Gironde: our selection of castles to discover around Bordeaux

Lamothe, the romantic

Almost halfway between Bordeaux and Saint-Émilion, in the Entre-deux-Mers region, this château is dedicated to the French art of living. Built in the ^14th century, the former hunting lodge of Edward III's son, Edward of Woodstock, nicknamed the Black Prince, is now a luxury guesthouse. Standing in the middle of the moat, with its turrets and large tower, it offers a charming setting with five identical bedrooms. Enough to make fairytale dreams come true!

Château Lamothe, 6, route du Stade. Tel. 05 56 44 91 21.

MAZÈRES

Roquetaillade, the iconic

With its towers, battlements, ramparts and barbicans, it is the archetypal castle as we imagine it from childhood. Considered one of the ten most beautiful in France, Roquetaillade actually comprises two castles: an "old" one, built in the ^11th century on the site of an old wooden fort erected by Charlemagne, and a "new" one from the 14th ^century , revealing, behind its austere medieval facades, the colorful interiors redesigned by Viollet-le-Duc in the ^19th century, in a Gothic Revival style that foreshadowed Art Nouveau. It has been occupied by the same family for seven centuries, and has been open to visitors since 1956. Its discovery is unforgettable.

Roquetaillade Castle. Tel. 05 56 76 14 16.

MEN

Lafaurie-Peyraguey, the gourmet

In the heart of the Sauternes vineyards, the ancient Château de Lafaurie-Peyraguey, probably built in the ^13th century, confirms its image as a place of refinement. A Premier Grand Cru Classé since 1855, it was purchased in 2014 by the owner of the Lalique crystal factory. As well as being a wine château and a five-star Relais & Châteaux hotel, it is a gourmet destination: its two-star gourmet restaurant combines the exquisite expertise of chef Jérôme Schilling with the delicacy of Lalique tableware. During the summer, the temporary terrace offers international lunches that change every two weeks around the vine shoot grill.

Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey, Peyraguey. Tel. 05 24 22 80 11.

THE RIVER

A beautiful music lover

Perched atop a limestone plateau overlooking the Dordogne Valley, a few kilometers east of Libourne, the beautiful Château La Rivière is the home of a vast wine-growing estate in the Fronsac appellation. But that's not all... Built in the ^16th century and modified in the ^19th by a student of Viollet-le-Duc, it houses lovely guest rooms, an escape game, and for the past five years has lent the majestic backdrop of its park to the Confluent d'Arts festival, organized in July in collaboration with the Musique de nuits association. This year's headliners, from July 7th to 9th, are Ben Mazué, La Femme, and Les Amazones d'Afrique.

Château La Rivière, in La Rivière. Tel. 05 57 55 56 56.

VILLANDRAUT

Treasure hunting

A massive giant with a good-natured appearance, just enough in ruins, the Château de Villandraut has watched over the entrance to the village since the ^14th century. Awaiting visitors with its large round towers and arrow slits, the fortress-palace, which owes its survival largely to the good care of the Adichats association, regularly comes alive with games and festivities. Among other things, it hosts torchlit tours (Wednesday and Friday evenings in summer), as well as, upon reservation, famous escape game sessions on the theme of the Templars' treasure.

Château de Villandraut. Escape game by reservation. Tel. 05 56 25 87 57.

SAINT-ANDRÉ-DU-BOIS

Malromé, the artistic

Formerly owned by Adèle de Toulouse-Lautrec, Henri's mother, Château Malromé has dominated its valley in the Entre-deux-Mers region for 500 years. The post-impressionist painter's beloved retreat continues its winemaking tradition by expanding its attractions. Featuring a gourmet restaurant and guest rooms, it offers events, stays, and courses dedicated to well-being. It also, and above all, honors the memory of its prestigious occupant by allowing visitors to visit the painter's private apartments and discover some of his original works. Finally, it focuses on contemporary art, through an art space that resonates with Toulouse-Lautrec's inspirations.

Château Malromé. Tel. 05 56 76 25 42.

TALENCE

The atypical Raba estate

Built in the ^18th century on the outskirts of Bordeaux, in Talence, by the architect Victor Louis for a wealthy local family, the Raba estate has long been nicknamed the "Chantilly of Bordeaux." Frequented by Beaumarchais and Napoleon, and occupied during the Second World War, it has had several lives, from a convent to a luxury hotel. Since its reopening in 2016, it now houses three restaurants, an English bar, a cinema, rooms and lodges surrounded by nature, as well as a superb wellness area with a swimming pool, hammam, Norwegian bath, and fitness center. Concerts, mixology classes, yoga and Pilates courses also punctuate the seasons.