Carsin Cottage - tips & ideas for a great stay
Restaurants & Wine Bars
These are our favourite restaurants, wine bars & local recommendations.
Wonderful wine bar, restaurant and shop run by a lovely English couple. This is the perfect place for an aperitif with a delicious charcuterie or cheese board, the lunch is great too. You can see their events and their lunch menu on their FB page.
La Cave Cadillac
24 Rue du Gén de GaulleWonderful wine bar, restaurant and shop run by a lovely English couple. This is the perfect place for an aperitif with a delicious charcuterie or cheese board, the lunch is great too. You can see their events and their lunch menu on their FB page.
La Maison Georges is the hidden gem of our region. This restaurant offers a high quality food experience with a reasonable price. The food is modern, innovative & delicious and the wine list is great. Choose from the best local producers or have a trip around France by choosing a wine from Bourgogne, Loire valley or Rhône.
Georges
4 Place Cazeaux CazaletLa Maison Georges is the hidden gem of our region. This restaurant offers a high quality food experience with a reasonable price. The food is modern, innovative & delicious and the wine list is great. Choose from the best local producers or have a trip around France by choosing a wine from Bourgogne, Loire valley or Rhône.
One of our favourite local restaurants! If you want classic French food, this is for you. The most lovely and friendly staff, strong recommendation. Very popular, so I suggest you reserve!
Café de la Liberté
11 Pl. GambettaOne of our favourite local restaurants! If you want classic French food, this is for you. The most lovely and friendly staff, strong recommendation. Very popular, so I suggest you reserve!
If you feel like going to the seaside, go either to Arcachon or to more quiet Cap Ferret. This is our favourite restaurant in Cap Ferret, the seafood platter is just amazing. Take that to share with 2 or 3 people and then the turbot or sole meunière as a main course. A lunch can't get any better than that.
66 locals raden deze aan
Le Pinasse Café
2 bis Av. de l'Océan Cap FerretIf you feel like going to the seaside, go either to Arcachon or to more quiet Cap Ferret. This is our favourite restaurant in Cap Ferret, the seafood platter is just amazing. Take that to share with 2 or 3 people and then the turbot or sole meunière as a main course. A lunch can't get any better than that.
Very nice restaurant at Chateau Guiraud (AOC Sauternes). As the name refers, the restaurant used to be a chapel. The food is very good and the wine list has some of the best Bordeaux wines on it. Chateau Guiraud is very famous for their sweet AOC Sauternes wine, that is also one of the few with organic certification.
If you're looking for a nice dining experience in the country, this is the place to be. The three-course lunch during weekdays is 28€ and three course evening menu 39€. On the "à la carte", entrées are about 20€, mains about 30€ and desserts about 12€.
La Chapelle
1 Château GuiraudVery nice restaurant at Chateau Guiraud (AOC Sauternes). As the name refers, the restaurant used to be a chapel. The food is very good and the wine list has some of the best Bordeaux wines on it. Chateau Guiraud is very famous for their sweet AOC Sauternes wine, that is also one of the few with organic certification.
If you're looking for a nice dining experience in the country, this is the place to be. The three-course lunch during weekdays is 28€ and three course evening menu 39€. On the "à la carte", entrées are about 20€, mains about 30€ and desserts about 12€.
This is our all time favourite restaurant. Very classic French bistro with an outside veranda, kind and professional staff and great food. They serve food every day for lunch and dinner. My choices are méli-mélo (avocado & shrimps) and fried sole or tournedos steak. If I'd only have one night in Bordeaux, this is where I would go!
53 locals raden deze aan
Le Noailles
12 All. de TournyThis is our all time favourite restaurant. Very classic French bistro with an outside veranda, kind and professional staff and great food. They serve food every day for lunch and dinner. My choices are méli-mélo (avocado & shrimps) and fried sole or tournedos steak. If I'd only have one night in Bordeaux, this is where I would go!
This is a cute little restaurant run by a family that also has a cheese shop with the same name. Almost all food have cheese on them, they use lot of French cheeses such as camembert, saint felicien, saint nectaire, poitou, ossay iratu or chèvre, but also many others such as feta, burrata, mozzarella or halloumi. The food is very good, best cheese dishes I've had in Bordeaux and the wine list is only small producers. Strong recommendation!
