The town of Gradignan takes place in the department of Gironde. Bordering Talence and Pessac, it is part of the urban area of Bordeaux. It would take its name from the Gallo-Roman, Gradinus, from a noble Roman.
Known since the Middle Ages to the English domination, the town was once a small town facing the farming and ranching. Today Gradignan is mainly dedicated to tourism with a significant presence of castles dating back several times and that testify to the wealth of the city over time.
Oriented culture, this southwestern city of France is also behind a significant number of historical events, cultural or sports throughout the year, attracting visitors from across the country.
Full of charm, the city of Gradignan surprised by its rich historical and architectural heritage.
Many of the castles that take place in the territory of the municipality of Gradignan, showing visitors the wealth of this ancient city in southern France. You can particularly admire the castle Pourney dating from the mid-nineteenth century and produces a red vintage and exceptional vintage, mandavit Castle which houses the municipal school of music, or the castle of Malartic dating from the eighteenth century. Listed historical monument, the Hermitage Castle is a remnant of the former hospital that was taking place on the pilgrimage route of St. Jacques de Compostela. Today it hosts weddings only in the city. Note also the presence of Tauzia castle of late eighteenth century listed historical monument, the Lahouneau castle and its large garden, or the Moulerens castle surrounded by green spaces and sports fields.
Remains of an ancient medieval castle, St. Alban mound is a mound surrounded by a moat. Nearby, the Saint-Alban wash dates for its eighteenth century and was once part of Lafitte castle.
Laurenzane the area offers beautiful property nineteenth century surrounded by a park with ponds, bridges or caves, and a greenhouse offered by Napoleon III and which houses temporary exhibitions. Following a fire, the castle was rebuilt in the early 1990s in a neoclassic style. The old cow barn now houses the House of Nature with a vivarium at the ground floor.
Georges de Sonneville museum presents works of the famous painter from Bordeaux Independent Living creator.
Located in the park of Sabatey, the museum of the Vine and Wine presents tools once used in the manufacture of AOC Pessac-Léognan. Playful, the site has different animations to touch, smell or taste.
In the city, pottery kilns built in the mid nineteenth century testify to the former economic activity Gradignan while several mills also have their architecture.
The remains of the priory Cayac step of the Tours road on the pilgrimage to Saint-Jacques de Compostela, were listed as Historic Monuments.
The Gradignan natural heritage also worth seeing with twenty parks. In one of Laurenzane, Escale Bigata lets walk through an open air museum with sculptures scattered sixteen.
Resolutely turned towards the culture and literature, the city of Gradignan annually offers its share of great events.
Gradignan market takes place every Saturday morning.
A Christmas market is also provided at the end of the year.
Sport and Nature festival, in May, is an opportunity to celebrate spring with walks in the parks, orienteering, or entertainment for younger as a fishing paperback.
In May, the city hosts the Gradignan comics weekend with various events revolving around the 9th art.
In early July, Play is a festival dedicated to sports, artistic, cultural and current digital.
Specialized Exhibition of small format book, Read pocket is a festival dedicated to paperbacks. It is held every year the first weekend of October, with different themes and offering lectures, book signings and meetings.
