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Your stay in Saint-Estèphe – Practical Information

We are delighted to welcome you and hope you have a pleasant and memorable stay. This page has been designed to answer any practical questions you may have before or during your visit.

You will find useful information to fully enjoy your stay, in a friendly atmosphere and with respect and comfort for all.

If you have any further questions or specific needs, please do not hesitate to contact us: we will be happy to help.

Check-In/Check-Out

Your room will be prepared to welcome you. Check-in is from 5pm, and the property must be vacated by 11am on your departure day. To allow us to prepare it for the next guests. Please let us know if you expect to arrive after 8pm.

Breakfast

Stay in Saint-Estèphe Médoc - Refined breakfast at Château Papounan: fresh fruit salad, Bordeaux canelé, yogurt and homemade jams, in a charming guest room in the heart of the Bordeaux vineyards.

We serve the Breakfast between 8am and 10am.

Please let us know in advance if you would like to have breakfast earlier, and we will do our best to accommodate you.

Château Papounan is non-smoking

For the comfort and health of all, Smoking is prohibited in all rooms of Château Papounan. You may, however, smoke in the garden. An ashtray is provided. If you nevertheless decide to smoke in one of the rooms, we will charge you a fee of €250 for cleaning and disinfection costs.

We do not accept animals

Unfortunately, we unable to welcome your pet dog, cat, guinea pig, or even raccoon. However, we can recommend a cat and dog boarding facility in a neighboring village. We choose it for our dogs when we travel and they can't come with us.

Settlement of the balance

The balance must be paid upon arrival at Château Papounan.. Meals and additional services not mentioned in the contract or quote will be payable at the end of your stay. We are equipped with a payment terminal and We accept payments by card or cash.

Deposit due upon booking

Reservations are only guaranteed upon receipt of a deposit of 30 % of the total cost of the stay at the time of booking.

This deposit can be paid by:

  • Credit card when booking on our website
  • Bank transfer within 5 days of booking and before the start of the stay 
  • Holiday Vouchers or Connect Holiday Vouchers
  • A bank check made payable to "Château Papounan" must reach us within 10 days of your booking and at least 15 days before the start of your stay.

If the deposit is not received within the required timeframe, the reservation will be automatically cancelled.

Cancellation or modification

Except in the case of a non-refundable rate, in the event of cancellation or modification before the start of the stay, if it occurs:

  • If you cancel more than 30 days before the start of your stay, the deposit will be fully refunded.
  • Up to 3 days before the arrival date, 30 % of the total amount of the stay will be retained
  • In the event of late arrival (less than 3 days) or no-show, Château Papounan may demand payment of the entire balance of the stay that had been booked.

Cancellation must be notified to us by letter or email. We will confirm the change or cancellation by email. Any stay already begun is due in full unless there is force majeure.

Tourist Tax

The Community of Municipalities Médoc Heart of the Peninsula has instituted a tourist tax of €1.05 per person, per night, throughout its territory. This amount will be added to your bill and is intended to promote tourism in the community or to fund expenses related to the protection and management of natural areas for tourism purposes within our territory.

How to get around Saint-Estèphe?

Château Papounan is located in the heart of the Médoc, a magnificent region but poorly served by public transport. Here are our tips for planning your travels:

  • Nearest train station: Pauillac, about a 10-minute drive away.
  • Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport It's about a 1-hour drive. Car rental agencies are available at the airport.
  • Bordeaux Saint-Jean train station Allow 1 hour 30 minutes by car or 1 hour by train from Pauillac. Car hire is available at the train station (remember to check the timetable if you arrive late).

We highly recommend having a car, as services like Uber are scarce in the Médoc. This will allow you to fully enjoy the surrounding area.

  • Bordeaux is about an hour away, for a day of culture or shopping.
  • The Atlantic beaches are 35 minutes away, ideal for a nature getaway.

For those who enjoy walks, a bike rental in Pauillac-Bages offers delivery directly to Château Papounan. An excellent option for exploring the vineyards at your own pace.

How to organize your visits châteaux in the Médoc?

The Médoc is a must-see destination for wine lovers, and Saint-Estèphe is one of its jewels. Here's what you need to know to fully enjoy your visit:

  • An exceptional wealth : Saint-Estèphe It boasts over 60 châteaux, including 5 Grands Crus Classés. The neighboring villages also offer numerous opportunities.
  • Reservations are essential during peak season. (June to September): Places are limited, so it is crucial to book in advance.
  • Our help : we can advise you and even organize the bookings for you.
  • Variable access : châteaux not all of them are open to the public. For example, Château Montrose is reserved for professionals, but its scope Tronquoy offers a superb experience with remarkable wines.
  • Sunday It can be difficult to find châteaux open tables, even in high season (but some do).
  • Vary your visits : many of our guests focus on the Grands Crus Classés, but we recommend also discovering more private properties for a complete experience.

An event not to be missed : every spring, the wineries châteaux of Médoc open their doors for a weekend during the Springtime in the Médoc Châteaux Visits, tastings and activities at many properties, including some that are usually closed to the public. Dates for 2027 have not yet been announced: contact us to be notified as soon as they are published, or visit the Médoc Vignoble website. Remember to book early; this is one of the most popular weekends of the year.

Do you follow an eco-friendly approach?

Yes: solar panels, heat pumps controlled by Home Assistant, steam cleaning with no chemical products, and no more single-use products in the rooms.

Find out more on our page: Sustainability.