Cussac-Fort-Médoc is a town in the Gironde, in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, 40 km north-west of the center of Bordeaux.
Its territory of 18 km² is located in the natural region of Médoc, on the left bank of the Gironde estuary which constitutes its "eastern" limit, facing Blaye on the other bank.
More than half of the agricultural area of the locality is dedicated to the vineyard, producing Haut-Médoc appellation wines.
This reality marks the landscape and also remains the main economic asset of Cussac, which became Cussac-Fort-Médoc in 1972 to recall the other symbol of its history: the establishment in the 17th century of a fort designed by Vauban to defend the estuary and Bordeaux in the event of a maritime attack. A site that contributes to the economic and tourist vitality of the town.
Already occupied in Gallo-Roman times, Cussac was marked by the Hundred Years War, its lord, vassal of the King of England, being executed by Philippe Auguste in 1220. As for his castle, it was razed. Later the village became the capital of a barony, known by the pilgrims of Saint-Jacques who crossed the Gironde from Blaye, and Cussac now has nearly 2,200 inhabitants.
Its well restored and lively in summer and its many wine estates make it a stage of choice.
The town has an exceptional heritage. We must of course mention its Saint-Symphorien church, built in 1860 to replace an old building. The church has an elongated plan made up of a bell tower-porch, a nave with three aisles and an apse with a five-sided choir. The square-shaped bell tower has two floors, one of which is pierced with twin bays, and it is surmounted by a stone spire with dormers, culminating at 35 m. The upper parts of the apse are open with polylobed oculi. Inside, there are beautiful stained glass windows and a neat painted decoration, including busts of angels.
Then head to Fort Médoc. In this region which knew the invasions of the Vikings and was marked by the Hundred Years War, preventing any maritime attack and securing Bordeaux by locking the estuary was considered a priority. With the Fort de l'Île Paté and the citadel of Blaye, the fort of Cussac was designed for this purpose by Vauban. It was built on 25 hectares then still marshy from 1689 to 1721. It could shelter more than 300 men and its trapezoidal plan included a magnificent royal door with richly carved tympanum, a guardhouse, a barracks, a store, a chapel, a cistern and a solid bastion. The fort never had to be used during a conflict and the army abandoned it in 1930. Became municipal property, it was not restored and enhanced until the 1960s. The fort, now registered at the UNESCO Heritage site under the "Vauban network" hosts a number of events in season. It is also open to the public seeking to understand the history of the region as well as that of military architecture. Open in February, March and November on weekends and public holidays and every day from April to October. Price: 4 euros. Information on +33 5 56 58 98 40.
The other great part of the heritage is linked to wine estates: however, it should be noted that not all "châteaux" are castles, many simply designating a "house" or even a "brand" with cellars in the center of vines…
However, we will set apart the Château La Chesnaye, a former seigneurial stronghold rebuilt in the 18th century in a neo-Elizabethan style, and which does not have a vineyard.
Château Beaumont, on the other hand, is known for its wine as well as for its Renaissance-style architecture, although the building dates from 1854. Information on +33 5 56 58 92 29. The same goes for Château Lamothe Bergeron, which thus has some medieval origins but whose current building was built in the 19th century: information on +33 5 56 58 94 77. The Lanessan castle dates from 1878 and has a neoclassical style of Tudorian inspiration. Its cellars, stables and water tower are also remarkable. Contact on +33 5 56 58 94 80.
There are around ten other areas. Tours with tasting are generally possible. Wine tourism circuits following this beautiful wine route in Haut-Médoc have also been designed: inquire at the intercommunal tourist office on +33 5 56 58 76 19.
Other hikes, this time on foot, allow you to '' understand the banks of the estuary as the old marshes bordering the fort or the vines, inland. Maps and information on +33 5 56 58 76 19.
Also worth mentioning is the possibility of joining the local walking club (contact on +33 5 56 58 94 30) or discovering the charms of the estuary via river walks at the start of the pontoon next to the fort. Information on +33 5 56 39 27 66.
Still in terms of leisure activities, finally note the activities offered regularly by the library (contact +33 5 56 58 91 30), the possibility of reserving a tennis court (contact +33 5 56 58 96 38) or to take advantage of the facilities of the "multisports" area of the municipality (inquire at +33 5 57 88 85 00).
