Cantemerle fumes at demolition threat

Chateau Cantemerle will be demolished under one of the proposed routes for the new Bordeaux bypass – literally.

A leaflet distributed by the Haut-Medoc property says, ‘Incredible but true. One of the projected routes fo the western part of the ring road planned around Bordeaux quite simply wipes Chateau Cantemerle off the map.

The second of several planned routes for the bypass – intended to ease Bordeaux’s appallingly congested centre – goes through the grounds and vineyard of the chateau.

‘Apart from the inestimable heritage value of the estate it is all the great French winemaking terroirs that are under threat. If this project ever came to fruition it would pave the way for the same sort of abuse all over France,’ Cantemerle managing director Philippe Dambrine said.

Opponents of the scheme claim that even terroirs not directly touched by the road would be affected, claiming that planners are predicting 20,000 vehicles a day by 2025.

‘Aside from the visual pollution, noise pollution and atmospheric pollution, the extremely complex hydrology of the soils would be irremediably damaged,’ the leaflet says.

Other proposed routes pass to the north of Cantemerle, one of the going through the Margaux appellation, which is mounting its own process.

Written by Adam Lechmere