Les Vignobles de Marmande

Location:  Lot & Garonne,  on the Bordeaux side of  Marmande, junction of  the D933 with the D813

At the junction of the Mont de Marsan to Périgueux road (the new D933) and the Agen road (the D813) on the edge of Marmande, there is an imposing roundabout suitable for the entrance to a town that is proud of its wines.

In the autumn the leaves on the vines have a golden hue, and the evergreens form an elegant backdrop.

The text announces:  "Vignobles des Côtes du Marmandais" (Vinyards of the Marmandais hillsides) 

The Cradle of the French Vine

Location: Languedoc-Roussillon, junction 37 of the E15/A9, for Narbonne (D32) and Narbonne Plage and Gruissan (D168)

Turning off the motorway at Narbonne and coming through the toll gates, there immediately in front is a roundabout with a huge wine pitcher pouring wine.

The flow of wine is more obvious in winter. In summer it is partly hidden by the foliage of what look like poplars.

The writing on the stone slab in front says "Narbonne, berceau de la vigne Française: Narbonne cradle of the French vine".

Wikipedia says: "Grapevines are said to have existed in the South of France since the Pliocene period - before the existence of Homo sapiens. The first vineyards of Gaul developed around two towns: Béziers and Narbonne."

D2 out of Bordeaux

Location: Gironde, D2 heading north out of Bordeaux, junction with D211, crossroads to Macau (east) and Paloumey (west)


At the start of the D2 going north out of Bordeaux (which is the road that passes many of the great Bordeaux vineyards and chateaux) there is a wonderful roundabout where each "side" tells a story. The roundabout sits at the D2 junction with the D211 to Macau on the mouth of the Garonne.

We have the blue of the sea circled by a net. Then there is the red earth surrounded by vines. Spanning the two is a metalwork

"gateway", with fish and vine leaves. Although difficult to see because it is covered one side by a banner, I think there is also an artichoke in the centre of the "gates".

The whole is a grand entrance to the Médoc wine region.

D207 at Brach

Location: The Gironde: The D207 Carcan < > Castelnau-de-Médoc coming into the village of Brach

The small roundabout at the entrance to Brach on the D207 to Castelnau-de-Médoc in the Gironde is gently surreal. Is the skeleton hut meant to be leaning over? And what is the bicycle wheel attached to the rusty oil drum supposed to be?*

* Paul suggests that it might have been stuffed with burning straw or sawdust and used to keep frost or insects at bay in orchards

Peage Marmande Turn-off

Location: Turning from D933 south of Marmande, Lot & Garonne, onto the toll motorway A62/E72 (Bordeaux < > Toulouse, junction 5)

This roundabout reminds us of Marmandais vineyards in the locality. The metal writing says "Les Vignerons du Marmandais". The "g" is intriguing, because only the top half of the letter is evident, so it looks like an "a".

I think the pebbles are meant to represent the Garonne, with the vines growing on the valley sides.