My first walking tour around Château Cordeillan-Bages sparked my desire to take another walk on the wildside – this time towards the Gironde (the longest navigable estuary in Western Europe).

Heading out of the hotel, cross the mythical Route des Châteaux leading to Bordeaux (N2S: #1 is a few meters South – Château Malecot – where a gentleman parfumeur of scottish descent creates mens’ and womens’ fragrances). Follow the sign for Château La Bécasse. Walk 50m and turn right in between the first two parcels of vines that you see. Notice on the horizon Château Latour at 11 o’clock and Pichon Longueville at 2 o’clock.

Walk South in that direction until you reach the tree line. Through this opening you’ll discover a stream. Follow along the stream for approximately 1 mile.

When the path bends right you just might pass these friendly faces on your left. Once out into the vineyard again, Château Haut Bages Libéral stands on your left.

Borrow the dirt path in that direction and find yourself suddenly intimidated by the closed tall gate and cyprus trees standing before you. Oh wonderful – we must be on private property! Fear not, a friendly man trimming the vine reassured us by saying “it’s closed but it’s open – see to the left of the gate?” – love it!

Turn left past the impressive gate onto the paved road in the direction of Pauillac and the estuary for approximately 2 miles. You will see these charming buildings along the way.

One you’ve curved around the tree-lined camp site, take a right on Route de la Rivière. You’ll spot a white carrelet (fishing cabane) by the water. Follow along this path until the water. Continue right, through the wooded area, if you’d like to enjoy a picnic with this view. If you cannot go any further, you have reached Château Latour’s property.

Or, turn left along the water in the direction of Pauillac town center. Once you’ve reached the tourist office, either continue along the boardwalk to the harbor, or turn left in the direction of this yellow airplane – in memory of the first postal air flight to take off from Pauillac in 1913. You have walked 45 minutes.

Continue along the main road passing the airplane on your left, until the roundabout. Turn left at 9 o’clock and walk up the small hill 200m, turning right at the cross in direction of Bages and Château Lynch-Bages. You can now choose between a tour, a tasting, a shopping spree at the Bages Bazaar and Comptoir d’Andréa boutiques, or a well deserved coffee at Café Lavinal. Château Cordeillan-Bages is at a stone’s throw.

PS: Bages could also be your starting point, should you wish to grab a baguette, some cheese, a bottle of wine and a tartelette for your picnic !

Tried it. Loved it. Shared it.