Bordeaux
Bordeaux is one of the largest cities in France, located in the Southwest of France on the Garonne river. It is mainly known for its quality wines and represents the world’s major wine industry capital. Also, the old town and the historic district of the city is on the UNESCO World Heritage List, thanks to its well preserved historical monuments and the 18th century style.
WHAT TO SEE
In Bordeaux you can find one of the largest squares of all Europe, Place des Quinconces, located at the very center of the town: columns and marble statues are allegories of triumph, navigation and commerce, recalling the majesty of old times. Close to this square, you will find Place de la Bourse, a very particular square which hosts the famous Water Mirror, the world’s largest reflecting pool which, especially in summer, creates amazing water shows. One of the main sights in town is, without a doubt, the romantic Pont de Pierre, a bridge with seventeen arches which links the two sides of the Garonne river: there, you can have a relaxing walk with your partner and enjoy the beautiful river, maybe when the sun slowly fades away.
There are several districts in Bordeaux: Saint-Michel, the cosmopolitan district, with restaurants and markets from all over the world; the elegant and luxurious Les Grands Hommes. However, the most typical district is certainly Saint Pierre, the old town: situated close to the port, it has unique monuments and sights with amazing architectural styles. There, you can find Place du Parlement, Porte Cailhau, with its unique old silhouette, along with the aforementioned Pont de Pierre and Water Mirror.
On the left bank quays of the river, you can enjoy one of the most magnificent waterfronts in the world, while passing close to many historic buildings: you can relax in one of the parks or do some shopping, it’s up to you! On the other side of the Garonne, don’t miss the Jardin Botanique de la Bastide, a botanical garden with an arboretum, fields of grain, vines, dunes and cliffs.
Close to St. Pierre, you can visit the charming Chartrons district: centred around the Church of St. Louis, it has a unique village-like atmosphere, with small bars, restaurants and bistros where you can relax. There, you can the CAPC, that is, the Museum of Contemporary Art, a former warehouse for colonial goods which today houses avant-garde, visual and performance art exhibitions, trying to include different themes and different styles. The Chartrons district, historic heart of the wine trade, is the perfect place to drink some glasses of wine and literally ‘taste’ the reason why Bordeaux is worldwide known for its wine industry. You can taste wine everywhere in the city, but probably you can get the best experience at the CUV (Cave Utile en Ville) an independent wine retailer, at the CIVB or at the City of Wine.
Indeed, close to Chartrons, you will find the Cité du Vin – which means, th City of Wine – an impressive cultural centre dedicated to the living heritage of wine. Within the building, you can join a particular journey, in order to see the different ages and civilisations linked to the wine industry. The unique architecture of this 10-level building will turn the visit into a breathtaking experience, which may end with a panoramic view over the city from the restaurant LE7, on the top of the building. Also, you can visit the Museum of Wine and Trade, where you can learn the classifications of wine, the history and the trade system, or the huge Museum of Fine Arts, with masterpieces by Tiziano, Rubens, Van Dyck, Delacroix, Renoir, Matisse and Picasso.
If you are interested in religious monuments, you cannot miss the Saint André Cathedral, seat of the Archbishop, with its Roman architecture and house of the Marcadé collection (paintings, sculptures and liturgical objects). Next to the cathedral you will find the impressive Pey Berland Tower and its gothic style; not far from there, you can finally reach the Basilica of Saint Michel, a gothic church with the amazing representation of Saint Michael slaying the dragon.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION & TIPS
You should definitely try local products! A glass of Lillet to start your meal, oysters from Arcachon Bay, a spicy sausage called grenier médocain, some ‘pibales’, that is, the so-called ‘caviar of Aquitaine’, along with delicious golden cannelés, traditional pastries flavoured with rum and vanilla. And remember, when you want some ‘pain au chocolat’, you have to ask for a ‘chocolatine’!
There are several places where you can eat and taste good wine: bistros in the old city with seasonal ingredients and cosy atmosphere (haute cuisine but reasonable prices); upscale restaurants and wine bars (the famous panoramic restaurant LE7 on the top of the Cité du Vin or the restaurant of Pierre Gagnaire); if you want to eat à la française, the most famous restaurant is La Tupina, situated in the so-called ‘Rue Gourmande’ (in the old district between ‘saint-Michel’ and ‘sainte-croix’), along with Le Bistro du sommelier and Le Bouchon Bordelais. The best terraces to enjoy the view of the city are LE 7 restaurant, Quai des Marques and Place du Parlement
Last but not least, on Sundays, you will find amazing and crowded markets, such as the Capuchins Market and the flea market at the Quai de Salinières!
