Great patrimonial sites
The South of Gironde doesn’t lack cultural sites! Between castles, medieval cities and religious buildings, get on board for a time travel among all these fascinating monuments!
See contentExplore the castles
of the South of Gironde
In 1305, the Pope Clément V, born in Villandraut and called Bertrand de Goth, became the first pope in Avignon. Back to his native land, he built with his nephews five Clementine castles. His tomb is situated in the collegiate church of Uzeste.
Come and explore these five fortresses with their own different personalities and charm!
- The medieval fortress of Roquetaillade is located in Mazères and contains beautiful interiors created by Viollet-le-Duc.
- In the middle of the town of Villandraut, become a knight while visiting the Château de Villandraut, main home of Clément V.
- Located near the Garonne and its canal, the Château du Hamel will surprise you with its astonishing view of the river. You will notice its unusual architecture: a ground floor in a pure medieval style and a first floor typical of the Renaissance.
- If you want to taste wine, the Château de Fargues, former medieval fortress, is an unmissable place for an oenological introduction.
- The last Clementine castle is the one located in Budos, built by Raymond-Guilhem de Budos.
The Château Royal de Cazeneuve is one of the unmissable monuments of the region. Located in the middle of a park, listed historical monument, it will surprise you with its magnificent architecture and the period furniture of its royal apartments.
Sites and monuments
Stroll through the
medieval towns
The medieval cities of Bazas and Saint-Macaire invite you to go for a walk in their picturesque alleys and to visit their magnificent religious buildings.
If you are looking for remarkable villages, come and visit our medieval cities, strolling at the foot of their impressive fortification and discovering their central areas lined with arcades. To enjoy them completely, discover their markets or simply sit on a terrace to enjoy a convivial moment.
Remarkable towns and villages
Discover the
Maisons des Illustres
Passing through Saint-Maixant, a visit in the Domaine de Malagar is a must! This house was the writer’s home during the holidays, and inspires him many of his literary works. Here, you will learn more about the life of this famous journalist and novelist!
A few kilometres further, in Saint-André-du-Bois, the last home of the renowned painter Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec is awaiting you. The Château Toulouse-Lautrec offers a complete discovery: cultural and oenological visits, exhibitions of modern art and summery activities.
Visit the great
religious buildings
The South of Gironde is also home to several magnificent religious buildings. In Gascony, in Bazas central area, come and visit the Saint-Jean-Baptiste cathedral, a listed UNESCO World Heritage site. Admire its beautiful organ and stained-glass windows!
In the small town of Uzeste, the Collégiale Notre-Dame will surprise you with its outside portal but also because of what it contains! Historical treasures await you inside this church, such as the grave of the pope Clement V, a beautiful Virgin Mary and magnificent stained-glass windows…
The Basilique de Verdelais in the eponymous town is a very important pilgrimage site since it is situated on the Way of St James. Next to the church, you can follow the Way of the Cross to the top of the hill. At the end of this path, the calvary offers an astonishing view of the valley of the Garonne. In Verdelais, you can also go for a walk in the countryside and admire the Moulin à vent de Cussol, one of the few windmills remaining in working order in the South of Gironde.
