Arbanats: Heritage and Vineyard Tours
Accommodation in Arbanats
Some of Arbanats’ defining features are Saint-Hippolyte Church, Château d'Arbanats, fountains and washhouses, and tours through the vineyards. Two walking loops add to the picture. The town’s history can be traced through buildings from different centuries, while the tours, which require reservations, offer a distinct focus on food and wine.
Church and architectural history
Saint-Hippolyte d'Arbanats Church dates from the second half of the 15th century. In the 16th century, it was extended with the addition of side aisles; its Neoclassical façade dates from the 18th century. This makes it possible to distinguish the older church structure, its side extension and the later design of the façade as separate phases of construction. Side aisles are the lateral sections of a church building. The term explains the type of extension and also makes clear why the date given for the façade does not apply to the entire building. Several dates are therefore relevant when placing the church in context, rather than a single construction date.
Château and water features
Château d'Arbanats was completed in 1783. The ground floor is lower than the upper floor, which contains apartments and reception rooms. The building can therefore be considered in terms of its completion date and its layout across floors. In contrast to the church, whose history spans several centuries and different phases of construction, the Château is chiefly associated with its year of completion.
The Fontaine de La Fontanette has medieval origins. Its water can be collected in a basin that was used as a washing place. The Pontet washhouse is a small open-air washing place beside a stream, which is fed by the spring outflow from the La Hontière washhouse. The two sites illustrate different connections between water and washing: at the Fontaine, the focus is the basin; at Pontet, it is the open-air spot beside the stream. The source of the stream’s water is also a distinctive feature of the Pontet washhouse.
Vineyard tours and walking loops
A tour through the vineyards in a vintage MĂ©hari or Jeep Willys requires a reservation and includes a scenic drive with a tasting. It lasts at least 1 hour and 15 minutes. The MĂ©hari Jeep tour also offers an epicurean picnic: departure is between 12 and 1 p.m., and the minimum duration is 1 hour and 45 minutes. Compared with the tasting tour, the picnic option has a minimum duration that is 30 minutes longer; its departure window is also worth noting. Both activities require a reservation.
Arbanats has a short local walking loop called “Petit parcours (boucle locale)” and, separately, the longer “Grand parcours” loop. Route details may change, so check the latest information if you plan to include either walk in your itinerary.
Discover more destinations: Saint-Quentin-De-Caplong, Cours-De-Monségur, Martillac, Marcheprime, Virsac, Cénac, Civrac-En-Médoc, Préchac.
For the broader travel overview: Gironde.
