Camblanes-et-Meynac is a commune in the Gironde department, in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, 14 km south-east of the center of Bordeaux.
Its territory of 8.6 km² borders the right bank of the Garonne, and it therefore belongs to the natural region of Entre Deux Mers, whose "northern" limit is formed by the course of the Dordogne.
The locality has green, slightly hilly landscapes, made up in particular of crops and agricultural areas (44% of its area), meadows (24%) and forests (11%). Composed of two units (Camblanes to the west and Meynac to the east) having merged in 1801, the town was already occupied during Antiquity. Important Roman remains, including a mosaic, have been unearthed near the church of Camblanes, and it seems that viticulture was already practiced at the time, the barrels being embarked on the Garonne. It is besides off Camblanes, and the communes of Quinsac and Cadaujac that thousands of Roman coins were brought to light from 1965 constituting the treasure of the Garonne. This currency comes from the sinking of a merchant ship around 170…
Nowadays, the locality which has nearly 3000 inhabitants remains focused on the production of wines (appellations "Premières-côtes-de-bordeaux" and "Entre -deux-Mers"), and quarries were exploited during the 20th century. Its still bucolic environment, its heritage and its wines make it a popular stopover in the immediate vicinity of Bordeaux.
The locality has a rich heritage. The oldest element is a large Roman mosaic dating from the 3rd century unearthed in 1968 during earthworks near the church of Camblanes. With other remains (elements of walls, ceramics), it attests to the existence at the beginning of our era of an important villa (farm). The mosaic is now on display at the town hall, in the council room: contact +33 5 57 97 16 90. The Roman coins also found in the 1960s at the bottom and on the banks of the river, constituting the treasure of the Garonne, are on the other hand preserved in Bordeaux at the museum of Aquitaine (information on +33 5 56 01 51 00).
Next, see Saint-Pantaléon de Meynac church, listed in the Inventory, erected from the 10th century on the foundations of a former oratory. Devoid of a vault under a wooden frame, the building has retained an apse and a Romanesque style apse (12th century) but the nave and the portal were redesigned in the 16th century (Gothic style). From this campaign of works, remain elements of a mural fresco representing the baptism of Christ and Saint John the Baptist. Finally, the bell tower was rebuilt in the 19th century, the church listed in the Inventory also boasting a unique stone clock, indicating 3:55 am, the time at which Lord Arnaud de Bordes got married in the 11th century!
Also protected as historical monuments, the Sainte-Eulalie de Camblanes church dates from the 15th century, then built on the remains of a Romanesque chapel. Its bell tower burned down during the Fronde (1649) and some other parts of the building were rebuilt in the 18th and 19th centuries, and inside there is a replica of the porch where a polychrome wooden statue of Saint Eulalia is installed (XVII).
A walk dedicated to heritage could also include the Calvary of Fontbonne (19th century), several wayside crosses, or even the well-preserved washhouses of Garistoy and Meynac, which perpetuate the testimony of what was partly the daily life of yesteryear.
Finally, this overview obviously includes, as in all the wine-growing communes of Bordeaux, a number of beautifully crafted estates. Most notable on Camblanes-et-Meynac is Chateau Lagarette. It was originally a fortified house with a square plan of two levels, equipped with a corner tower with a pepperbox roof, built at the end of the 15th century, and which was remodeled in the 17th century (piercing of bays), a square building being added in the 18th century. We notice Renaissance decorations. The castle retains a fresco depicting a battle scene (16th century). Listed in the Inventory, the castle is still private, and it is at the center of a wine-growing estate. Reception of the public for tastings. Contact on +33 5 56 20 08 78.
As part of a tour dedicated to wine tourism, mention should also be made of Château Brethous (join +33 5 56 20 77 76), the Domaine du Tasta (contact +33 5 56 20 62 97), the Château du Parvis de Dom Tapiau (information on +33 5 56 20 15 62) and the Château Sissan (information on +33 5 56 20 86 18).
On the culture side, the media library regularly organizes presentations of new releases, meetings with authors, workshops or exhibitions: information on +33 5 57 97 16 93. In addition, the town has several rooms capable of hosting shows or associative events: inquire at the town hall on +33 5 57 97 16 90.
For athletes, a synthetic football pitch, outdoor or indoor tennis courts are accessible on the plain of La Lande (to be reserved with the club at +33 6 80 07 67 54) and, in the center of the village, a city stadium, a skate park and a bowling alley have been set up in the Guerlande district.
For hiking enthusiasts, a pedestrian loop has been designed and signposted centered on the town and that of Quinsac, to the south (8.5 km route). Free paths including the banks of the Garonne (former port of Pont Neuf) and its particular ecosystem, the hillsides planted with vines or the wooded areas of the locality and its neighbors are also possible, as well as secure routes for mountain bikers.. Finally, it is obviously possible to reach Bordeaux via Floirac… Maps and information on +33 5 56 61 82 73 or +33 5 56 20 83 60. An alternative? Join the outings of the local club "Chemin faire" by contacting +33 6 41 48 69 19...
