Hotel Le Marin

If you think you are the active type or have a passion for a particular sport, there's a huge selection of leisure activities perfect for you in the Medoc. Or take things at a slower pace; a walk through the vineyards, a stroll on the beach, the choice and the time is all yours....

The Marathon des Châteaux, Medoc

The Marathon des Châteaux du Médoc et des Graves in September takes you through the Medoc area. At each village music, wine tasting and parties. This event started in 1984 and now takes in over 50 vineyards and has found its place as one of the must do's of the marathon world events.

Show Bike, Montalivet

Over 5000 people and 1000 Harley's (also a mixture of custom motorcycles and trikes), the biggest motorbike meeting in the Aquitaine region of France. The village of Montalivet opens her doors for a wild weekend. Huge ride out, concerts, demos, freestyle and fun. If you are looking for a quiet weekend at the Hotel Le Marin keep away from this one!!

Jet Ski Freeride, Montalivet

The world championship of jet ski in waves is part of the IFWA's world championship tour takes a stop over in Montalivet. Known as the Jet Jump Extreme, the world's best pilots in the waves are judged equally on wave surfing and aerial maneuvers.

Trophée des Sables, Le Gurp

The 3-hour Euduro Gurp TT beach race (part of the French Trophée des Sables - French cup of motorbike beach racing) runs its course each year across the dunes 10km north from Montalivet. Between the forest and the sand it's known as the toughest motorbike race in France.

Golf Medoc

The Relais de Margaux (Medoc's leading golf destination), The Golf du Médoc (12th best course in France), Golf de Pessac (huge bunkers), Golf de Gujan-Mestras (Florida style), the Golf de Lacanau (heavy pine forests) and the mini golf of Montalivet...

Surfing Medoc

The beach breaks of the Medoc produce ideal waves for surfers, longboarders and bodyboarders; Montalivet is the centre of kms of undiscovered waves when you get the right conditions. Walk down the beach a few hundred metres and find a surf break all to yourself or step into one of the surf schools for a few pointers under the secure instruction of Montasurfschool or Capmontalivet.

Horse Riding Montalivet

Riding is available throughout the area, particularly recommended is “de Claviéres” at Vendays. Riding lessons and pony grooming. Using the dedicated team from trainer to box boy you will be able to develop your riding skills in a secure environment or take a trek down the beach.

Land Yacht Montalivet

Land yacht and speedsailing courses are run from Capmontalivet, with the low tides and a bit of wind you will be able to sail down the beach for over 20km. The club holds annual competitions and is the host to the 2008 Junior French Championships.

Wine tours in the Medoc

Wine! Wine! Wine! 300 chateaux to visit within an hour's journey (including Chateau Lafite Rothschild, Chateau Mouton Rothschild, Lynch-Bages, Pichon Lonqueville, Beychevelles). There are wine tasting tours covering the most prestigious and fabulous wines of France. The new “Winery” at Arsac on the way to Bordeaux is a 15-hectare park devoted to art, sculpture and the grape.

La Palmyre Zoo

The Palmyre zoo is the largest in France (over 1600 different species) with spectacular polar bear viewing, sea lion spectacles and a children's zoo from which it can be very difficult to persuade your children to leave!

Cordouan Lighthouse

A visit to Cordouan Lighthouse is a good day outing for children and adults alike, including a boat trip and a climb to the top. The Lighthouse has beautiful architecture, with frescoes and a chapel, and has just been saved for posterity by giant underpinning works over the last year.

Lakeside hamlet of Picquerot

The Hourtin area benefits from a great beach with the lake virtually alongside. Visit the little lakeside hamlet of Picquerot by turning left on the way to Hourtin Plage where small children will enjoy paddling and swimming in the shallow water as a change from the big waves on the Atlantic coast of the Medoc.

Adventure park

Discover Montalivet by the forest using monkey bridges, beams, rope ladders, nets and tyrolean lines (zip lines). An adventure activity park situated in the Pine forest. Alternatively try out the Montalivet Paintball, an activity for all the family, which is ideal if the children have too much energy to spare after an action packed day on the beach.