Dordogne Attractions

Venue: Chateau de Monbazillac    When: Daily
Built in the 16th century, the chateau, symmetrical and perfectly preserved, exhibits the classic French characteristics of soaring steep roofs and high dormer windows. It also boasts one of the finest restaurants in the country and a Wine Museum (Musée du Vin).

The modern Monbazillac cellars, responsible for a third of all recent and present-day Monbazillac vintages since 1960, are located 2km from the chateau. Monbazillac is made from a combination of Sémillon, Sauvignon and Muscadelle vine stock. The sweet taste associated with the grapes is created by the encouragement of the Botritys Cinerea fungus responsible for "Noble Rot" that occurs in sufficiently humid conditions - the vines in the region are swamped in the mists that rise from the Dordogne river.

A visit to the cellars involves a full tour, wine tasting and the opportunity to purchase Monbazillac and Bergerac wines.