Targon: Churches, Templar History and Wine

When planning a trip to Targon, historic buildings and wine stand out as distinct focal points. Saint-Romain Church and the Commanderie de Montarouch offer different historical perspectives, while tours at Château Vermont and Château Sainte-Marie focus on cellars, vineyards and vines. The Le Pressoir festival also marks the end of the grape harvest.

Saint-Romain Church and the history of Montarouch

Saint-Romain Church dates from the late 12th or early 13th century. Its upper section is fortified; the date given for this part of the building is 1673. To visit the interior, visitors can obtain the key from the town hall reception by leaving their identity card as a deposit. Check this procedure again before travelling.

Montarouch also offers a historical point of interest. Archaeological analyses date the construction of the complex to around 1160–1180. The Commanderie de Montarouch was a Templar commandery until 1312. Thus, an approximate construction period and a historical classification lasting until 1312 sit side by side: two distinct dates that capture different aspects of Montarouch’s history. Both the church and the commandery date back to the Middle Ages.

Vineyards and tours

Château Vermont is a 19th-century château in the commune of Targon, surrounded by 40 hectares of vineyards. It offers tours of its wine cellars and vineyards. The stated vineyard area gives a sense of the château’s landscape; the cellars and vineyards are the focus of a visit.

At Château Sainte-Marie, the vineyard plots stretch across two hills, which are among the highest points in Gironde. The estate includes century-old plots planted with Sémillon and Merlot vines. The château also offers tours of the estate lasting around an hour, with wine tasting.

For planning your time, Sainte-Marie’s tour with wine tasting, which lasts around an hour, provides a useful guide. Château Vermont, by contrast, offers tours of its wine cellars and vineyards. Check the current availability of estate tours before planning your visit.

Le Pressoir and the end of the grape harvest

The Le Pressoir festival celebrates the end of the grape harvest. The 2025 edition was the 15th and featured three days of festivities, including brass bands, concerts, performances, exhibitions, games and participatory workshops. As a multi-day cultural program, the festival differs from a tour of individual wine cellars or vineyards: here, the grape harvest is celebrated alongside music, performances and community activities.

Choose your hotel search based on your travel interests

When searching for hotels in Targon, your planned focus is a good place to start: would you rather explore architectural history or plan visits to vineyards and cellars, along with a wine tasting?

Discover more destinations: Fontet, Monsegur, Mazion, Mouliets-Et-Villemartin, Léognan, Bruges, Cussac-Fort-Médoc, Le Barp

For the full travel overview: Gironde.