Luxury holidays in Haut-Médoc
Drift just upriver from Bordeaux, come to rest on the verdant banks of the Gironde Estuary and you’ll find yourself on the hallowed terroir of Haut-Médoc. Châteaux nestle among the thousands of hectares of vineyards that make up this revered appellation, which produces some of the world’s finest reds. Nearby, claret-clear lakes and Atlantic-lapped beaches promise prime spots for a wine-soused picnic, and pine-scented nature reserves are close at hand if you need to walk off the night’s indulgences.
When to go
Summer is balmy but attracts the largest crowds, and some châteaux close in August when the locals head off on their hols. Autumn is quieter and has the benefit of just-right weather, but many châteaux close for the harvest – if you can find one that doesn’t, it’s not an experience to miss.