Welcome! Join our journey to postcard-perfect destinations.
All blog posts are based on our personal travels around Europe, penned by J. Christina.
Bourg, France, is a hidden gem on the right bank of the Dordogne River, nestled in the heart of the wine appellation of Côtes de Bourg, in southwest France. In the 16th century, Bourg was a fortified community that secured a prominent position at the confluence of the Dordogne and Garonne Rivers. In medieval times this tiny hamlet was invaded by Visigoths, ravaged by the Normans, fortified by the English, and hosted more royalty than anyone ever expected, having been visited by four kings.
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Chateau de Citadelle of Bourg @ image T. Sonnontine
Nowadays, Bourg sits discreetly among three prominent UNESCO Heritage sites: Blaye, Saint Émilion, and Bordeaux. This tiny ancient village once named Bourg-sur-Gironde, built in Roman times, tells a tumultuous 2000-year-old history.
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| @ image T. Sonnnontine |
The fairytale-esque upper village of Bourg crowning atop the King’s Stairway - winds 500 steps upward from Port de Mer. Bourg sits majestically above the Dordogne River standing straight and tall within the chateau walls at the once Citadel of Bourg, where today you will receive a warm welcome and breath-taking views for visitors from around the world.
Inside the Chateau de Citadelle of Bourg, today named Musée des Caléches, you’ll find a large exhibit of horse-drawn carriages from royal times. The locale hosts classical concerts and cultural events by the Bourg Arts et Vins Association. Every autumn, a medieval fair is celebrated in the Chateaux French garden and grounds. The museum is open for guided tours, including the 16th century underground passageways that lead from the riverbanks up to the fortress, originally built to transfer goods up from the lower harbor, using horse drawn sleds.
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| Overlook at Bourg photo: T. Sonnnontine Photogenic Bourg reveals pure Romanesque beauty in 18th-century houses, golden Bourg stone facades, and decorative iron balconies for all to admire. Bourg is an enchanting village with medieval streets and curlicue alleyways that tumble straight down to the water’s edge – where at sunset the limestone facades are awash in rich hues of gold. Currently, the port plays host to regattas, festivals, and the annual salt fair, Foire Troque Sel, commemorating Bourg’s valuable commodity from the middle ages.
The lower town by the harbor once was a flurry of activity,
where barges transported goods along the river and out to the Atlantic
Ocean. The harbor was once loaded with regional goods for trade or
sale: barrels of wine, salt, and honey-colored stones, quarried from
nearby caves, used to build the historic buildings of Bordeaux.
Even though Bourg may seem off the beaten path in the
Aquitaine region, it’s worth a visit to fully enjoy the rich and stunning
countryside, abundant wineries, historical chateaux, and picture-postcard
villages, along with the wines of the Côtes de Bourg appellation. J. Christina is the author and owner of Scribbles and Smiles. Christina (Christie) is married to John, a.k.a. Mr. Christie. Where Mr. Christie is right on board with their travel jaunts around the world sharing in their blogging endeavor - hence, their bespoke pen name, J. Christina. After many years of intrepid travel, they thoughtfully opened their treasure-trove of European travelogues, artfully sharing with a worldwide audience. Intentionally sharing the joie de vivre through their words and images, so others can travel vicariously. |
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