Excuses to visit Bordeaux
As if a glorious golf course, wonderful food and world-famous wine wasn’t enough, here are some of the great festivals and events taking place in Bordeaux and across south-west France in the coming months. We can tailor a package of golf, wine and gastronomy to tie in with any of them – just say the word.
March 11, 2018 – Fêtes les Vins Kilomètres, Saint-Émilion
A nice alternative to the Medoc marathon, this event offers entrants the chance to run on courses of 11km or 21km on the roads and vineyard tracks of Saint-Émilion – with a refreshment or two on the way, of course!
March 4, 2018 – Le Carnaval des 2 Rives
Lively carnival atmosphere to warm the soul in winter.
Every March – Sauternes and chocolate weekend
Taste local wines with fresh fruit and chocolate at La Maison du Vigneron de Sauternes.
April 28, 2018 – Portes Ouvertes – Saint-Émilion
Open day at vineyards across Saint-Émilion – sample fine wines and explore the beautiful UNESCO-listed village as spring comes alive.
May 19, 2018 – La Nuit des musées
A national event that sees museums across France throw open their doors after dark. This is a great family event.
June 14-17, 2018 – The 13th Weekend des Grands Crus
Taste all those famous names you’ve dreamed about – and all at a single venue. Enjoy organised meals in some of Bordeaux’s most famous châteaux during this weekend planned by the Union des Grands Crus de Bordeaux. In addition, there are appellation tours, and an official golf tournament to complete a great weekend. Contact us so we can arrange all your logistics and reservations for you.
June 14-18, 2018 – Bordeaux Fête le Fleuve
A celebration of the river Garonne and all things nautical on the banks of the waterway that forms the heartbeat of the city. The 2018 Bordeaaux ‘river festival’ will be a partiularly specatacular affair. It coincides with a Tall Ships regatta, with ships arriving in Bordeaux from Liverpool via Dublin.
June 14-18, 2018 – Bordeaux Fête le Vin
Wine! Wine! Wine. Bordeaux does wine better than anywhere else and its biannual festival is no exception. Always timed to coincide with the excitement of the river festival (above). There is nowhere else in the world you should be this weekend. Expect a 2km wine route between the river and the 18th century buildings of the city with over 80 appellations from Bordeaux and the Aquitaine region for you to try. This is a wonderful event for anyone interested in wine. We can put together a special package that combines a few rounds of golf as well. Get in touch here.
June 21, 2018 – Fete de la Musique, Bordeaux
A music festival celebrated with events held across France on the summer solstice.
Every June – Portes ouvertes – Pessac Leognan
Open day at vineyards across the appellation. Ask us to tailor a golf package to tie in.
Every June – Fete de Printemps, Saint-Émilion
Spring festival time in the ancient village of Saint-Émilion, hosted Jurade de Saint-Émilion, the appellation’s vinous brotherhood. The Brotherhood organise the festival each year, during which they parade through the town in their traditional crimson robes. After a Mass, they perform sacraments in the cloister of the church. In the afternoon, it’s down to business as they judge the new wine and predict its quality.This is a wonderful insight into an ancient Saint-Émilion tradition. Contact us to arrange a golf weekend at the nearby five-star Saint-Emilionnais Golf Club to tie in.
July 20 to August 18, 2018 – La Bataille de Castillon
Wonderful reenactment of a famous battle from the 100 Years War complete, with more than 400 actors and stunning effects held on summer evenings in an outdoor setting. Perfect for golf at the nearby Chateau des Vigiers and Saint-Emilionnais courses. Official site.
July 20-22, 2018 – Saint-Émilion Jazz Festival
In this beautiful setting you will be entertained by some of the best jazz musicians in the world. Many concerts are free and you can enjoy a gourmet food market from local artisans and producers, a pop-up Saint-Émilion wine bar, and an assortment of games and attractions throughout the weekend. Contact us arrange a golf weekend at the nearby five-star Saint-Emilionnais Golf Club to tie in.
Every July – Les Grand Crus Musicaux
The Festival Musical des Grands Crus combines performance of classical music with Bordeaux’s great wines. You can enjoy concerts in some of the most prestigious wine estates, including Greens & Grapes partners at Château Pape Clément and Château d’Agassac. The concerts feature wine-tastings accompanied by appetizers. This is a great excuse to visit Bordeaux. Official site.
