Wine and culture are deeply connected in Bordeaux . The ‘Scènes d’été en Gironde’ festival organises over 1000 events all summer long including theatre, concerts, dance, street performances and so much more. The venues across include many chateaux and wineries that host or sponsor an eclectic range of events.
Wine for Music lovers
The festival ‘Rencontres Musicales Internationales des Graves’ holds classical and contemporary music concerts in the chateaux of Graves and Sauternes. Over the last twenty years they have invited international musicians to perform but also to bring together established and aspiring musicians with their ‘Académie de Musique’. Last July they held concerts at Best Of Wine Tourism winners, Chateau Carbonnieux, Smith Haut Lafitte, Bouscaut and Latour Martillac amongst others. The 23rd edition will take place from 16-30th July, venues to be announced but you won’t be disappointed.
Further North, the ‘Estivals music en Medoc’ organise a series of concerts in Chateaux of the Medoc including ‘Best Of’ winners Châteaux Malleret, Agassac and Leoville Poyferre. The properties welcome artists and visitors to experience their unique venues always followed by a glass of wine.
You don’t have to wait until the summer, ‘Musique au Coeur du Medoc’ organises concerts in prestigious addresses through the Médoc all year. Château Ducru Beaucaillou in Saint Julien, Lafite in Pauillac, Giscours, Kirwan and Lascombes in Margaux are some of the famous names where you can enjoy fine music and of course fine wine.
Mindful Saint Emilion
In 2017, Eric Le Collen, director and scenographer created The Philosophia Festival in the medieval city of Saint-Emilion. It has since become a major French event, addressing a new theme each year through five days of conferences, debates, philosophical walks and tastings all led by leading contemporary thinkers. Dates this year are from 26th to 28th of May 2023.
In September the Festival Vino Voce takes over some of the historical venues of the town, as well as chateaux, for lyrical events from Jazz to contemporary or classic there is something for everyone.
Art and wine
Permanent and temporary exhibitions
© Laurent Pernot
Many chateaux and their owners are happy to share their space with contemporary artists. Château Toulouse Lautrec-Malromé has its own history of art to share. In 1883, the estate was purchased by the Comtesse Adèle de Toulouse-Lautrec. It became home to her son, the painter Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. When the Huynh family bought the vineyard in 2013, they kept this artistic history at the heart of the property as they renovated.
Visitors can now discover the life of Henri de Toulouse Lautrec in the original 19th century décor of his apartments.
Contemporary art still takes pride of place, the 230 square metre gallery in the east wing of the chateau welcomes a new guest artist every season.
Art show
© Chateau d’Arsac
The most striking permanent art show in the Medoc is Chateau d’Arsac. Philippe Raoux purchased the property as a ruin in 1986, his inspiration for wine, vines and art came in 1988 thanks to a visit from The Peter Stuyvesant Foundation. They organised a summer art festival and the 1989 harvest was brought in under the watchful eye of works from such renowned artists as Indiana, Vasarely, Appel, Viallat, Morellet and de St Phalle. In 1994 the chateau started curating its own collection. The vines fund the art, each vintage sees a new work installed in the park, amongst the vines, in the cellar or the chateau. The enormous flowerpot ‘Le Pot Rouge’ by Raynaud, is inspired by the vineyard, the Merci Jean painting in the cellar followed the visit of the artist Bernard Venet to the property and ‘la Diagonale’, a large metal girder resting on the chateau, illustrates the continual ‘work in progress’ to constantly improve the vineyard and the wines.
Land Art
In 2017, Château Smith Haut Lafitte created the Forest of the Five Senses, a land art installation. Follow the woodland path that leads through a collection of contemporary artworks to awaken all the senses. Art enthusiasts can also discover Florence Cathiard’s personal contemporary art collection amongst the vines of the property.
© Château Ferrand
There’s a light-hearted introduction to art as soon as you arrive at Château de Ferrand. A huge sculpture of a chewed pen top by Julien Gudéa welcomes you to the property. Over 30 works from the private Bic Art collection are shown at the property. These works are inspired by or created with the Bic pens and ink. The walls of the intimate ‘Salon Bic’ tasting room are covered with a fresco by Alexandre Doucin, drawn uniquely in Bic biro. The latest addition, a collaborative work is on show in the tasting lounge, where visitors can contribute to the art and history of the property by adding their mark to « Le Sourire de Ferrand ».
Art in the city
The beautiful 18th century Château Labottière is in the centre of Bordeaux city. It may not produce wine, but it is owned by Bernard Magrez who owns vineyards both in Bordeaux and across the world. Restored in 2011, this classified monument is now home to the Bernard Magrez Cultural Institute, a platform for artists in residence and exhibitions of modern and contemporary art and workshops for artists and future artists, young and old.
Wine as art, wine in art or art with a glass of wine , culture vultures are spoiled for choice in Bordeaux.
Wendy Narby