Auberge l'Ancienne Poste
Place Cazeaux Cazalet –
33410 Rions
Tel: 05 56 27 43 31

Rions is an ancient fortified village overlooking the Garonne. I had tentatively driven through the gate house and up to this attractive square tree lined and with the top open with a view across fields to the river. Opposite this open end is an attractive typical French building that looks like it was once the town hall, or similar. It bears the inscription Rions 1912 at its front peak. There was a sign saying Auberge but very little movement or sign of life. Needless to say I was not sure it was open. I had just got out of my car to check when a gentleman exited the auberge and walked to his car and drove off. Obviously seeing my confusion he stopped and gave me a thumbs up sign. I needed no second invitation.
In side is a pleasant parquet floored room with wooden furniture and black table clothes with an old stove sitting at in the chimney looking no doubt as it did many moons ago. The sun shone through the narrow high windows as I was greeted by a pleasant host. I suspect she was the wife of the chef.
I had a hot goats cheese salad with lamb chops as mains. I drank a very agreeable bottle of Lezongars (Website) which is a local wine maker in the class premier cotes de Bordeaux.
An other excellent find and well worth a detour to see this fascinating old village as well as finding a very acceptable repas.
On a passing note I knew very little about premier cotes de Bordeaux and Graves (the other side of the river) before visiting this area. The vineyards are mainly small and make varied wine: generally much softer than the classic Bordeaux big names because predominate grape is often Merlot. In the case of the L’Enclos du Château Lezongars that I had the mix is virtually 50/50 Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Auberge l'Ancienne Poste
Place Cazeaux Cazalet –
33410 Rions
Tel: 05 56 27 43 31

Rions is an ancient fortified village overlooking the Garonne. I had tentatively driven through the gate house and up to this attractive square tree lined and with the top open with a view across fields to the river. Opposite this open end is an attractive typical French building that looks like it was once the town hall, or similar. It bears the inscription Rions 1912 at its front peak. There was a sign saying Auberge but very little movement or sign of life. Needless to say I was not sure it was open. I had just got out of my car to check when a gentleman exited the auberge and walked to his car and drove off. Obviously seeing my confusion he stopped and gave me a thumbs up sign. I needed no second invitation.
In side is a pleasant parquet floored room with wooden furniture and black table clothes with an old stove sitting at in the chimney looking no doubt as it did many moons ago. The sun shone through the narrow high windows as I was greeted by a pleasant host. I suspect she was the wife of the chef.
I had a hot goats cheese salad with lamb chops as mains. I drank a very agreeable bottle of Lezongars (Website) which is a local wine maker in the class premier cotes de Bordeaux.
An other excellent find and well worth a detour to see this fascinating old village as well as finding a very acceptable repas.
On a passing note I knew very little about premier cotes de Bordeaux and Graves (the other side of the river) before visiting this area. The vineyards are mainly small and make varied wine: generally much softer than the classic Bordeaux big names because predominate grape is often Merlot. In the case of the L’Enclos du Château Lezongars that I had the mix is virtually 50/50 Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.