Highlights of Duras
If you are a wine tourist who wants a journey of discovery in a rural area and a compact wine region crammed with a vast range of attractions, Dropt and the Garonne river system, river boats, chateaux, historical wine villages, English Bastides towns, great markets and so much more; then the Duras wine region will appeal to you
Festivals
The Duras Montgolfier balloon festival usually takes place in the second week in August. Every day, fifteen or so brightly coloured hot-air balloons take off from Duras castle or one of the villages. Medieval Festival Great Wine Festival Duras Town
Duras Town like so many other medieval towns, villages and Bastides in the Duras region is remarkably well-conserved. Duras town is situated on the Dropt River and its quays once bustled with the loading of wine barrels onto "garbares", flat-bottomed boats, for shipping to Bordeaux. Chateau de Duras
The chateau has a long and lustrous history being built in 1308 as a fortress by Bertrand de Goth. By the 16th century the Durforts, Dukes of Duras, had converted it into a "residential dwelling". The chateau has been extensively renovated and today houses a fine museum and over 35 restored rooms that can be visited. Much of the building is open to the public and is certainly worth a visit. Well worth a visit and an explore. Issigeac
Charming medieval village constructed largely in the 14th and 15th centuries, it was designed as a fortified town - "Bastide". It is situated 16 kms to the north of Duras and often described as the village of stone and timber. Very original and a real trip back to the Middle Ages. On Sundays this peaceful village comes vibrantly alive with a colourful and busy street market - considered to be in the top 100 markets in France.
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Eymet - Bastide town
This medieval village clusters around its square and for centuries has been the centre for commerce and regional life