8 locals raden deze aan
La Table Deruelle
9 Rue Gaspard PhilippeThis is a cute little restaurant run by a family that also has a cheese shop with the same name. Almost all food have cheese on them, they use lot of French cheeses such as camembert, saint felicien, saint nectaire, poitou, ossay iratu or chèvre, but also many others such as feta, burrata, mozzarella or halloumi. The food is very good, best cheese dishes I've had in Bordeaux and the wine list is only small producers. Strong recommendation!
Nice restaurant with a beautiful courtyard. Great cocktails and good, innovative food. The décor is beautiful, staff is friendly and their Côte de Boeuf is not the cheapest of meats, but it's worth it, very tasty!
34 locals raden deze aan
Le Caffe Cuisine
9 Pl. du MarchéNice restaurant with a beautiful courtyard. Great cocktails and good, innovative food. The décor is beautiful, staff is friendly and their Côte de Boeuf is not the cheapest of meats, but it's worth it, very tasty!
This restaurant is an institution. They only serve one dish; fresh salad with walnuts as a starter and then meat with french fries and the famous sauce as a main course. If you go for lunch, prepare to stay in line as this place takes no reservations. I propose you go into the line at 11h30 the latest, when the restaurant opens they take in about 200 people at once.
115 locals raden deze aan
L'Entrecôte
4 Cr du 30 JuilletThis restaurant is an institution. They only serve one dish; fresh salad with walnuts as a starter and then meat with french fries and the famous sauce as a main course. If you go for lunch, prepare to stay in line as this place takes no reservations. I propose you go into the line at 11h30 the latest, when the restaurant opens they take in about 200 people at once.
The best Vietnamese restaurant in the region, very delicious food, really good wine list and nice atmosphere. All food is prepare on place by the owner family.
Cafe Saigon
21 Rue GuadetThe best Vietnamese restaurant in the region, very delicious food, really good wine list and nice atmosphere. All food is prepare on place by the owner family.
This is our favourite fine dining experience! This restaurant holds one Michelin star and they serve extraordinary food. The lunch menu is only 48€ during weekdays. Strong recommendation for the food, they also have very nice winery visits, that you must book in advance.
7 locals raden deze aan
Bed & Breakfast - Les Belles Perdrix
This is our favourite fine dining experience! This restaurant holds one Michelin star and they serve extraordinary food. The lunch menu is only 48€ during weekdays. Strong recommendation for the food, they also have very nice winery visits, that you must book in advance.
Lafaurie Peyraguey is a world famous for their sweet Sauternes wine, but in the recent years they've invested in luxury hotel & restaurant too. Restaurant Lalique has two michelin stars and is a really good experience of fine dining and great wines.
Hôtel & Restaurant LALIQUE - Château Lafaurie Peyraguey
PeyragueyLafaurie Peyraguey is a world famous for their sweet Sauternes wine, but in the recent years they've invested in luxury hotel & restaurant too. Restaurant Lalique has two michelin stars and is a really good experience of fine dining and great wines.
The Guingette in Cadillac is the place to be when you want to feel the weekend atmosphere with the locals! It's like a secret garden filled with beer, wine and a bohemian atmosphere. Guingette is run by an association and all the workers are volunteers. There are often concerts in the weekend, check their facebook page for more information!
La Guinguette de Cadillac
42 Rue de l'OeuilleThe Guingette in Cadillac is the place to be when you want to feel the weekend atmosphere with the locals! It's like a secret garden filled with beer, wine and a bohemian atmosphere. Guingette is run by an association and all the workers are volunteers. There are often concerts in the weekend, check their facebook page for more information!
Sightseeing
Beautiful cultural & natural places to visit.
This 16th century castle has been renovated and is run as a museum now. Friendly staff, spacious rooms, biggest fireplaces of France and so much history! Definitely worth visiting.
10 locals raden deze aan
Kasteel van de Hertogen van Epernon Cadillac
4 Pl. de la LibérationThis 16th century castle has been renovated and is run as a museum now. Friendly staff, spacious rooms, biggest fireplaces of France and so much history! Definitely worth visiting.
If you want to go to the ocean and see the calm side with beautiful nature, I strongly recommend driving to Pointe du Cap Ferret, leaving you car there and then taking the walk alongside the beach. Don't forget to spot the German bunkers from 1940's that are still on the beach.
24 locals raden deze aan
Pointe du Cap Ferret
Allée de la PointeIf you want to go to the ocean and see the calm side with beautiful nature, I strongly recommend driving to Pointe du Cap Ferret, leaving you car there and then taking the walk alongside the beach. Don't forget to spot the German bunkers from 1940's that are still on the beach.
