# Tag 66 from the beach side to the wine region - the Médoc

Well folks, thanks for the comments on the various media. Somehow we all were here on the Atlantic Ocean after high school or after our apprenticeship. Mimizan Plage, the Dune of Pyla, and Arcachon Bay, we know them from those times (Greetings to Clemens, Manna, Peter, Frog and the many others from that time).

On the way from Mimizan to Lacanau Ocean, the dune was on the way and we had to stop at the request of a single gentleman. Here too, commerce has made its way. You have to pass a paid parking lot, various stalls, and toilet facilities before the view of the massive dune is revealed. You stand in awe and wonder if the climb is feasible and within the fitness range. Then the view of the staircase structure - that should work.

Together with the human caravan, we started to climb. With some mountaineers, one already had concerns whether they would survive the ascent unharmed.

On the ridge, the reward awaits with an unobstructed view of the sea and the coastal landscapes, and Cap Ferret on the opposite side.

The Dune of Pilat (also known as Grande Dune du Pilat) on the Atlantic coast near Arcachon (France) is the highest parabolic dune in Europe.

It has a north-south course and is up to 110 meters high, 500 meters wide, about 2.7 kilometers long (estimated volume 60 million cubic meters), and is located at the mouth of the Arcachon Bay, south of the town of Arcachon and the suburb of Pyla-sur-Mer, opposite Lège-Cap-Ferret.

Aside from the natural spectacle, the dune has also become a hotspot for paragliders in recent years due to favorable winds.

Memories of our time 40 years ago came flooding back. This is where we spent our first vacations with our own car. The Dune of Pilat and the Arcachon Bay were so popular, we just had to go. And apparently, everyone back then was infected by that virus.

The next destination was 40 km further north in Lacanau, also a place that consists of two parts. The actual town is inland, the beach part with the beautiful nickname Lacanau Ocean is directly on the coast with its fine sandy beach.

Here we set up camp in the parking lot in front of a campground. There are already several campervans there, but there is enough space in principle. The naturally preserved place in a pine wood has power connections and disposal facilities - what more could you ask for? It's about 3 km by bike to the beach.

On this evening, the northern beach is reserved for surfers who enjoy the evening on the water with favorable winds and waves.

We only explore the town and will have a day at the beach tomorrow. We deserve it.

In the evening, we make plans for how to continue our journey.

In any case, we will continue on and visit the wine region on the other side of the Médoc peninsula.

I've been reading about it for days to explore the best way through the vineyards. But reading about it and experiencing it are two different things. When we saw the first grapevines through the pine forest, there was also a signpost to a chateau, to a domaine, and invitations to tastings at every corner.

That doesn't really help us, where should we start and stop. We have absolutely no plan where our day will end today. In the town of Lamarque, there is a ferry dock across the Gironde. And there is also a designated parking lot there. It looks good and also has electricity, water, and disposal facilities - but it is completely empty.

We drive off into the unknown and anchor for now in the neighboring town of Cussac next to Chateau Lamothe. The castle and the winery look exactly as you would imagine.

The friendly lady at the entrance arranges a companion for a wine tasting for us. It takes place in style in the vaulted cellar and includes 3 wines from the winery. When we see each other after the third wine, poof - the first crate is bought.

We do the second tasting in a cooperative winery in the neighboring town, where various wineries in the region offer their wines.

Then we finally want to find a place for the night and consult Park4night once again. Ideally, we want to stay at a winery with a tasting. The suggestion leads us back to Cussac and back to Chateau Lamothe - right across from it is Chateau Moulin Rouge, a traditional family business.

The exceptionally friendly lady of the house is delighted with the visit and immediately shows us a spot in the winery right next to the vines, where we would be happy to stay. When I ask if we can have a tasting, we agree on 6 p.m.

We are standing in front of the door on time and for over an hour we learn about the secrets of wine cultivation and the traditional methods of the winery.

Here too, the wine convinces us and poof - the next crate is stored.

It can't go on like this tomorrow. But it's fun...