A series of summer celebrations in Bordeaux
Tuesday 25th June – Intimate paired dinner at Château Palmer
Nestled in the heart of the Médoc, 40 minutes outside the city of Bordeaux, lies acclaimed third growth Château Palmer, its turreted, 19th Century baronial castle sitting in the centre of the village – and commune – of Margaux.
It is extremely rare that this private château is opened to the public. However, on Tuesday 25th June, the Sichel and Mähler-Besse families are kindly offering 67 Pall Mall Members the opportunity to glimpse behind the château doors and enjoy a Michelin-starred dining experience.
The evening will begin with a tour of the cellars hosted by the estate’s director Sébastien Menut, followed by an aperitif in the drawing room, before dinner is served in the ornately decorated dining room. Dinner will comprise multiple courses created by Jean-Denis Le Bras, the estate’s in-house, multi-Michelin-starred chef. In concocting each course, Le Bras draws directly on the estate’s vegetable garden, adjoining greenhouse, and the ripening rooms for fish and meat. He prioritises locally sourced delicacies, always with the same focus on thorough cooking and impactful sauces. The result is local, seasonal and eminently modern cuisine. Each course will be carefully paired with a Palmer vintage – with a couple of surprises along the way.
The ticket includes transfer to and from central Bordeaux.
Tuesday 25th June
17:30 Meet outside the Intercontinental Hotel, 2-5 Place De La Comédie, to depart Bordeaux
18:30 Tour of the cellars
19:15 Welcome drink in the drawing room followed by dinner
22:00 Dinner ends, transfer to Bordeaux departs
Kindly advise of any dietary requirements at least 72 hours before the event. Tickets are limited to two per person.
Wednesday 26th June – Oysters and white Bordeaux in Cap Ferret
Beyond Bordeaux, the scenic peninsula of Cap Ferret offers the perfect day-trip for Members seeking a laid-back sojourn in easy distance of the city. The oysters that are fished here are considered the best in France. These jewels of the sea are best enjoyed alongside a Bordeaux blanc from the shelter of one of the oyster fishermen’s colourful cabanes that are dotted along the bay side of Cap Ferret.
For this seafood lunch, we will arrange transport from the centre of Bordeaux to Chez Boulan in Cap Ferret, a beautiful cabane situated in view of Dune du Pilat and the glittering Bassin d’Arcachon beyond. In addition to platters of oysters, Members will have the choice of local prawns, whelks, periwinkles and shrimp to indulge in. These will be paired with Château le Grand Verdus 2023 and Achillea 2022 poured by the team at Chez Boulan and enjoyed in the company of fellow Members. For an alternative to seafood, verrines of pork pâté are also available on the menu.
Following this, we encourage you to meander Cap Ferret’s picturesque streets towards the pier, where you will be met by the bus to return you to Bordeaux centre.
Wednesday 26th June
10:30 Depart Bordeaux for Cap Ferret
12:00 Lunch at Chez Boulan
15:00 Lunch ends
16:00 Transfer back to Bordeaux
Thursday 27th June – Summer Party
The stunning city of Bordeaux is an even prettier picture when viewed by boat. The wide Garonne waterway sweeps through the historic heart of the city, providing an unobscured view of the UNESCO world-heritage-listed buildings that line the river. We felt, then, that a nautical vibe would provide a fitting theme for this year’s Bordeaux Summer Party.
The Burdigala II will be transformed into a floating 67 Pall Mall for the evening. From the spacious deck and interior cabin, our sommeliers will be serving at wine stations generously stocked with fine wines, sourced from both local and international producers. We look forward to revealing the full list closer to the event.
To complement our vinous selection, we are thrilled to be working with renowned local gastronomic specialists, Humblot Experiences, to provide a gourmet buffet menu. From delicate canapés to a refined selection of mains, some offered from chef stations, and a selection of desserts, the menu will demonstrate the best of local cuisine.
Guests will be collected from the Ponton d’Honneur Passerelle Garonne Gangway, in front of 186 Quai Richelieu, at 18:15. The evening will begin with Champagne and canapés from a mooring at Quai de Queyries on the right bank.
We then commence a gentle couple of hours spent cruising along the river in the evening light. Once safely stationed on firmer ground back the Quai des Queyries, our DJ will turn the music up and we encourage Members to join us on the dancefloor. As the evening draws to a close, we will return you back at the docks in the centre of the city.
No Zalto glass will be left unfilled as we celebrate summer in the world’s wine capital. We hope to see you there!
Thursday 27th June
18:15 Boat moves to moorings at 7 Quai des Queyries
20:00 Check in closes, cruise begins
22:00 Boat returns to moorings at 7 Quai des Queyries, option for guests to depart if they wish
23:00 Event ends
Dress code: Smart casual
Bordeaux Fête le Vin
Our summer celebrations coincide perfectly with Bordeaux’s annual Fête la Vin. From Thursday 27th to Sunday 30th June, visitors can explore Bordeaux’s winemaking heritage on the quayside with a rich programme of tastings and experiences.
To see the full programme of events and activities, click here.
Further exploration
For Members seeking to explore the joys of the Bordeaux and Nouvelle-Acquitane region further, we are delighted to recommend a local guide who has worked in the area for a long time and offers curated wine experiences, private winery visits, and more.
Timothy Olson at The Bordeaux Concierge