Europe's biggest sand dune. Luckily you have to climb there only once in your life! ;-) Lovely place with a beautiful view.
1060 locals raden deze aan
Duin van Pilat
Av. de BiscarrosseEurope's biggest sand dune. Luckily you have to climb there only once in your life! ;-) Lovely place with a beautiful view.
Cité du Vin is a must visit for a wine lover who comes to Bordeaux. It's like a museum, but also much more! You can see, taste, smell and hear about the wines of Bordeaux and wines from other countries. They have a nice wine bar / restaurant on the top floor as well as a great gift shop and wine shop on the first floor.
715 locals raden deze aan
La Cite du Vin
134 Quai de BacalanCité du Vin is a must visit for a wine lover who comes to Bordeaux. It's like a museum, but also much more! You can see, taste, smell and hear about the wines of Bordeaux and wines from other countries. They have a nice wine bar / restaurant on the top floor as well as a great gift shop and wine shop on the first floor.
This abbey was built between 11th and 13th century and it's a masterpiece of architecture. The abbey stand close to nature and it holds 200 hectares of fields and forests around.
40 locals raden deze aan
Grande-Sauve Abbey
14 Rue de l'AbbayeThis abbey was built between 11th and 13th century and it's a masterpiece of architecture. The abbey stand close to nature and it holds 200 hectares of fields and forests around.
The public garden of Bordeaux is a beautiful place to stop by, read a book and enjoy some nature in the middle of the city.
495 locals raden deze aan
Openbare tuin
The public garden of Bordeaux is a beautiful place to stop by, read a book and enjoy some nature in the middle of the city.
The old submarine base of Bordeaux has been transformed into a beautiful "modern museum" where there's a light show with two exhibitions. You can buy your ticket online to avoid the cue but you can get tickets at the door too.
45 locals raden deze aan
Bassins de Lumières
Impasse Brown de ColstounThe old submarine base of Bordeaux has been transformed into a beautiful "modern museum" where there's a light show with two exhibitions. You can buy your ticket online to avoid the cue but you can get tickets at the door too.
This is where Canal Latéral de la Garonne or "Canal du Midi" starts. It is a water canal leaving from village of Castets, situated on the Garonne river, and going all the way to the Mediterranean Sea. Every now and then we pack a picnic to the car, drive to Castets, walk along the canal and then enjoy the picnic with a glass of wine on the bord of water. Beautiful and peaceful time to spend the day!
16 locals raden deze aan
Castets-en-Dorthe
This is where Canal Latéral de la Garonne or "Canal du Midi" starts. It is a water canal leaving from village of Castets, situated on the Garonne river, and going all the way to the Mediterranean Sea. Every now and then we pack a picnic to the car, drive to Castets, walk along the canal and then enjoy the picnic with a glass of wine on the bord of water. Beautiful and peaceful time to spend the day!
Villages & Cities
Small villages and bigger towns, this region has it all! Pick your favourite for a visit.
Probably the most famous wine village in France. Saint-Emilion is beautiful! Leave your car on the top of the town (several parkings available) and wander around the city as much as you can. Nice restaurants, good wineshops and magnificent view.
816 locals raden deze aan
Saint-Émilion
Probably the most famous wine village in France. Saint-Emilion is beautiful! Leave your car on the top of the town (several parkings available) and wander around the city as much as you can. Nice restaurants, good wineshops and magnificent view.
Bazas is a beautiful old town in about 40mn drive away. They have a lively Saturday market, nice restaurants around the market square, great wine shop La Cave Bazas and an impressive gothic cathedral that was built in the 13th century.
Bazas area is also the center of the famous "Boeuf de Bazas", which is the local beef. Boeuf de Bazas is raised in the area, and the cows live on outdoors paddocks for minimum 3 years. The quality of the meat is great, but the price is naturally higher. Every year in Bazas, there a big party where they bring some of the best cows to the market for auctioning.
39 locals raden deze aan
Bazas
Bazas is a beautiful old town in about 40mn drive away. They have a lively Saturday market, nice restaurants around the market square, great wine shop La Cave Bazas and an impressive gothic cathedral that was built in the 13th century.
Bazas area is also the center of the famous "Boeuf de Bazas", which is the local beef. Boeuf de Bazas is raised in the area, and the cows live on outdoors paddocks for minimum 3 years. The quality of the meat is great, but the price is naturally higher. Every year in Bazas, there a big party where they bring some of the best cows to the market for auctioning.
