Vertheuil is a village on the eastern side of the Medoc peninsula of south-west France, a few kilometres north-west of Pauillac.
The village is picturesque, although very small, and would perhaps not feature on a list of Medoc highlights if it wasn't also home to one of the Medoc's finest architectural highlights, Vertheuil Abbey, and the ruins of a medieval castle.
Visit Vertheuil Abbey
The Augustinian abbey of Vertheuil dominates the centre of the village and dates from the 12th century although it was substantially reconstructed in the 18th century.
There are three distinct parts to your visit:
- the abbey church is in the Roman style and features two belltowers and a decorative entrance. Inside you will find several interesting decorative highlights including a monumental 15th century font;
- the associated living quarters used by the monks in the abbey have an attractive 18th century facade and contain remnants of the original abbey arcades;
- the peaceful garden and parkland area was laid out in the 19th century and is just behind the living quarters
Also in Vertheuil
Just across the road from the abbey there is a small lane that leads towards an 11th century castle where you can see the original castle entrance gate as built in the 14th century.
There is a trail around the castle grounds with further views - from the center of the village follow rue de l'Abbaye down the hill, then at the bottom of the road follow the path to the left - but the castle itself is private property and is not open to the public.
There is also a small Ecomuseum in an 18th century house in the centre of Vertheuil with items explaining the traditions and lives of the local population. The museum is only open July and August, afternoons only, and closed on Mondays so you will need to time your visit carefully if you want to find it open!
The village also suggests a 16 kilometre walking trail through the countryside in the region around Vertheuil called 'la Ronde Vertheuillaise' that passes several small local highlights. See the tourist information just inside the abbey church for details, or follow the green trail markers that start in the village centre.
Close to Vertheuil
A few kilometres east of Vertheuil on the Gironde estuary is the small village of Saint-Estephe. The village is interesting to visit because of the highly decorated interior of the 18th century church, much of which is in the Baroque style.
A couple of kilometres north of Saint-Estephe you can visit Saint-Seurin-de-Cadourne where Chateau Bardis has a very impressive circular pigeonhouse (colombier) that was built in the 14th century.
There are various wine chateaux and villages to explore in this famous wine region, which are the principal reason why visitors explore the Medoc: see the Medoc guide for details.
Explore elsewhere in the Medoc. You can find more travel ideas in the Gironde guide and the Aquitaine guide.
Photos of Vertheuil
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Arrange a visit to Vertheuil
Hotels in Vertheuil
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Map of Vertheuil and places nearby
Visit near Vertheuil with France This Way reviews
Pauillac
The small town of Pauillac is best known for the surrounding wine chateaux such as Chateau Lafite-Rothschild, Chateau Latour and Chateau Mouton Rothschild
Pauillac 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
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
Montalivet
The resort of Montaliver has a 12 kilometre beach, and has been popular since the 19th century
Montalivet 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: Vertheuil, Pauillac, Lesparre-Médoc, Aquitaine, 33180, France || GPS coordinates: latitude 45.251111, longitude -0.833056
Plan your visit to Vertheuil, Gironde
Sightseeing & tourist attractions to visit nearby
- Parc du château Lanessan: remarkable garden (17 km)
- Fort Médoc (Vauban fortifications): heritage site (19 km)
- Blaye citadelle (Vauban fortifications): heritage site (19 km)
- Cussac Fort Paté (Vauban fortifications): heritage site (19 km)
- Parcs et jardins du château de Beaulon: remarkable garden (23 km)
- Forêt de la Lande: site of natural beauty (29 km)
- Bec d'Ambès: site of natural beauty (29 km)
- Talmont: most beautiful village (32 km)
- Cave Pair-non-Pair: national monument (35 km)
- Pointe de Grave: site of natural beauty (35 km)
- Soulac-su-Mer basilique Notre-Dame-de-la-fin-des-Terres (monuments on French pilgrim routes): heritage site (37 km)
- Jonzac: recommended detour (38 km)
The French version of this page is at Vertheuil (Francais)