Château de Monbazillac
Château de Monbazillac
Château de Monbazillac
4
10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
About
Built in 1550, the Château de Monbazillac is waiting for your visit in a calm and peaceful environment. Classified as a Historic Monument, the castle has a unique and original architecture which distinguishes it from its neighbours. In 2022, a new tour is set up with a new museum space dedicated to Monbazillac wines. This immersion in the heart of the world's largest sweet wine vineyard will allow you to discover the secrets and specificities of this golden nectar, through its history, its terroir and its ancestral know-how. The self-guided entertaining visit of the château will plunge you into the heart of key periods of local history, revealing the links between Protestantism and the wine trade and retracing the daily life of a family at the château during the French Revolution. And, as usual, each visit includes a tasting of wines from the Monbazillac Wine Cooperative, which is the owner of the château since 1960.
Duration: 2-3 hours
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- lisasplacesLeeds, United Kingdom10,597 contributionsBest tasting in the areaDefinitely the biggest set up in the area. A beautiful chateau to look around, but we were short of time and were only really interested in tasting the wines Very modern set up, very experienced and knowledgeable lady doing their tastings, for those who want more information Tasted through their Bergerac red, whites and rosés but it was their sweet Monbazillac wines, which really stood out. Lots of back vintages available to pick up in the shopVisited September 2023Travelled with friendsWritten 6 October 2023
- RFKinthenorthNewcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom14 contributionsWorth a visit and the moneyThe chateau and entryway looked newly restored. The history of the house and the family who lived within was very well done. It was in French but there were English explanations and the admission lady asked where we were from and the guide book she gave were in English. There were not too many people about on the Saturday lunchtime we visited and there was a glass of wine included in the admission fee, which was a treat. On one floor was a contemporary artist exhibition which blended in very nicely. I would have bought prints if they were in the shop but I could not see any. Shame. Would recommend for a morning, even if it is to just wander around the garden and look at the view. You can eat there and there was a setup for a concert happening. The wine was good too!Visited July 2024Travelled with friendsWritten 6 July 2024
- rachel164London, United Kingdom34 contributionsExcellent wine experienceReally lovely Chateaux which you can tour with all the family and local history in French and English. A wine educational tour as well with interactive areas for children. Wine tasting at the end. Couldn't fit in for lunch but managed to get a spit locally, advise booking.Visited August 2024Travelled with familyWritten 29 August 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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4.0
909 reviews
Excellent
324
Very good
386
Average
141
Poor
32
Terrible
26
These reviews have been automatically translated from their original language.
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glivett
Manchester109 contributions
July 2023 • Family
I live 5km from Monbazillac and have been bringing friends and family for 7 years and visiting since the late '90s. Entry to the grounds used to be free, entry to the chateau was €7. The tastings were generous and friendly and one could taste and compare reds, whites and Monbazillacs from different years. Monbazillac also allowed free entry to residents via the B for You scheme which allows people living here free entry for bringing paying guests. We brought many friends over the years who always bought a number of bottles plus other things from the shop.
Over the last few years, a great deal of work has been done on a new visitor centre. I realise that this need to be paid for, but the cost is now €11 per person to enter the grounds. This also includes the chateau which is not really worth the inside visit as it is empty of any of the scene setting furnishings one light expect, with the occasional piece of art work, and no multi lingual explanations (unlike the excellent visitor centre). For only €13.50 you can see nearby Chateau Milandes, an amazing place, home to the late Josephine Baker, beautifully furnished with an incredible historic significance.
Worse, though, is that the €11 entrance fee includes only one wine in the tasting.For €16 you can have a tasting of three wines, one red, one white and one Monbazillac, so there is no point of comparison for each type. So, not really a degustation at all. There are many, many places nearby where you can taste different years of Monbazillac and make an informed choice when you purchase (and the same with local reds and whites).
We usually have between 8 and 10 sets of couples visiting a year, but will no longer be bringing them due to the cost (to us too) and the meanness of the degustation. This will lose the chateau up to €160 a year plus any purchases our visitors might have made post degustation.
I am not the only local to be disappointed and we have no answers for or friends who are baffled that they can only taste one red, one white and one sweet wine.
