Saint-Michel-de-Fronsac combines the wine-growing landscape of the Canon-Fronsac appellation with a Romanesque church, historic pilgrimage routes, and a circular walking trail offering views of the Dordogne and Isle. When planning a stay, it is possible to specifically take into account the wish to rent a holiday apartment in Saint-Michel-de-Fronsac.
Culture and History
The Église de Saint-Michel de Fronsac is a Romanesque church in the Saintongeais style. Its apse, choir, and bell tower have been listed as historic monuments by decree of 24 December 1925. From 1171 to 1613, the church was a priory of Guîtres Abbey.
Until the mid-19th century, the Bordeaux–Libourne–Périgueux road passing through Saint-Michel-de-Fronsac was used by pilgrims to Santiago de Compostela from western France. A hospice for pilgrims was established in Lariveau near the historic route that began at the Port de Perpignan. The Fontaine de Mazeris is jointly used by three châteaux and was restored around 15 years ago. The Moulin de Mazeris-Bellevue is one of the municipality’s three mills.
Wine and Local Traditions
Saint-Michel-de-Fronsac is considered the birthplace of the Canon-Fronsac appellation; this appellation is produced in the village. Château Cassagne Haut-Canon is a 15-hectare estate in the Canon-Fronsac appellation on the heights of Saint-Michel-de-Fronsac. On its “Le Panorama” terrace, it offers wine tastings accompanied by sweet or savoury foods.
Château Mazeris offers tours and wine tastings exclusively by appointment. In its sales cellar, the château offers a tasting of two cuvées. It also offers a tour of the vineyards and cellar followed by a tasting of three cuvées and a wine-and-food pairing. Les Ruchers de la Caussade is a family-run beekeeping business that has existed for three generations.
Landscape and Circular Trail
Saint-Michel-de-Fronsac features slopes of the AOC Canon-Fronsac as well as the former broad bed of the Dordogne, which gave way to a marshland locally called “palus”. The Boucle des Terrasses is an easy 6.4 km circular walking trail starting in Saint-Michel-de-Fronsac, with 129 m of ascent and a stated duration of two hours. It offers panoramic views of the Dordogne and the Isle and lists vineyard huts and mills among its points of interest.
The Mascaret can be seen in summer at the Port de Perpignan on the RD670E3, a former Roman road.
