Bordeaux ↔ Moulis-en-Médoc & Listrac private chauffeur from €80: Chasse-Spleen, Poujeaux, Clarke. The Médoc's confidential appellations.

By Adrien Moreno, VTC chauffeur and founder of VTC Bordeaux Chauffeur (EVTC #03322012101). Article published in May 2026.

Last updated: 9 May 2026.

TL;DR

Moulis-en-Médoc and Listrac-Médoc are the only two communal Médoc appellations without access to the Gironde estuary: secret terroirs, exceptional wines, fewer crowds.
Château Chasse-Spleen, Château Clarke (Rothschild), Château Poujeaux: must-visit estates, accessible only by private vehicle (no public transport between châteaux).
Chauffeur rate from Bordeaux: from €80 for a single transfer, half-day from €220, full day from €440. Fixed rate, designated driver, unlimited tastings.

Moulis and Listrac: the connoisseurs' appellations

Pauillac, Margaux, Saint-Julien… everyone knows them. Moulis and Listrac, much less. That's exactly why you should go.

Moulis-en-Médoc and Listrac-Médoc are the only two communal Médoc appellations that don't border the Gironde estuary. They extend inland, sheltered from the major tourist routes, on terroirs of gravel, clay and limestone that produce wines of surprising complexity.

Moulis, recognised AOC since 1938, is the smallest communal appellation of the Médoc: about 630 hectares spread over a 12 km strip. Listrac, its immediate neighbour to the north, covers 700 hectares. Together, they form the "inland heart" of the Médoc.

What this changes for the visitor:

Fewer tourists, warmer welcomes at the estates
More intimate visits, often without obligatory booking
Bottle prices 3 to 5 times lower than Pauillac or Margaux, for often comparable quality

Moulis and Listrac are also the only two communal AOCs of the Médoc without a 1855 classified growth. This historical "fault" has become their strength: producers have bet everything on Crus Bourgeois, and the result is there.

Château Chasse-Spleen: the Médoc's most poetic name

The story of the name deserves attention. Legend attributes it to a visit by Lord Byron in 1821, during which the British poet is said to have declared that this wine was a perfect remedy to "chase away the spleen". Another version evokes Charles Baudelaire and the symbolist painter Odilon Redon, neighbour of the château, who would have suggested this name in reference to his illustration of Les Fleurs du Mal.

What is certain: every bottle of Chasse-Spleen still carries a poetic quotation on its label today. A detail that says everything about this estate's soul.

Chasse-Spleen is now a Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel and regularly outshines far more famous classified growths. It's one of the best value-for-money offers in the Médoc.

Why a chauffeur is ideal to discover Moulis and Listrac

The distance from Bordeaux is approximately 35 to 40 km, or 35 to 45 minutes' drive depending on the city departure point.

But here's the problem: the châteaux of Moulis and Listrac are dispersed inland, far from main roads, connected by narrow departmental roads winding between vines. No public transport serves the estates between them. A standard taxi will drop you off… and leave. You find yourself stranded in the middle of vines with an open bottle.

A private chauffeur with designated driver is a different logic:

Total tasting freedom: no designated driver to manage in the group
Waiting included during visits and tastings (1h to 1h30 per estate)
Custom itinerary: we adapt to your wishes, add or remove a château depending on the rhythm
Comfort: bottled water, chargers, air-conditioned vehicle

Comparison of transport options

Option	Flexibility	Free tasting	Indicative price	Access to remote châteaux
Private chauffeur (VTC)	Total	Yes	€220-440 / group	Yes
Standard taxi	Low	No (uncertain return)	Variable meter	Partial
Rental car	Good	No (sober driver)	€60-90 + fuel	Yes
Tour bus	None	Yes	€50-80 / pers.	No (fixed stops)
Train + bike	None	Yes	€20-30 + bike	No

The specific advantage of Moulis and Listrac: unlike Pauillac or Margaux where châteaux sometimes receive dozens of groups daily, here visits are often more intimate. Your driver accompanies you at your pace, with no imposed return constraint.

Book your chauffeur for Moulis and Listrac for a personalised quote or call directly for immediate booking.

The châteaux not to miss in Moulis and Listrac

Moulis-en-Médoc

Château Chasse-Spleen (Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel)

The appellation's flagship. A 135-hectare vineyard planted mainly in Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, on a terroir of gravel, clay and limestone. The cellar is magnificent, the estate also hosts a contemporary art space with temporary exhibitions. Open to visitors Monday to Friday (9:30am-5:30pm) and weekends (10am-5:30pm) from May to September, often without appointment.

Château Poujeaux (Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel)

Direct neighbour of Chasse-Spleen, from the same historic Grand-Poujeaux estate split in 1822. More tannic style, powerful wines with excellent ageing potential. Neal Martin (Wine Advocate) calls it "an exemplary cru bourgeois". A must for ageing wine enthusiasts.

Château Maucaillou

Ideal for novices and families. The estate hosts a museum of vine and wine arts and crafts: ancient tools, historic presses, complete explanation of the wine cycle. The visit is educational and accessible to everyone, even without oenological background.