The staff used to be so helpful and knowledgable about the different sweetnesses etc, but now you are rushed though with just one of each.
Finally, we were told that, as residents, we could get an annual pass for €15 with unlimited entries. This seems a solution of sorts, but, with typical Monbazillac meanness, this pass does not entitle you to a "tasting".
If the managers had a little more faith in their product, allowed a proper tasting and free entry to the grounds (where the little cafe must be suffering as you can't just go for lunch any more without paying to enter the grounds) they would win many more local visitors. As it is, many of us are taking our visitors elsewhere.
Over the last few years, a great deal of work has been done on a new visitor centre. I realise that this need to be paid for, but the cost is now €11 per person to enter the grounds. This also includes the chateau which is not really worth the inside visit as it is empty of any of the scene setting furnishings one light expect, with the occasional piece of art work, and no multi lingual explanations (unlike the excellent visitor centre). For only €13.50 you can see nearby Chateau Milandes, an amazing place, home to the late Josephine Baker, beautifully furnished with an incredible historic significance.
Worse, though, is that the €11 entrance fee includes only one wine in the tasting.For €16 you can have a tasting of three wines, one red, one white and one Monbazillac, so there is no point of comparison for each type. So, not really a degustation at all. There are many, many places nearby where you can taste different years of Monbazillac and make an informed choice when you purchase (and the same with local reds and whites).
We usually have between 8 and 10 sets of couples visiting a year, but will no longer be bringing them due to the cost (to us too) and the meanness of the degustation. This will lose the chateau up to €160 a year plus any purchases our visitors might have made post degustation.
I am not the only local to be disappointed and we have no answers for or friends who are baffled that they can only taste one red, one white and one sweet wine.
The staff used to be so helpful and knowledgable about the different sweetnesses etc, but now you are rushed though with just one of each.
Finally, we were told that, as residents, we could get an annual pass for €15 with unlimited entries. This seems a solution of sorts, but, with typical Monbazillac meanness, this pass does not entitle you to a "tasting".
If the managers had a little more faith in their product, allowed a proper tasting and free entry to the grounds (where the little cafe must be suffering as you can't just go for lunch any more without paying to enter the grounds) they would win many more local visitors. As it is, many of us are taking our visitors elsewhere.
Written 7 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
topdogandco
Willesborough, UK11 contributions
Oct 2021
We have visited the Chateau many times over the years and it was always free entry to the grounds, one of the highlights of the holiday would be a walk along the Chateau terrace enjoying the views over Bergerac.
Unfortunately you now have to pay 7.80 euro to do this even though a tourist information leaflet says entry to the terrace is free.
In order to stop people gaining access without paying they have put horrible fencing across the entrance and side entrances which make the whole place look like a cross between a person and a construction site.
You can get the same view over Bergerac by walking down the road a bit and follow a footpath into the vineyards. There were several local people doing the same thing and very few people in the Chateau itself.
Unfortunately you now have to pay 7.80 euro to do this even though a tourist information leaflet says entry to the terrace is free.
In order to stop people gaining access without paying they have put horrible fencing across the entrance and side entrances which make the whole place look like a cross between a person and a construction site.
You can get the same view over Bergerac by walking down the road a bit and follow a footpath into the vineyards. There were several local people doing the same thing and very few people in the Chateau itself.
Written 15 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello,
The Château de Monbazillac is a private historical monument and the entrance price helps us to keep the Château in repair and to pay the numerous employees who take care every day about the garden, the park and the inside of the Château.
The parking is free for our visitors and the wine tasting is included into the visit as well. So we think that the price of 7€80 per adult is totally justified.
More than 50 000 peuple visit our site every year and we are grateful to them for supporting us.
If you are surching for a place just for walking, there are many other public places for it.
Best regards,
Wine makers of Monbazillac Winery
Written 18 October 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jess
Stockport, UK1 contribution
Sept 2023 • Friends
We have been visiting the chateau for years, and have been paying customers to the cafe and winery on each visit. You are no longer allowed to wander the grounds - you either have to pay for a tasting or you cannot enter. We saw this change and immediately left. So disappointed.
