Eating Out

'Are you a fan of Rick Stein?'
"If you watched the French Odyssey series on BBC tv, there are 2 restaurants close to us, one in Bazas and the other in Bordeaux that Rick Stein recommends and enjoyed. For more information, go to our website www.lepin.co.uk"

'AU LAGONNAIS'
"In the nearest market town just 10km away serving typical Sud Geronde fare on their pretty shaded terrace, you can choose your favourite sauce from the extensive list to compliment your main course"

'L'ABSOLU'
"In the village just 5 mins walk away, taken over this year by a well known local chef and completely refurbished, superb cuisine, several set menus as well as a la carte, midday 3 course at 11€"

'LE MACARIEN'
"Located in the narrow medieval streets of St Macaire this restaurant is owned and run by an English chef and his wife who have built up a regular clientele from the French locals which says it all, good range of children's menus "

'SAPRIEN'
"This restaurant in the Sauternes has the most beautiful setting; the terrace under the trees overlooks a Sauterne vineyard with a prestigious château as a backdrop. The menu is extensive, as is the wine list and as one of our clients commented on her return "it was such a romantic setting that if you had been taken there by a young man and he proposed you would just have to say yes"

'TO SUMMARISE'
"These are just a few of the many restaurants we and our clients recommend in the house books, there are obviously many more close by, in Aquitaine for example there are more Michelin restaurants than anywhere else in France outside of Paris. To view photo's of some of these restaurants visit our web site www.lepin.co.uk "

Local Area and Activities

'A FINE WINE'
"First and what appears to be top of most guests list, WINE-TASTING. Situated in the Grave region of the Bordeaux vineyards, we can arrange trips at several local châteaux with English- speaking expert owners whose enthusiasm is reflected in the size and generosity of their tastings "

'BORDEAUX UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE'
"At just 40 mins by car or 20 mins by train from Langon one arrives at Bordeaux, which this year has been officially included on the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites. It is the capital of Aquitaine and an 18th century architectural gem with over 350 historic monuments. The latest development being the new extensive gardens laid out along the quay incorporating a mirror lake at the Place-de-la-Bourse which at only 2 inches deep not only gives you a chance to cool your feet but gives the impression of walking on water"

'MEDIEVAL BASTIDE VILLAGES'
"St Emilion about 40 mins from us is the most famous with its large underground church and kings tower which one can climb to experience the breathtaking views of the town, not forgetting of course the famous wine and the trip through the vineyards on the little train. Bazas with its famous cathedral and its wonderful race of Bazas beef cattle well known through out the world and sold in the many butchers shops in the town, one of whome comes to our door in his mobile shop once a week. Cadilliac whose château was once used as a womans prison which has been expertly restored revealing the many magnificent large stone engraved fire places. As you can imagine there are many more with that wow facture to discover which date back to the 400 years when this area was under the protection of the British Crown"

'SPORTING ACTIVITIES'
"There are several 18-hole golf courses in the vicinity the closest being 5km. Two tennis courts in the village one of which is floodlit. River lake and canal fishing, holiday permits can be obtained in the village. Over 1500km of purpose built cycle tracks exist in the Gironde the newest of which was opened this year and follows along the banks of the Laterel Canal 6km from us, this is the canal along which Rick Stien traveled during his "French Odyssey" program "

'THE ATLANTIC COAST'
"This is just under an hour from us and offers such diverse contrasts as the Pyla Dune, the largest in Europe 117m high and 2.7km long, the panoramic view at the top contrasts from the sky blue ocean on one side to the fragrant green pine forest on the other, it continues to move between 3-10 metres a year.To the other extreme there are many theme parks such as Water World. One can also swim in the large warm lakes with their sandy beaches situated behind the coast or the challenge of surfing in the Atlantic waves"

Markets and Shopping

'DEPARTMENT STORES AND BOUTIQUES'
"Just 10km from us in the old part of Langon one can find pretty boutiques and specialised shops in the pedestrianised walk ways, also the large department store Nouvelles Galeries, luckily next to all the major banks. Of course for the more serious shopper Bordeaux is a must "

'MARKETS'
"For the retail therapist there is practically a village market close by every day, from the largest in the market town of Langon set up on the banks of the Garonne, to the Bazas market crammed into the medieval square dominated at one end by the cathedral St Jean. For the less energetic the shops in the village at just 5 mins walk sell everything you would need to prepare your gastronomic delights, from fresh duck to fresh baked bread and locally grown fruit and veg"