Every August – Lacanau Pro surf event
Pro surf competition held on the beach at Lacanau attracts the big-name surfers from around the world. Perfect for a surf and turf holiday.
September 8, 2018 – Medoc Marathon
It’s a marathon, but through the most famous vineyards in the world. A kind of wine-centric run with wine rest stops and crazy costumes encouraged. Lots of fun for everyone. Official site. We can tailor a relaxing weekend of wine and golf for you to help ease the muscles afterwards.
September 15-16, 2018 – Journées européennes du patrimoine
Historic sites across France open their doors (usually for free). Local events and festivities are timed to conicide.
Every September – Ban des Vendanges and Jurade de Saint-Émilion
Harvest festival celebrated in the vineyards of Saint-Émilion. The autumn festival is one of the most prestigious. Dating back to 1199, the Jurande is a celebration of some complicated political history, giving the rights of the area from King John to the locals, along with the control and quality of the wine. Local winemakers open their cellar doors and estates for two days to mark the start of the harvest. Perfect for golf at the nearby Chateau des Vigiers and Saint-Emilionnais courses. Official site.
October 3-14, 2018 – Quiksilver Pro France, Hossegor
Pro surf competition held on the beaches of the Landes that attracts the big-name surfers from around the world. Perfect for a surf and turf holiday.
Every October – Festival International du Film Indépendant de Bordeaux
Independent film festival showcasing some of the best independent films from around the world. Official site.
Every October – Saint-Émilion Hot Air Balloon festival
Festival of balloons with the chance to give it a try, weather permitting.
Every October – Market and Wine-tasting
Takes place in the old and atmospheric Chartrons district, and in particular Notre Dame Street, famous for its second-hand stores.
Every October – Au Bon Goût d’Aquitaine, Bordeaux
A market of local produce, including snails, cheese, ham, oysters and, of course, wine – loads of local products to discover in this famous market.
Every October – New Wine and Antiques Festival
Celebrate the year’s “new wine”– the golden runoff from the current harvest along the cobblestone streets of Chartrons, the heart of Bordeaux’s wine commerce from the 17th century to the mid-1900s. There are street musicians and sidewalk sales, but the highlight is on Sunday morning, en the priest blesses the wine in front of the neo-gothic Saint-Louis des Chartrons church. Drinking wine, in front of a church, with the priest’s blessing? Only in France!
Every November – Festival International des Arts de Bordeaux Métropole
This is a new arts festival featuring theatre, dance, circus, musical and visual arts around the city. There is something for everyone.
Official site.
Every November – Portes ouvertes – Sauternes and Barsac
Open day at vineyards across the appellation. Ask us to tailor a golf package to tie in.
Evert November – Loupiac Wine and Fois Gras weekend
A celebration of the 18 wine estates of Loupiac, which mostly produce fine sweet dessert wine, and its famous companion, fois gras. Tastings, guided tours, workshops, exhibitions, and gourmet lunch all available. Details here.
Every November – Bordeaux S.O Good urban and Gourmet Food Festival
“Bordeaux So Good” is the festival of epicurean and gourmet food. It’s a 3-day theatre of the French art de vivre and the country’s south-western gastronomy. Chefs will be cooking with local products in iconic heritage sites throughout Bordeaux, such as the Palais de la Bourse. There’s a farmers’ and fish market, and the chance to taste one of 7000 gourmet dishes cooked by a collective of chefs. This is a wonderful chance to visit Bordeaux on our golf and gastronomy package.
Every December – Cabanes En Fête Oyster and Wine Festival
Fresh bay oysters and crisp Entre Deux Mers wine on the first Saturday of every December at the port of Andernos-les-Bains, a charming village on the Arcachon Bay an hour from Bordeaux.
Every December – Portes ouvertes – Pessac Leognan
Open day at vineyards across the appellation. Ask us to tailor a golf package to tie in.
May 13-16, 2019 – Vinexpo, Bordeaux area
Wine industry conference hosted in the heart of the wine region. Contact us to arrange corporate packages to tie in with your participation. Official website.