Written 1 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ishani K
1 contribution
July 2023 • Family
Absolutely sickening, wicked and putrid, the stench was coming from the mouth of the grumpy waiter and his breath had an unpleasant stink. I went with my husband el Padre and grandmother for a bit of wine which was really good. But the same cannot be said for the restaurant and the quality of service was horrible. After the wine tasting, we sat at the restaurant and ended up ordering food after 30 minutes which was already a long time whilst we were incredibly hungry. The waiter was extremely moody, obnoxious and pretentious. He was rude and kept on having a poor attitude towards serving us and was very unprofessional in his communication . When we ordered our food. we waited for nearly an hour and fifteen minutes (1hr15mins) for a smoke salmon salad however many French families who arrived 10 minutes after us got their food straight away after they ordered. They got their food before us whilst we were still waiting. When we discussed the issue with the staff they ignored us, were very xenophobic and impolite since we were British foreigners. Another British couple faced the same problem as us but the staff were still so ignorant towards this. After waiting for an hour, our meal was disgusting and the salmon salad was a bit of dry stale leaf with back bruised salmon that was chewy and difficult to digest with randomly thrown on yoghurt which overall was tasteless and bland. But when they came to collect the food, they made rude remarks and judged us for not finishing the food which was quite frankly inadequate. After the meal, we had a booking to look around the castle which was why we desperately needed faster service but the staff were ignorant towards this when we informed them and lacked awareness of our urgency.
Written 20 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TheBurgers
Brookmans Park, UK1,258 contributions
Sept 2023 • Couples
Great place to visit. The wine journey experience is fabulous - really easy to understand explanation of how wine is made with an overview of the Bergerac wine region and some great videos which give insight into how the co-operative is run.
The Chateau looks amazing, as others have said there isn’t much inside but it’s still well maintained and had some ‘interesting’ art exhibits when we were there.
We enjoyed a drink in the sunshine nestled in a deck chair and then a quick wander around the shop and your entrance fee (we only paid 8 euros each as it was heritage open weekend in France) also includes an opportunity taste of one wine - we tried their world renown sweet wine was lovely.
A lovely place to visit.
The Chateau looks amazing, as others have said there isn’t much inside but it’s still well maintained and had some ‘interesting’ art exhibits when we were there.
We enjoyed a drink in the sunshine nestled in a deck chair and then a quick wander around the shop and your entrance fee (we only paid 8 euros each as it was heritage open weekend in France) also includes an opportunity taste of one wine - we tried their world renown sweet wine was lovely.
A lovely place to visit.
Written 19 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nadia P
1 contribution
Aug 2024 • Family
Very disappointed with the new organization to go to the cellar and access the courtyard of the castle without making the.visit. by closing the access to the courtyard, we are forced to pay.to access the castle whereas before we could walk in the.courtyard without paying. And the staff of the.cave is really focused on the people who go on the paid tour and leaves out the.customers who only come to buy wine.without making the tour. we see clearly that we want to make visitors pay but not everyone has the same budget.
Automatically translated
Written 13 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RFKinthenorth
Newcastle upon Tyne, UK14 contributions
July 2024 • Friends
The chateau and entryway looked newly restored. The history of the house and the family who lived within was very well done. It was in French but there were English explanations and the admission lady asked where we were from and the guide book she gave were in English.
There were not too many people about on the Saturday lunchtime we visited and there was a glass of wine included in the admission fee, which was a treat.
On one floor was a contemporary artist exhibition which blended in very nicely. I would have bought prints if they were in the shop but I could not see any. Shame.
Would recommend for a morning, even if it is to just wander around the garden and look at the view. You can eat there and there was a setup for a concert happening. The wine was good too!
There were not too many people about on the Saturday lunchtime we visited and there was a glass of wine included in the admission fee, which was a treat.
On one floor was a contemporary artist exhibition which blended in very nicely. I would have bought prints if they were in the shop but I could not see any. Shame.
Would recommend for a morning, even if it is to just wander around the garden and look at the view. You can eat there and there was a setup for a concert happening. The wine was good too!
Written 6 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bene_BM1
Orleans, France60 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
The visit begins with a very educational and accessible part on the vine, the grape variety and the production of wine. It’s very interesting and very well constructed in a fun and interactive way.