Facing the Garonne river and the port, the Bordeaux Old Town is full of important historic buildings, along with museums and beautiful sights. First of all, there, you can find the iconic Place de la Bourse, with the most famous sight of Bordeaux, the Water Mirror. This 3,450-square metre reflecting pool was built in 2006: it is made of granite and it is covered by 2 cm of water.
In the Bordeaux Old Town, you can visit the magnificent Cathedral: it is a Roman Catholic church dedicated to Saint Andrew, where you can still see an old Roman wall in the nave, along with the beautiful Marcadé Collection, a series of paintings, sculptures, objects and liturgical vestments. It was consecrated by Pope urban II and today it is the seat of the archbishop. Some architectural elements are worth a visit: the Door of Arrows, the Gargoyles, the North Rose Window and the Choir. Outside the impressive church, you will also find the gothic Tower Pey-Berland, a quadrangular building which used to protect the cathedral from the vibration of the bells.
In the Bordeaux Old Town, you cannot miss the Museum of Fine Arts, one of the largest art galleries outside Paris. The collections focus on French and Dutch painters and consist of paintings, sculptures and drawings. There, you can enjoy some of the best pieces of art by Tiziano, Delacroix, Seurat, Rubens, Matisse and Picasso.
Opened in 2016, the City of Wine in Bordeaux represents a cultural and touristic centre entirely dedicated to wine: this building, half a museum and half a theme park, wants to defend and spread the cultural heritage and value of wine. You can easily reach the building by foot or by tramway (line B) and enjoy all the caves, the ateliers and the exhibitions within the City. Located in the district of Bassin à Flot, where the forges of the port were situated, it has been built with an impressive ‘round’ architecture, which makes the building something unique and iconic. The silhouette looks like a vine stock, to recall both the swirl of the Garonne and the wine which is poured inside the glass. Panels of aluminium and glass cover the entire façade until the top of the tower (55 metres).
In the City of Wine, you can visit a library-cellar with more than 9,000 bottles from 88 countries (you can taste some of these wines in specific areas); then, you can enjoy some ateliers and visit temporary exhibitions. Once you reach the second floor, you can visit the permanent exhibition: a journey across the ages and the places of wine, which will teach the history and the culture of wine. On the top of the building, you can enjoy the panoramic restaurant Le 7 and a breathtaking view from the Belvedere, one of the highest points in town.
The Dune of Pilat is approximately 110 metres above the Ocean level and has more than 1 million visitors every year! It runs along the shoreline and it is surrounded by forests. The Dune offers a unique and breathtaking view over the sea and, according to scientists, it is still moving, from 1 to 5 metres inland every year!
Situated in a hilltop position, Saint-Emilion dominates the Dordogne Valley: its landscape, which consists of the village and the vineyards, has been awarded the title ‘Cultural Landscape’ by UNESCO – first vineyard in the world! The whole area seems to be intact, as it was centuries ago, for this reason, it is a perfect starting point for a wine tour. There, you can have a tour around the village, in cellars and through vineyards; you can taste different wines in different places and enjoy the views. In the small village, you can find the largest monolithic church in Europe, ancient buildings, caves and a great number of historic monuments which represent the heritage of the heart of the wine growing region. The legend says that the village was founded by a monk from Brittany who sought refuge in a cave and made several miracles. In the small village, you can take a look at the Trinity Chapel, the Monastery (near to the cave where the monk was buried) and the Grande Muraille.
The wines of the region are blended from different grape varieties (Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon) and the classification consists of the following levels: Premier Grand Cru classé A, Premier Grand Cru classé B and Grand Cru classé. Today, there are 4 estates at the highest level: Chateau Angelus, Chateau Ausone, Chateau Cheval Blanc and Chateau Pavie
The Médoc countryside offers beautiful landscapes, valleys and wetlands, along with sandy beaches which run along the Atlantic coast. In the Médoc area you can find 8 AOC wines (controlled designation of origin) and the best chateaux of the Bordeaux region. The main grape varieties are Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon (along with Malbec and Petit Verdot) and you can find both independent wineries and winemaking cooperatives. Due to the proximity of the Atlantic ocean, the area might be unsuitable of wine making; however, the variation and the particular soil better suit for varieties such as Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. In the heart of the region you can find the famous 86-km long D2 wine route (also called ‘the Castle Route’), which passes by all the main chateaux and wine names, such as Margaux, Pauillac, Saint-Estèphe, Saint-Juline and Moulis.
While the Médoc was the source of all red wines, the Sauternes is the one of white wines: the most famous among the varieties is, without a doubt, the sweet wine from Chateau Yquem. In this region you can find any different kind of wine: red wines (made with Merlot, Cabernet, Malbec) or dry white wines (Sauternes, Sauvignon, Muscatelle).