Visit the Château de Monbazillac, its architecture, its view, its vines and its exceptional sweet wine!

The Monbazillac, you know! This golden color wine with a taste of excellent honey, which is invited to the most beautiful tables… It accommodates the most refined dishes, as a starter or as a dessert, it is the best known of sweet wines! Did you know that beyond the wine castle, the Château de Monbazillac is also listed as a Historic Monument? Open to visitors, it immerses you in the secrets of the elaboration of this amber beverage, through an immersive museography. Workshops, exhibitions, a museum, a restaurant, a shop, meetings with winegrowers, a park with a panoramic view of the wine-growing basin extending to the Dordogne and Bergerac... It happens in Périgord Pourpre, shall we go ?

Photos from the report: Château and Cooperative Cellar of Monbazillac

The Château de Monbazillac, quite a story!

The Château de Monbazillac is set on the hills opposite Bergerac, just 10 minutes from the capital of Périgord Pourpre. It dominates the Dordogne Valley, where the river flows which is part of the recipe for its success… The first appearance of vines here is very old, dating from the Gallo-Roman era. The Château de Monbazillac, which is inspired by medieval architecture but resolutely inscribed in its Renaissance era, was built between 1550 and 1582 on the initiative of the Lord of Aydie. It is listed as a Historic Monument and since 1936, the Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée Monbazillac has existed, to establish the notoriety of these wines appreciated throughout the world. In 1940, 31 winegrowers came together (together we are stronger) to create the Cave de Monbazillac, which became a Cooperative in 1943. 60 years old.

A castle requires maintenance and wine tourism being today a real jewel of tourism in all the wine regions of France, the Château de Monbazillac has had a facelift after 8 months of restorations, which ended in 2022. oday, it is a major place for wine tourism in the Pays des Vins de Bergerac Duras. In addition to its fame thanks to its wine, one can now marvel at the beauty of this preserved ensemble, thanks to an enhancement through a very complete museography. All the ingredients are there to have a good time, crowned with a tasting of course. It is a place that wants to be accessible to as many people as possible, so the renovation has made it easier for people with reduced mobility to access it. Children are not forgotten since the vaulted cellar is a space dedicated to them, with entertainment and games suitable for several age groups. So that everyone has a good time visiting the Château de Monbazillac!

Visit the Château de Monbazillac

Monbazillac is a sweet wine (45g of sugar per litre), in addition to its terroir (clay-limestone soil), its favorable climate (vines facing north and benefiting from the morning freshness of the mist generated by the Dordogne), the harvest are made in selective sorting to collect only the grains affected by the "noble rot", Botrytis. This famous mushroom has the particularity of drying out the grape berries, which are partially emptied of their water and therefore concentrated in sugars and aromas. With 2000 ha of vines, the Monbazillac vineyard is the largest sweet wine vineyard in the world. If this subject interests you, you will be delighted to know that you will learn more, much more, by visiting the castle!

The renovation has made it possible to set up a new attractive route (“Un Noble Vin”), interactive and above all fun. We learn without realizing it, thanks to modern technology: videos, interactive terminals, sound extracts but also various modules to understand everything about the production of Monbazillac wine. The space is functional, on 300m2. Participate in interactive games, understand quickly thanks to ergonomic infographics. Everything is beautiful and well presented, it's nice for beginners! This is what is called an interactive wine tourism experience, which nevertheless forgets nothing of the simplicity of life and exchanges: in summer events are organized and you can meet the winegrowers, to ask questions and have a tasting!

Spaces around the visit of the Castle

Once you have visited the permanent exhibition of the Château de Monbazillac, you will go to the space of the historical and artistic route, in 2 rooms you will visit:

• The “Monbazillac, at the heart of the Protestant revolts” exhibition: an exhibition on Protestantism and its impact on the wine trade, to recall the rise of Bergerac and Monbazillac.
• Then in 5 rooms (2 floors) the exhibition "The Bacalan revolution" which shows you what the daily life of the inhabitants of the castle was like, an original reconstruction from the end of the 18th century.
• And finally a very beautiful exhibition of contemporary art: the Biennale Ephémères. 3 artists are received: Boris Chouvellon (visual artist), Jean-Claude Ruggirello (videographer) and Fabien Mérelle (draughtsman and sculptor). The exhibition takes place from July 8 to September 30. This exhibition is produced in partnership with the association Les Rives de l'Art, there are 2 temporary exhibitions per year.
  
  

After the exhibition, go to the Pavillon des Arômes for a tasting accompanied by a professional, who will offer you 3 wines with all the explanations that go with them. Tastings are also organized in the boutique area (and in particular with the Cellar Master), which has also had a facelift. You will find organic and local local products, of course wines and advice on food and wine pairings.

Stroll around the Castle, in the magnificent park. The belvedere over the Dordogne Valley and its “Sea of vines” will leave you speechless… A panoramic view that reveals the wine-growing hillsides, with, depending on the cloudiness, a view as far as Bergerac. In season, winegrowers will join you in the park for entertainment, events and the presentation of their work equipment; like the TED robot, an autonomous robot for mechanical weeding of the rows of vines, to avoid the use of weedkillers.

The Château Le Pavillon Brizay restaurant welcomes you with a snack made up of local, fresh and seasonal products. It is possible to take a picnic basket, to discover flavors and go and taste them independently in the park, where picnic tables are available, as well as deckchairs to rest or relax, enjoy the life…

The Château de Monbazillac is an ideal place to spend a great day with the family in the Bergerac Duras vineyard. Do not hesitate to come and discover the secrets of one of the most prestigious wines in France.

Consume in moderation, alcohol abuse is dangerous for your health.

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