The second part is the visit to the Castle which is unfortunately very empty but which presents the history of the castle, the family and the region.
The last part is the tasting. If there are many of you, you can have a starter for €11 with 1 wine and share glasses.
The explanations given during the tasting are very rich and help to understand what we are tasting.
The best part is the evenings organized during the summer!
The second part is the visit to the Castle which is unfortunately very empty but which presents the history of the castle, the family and the region.
The last part is the tasting. If there are many of you, you can have a starter for €11 with 1 wine and share glasses.
The explanations given during the tasting are very rich and help to understand what we are tasting.
The best part is the evenings organized during the summer!
Written 13 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helen H
Haverfordwest, UK96 contributions
Sept 2023 • Friends
Great views, beautiful chateau, excellent wine tasting with the guide.
Disappointed that we couldn't have lunch. If you do want to eat, please book beforehand. When you buy the tickets they don't mention the restaurant or whether there is availability.
Leaving at 1.30 in France to find somewhere to eat when you have had an appetite inducing sample of the beautiful wine is a disappointing end to what would have been a five star experience.
We wanted to spend more money and have food and wine, but had no choice but to take our custom elsewhere.
Disappointed that we couldn't have lunch. If you do want to eat, please book beforehand. When you buy the tickets they don't mention the restaurant or whether there is availability.
Leaving at 1.30 in France to find somewhere to eat when you have had an appetite inducing sample of the beautiful wine is a disappointing end to what would have been a five star experience.
We wanted to spend more money and have food and wine, but had no choice but to take our custom elsewhere.
Written 12 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Katrina M
26 contributions
July 2023 • Family
This was my second visit to the chateau. I went previously before they closed for renovation. The chateau is beautiful, with beautiful views. The new entrance (where you buy the tickets) is lovely. The lady who sold us our tickets was extremely friendly. The wine tasting was lovely, the lady leading the wine tasting was very knowledgeable. However, I was disappointed that they no longer gave us the wine glass to keep. This used to be a very nice touch. The interior of the chateau is nice but I was disappointed that the wine cellar was turned into a children’s area. The wine cellar prior to the renovation was beautiful. Ending the visit with the art exhibition was a bit disappointing but otherwise we really enjoyed our visit to the chateau.
Written 15 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Buongiorno, mi chiedevo se a qualcuno interessato a una bottiglia di vino monbazillac di
anno 1933. Grazie
Written 22 December 2020
Bonjour est ce possible de venir avec un chien ?
Written 17 August 2020
Bonjour,
Les chiens en laisse sont autorisés à l'extérieur du château, mais pas à l'interieur. Si c'est un petit chien que vous pouvez porter dans les bras pendant la visite, alors ça ne pose pas de problème. Sinon, il faudra trouver une autre solution pour qu'il reste à l'extérieur du château. Nous n'avons pas d'endroit pour le garder.
Cordialement,
Vignerons Coopérateurs de Monbazillac
Written 17 August 2020
Il y a t'il des activités pour les enfants lors de la dégustation
Written 13 August 2019
Bonjour,
En juillet et août nous avons un atelier d’arts plastiques ouvert pour les enfants (à partir de 6 ans) tous les mardi et jeudi après-midi, gratuitement, sur inscription.
Il suffit donc de vous présenter au Pavillon Culturel (en face du magasin sur le site du Château) pour en profiter ces jours là.
Cordialement,
Vignerons coopérateurs de Monbazillac
Written 13 August 2019
why is it so difficult to find opening hours throughout TripAdvisor? This kind of information should pop up right away!!!!!
Written 6 September 2017
Dear sir,
thank you for your message. We are sorry for this problem and we are going to solve it as soon as possible. Our opening hours change accordning to the season: in september the chateau is open from 10am to 7pm.
Best regards, the winemakers of Monbazillac Winery.
Written 7 September 2017
Is the chateau open in March (2017)
Written 13 March 2017
Good evening! The Chateau de Monbazillac is opened everyday from 10 am to 12.30 and then from 2 pm till 6 pm excepted on monday (closure day). After the visit we invite you to come and have a tasting at the cooperative located at 2 kms from the Chateau.
The Monbazillac Winegrowers
Written 13 March 2017
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