Self-Catering Holidays in Atlantic Aquitaine, South West France - Villas, Cottages & Apartments

Cottage des Vignes (and its neighbour Grange des Vignes) are separated from the owner's farmhouse by a short pathway. There are entrances to the cottage front (nearest the road) and rear, via the garden. There is excellent noise insulation between the Cottage and Grange. Outside shrubs and hedging separate the gardens so they do not overlook one another.

The decor and furnishings are of a good, modern standard throughout. Tiled floors, exposed stone walls, exposed beams upstairs and bright blue shutters outside all give the Cottage charm and character.

Entrance to:

Downstairs:
Small sitting area with seating for 4 and TV at one end, open-plan kitchen with dining table for 4 at the other. Tiled floors and exposed stone walls. Kitchen equipment includes microwave, four-ring hob, oven refrigerator, coffee-maker, washing machine, dishwasher and kettle.

Upstairs:
Bedroom 1, with double, four-poster style bed, lamps, bed-side tables, colourful bedding
Bedroom 2, with twin beds
There are also two shower rooms with basins upstairs, and two separate WCs.

Outside:
The properties are separated from the road by a gate; there is parking for 1 car outside the cottage.
At the rear of the cottage is a terrace with table and chairs for 4, and barbecue, and a small private, lawned garden, open at the far end and looking out to the vines and forest at the rear of the estate. Hedges and shrubs on either side mean the garden is not overlooked by the neighbouring properties.
Guests at Cottage des Vignes also have use of the estate's large grounds, 12m x 6m swimming pool, bikes and games (volley-ball, table-tennis, badminton, swing-ball).

Please see the photo gallery for a good selection of interior and exterior pictures of Cottage des Vignes.

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Wine-making on the estate
Amazingly this modest 15 hectare estate, in the Premières Côtes de Bordeaux appelation, produces four Grands Vins de Bordeaux: a deep merlot-based red, a rosé-style 'clairet', dry-ish white and, best of all, a stunning semillon-based sweet white wine. With the vines growing around you, and Jean-Louis at work in the winery, it feels a rare privilege to have an opportunity to see wine-making at such close quarters, in the world's home of wine. Even if you're only a moderate wine-fan when you arrive, it's certain you'll leave again enthused with Jean-Louis' passion, and a boot-load of your favourites of his range.

Also, several footpaths run from close to the estate around the local countryside and vineyards, for walks of between 2 and 4 hours.

In and around St Caprais
St Caprais is located in the Entre-Deux-Mers countryside, one of the loveliest parts of the Gironde - soft, undulating hills, ancient villages (St Macaire, La Sauve-Majeure and Cadillac should be high on anyone's list for a visit), baroque châteaux and some excellent wines.

St Caprais is a pleasant town with basic amenities and a beautiful ancient church, de rigueur in these parts. There are several activities nearby, including an tree-top adventure park in St Caprais itself (TEPACAP), tennis courts in Latresne, horse-riding at Sadirac (10 kms), water-sports at Baurech (3 kms away), cycling on the nearby Sauveterre-de-Guyenne to Bordeaux cycle trail, a disused railway track which runs through lovely countryside, joining sleepy villages on the way, plus over a dozen golf courses within a 15-60 minute drive.

Entre-Deux-Mers and further afield
Markets – markets are a must-do of any trip to this region, for the quality and colour of the produce, and the lively atmosphere. Near St Caprais there’s Cadillac, Créon, La Réole, and Langon. Jean-Louis (the estate owner) knows the days!

Châteaux & vineyard visits – where to start?! Jean-Louis, the château owner, of course, with a tasting and tour of his vines and cellars. He's very passionate about his wine, and a fanastic communicator - the wine tastes so much better after learning about it from him. For more tasting & learning Jean-Louis can recommend fellow local wine-makers or, if you wish to make you own plans, over 650 wine-making properties are members of the ‘Vignobles & Chaisin Bordeaux’, a scheme under which producers offer guided tours and assisted tastings.

Many of the major châteaux only offer tours and tastings by appointment, simply because they are very popular! (Follow the links above for contact details.) However there are a few local ones which are open to casual visitors, for example: Château de Rouillac (Pessac-Léognan); Château de Malle (Sauternes, highly recommended - afternoons only without appointment); Château Le Luc Regula (Entre-Deux-Mers); Château de Roques (St Emilion).

Historic villages and towns – in the Pays des Vins you are spoilt for choice. St Emilion is the one most people head for, but go early in the day, or out of season, to avoid the crowds. Equally historic, but smaller, are Sauve-Majeure and La Réole, definitely worth a visit. Many other of the region’s towns boast character and history – Libourne, Créon, Duras, Sainte Foy-la-Grande are all very enjoyable places to lunch and then stroll afterwards.

Literary-minded visitors might enjoy visiting writers’ châteaux, including those of Montaigne (Chateau de la Brede, approx. 20 kms south of Bordeaux) and Francois Mauriac's country house at Saint Maixant (another 20 kms south-west from La Brede)

City culture in Bordeaux – these days Bordeaux is a transformed city: smartened-up buildings, extensively pedestrianised and a 21st century tram system, the combination of historic and new makes Bordeaux the epitome of a modern European city. The city centre around the Grand Théatre and Cours de l’Intendance is a marvel – it’s not difficult to appreciate the wealth and vision of the city’s planners of its hey-days, over two centuries ago. Extensive shopping on the Rue Ste Catherine, a vast choice of cafés and restaurants, the stunning Cathédrale St-André, make Bordeaux an excellent day or two out. The Bordeaux tourist office by the Grand Théatre offers walking guides. The first Sunday of each month the city centre is closed to cars and free bicycles are supplied by the Mairie to visit the city safely.

We can also the following trips slightly further afield:

Days by the lake. There are inland lakes at Hostens (southern Gironde) and at Baurech (Entre-Deux-Mers) Both have sandy beaches, and bathing is usually supervised in July & August. With a picnic it’s a very pleasant and relaxing day.

Days at the seaside. The endless expanses of golden sand and rolling waves characteristic of the Atlantic coast's beaches - Le Grand Crohot, about 10 km due west of Lège-Cap Ferret is particularly recommended, you can always find a quiet spot to yourself. Alternatively, there's the very family-friendly resorts of Lacanau-Océan and Arcachon. Or try the oyster-farming villages and pine-and-sand-dune landscape of La Presqu'Ile de Cap Ferret, a very different world from the Pays des Vins.

Explore the Dordogne – to the north and east is the rich gastronomic and cultural heritage of the Dordogne - its truffles, many caves (eg at Sarlat, Lascaux, Font-de-Gaume) and fortified towns are within an hour and a half's drive.

This is just a taster. The owners of Grange des Vignes know the region intimately and will provide suggestions for all ages and interests when you meet them.
 
For further information try the links below. (Please note that we cannot be held responsible for the content of third party sites.)

Alternative Aquitaine's Guide to the Pays des Vins
Tourist information - Entre-deux-Mers
Guide to St Emilion
Golf in the Bordeaux-Gironde area
Tourism in and around Arcachon
Gironde Tourist Information
Hostens Lac guide