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Our Top 10 must-see Châteaux in Bordeaux

Working in the bespoke and luxury tourism sector, we are fortunate to be able to create some truly exceptional experiences. Our team shares their list of the most spectacular Chateaux in the Bordeaux region.

1. Château Angelus (Saint-Emilion)


Château Angelus| Photo Credit : Julien Menichini

Château Angelus is a "Premier Grand Cru Class A". The château owes its name to a small plot of vineyards from which wine growers could heard the angelus ringing out from the three local churches. The wine produced there is undoubtedly of an exceptional quality and has a prestigious reputation.


2. Château Cheval Blanc


Cheval Blanc | Photo Credit : Enobytes wine on-line

Located north of Saint Emilion, this vineyard of 45 hectares is carefully maintained with almost unchanged plots since 1871 and two weather stations to follow meticulously the evolution of each vintage. Château Cheval Blanc is a Premier Cru Class A.

3. Château Figeac (Saint Emilion)


Château Figeac | Photo Credit : www.chateau-figeac.com Public Mediatheque @Twin

Premier Grand Cru Class B, it is the largest Bordeaux vineyard in the appellation. This is a very ancient name dating back to Gallo-Roman times. The incredible flavor of this wine has a lot to do with the gravel based soils. These breathtaking landscapes have been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

4. Château Haut-Brion (Pessac)


Château Haut-Brion | Photo Credit : Billbi

This cru was born in 1525 when Jean de Pontac bought the title to the Domain of Haut-Brion. Since his aim was to enlarge the property, he began building the mansion in 1549 and decided to carefully construct the edifice in a sandy area at the foot of a gravelly hillock that he devoted to growing vines. The property may well be the first authentic winemaking estate. Clarence Dillon, American financier passionate by France and its whole culture purchased the Château Haut-Brion in 1935. Prince Robert of Luxembourg, Clarence Dillon's great-grandson, passionate about Art, has succeeded his mother as President of Domaine Clarence Dillon.

5. Château Pape Clément (Pessac Léognan)


Château Pape Clément | Photo Credit : Kassender der Minoer

Château Pape Clément, Grand Cru Graves classified (Appellation Pessac Léognan), located in Pessac, near Bordeaux, owes its name to its most famous owner, Pope Clement V. The very famous château Pape Clément is now owned by Bernard Magrez, an entrepreneur passionate about wine that deployed every means to ensure the large and prestigious reputation the château deserved. Bernard Magrez heads up 35 vineyards around the world.

6. Château Lafite Rotschild (1er Cru classified 1855)


Château Lafite Rotschild | Photo Credit :Mike Case
While the first known reference to Lafite dates to 1234 with a certain Gombaud de Lafite, abbot of the Vertheuil Monastery north of Pauillac, Lafite's mention as a medieval fief dates to the 14th century. The name of Lafite comes from the Gascon language term "la hite", which means "hillock". There were probably already vineyards on the property at the time when the Ségur family organised the vineyard in the 17th century, and Lafite began to earn its reputation as a great winemaking estate.

The vintage rankings of the Universal Paris Exposition in 1855 officially gave Lafite the rating as "Leader among fine wines".

In the late 70's, the castle came under the management of Baron Elie's nephew: Baron Eric de Rothschild.

7. Château Latour (Pauillac)


Château Latour | Photo Credit : Billbi

The oldest document mentioning Latour dates from 1331. Latour was a jointly held Lord's domain until the end of the 16th century, whose co-owners received rents from the farmers who cultivated the land. At a time when there was no proper storage the wine could not be kept and had to be drunk within the year. Through inheritances, Latour became the property of Alexandre de Ségur, who was nicknamed the "Prince of the Vines" by Louis XV. A change in the economic environment changed the structure of the Médoc estates and there was suddenly a strong interest to the local bourgeoisie, quality and prices increased.

Through years it gained an extraordinary reputation and since 1993, beginning of the leadership of François Pinault, significant changes have been made with a view to maintaining Château Latour's pursuit of excellence. Château Latour is a "Premier Grand Cru classified in Pauillac" in the Médoc.

8. Château Margaux


Château Margaux | Photo Credit :Guillaume de Laubier

This is a 1er Cru Classified Red. This castle is prestigiously called "Le Versailles du Médoc". This amazing château is one of the rare French château of Neo-Palladian style.

First wine of Château Margaux, classified Premier Cru in 1855, is famous for being one of the greatest wines in the world for centuries.

This wine combines delicacy, elegance, complexity, intensity, density, length and freshness.

9. Château Guiraud (Sauternes)


Château Guiraud | Photo Credit : Henri Salomé

"La maison noble du Bayle" or "The Noble House of Bayle" first name of the château Guiraud was owned by Monts de Saint Poly family. On February, 22th 1766, Pierre Guiraud, Bordeaux merchant, bought it for 53.000 pounds. When he died in 1799, he left the property to his son Louis, who made the noble house of Bayle a great vintage.

10. Château Lagrange


Château Lagrange | Photo Credit : avis-vin.lefigaro.fr

This is a Grand Cru classified Saint-Julien. In May 2007, after seventeen years at the estate's technical director, Bruno Eynard took over management from Marcel Ducasse.

The vines planted in 1985 are now in their prime, making it possible to select the finest grapes, plot by plot in order to fine tune the final blend. Château Lagrange's potential remains enormous, and its progress has been tangible from year to year.

Ongoing investments have improved quality, made the most of a unique site, and given priority to environmental considerations at every stage of production.



Please Note:

Most of the listed estates are not open to the public. It is an exceptional honour to be able to visit the most famous and historical Chateaux in the world. We are able to arrange VIP tours and tastings on a case by case basis.



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