Naturally Bordeaux city is the place to visit. Park your car and get lost in the city by walking!
716 locals raden deze aan
Bordeaux
Naturally Bordeaux city is the place to visit. Park your car and get lost in the city by walking!
There's not much actually happening in the town of Sauternes, but if you have time, I suggest you drive around to see the most famous vineyards of Sauternes such as Yquem, Guiraud, Suduiraut, Lafaurie-Peyraguey. In the town, the best restaurant is Auberge les Vignes.
39 locals raden deze aan
Sauternes
There's not much actually happening in the town of Sauternes, but if you have time, I suggest you drive around to see the most famous vineyards of Sauternes such as Yquem, Guiraud, Suduiraut, Lafaurie-Peyraguey. In the town, the best restaurant is Auberge les Vignes.
A beautiful old town that's only 4km from Carsin. I recommend the Saturday market! Pick up some veggies, flowers, meat or fish and fresh bread. Stop for a coffee or aperitif at La Cave Cadillac or visit Chateau de Cadillac.
29 locals raden deze aan
Cadillac
A beautiful old town that's only 4km from Carsin. I recommend the Saturday market! Pick up some veggies, flowers, meat or fish and fresh bread. Stop for a coffee or aperitif at La Cave Cadillac or visit Chateau de Cadillac.
Our hometown of Rions is quiet, but very beautiful. Best seen on foot or by bike. La Maison Georges is a great restaurant and to sense the local feeling, go to Cercle Populaire for a 2€ beer or a glass of local wine.
12 locals raden deze aan
Rions
Our hometown of Rions is quiet, but very beautiful. Best seen on foot or by bike. La Maison Georges is a great restaurant and to sense the local feeling, go to Cercle Populaire for a 2€ beer or a glass of local wine.
If you want to see more lively part of the seaside, Archachon is the place to be. Little shops and restaurants make this little town very lively. Try oysters, seafood platters and fishes, they are fished from the bay every day.
423 locals raden deze aan
Arcachon
67 Bd de la PlageIf you want to see more lively part of the seaside, Archachon is the place to be. Little shops and restaurants make this little town very lively. Try oysters, seafood platters and fishes, they are fished from the bay every day.
Food markets
Check out these lively food markets in Bordeaux.
A big covered market in Bordeaux offering local produce. You'll find everything here; fish & seafood, boucherie, veggies, fruits, herbs, plants, wines, spices, bread & pastries. Also restaurants under the roof, but the food scene is great also around Capucins.
538 locals raden deze aan
Marche des Capucins
Place des CapucinsA big covered market in Bordeaux offering local produce. You'll find everything here; fish & seafood, boucherie, veggies, fruits, herbs, plants, wines, spices, bread & pastries. Also restaurants under the roof, but the food scene is great also around Capucins.
Modern and very fun market hall / food court in Bordeaux, just next to the Cité du Vin. You can grab a glass of wine and then eat different portions proposed by Italian, Spanish, Japanese, French or Creolese chefs. Very good food, nice atmosphere and good produce!
118 locals raden deze aan
Les Halles de Bacalan
15 Quai du MarocModern and very fun market hall / food court in Bordeaux, just next to the Cité du Vin. You can grab a glass of wine and then eat different portions proposed by Italian, Spanish, Japanese, French or Creolese chefs. Very good food, nice atmosphere and good produce!
Wine shopping
Here are our tips for shopping wine around Bordeaux.
The best wine shop in Bordeaux. Big selection of classic wines from all around France and some from around the world too. On the other side of the street they have a shop dedicated to only Champagne.
8 locals raden deze aan
Badie
60 - 62 All. de TournyThe best wine shop in Bordeaux. Big selection of classic wines from all around France and some from around the world too. On the other side of the street they have a shop dedicated to only Champagne.
Very cute and cozy little wine shop at La Place Parliament focusing on organic, biodynamic and natural wines. Very friendly and professional staff, don't hesitate to ask recommendations! They speak English too. ;-)
22 locals raden deze aan
Cousin & Compagnie
2 Rue du Pas-Saint-GeorgesVery cute and cozy little wine shop at La Place Parliament focusing on organic, biodynamic and natural wines. Very friendly and professional staff, don't hesitate to ask recommendations! They speak English too. ;-)
This is a wine supermarket! They have wines from all around the world, very interesting prices, also plenty of beers, ciders and liquors in their selection.
