertical tastings, visits with tastings, and lunch at the Bar à Vin. In 1932, the château was classified as a Grand Cru Exceptionnel in the Moulis-en-Médoc appellation. This means your choice of visit format comes with a clear historical context for the estate.
The Maison du Vin de Moulis offers a self-guided visit with a presentation of the Moulis-en-Médoc appellation, its terroir, châteaux and wines. Château Anthonic offers a tour of the vineyard and cellar followed by a tasting; at Château Branas Grand Poujeaux, the programme includes a safari tour through the vineyards. Château Mauvesin Barton offers a one-hour guided discovery tour with a tasting of two wines.
At Château Biston-Brillette, the free visit includes a tasting in the barrel cellar and fermentation room. Two wines are sampled. The formats therefore differ in specific ways, including duration, whether they are guided, and their focus on the vineyard or cellar. Check dates and available visit formats before travelling, as visitor and booking arrangements may change.
Church, mill and fountain complex
The Église Saint-Saturnin was built at the beginning of the 13th century. Its oldest parts, the apse and choir, may date from the late 12th century. The choir has significant interior ornamentation, and the capital sculptures show oriental influences. The church’s construction date and the possible dating of its oldest parts thus offer two distinct points of reference in time.
The Moulin de Tiquetorte is an old watermill on the banks of the Jalle de Moulis. South of Grand Poujeaux, amid the vineyards, lies the Fontaine de la Raze: a semi-subterranean stone fountain with a vaulted roof. It feeds a small washhouse, whose long stone slabs are made from fragments of sarcophagi. The fountain, washhouse and unusual material of the slabs also make the site interesting to travellers who appreciate architectural forms and local history.
Viticulture in the museum
The Musée des Arts et Métiers de la Vigne et du Vin presents an exhibition focused on viticulture and wine. Visits take place at different times depending on the season: hourly from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in summer, and at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. in winter. Check the schedule before your visit. The museum complements visits to the estates with an exhibition devoted specifically to viticulture and wine.
You can plan around a range of different highlights: the 14 km route, visits and tastings in a variety of formats, and buildings and an exhibition related to viticulture. You can decide which will shape your stay based on the balance you want between activity, wine and heritage.
Discover more destinations: Illats, Lansac, Saint-Germain-Du-Puch, Gardegan-Et-Tourtirac, Sainte-Hélène, Cubzac-Les-Ponts, Saint-Aubin-De-Médoc, Cérons.
For the broader travel overview: Gironde.
