WJ Tested: Globus La France Motorcoach Tour – Saint Emilion
WJ Tested: Globus La France Motorcoach Tour – Saint Emilion
WJ Tested: Globus La France Motorcoach Tour – Saint Emilion
Day 7 – Exploring Saint Emilion
The morning started bright and early again for those signed up for the optional excursion to The Great Dune of Pilat (Dune du Pyla) – the largest in Europe. But for those of us that decided not to go we had a leisurely morning to relax over the best breakfast buffet yet and additional time to spend exploring Bordeaux on our own.
Visiting Bordeaux
Great Dune of Pilat Fun Facts:
- Is also known as Dune of Pyla
- It is located in La Teste-de-Buch in the Arcachon Bay area
- It is 60km (40 miles) from Bordeaux
- Tallest sand dune in Europe
- 500 meters wide, 2.7 km long and 108 metres high above sea level
- Pilat is derived from the Gascon word “Pilat” which means “heap”, “mound”
Saint Emilion
At 2:30 p.m. we joined the group again for the included excursion out into the countryside to visit Saint Emilion, along with wine tasting at a private chateau – Chateau de Laudes – a few minutes drive outside of the town.
Chateau du Laudes Wine Tasting – Christian Gombaud
The owner of Chateau de Laudes, Christian Gombaud, was a walking encyclopedia about everything related to wine – which sort of made up for his unpleasant personality and rude behavior. Christian took great pride in explaining the unique method of production, and how Chateau de Laudes produces such superb wines, before we started the sampling.
Viv and Jill in Saint Emilion
Chateau de Laudes Fun Facts:
- Located in the heart of the vineyards of Saint Emilion
- Situated on the famous clay-limestone plateau of the area
- The 3.8-hectare vineyard is composed of three grape varieties: traditional Bordeaux – 75% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon
- Annual production is limited to approximately 3000 bottles
- The small wine property is based around a 17th century farm house
Saint Emilion Vestiges of a 13th Century Monastery
Following the wine tasting, Vic gave us a brief walking tour into the center of St. Emilion village, and then let us loose for an hour before boarding the coach for the return trip back to the Mercure hotel in Bordeaux.
Saint Emilion is a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Saint Emilion Fun Facts:
- Saint Emilion is a medieval village overlooking the Dordogne Valley
- It is located 40km slightly northeast of Bordeaux in the Gironde department in southwestern France
- Saint Emilion is the oldest wine area of the Bordeaux region
- Saint Emilion is one of the principal red wine areas of Bordeaux
- A UNESCO World Heritage site since Dec 2, 1999
- The Romans planted vineyards in what was to become Saint-Émilion as early as the 2nd century
- The town was named after the monk, Émilion
Saint Emilion Sightseeing
Le Canele de Bordeaux – Local Specialty
Macaron – Local Specialty
Although a set dinner (chicken for the main course) at the hotel was included in the tour, we decided to take a taxi into Bordeaux old town and find a local bistro to spend our evening. Accompanied by new friends from New Zealand (Mike and Sue) the evening was splendid and we did find a superb and not terribly expensive restaurant – L’Agneau à la Braise. (Three-course menus ranged between 15-26 euro depending on the selection. The below photographs were from Jill’s 16 euro three-course meal.)
Bordeaux Dinner – Foie Gras Terrine Starter
Bordeaux Dinner – Duck Confit Main Course
Bordeaux Dinner – Chocolate Torte Dessert
Travel Tip: Taxi = 15 euro each way from this hotel to outskirts of old town center.
If You Go:
- Saint Emilion Tourism
- L’Agneau à la Braise – 13, rue du Pas Saint Georges 33000 Bordeaux
- Dune du Pilat
- Globus
- La France Tour
Read More About WAVEJourney’s Globus La France Adventures:
| Overview | Paris Day 1 | Paris City Tour Day 2 | Normandy Day 3 | Normandy and Brittany Day 4 | Loire Day 5 | Loire Valley and Bordeaux Day 6 | Saint Emilion Day 7 | Biarritz and Lourdes Day 8 | Carcassonne and Nimes Day 9 | Pont du Gard and Avignon Day 10 | Monte Carlo Day 11 | Grasse to Grenoble Day 12 | Lyon to Dijon Day 13 | Dijon to Paris Day 14 |
