4 Best Sights in Bordeaux and the Wine Country, France

Most of the great vineyards in this area are strictly private, although owners are usually receptive to inquiries from bona fide wine connoisseurs. One, however, has long boasted a welcoming visitor center: Mouton Rothschild, whose eponymous wine was brought to perfection in the 1930s by that flamboyant figure Baron Philippe de Rothschild. Wine fans flock here for visits lasting from 1 hour, 45 minutes to 2½ hours. Depending on the tour, your visit might include a trip to the cellars, the chai (wine warehouse), and the museum, including a display of wine labels. There, is of course, a wine tasting at the end. Prices depend on the length of the tour and the wines sampled. Visits are by appointment only; be sure to reserve at least two months in advance.

While most lighthouses are considered utilitarian, the UNESCO World Heritage site Phare de Cordouan is a beacon fit for a king, and it's easy to envy the lighthouse keepers who live and work here. A succession of royal architects embellished the building from the late 16th to the early 17th century, but its current form dates to 1611. In 2021, UNESCO granted the lighthouse World Heritage status in recognition of its architectural brilliance and unique island location. The stained glass windows, elaborately carved fireplaces and doorways, and inlaid marble floors must make this a rather lovely place to live and work, while the views are absolutely jaw-dropping. You can get here by taking a 45-minute boat from the town of Le Verdon-sur-Mer, located about 25 miles north of Pauillac. Depending on the tides, getting to the lighthouse can involve a walk of up to 10 minutes across wet sand and a sometimes slippy causeway, so wear practical footwear. It's not accessible to anyone with walking difficulties.

Lafite Rothschild is among the most resonant names in the wine world. Even by the giddy standards of the Médoc, Lafite—owned by the Rothschild family since 1868 and a recorded producer since 1234—is a temple of wine making at its most memorable. Prices may be sky-high, but no one fortunate enough to sample one of the classic vintages will forget the experience in a hurry. Tours are offered by appointment only on weekdays at 2 pm and 3:30 pm (email for a spot and be sure to do it far in advance); a tasting is included at the end. Too bad you can't visit the family château on the grounds—its rooms are the defining examples of le style Rothschild, one of the most opulent styles of 19th-century interior decoration.

Tastings and tours at the renowned Château Latour are typically free, but very selective—you have to be a serious taster, accompanied by a guide or professional in the wine trade, and you will be expected to make a purchase. Reservations are also required, and these must sometimes be made a month in advance.