Cash Vin
60 Av. de l'Île de FranceThis is a wine supermarket! They have wines from all around the world, very interesting prices, also plenty of beers, ciders and liquors in their selection.
Shopping
In case you're looking for clothes, jewellery, souvenirs or something else, you can find everything from these places in Bordeaux.
This is THE shopping street of Bordeaux. You find all the biggest brands here such as Galeries Lafayettes, Apple, Zara, Pimkie, H&M, Celio, Etam, Fnac, Sephora, Jimmy Fairly, Roxy, Dr. Martens and many many more!
709 locals raden deze aan
Rue Sainte-Catherine
Rue Sainte-CatherineThis is THE shopping street of Bordeaux. You find all the biggest brands here such as Galeries Lafayettes, Apple, Zara, Pimkie, H&M, Celio, Etam, Fnac, Sephora, Jimmy Fairly, Roxy, Dr. Martens and many many more!
Around this shopping center you find all the luxury brands for classy shopping of clothing, accessories, jewellery and bags.
50 locals raden deze aan
La Galerie des Grands Hommes
12 Pl. des Grands HommesAround this shopping center you find all the luxury brands for classy shopping of clothing, accessories, jewellery and bags.
Winery visits
There are so many wineries to choose from, no one can visit them all in Bordeaux. Here are some of our recommendations, please book in advance to make sure you'll be well received and the wineries can prepare the visit in advance.
This is where you'll be staying! If you want to have a vineyard & winery tour, it's free of charge for the guests of Cottage. Just let us know which date & time works best for you.
Château Carsin
197 Route des CotesThis is where you'll be staying! If you want to have a vineyard & winery tour, it's free of charge for the guests of Cottage. Just let us know which date & time works best for you.
The first winery in Sauternes who is part of the 1855 classification and became certified in organic viticulture. Chateau Guiraud is a lovely visit, they speak good English and you can see the wonderful work they've done with biodiversity and organics. They also have a very nice restaurant, La Chapelle, at the property. They are open every day of the year, we recommend you to reserve your visit in advance!
7 locals raden deze aan
Chateau Guiraud
1 Château GuiraudThe first winery in Sauternes who is part of the 1855 classification and became certified in organic viticulture. Chateau Guiraud is a lovely visit, they speak good English and you can see the wonderful work they've done with biodiversity and organics. They also have a very nice restaurant, La Chapelle, at the property. They are open every day of the year, we recommend you to reserve your visit in advance!
Chateau Chantegrive is a jem of the Graves appellation, very good wines and great price-quality ratio. They take visitors by appointment from Monday to Friday. Don't forget to buy a bottle of the Cuvée Caroline white wine, it's their best!
Château Chantegrive
44 Cours Georges ClemenceauChateau Chantegrive is a jem of the Graves appellation, very good wines and great price-quality ratio. They take visitors by appointment from Monday to Friday. Don't forget to buy a bottle of the Cuvée Caroline white wine, it's their best!
One of the oldest wineries in Bordeaux, Chateau Carbonnieux is in the Pessac Leognan region, and classified as Grand Cru for both white and red wines. They do a very nice visit and you can choose from different packs. Visits need to be reserved in advance, check their website.
11 locals raden deze aan
Château Carbonnieux
Chemin PeyssardetOne of the oldest wineries in Bordeaux, Chateau Carbonnieux is in the Pessac Leognan region, and classified as Grand Cru for both white and red wines. They do a very nice visit and you can choose from different packs. Visits need to be reserved in advance, check their website.
Very cute and nice place to visit in Saint Emilion, visits need to be booked in advance, check their website.
Chateau Coutet
CoutetVery cute and nice place to visit in Saint Emilion, visits need to be booked in advance, check their website.
Cordeliers is known for their sparkling wine production and their underground cellars. They do a lovely visit with an electric tuk-tuk, fun experience! Book the visit in advance, but you can also just pop by for a glass of bubbly in the beautiful courtyard or by some snacks from their bar.
24 locals raden deze aan
Cloitre des Cordeliers
2 Rue de la Prte BrunetCordeliers is known for their sparkling wine production and their underground cellars. They do a lovely visit with an electric tuk-tuk, fun experience! Book the visit in advance, but you can also just pop by for a glass of bubbly in the beautiful courtyard or by some snacks from their bar.