Château Anthonic

An estate in biodynamic conversion, with a modern and committed approach. For those interested in sustainable viticulture and wines of great aromatic purity.

Listrac-Médoc

Château Clarke (Cru Bourgeois)

The story is fascinating. In 1973, Baron Edmond de Rothschild bought this then-abandoned estate. He had the entire vineyard uprooted and replanted 55 hectares, making the bold bet of Merlot rather than Cabernet Sauvignon, better suited to Listrac's clay-limestone soils. An unprecedented choice in the Médoc at the time. Today, the château is managed by Ariane de Rothschild and represents the icon of the Listrac appellation. Edmond de Rothschild is buried in the estate's gardens.

Château Fourcas Hosten (Cru Bourgeois Supérieur)

Structured wines, firm tannins, typically Listracaise. A serious estate, well-managed, offering a fine introduction to the appellation's style.

Cave de Listrac (Grand Listrac)

The appellation's cooperative gathers about half of Listrac's producers. Ideal to discover the diversity of the appellation at very accessible prices, without booking. A good starting point for the curious.

Our chauffeur service packages for Moulis and Listrac

All our rates are fixed and all-inclusive: bottled water, USB chargers, château waiting included. No nasty meter surprises.

Fixed prices, guaranteed at booking. No meter, no peak-hour or holiday surcharge. Our reference grid for the Médoc, identical to that of our Bordeaux Chauffeur ↔ Médoc page.

Single transfer Bordeaux → Moulis or Listrac (~35 km, 40-45 min)

Category	Capacity	One-way fare
Eco	1-3 pax	from €80
Sedan (Mercedes E-Class)	1-3 pax	from €90
Van	4-7 pax	from €100
Mercedes V-Class van	4-7 pax	from €120

Single transfer suits if you've already booked your day on site. To visit several châteaux in one day, on-call hire (below) is almost always more coherent.

On-call hire with dedicated chauffeur — the Médoc's flagship package

Your chauffeur stays with you for the agreed duration, takes you from one château to the next, waits during tastings, drops you at the restaurant and resumes service in the early afternoon. Minimum 4 hours. Same rates for all Médoc appellations.

Category	Capacity	4h (half-day)	6h (mid-day)	8h (full day)
Eco	1-3 pax	€220	€330	€440
Sedan (Mercedes E-Class)	1-3 pax	€260	€390	€520
Van	4-7 pax	€280	€420	€560
Mercedes V-Class van	4-7 pax	€320	€480	€640

Which package for which need

Half-day Moulis 4h — 2-3 châteaux (Chasse-Spleen, Poujeaux, Maucaillou).
Half-day Listrac 4h — 2 châteaux (Clarke, Fourcas Hosten + Cave).
Full day 8h Moulis + Listrac — 4-5 châteaux, lunch break, both appellations covered.
"Médoc for connoisseurs" 8h day — Moulis + Listrac + lunch at local restaurant, the off-the-beaten-track day.

Included in all packages: fresh bottled water, iPhone and USB-C chargers, waiting during visits and tastings, itinerary flexibility.

Not included: château entry fees (generally €10-20 per person), meals and wine purchases.

Book your chauffeur for Moulis & Listrac · View the full Médoc grid

Recommended itineraries

Moulis half-day (4-5h, departure 9:30am)

9:30am - Departure from central Bordeaux

10:15am - Château Chasse-Spleen: cellar visit and tasting (1h15)

11:30am - Château Poujeaux: comparative tasting (45 min)

12:30pm - Château Maucaillou: museum and tasting (1h)

2:00pm - Return to Bordeaux

Perfect for a complete morning without rushing. We stay in Moulis, take time to understand the appellation in depth.

Moulis + Listrac day (7-8h, departure 9:30am)

9:30am - Departure Bordeaux

10:15am - Château Chasse-Spleen (1h15)

11:30am - Château Poujeaux (45 min)

12:30pm - Lunch in Moulis-en-Médoc or Listrac (1h15)

2:00pm - Château Clarke (1h15)

3:15pm - Château Fourcas Hosten or Cave de Listrac (45 min)

4:30pm - Return departure to Bordeaux

5:15pm - Arrival Bordeaux

A complete day, two appellations, two distinct wine characters. It's our favourite itinerary for enthusiasts who really want to understand the "heart of the Médoc".

"Authentic Médoc" itinerary (full day, departure 9am)

For those who want to combine the inland appellations with Margaux:

9:00am - Departure Bordeaux

9:45am - Château Chasse-Spleen, Moulis (1h15)

11:00am - Château Poujeaux (45 min)

12:00pm - Lunch on site

1:30pm - Drive to Margaux (20 min)

2:00pm - Château Margaux or Château Palmer (booking required)

4:00pm - Château Kirwan or Château Rauzan-Ségla (45 min)

5:30pm - Return Bordeaux

Moulis in the morning, Margaux in the afternoon: the southern Médoc in all its diversity, without rushing.

Want to build your own itinerary? Contact us, we adapt the day to your favourite châteaux and pace.

