The small town of Pauillac is on the Gironde estuary, north of Bordeaux and in the Medoc region.
The town has an international fame due to the wine produced in the region and most visitors come here because of an interest in the wine chateaux. The town of Pauillac is less well known and is of less interest to visitors.
Explore Pauillac
Fronting onto the Gironde estuary, the town of Pauillac consists of some quais along the water frontage, a broad 'boulevard' with a number of cafes just behind, and then the main town going up the hill behind that.
France This Way review: visit Paulliac if you are interested in the famous vineyards of the region (see below) but be aware the town itself is not really much of a tourist attraction.
There are some cafes and shops, and some 19th century houses and shops in the characteristic 'charentais' type style.
Places of interest in the town include the large 19th century Church of Saint-Martin, a 19th century market hall and a substantial monument to those who died in the town following the bombardment of Pauillac during WWII.
In the main street as you enter the town from the quai area Pauillac has a 'museum of automated animals', and you can find an art gallery at L'Atelier Zinc (28 Grande Rue).
We suggest you visit the Pauillac tourist office and ask for the leaflet 'Memoire de Pierres' (Memory of Stones) which suggests a route to follow when exploring, with notable landmarks explained.
Pauillac wine
Many of the notable highlights for visitors to Pauillac are related to the chateaux and wine estates. Among the wine estates in the vicinity are Chateau Lafite-Rothschild, Chateau Latour and Chateau Mouton Rothschild, and many others where you are also able to enjoy tasting the local wines and visiting the chateaux.
Pauillac Tourist Office can provide you with details of numerous other chateaux where you can do wine-tasting, and suggest tours that will best enable you to discover the Medoc region, along with various small museums that are scattered across the region.
The 18th century Chateau Lafite Rothschild is a listed Historic Monument (wines have been produced here since the 17th century); while Chateau Mouton-Rothschild also has a museum dedicated to wine production over the centuries. Another museum, this time of ornate glass, is found at Chateau Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande.
Among the other chateau, those of Chateau Pontet-Carnet and Chateau Lynch-Bages are among the highlights.
Attractions near Pauillac
At Bages, just a couple of minutes from Pauillac (next to Chateau Cordeillan Bages) there is an entire small village that had fallen into dereliction and abandonment by the middle of the 20th century.
The village has now been restored and is dedicated to the wines and tastes of the Pauillac region. The picturesque centre of Bages is an open square surrounded by art and craft shops, and there are also a coffee shop and cafe.
Attractions near Pauillac
Most visitors come here as part of a tour of the vineyards and wine towns of the region: see the Medoc guide.
Explore elsewhere in the Medoc. You can find more travel ideas in the Gironde guide and the Aquitaine guide.
Photos of Pauillac
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Map of Pauillac and places nearby
Visit near Pauillac with France This Way reviews
Vertheuil
In this tiny village you can see Vertheuil Abbey and also the ruins of an ancient castle
Vertheuil guide
Blaye
The town of Blaye is well known because of the extensive citadel and fortifications built here by Vauban in the 18th century
Blaye guide
Margaux
The village and region here are known worldwide because of the prestigious wines from Chateau Margaux
Margaux guide
Lesparre-Medoc
A small town in Medoc, at Lesparre-Medoc you can see the remains of a medieval tower
Lesparre-Medoc guide
Hourtin
As well as its long beach, Hourtin also has the largest lake in France with lots of leisure activities
Hourtin guide
Carcans
Although small, Carcans-Plage is one of our favourite beach resorts in the Medoc
Carcans guide... or see ALL recommended places to visit in Gironde
Address: Pauillac, Lesparre-Médoc, Aquitaine, 33250, France || GPS coordinates: latitude 45.199942, longitude -0.748787
Plan your visit to Pauillac, Gironde
Sightseeing & tourist attractions to visit nearby
- Parc du château Lanessan: remarkable garden (10 km)
- Blaye citadelle (Vauban fortifications): heritage site (10 km)
- Fort Médoc (Vauban fortifications): heritage site (11 km)
- Cussac Fort Paté (Vauban fortifications): heritage site (11 km)
- Bec d'Ambès: site of natural beauty (21 km)
- Parcs et jardins du château de Beaulon: remarkable garden (26 km)
- Cave Pair-non-Pair: national monument (26 km)
- Forêt de la Lande: site of natural beauty (31 km)
- Jonzac: recommended detour (37 km)
- Talmont: most beautiful village (39 km)
- Bordeaux basilique Saint-Seurin (monuments on French pilgrim routes): heritage site (42 km)
- Jardin du Fond de l’or: remarkable garden (42 km)
The French version of this page is at Pauillac (Francais)