TARGON

Location

Targon Village

Targon is located in the heart of the Entre-deux-mers  wine growing region. Entre-Deux-Mers literally means 'between two seas', but it's actually two rivers that create the boundaries around this wedge-shaped district. The area is renowned for its excellent wine and there are 12 vineyards in the canton of Targon alone.

The village has a bar-restaurant (Lion d’Or), a chemist, two boulangeries, flower shops, Pizza takeaway, supermarket, newsagent tourist office all within walking distance of the house.  A village market offering meat, fish, fruit and vegetables as well as olives, spices etc. is open on Mondays and Fridays. The surrounding countryside is primarily made up of vines and many chateaux.  

Attractions

The area is extensive with many monasteries, abbeys, Romanesque churches, forts, castles and small fortified towns (or bastides).  The landscape is one of hills and valleys, offering ever-changing views out over vineyards, meadows, woods and fields.

Abbaye de la Sauve Majeure:

The benedictine abbey of Sauve-Majeure was founded in 1079, rebuilt in the 13th century, and as a pilgrimage church, was very prosperous until the Renaissance. All that remains now are the ruins of the nave walls, transept and choir, but the Romanesque capitals are exceptional. It stands in the middle of Entre-Deux-Mers, at a place which used to be called "Silva Major" (large forest).
[Address: Abbaye de la Sauve Majeure, 4, rue de l'Abbaye, 33670 La Sauve-Majeure]

Saint Emilion:  (15 minutes by car)

THE HEART OF A WORLD-FAMOUS VINEYARD
There can be no better place to start a visit to this attractive region than Saint-Emilion, heartland of the Merlot grape, which produces delicious, rich, round wines. The vines on the "hill with a thousand châteaux" reach right up to Saint-Emilion's 13th century town walls and surrounding moat dug out of solid rock. Walking around the medieval town is an absolute delight, particularly when the roses at the end of the vine rows are in bloom. Members of the local wine brotherhood, the Jurats, proclaim the vintage banns in much the same way as their ancestors did during the reign of Richard the Lionheart. Saint-Emilion's wine châteaux, churches and other historical buildings are unequivocally beautiful. And if your walk has given you an appetite, this is the ideal time to appreciate a good Saint-Emilion. You will relish the subtle taste and bouquet accompanied by nothing more involved than some bread and cheese. In Saint-Emilion, take a moment to enjoy the famous maccaroons unique to the town.

Some of the neighboring villages lying north of the town of Saint Emilion, such as St. Georges, Lussac, Puissegin and Montagne, add the words "Saint Emilion" to their wine appellations and are known as the "satellites". These vineyards, planted on the surrounding limestone hillsides known locally as "combes" date back over many centuries. With their gentle slopes, pastoral landscapes and array of good, powerful red wines, these vineyards are well worth searching out.

Libourne:  (12 minutes by car)
Was created by Henry III of England in the 13^th century but was named after Roger De Leybourne, an English nobleman from Kent, who was put in charge of the town some years later as a reward for helping Edward I in battle. It was the perfect position for a fortified town, on the banks of the Dordogne river, and was an important trading centre for the Pomerol, St-Emilion and Entre de Mers wine regions. It had a busy port exporting wine to England and Holland and many of the wine warehouses can be seen today. Nowadays the port has closed down as the vineyards prefer to send wine by road, but the centre of the town still hosts a bustling market three days a week.

Fronsac:

The Tertre de Fronsac is just a short distance away. The ruins of the ancient castle, the commanding view of the Isle and Dordogne hills and valleys, and the region's many wine estates make the Fronsac and Canon-Fronsac appellations well worth a visit. Winegrowing here goes back a millennium, and Charlemagne is said to have greatly enjoyed Fronsac's soft, rich, full-bodied wines which have an unusual spicy taste.

Bordeaux: (40 minutes by car)

Shopping: Bag yourself some haute couture, sparkling gems and Canelé cakes.

Where to Shop

Immerse yourself in department store heaven in the Saint Christoly Shopping Centre and Galerie des Grands Hommes on the square of the same name. The never-ending rue Sainte-Catherine is studded with sleek boutiques and shops selling everything from one-off bargains to designer must-haves.

Haute couture tempts fashion divas in allées de Tourny, Cours Georges Clémenceau and Cours de l'Intendance, where smart boutiques tempt with names like Dolce & Gabbana, Plein Sud, Lagerfeld Galery and Roberto Cavalli.

Those in search of glittering diamonds should make for the Place des Grands Hommes and Cours Georges Clémenceau to satisfy their urge with a spending spree in Cartier, LEDENTU Joaillier Fabricant and Fontan.

On the hunt for antiques? Find rare gems, bric-a-brac and genuine objets d'art in rue Notre Dame, tucked-away Passage Saint-Michel and rue Bouffard.

Market Shopping

On Sunday, get up early and head for Campagnard market beside the River Garonne for home-made delights from confiture to paintings by local artists. Rummage through Saint-Michel's stalls (Saturday) to bag vintage clothes, aromatic spices and fresh vegetables by the kilo, or sample fine foie gras and creamy goat's cheese at Marché Capuçins.

Take Home

Sweet tooth? Step into the bubble-gum pink entrance of Baillardran (Galeries des Grands-Hommes) for Canelé cakes, choose your favourite vintage in cavernous Badie (60 allée de Tourny), one of Bordeaux's oldest wine shops, then sniff out Jean d'Alos for French cheeses including flavoursome Beaufort and Gruyère, plus creamy varieties such as Corsica's brin d'amour.

Cadillac:  (20 minutes by car)

The town of Cadillac lies in the centre of the region and was built in the 13th century as a walled city. It was key to defending the trade routes through the area, and part of the town is still walled. The imposing castle of the Dukes of Epernon stands in the centre. The current castle was actually built in the 17th century after the original was destroyed during the French Revolution and its past functions include a spell as a womens' prison. The rooms are enormous with richly-carved marble fireplaces and coffered ceilings, and tapestries relating to the history of Henri III were actually woven in the huge vaulted basement. [Château Cadillac, 4, place de la Libération, 33410 Cadillac. Tel: +33 5 56 62 69 58]

There is often a market on a Sunday in Cadillac.  This will sell anything from Lace to Vegetables.  Cadillac is famous for its sweet wine.

Arcachon: (day trip)

Located on the Atlantic coast, there is much to see with beaches that stretch for miles: Dune de Pyla – Europe’s highest sand dune, lighthouse, boat trips, bird sanctuary, narrow gauge railway and of course many fine seafood restaurants serving freshly caught oysters, mussels, fish and prawns.

Pilat Dune: Europe's highest sand dune rises to some 110 m with a breath-taking view of the entrance of the Bay and the Landes pine forest.

 Arguin Sandbar: Bird nature reserve.