Soulignac: Church, winegrowing and landscapes

Soulignac can be explored through its different local features: the Église Saint-Genès reflects its architectural history, valleys and slopes covered in vineyards shape the landscape, and the Boucle de Soulignac follows a waymarked route. There is also the history of the Grand-Jean mill, as well as winegrowing and a tasting. If you are planning a stay, you can focus your interests on these specific themes—from architectural history to the route into the village.

The Église Saint-Genès and its architectural history

The Église Saint-Genès is listed as a historic monument; its protected status was established by a decree dated December 21, 1925. Its main construction phase dates to the 16th century. This brings together two distinct points in time: the date of the protection decree and the church’s principal construction phase. Architecturally, the church has a flat-ended choir and a three-bay nave with rib vaults. The side aisles are not vaulted; the building also has a square bell gable. A bay is a section of the nave; the reference to three bays makes its layout clear. The precise location of the vaults is also important: they are in the nave, while the side aisles remain unvaulted.

Wine country and the history of the mill

Soulignac consists of valleys and slopes, with many rows of grapevines growing along their sides. The Vignoble Boudon family vineyard lies in a leafy valley lined with hedges and small woods. This brings together the general landscape and the specific features of a valley. Since 1963, Boudon winery has farmed 28 hectares according to the rules, methods and ethical principles of organic agriculture. The landscape and the farming offer different perspectives: one focuses on valleys, slopes and vines, the other on the winery’s acreage and working methods.

The Grand-Jean mill reveals another strand of local history. Pierre Claveau built it after acquiring the “Tarrey de Grand-Jean” estate in an exchange in 1769. The mill was built after the estate was acquired. This makes it possible to distinguish the timing of this event from the Église Saint-Genès’s main construction phase in the 16th century.

Tasting and the Boucle de Soulignac

Visitors are welcome to enjoy a tasting at Château de Chardavoine in Soulignac. Check the arrangements for visits in advance. As a reason to visit in its own right, the tasting is distinct from the village’s architectural and landscape features and can be considered a separate focus when planning your trip.

The Boucle de Soulignac starts in front of the town hall and follows the waymarked route. Check the trail conditions before setting off. Toward the end, you can visit the site of an old windmill 200 meters away, then head straight down to the village. There are several steps to consider when planning: starting at the town hall, following the waymarked route and making an optional visit toward the end. The route thus complements the architectural history and winegrowing with a specific itinerary and a possible detour.

Discover more destinations: Grézillac, Valeyrac, Saint-Gervais, Eysines, Saint-Germain-de-la-Rivière, Salignac, Saint-Pierre-De-Mons, Carignan-De-Bordeaux.

Go to the main travel overview: Gironde.