The Port of the Moon

This walk through Chartrons traces Bordeaux’s wine-trading past, culminating in a tasting inside the historic négociant museum. The walk begins at Esplanade des Quinconces, where Victoria introduces Bordeaux as a city shaped by its river and by centuries of maritime commerce. The Chartrons quays, a stretch of 18th-century façades, once framed the work of wine merchants and brokers linked to the Port de la Lune. Turning inland, Rue Notre-Dame shows how trade and domestic life overlapped: cellars below, families above, and today antique shops that echo the district’s merchant past. The church of Saint-Louis des Chartrons and nearby market square mark a neighborhood built around exchange, storage, and early structures of Bordeaux’s wine economy. The walk leads to the Musée du Vin et du Négoce, housed in the former cellars of Louis XV’s royal broker. In its vaulted rooms, Victoria shares how Roman Burdigala developed into a commercial city, and négociants shaped Bordeaux’s reputation.

In Chartrons, you stand in the district where merchant families developed the systems — barrel storage, classification practices — that forged Bordeaux’s identity. You understand how the crescent-shaped river bend gave its name and became Europe’s first major commercial port by the 18th century. Victoria’s dual expertise — licensed guide and internationally certified wine specialist — allows her to connect architecture, maritime trade, grape varieties, and local practices into a compelling narrative. She explains how négociant families built the trade, and how varietals and traditions intersect. Your visit to Musée du Vin et du Négoce is strictly private, so you can explore the historic cellars at your own pace with Victoria’s informed perspective. It is an exclusive opportunity to experience Bordeaux’s wine culture with depth, precision, and the insight usually reserved for industry professionals. Conclude with a tasting of two wines reflecting the region’s terroir and culture.

Victoria Nabholz has spent nearly two decades immersed in the heart of Bordeaux. A licensed guide and internationally certified wine expert, she brings to life the grandeur of Saint-Émilion’s classified châteaux, the charm of Bordeaux's historic streets, the serene beauty of coastal lagoons, and the wider Aquitaine. Her tours unfold within UNESCO World Heritage landscapes and prestigious wine estates included in Saint-Émilion’s 1955 classification. She pairs deep local knowledge with global perspective, and her passion for weaving stories connects wine, architecture, history, culture and gastronomy into vibrant narratives. With Victoria, every moment reveals a new layer of Bordeaux’s soul — a journey rich in flavor, texture, and place.

Confortable shoes and an umbrella in case of rain. ** Please bring €12 per person to be paid directly on-site by the visitor based on museum rules.