Moulis and Listrac combined with other appellations

Moulis and Listrac combine naturally with neighbouring appellations for themed days:

Moulis + Margaux (southern Médoc day)

Both appellations are on the same road axis (D2 and D5), 20 minutes apart. Ideal to compare styles: the finesse and accessibility of Moulis against the classic elegance of Margaux. See our dedicated page for Bordeaux Chauffeur Médoc for full-day Médoc options.

Moulis + Listrac + Saint-Julien (heart of Médoc day)

An ambitious but feasible programme by leaving early. Saint-Julien is 25 minutes north of Listrac. We move from the intimacy of the "secret" appellations to the grandeur of Léoville or Ducru-Beaucaillou.

Combine Moulis with Margaux for a day in the southern Médoc: see our Bordeaux Chauffeur Margaux page.

To prepare your visit, our complete Médoc guide gives you all the practical information on the appellations, seasons and must-see châteaux.

FAQ

How much does a chauffeur from Bordeaux to Moulis-en-Médoc cost?

A single transfer Bordeaux to Moulis-en-Médoc costs from €80 in eco (€90 in Mercedes E-Class, €100 in van, €120 in Mercedes V-Class van) at fixed rate. For a half-day with 2-3 château visits, count €220 in eco (€260 sedan, €280 van) for on-call hire 4h. The full Moulis + Listrac day is €440 in eco (€520 sedan, €560 van) for 8h. All rates are fixed, no meter and no surprise.

What's the difference between Moulis and Listrac?

The two appellations are neighbours but their terroirs differ. Moulis is dominated by gravel ridges that produce fine, elegant and complex wines, with beautiful suppleness on the palate. Listrac rests on deeper clay-limestone soils, producing generally fleshier, more tannic wines with a firmer structure. In Moulis we focus on finesse; in Listrac, we seek power and ageing.

Why is it called Château Chasse-Spleen?

The origin of the name remains shrouded in mystery, which gives it even more charm. The best-known version attributes the name to a visit by Lord Byron in 1821: the British poet would have declared that this wine was a perfect remedy to "chase away the spleen". Another version evokes Charles Baudelaire and the painter Odilon Redon, neighbour of the estate, who would have suggested this name in connection with his illustration of Les Fleurs du Mal. What is certain: every bottle carries a poetic quotation on its label, perpetuating this literary tradition.

Are Moulis and Listrac cheaper than Pauillac and Margaux?

Yes, very clearly. The price of vines in Moulis is about €70,000/hectare on average, compared to €3 million/hectare in Pauillac. This difference in land value translates directly to bottle prices: a great Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel from Moulis is often between €20 and €50, where a Pauillac classified growth rarely starts under €100. For an enthusiast seeking quality without paying the prestige of the name, it's the ideal place.

Can you visit Moulis and Listrac in a half-day?

Yes, perfectly. A half-day (4 to 5 hours) allows comfortable visits to 2 to 3 châteaux, with tastings. Our Moulis half-day formula (Chasse-Spleen, Poujeaux, Maucaillou) or Listrac half-day (Clarke, Fourcas Hosten) are designed exactly for that. If you want to combine both appellations, plan a full day.

Does Château Clarke really belong to the Rothschilds?

Yes. Baron Edmond de Rothschild bought Château Clarke in 1973, when the estate was abandoned. He had the vineyard fully replanted between 1974 and 1978, making the bold bet of Merlot rather than Cabernet Sauvignon. Today, the estate is managed by Ariane de Rothschild within the Edmond de Rothschild Heritage group. Little-known fact: Edmond de Rothschild is buried in the château's gardens, proof of the family's deep attachment to this estate.

What's the best time to visit Moulis and Listrac?

From May to October, châteaux are generally open with extended hours. June and September are ideal: the vines are beautiful, temperatures are pleasant, and estates are less crowded than mid-summer. October is particularly magical during the harvests: cellar activity peaks and some châteaux offer special visits. Avoid August if possible: some estates reduce their hours or close for holidays.

Does the chauffeur wait during visits and tastings?

Yes, waiting is included in all our packages. That's precisely the advantage of chauffeur service over a standard taxi. Your chauffeur remains available throughout your visit, whether it lasts 45 minutes or 2 hours. You taste at your pace, without watching the clock. If you want to extend at a particular château, just let us know: we adapt.

Useful sources

Syndicat des vins de Moulis-en-Médoc - official information on the appellation, château list and visiting hours
Listrac-Médoc appellation syndicate - estate map, appellation news
Château Chasse-Spleen (official site) - hours, tour rates, contemporary art exhibitions
Château Clarke - Edmond de Rothschild Heritage - estate history and visits
Médoc Plein Sud Tourist Office - accommodation, restaurants and activities around Moulis and Listrac

Continue exploring the Médoc

Combine with the Grand Crus: Margaux 15 minutes south, or Pauillac 30 minutes north (Lafite, Latour, Mouton-Rothschild). For an even more complete day, add Saint-Estèphe and Cos d'Estournel.

To go further: our complete Médoc guide covers the 8 appellations, history, the 1855 classification and the D2. To book, see our Bordeaux Chauffeur ↔ Médoc page.

Bordeaux to Moulis-en-Médoc: Chasse-Spleen, Poujeaux (2026)