Uncover the various charms of Bordeaux metropolis within the Gironde division, southwest France. A significant cultural vacation spot with UNESCO-listed structure, unbelievable museums and artwork venues, feast-worthy eating places and wine tourism par excellence!
Uncover Bordeaux
During the last couple of a long time Bordeaux has undergone fairly a change. Its UNESCO-listed structure as “an excellent city and architectural ensemble” of the 18th century has been given a spruce up leaving it dazzlingly elegant. Greater than 350 buildings are listed Historic Monuments and nearly half of town’s floor space is listed by UNESCO together with the Port of the Moon.
The town has additionally emerged as a serious artwork and cultural centre, residence to the world’s largest digital arts centre, Les Bassins de Lumières (bassins-lumieres.com). Set in a former WWII German submarine base, this immense community of cavernous concrete chambers is now stuffed with probably the most stunning, animated artworks projected onto the partitions and mirrored within the inky swimming pools because the sound of music appears to hold within the nonetheless air.
Take a tour
One of the crucial enjoyable methods to find Bordeaux’s streets and delightful buildings is by 2CV with 4 roues sous un parapluie (4roues-sous-1parapluie.com). I don’t assume I’ve ever had so many individuals smile and wave at me as when touring in a pink “Dedeuche” referred to as Rose Antoinette! As nightfall fell, and the streetlights twinkled, we pootled previous the fabulous Miroir d’Eau water sculpture, the lit-up Place de la Bourse and the gorgeous Grand Théâtre, alongside cobbled streets lined with busy bars and eating places, monuments, fountains, statues and stately buildings.
Bordeaux has been formed by the river Garonne which, with its pure harbour, made it a serious import/export location for tons of of years. A guided river tour (yachtdebordeaux.com) is a enjoyable method to study extra concerning the historical past of town and the pure harbour.
Cité du Vin
There are a number of glorious museums, however don’t miss the excessive tech Cité du Vin (laciteduvin.com) for a deep dive into the affect wine has had on nearly every little thing from farming and civilisation to artwork, cinema and extra. Each tour ends with a prime flooring wine tasting, and there’s a gastronomic restaurant, Le 7 (le7restaurant.fr), on the 7th flooring with tremendous views over town
Wine is sort of a faith in Bordeaux, there are wine bars galore, nevertheless don’t miss Le Bar à Vin. Their native wine record is prime notch, and extremely good worth (subsidised by the wine makers so that everybody can afford a style) beginning at simply a few Euros for a really respectable wine. Critically – a should cease.
Eat at:
Celebrating its 200th anniversary in 2025, Chapon Fin (chapon-fin.com) restaurant is a legend in Bordeaux and past. Comply with within the footsteps of the nice and the nice from Toulouse Lautrec to Sarah Bernhardt and dine right here. Luxurious dishes are on the menu, and the wine record is phenomenal, not shocking as proprietor Madame Sylvie Cazes can be President of La Cité des Civilisations du Vin. A tour de power, she’s additionally the proprietor Château Chauvin, a Saint-Emilion grand cru classé and runs Bordeaux Saveurs, a journey company specializing in wine tourism. The sommelier informed me that a few of their wines are so scarce that when a buyer orders a uncommon bottle, the employees must search for the worth on the web! The bizarre inside decor of the restaurant is gorgeous, plaster forged bas-reliefs give it a grotto-like impact that was created in 1901 by Bordeaux-born architect Cyprien Alfred-Duprat.
This place has a unprecedented historical past, it was the place to go for top society, and British King Edward VII was a fan. King Alfonso XIII of Spain additionally recurrently dined right here – at all times on the similar desk – right-hand, up in opposition to the rockery (that desk remains to be in standard demand!). Madame Cazes tells the story of how throughout WWII French politician Georges Mandel dined right here one evening when German troopers arrived to arrest him. He allegedly requested to complete his glorious meal and was apparently granted his want.
Eating right here is certainly a slice of historical past.
One other excellent restaurant that shouldn’t be missed is the InterContinental Bordeaux (bordeaux.intercontinental.com), within the coronary heart of town, within the Place de la Comèdie. Le Bordeaux is a agency favorite with the locals, its huge terrace space overlooking the 18th century neo-classical Grand Théâtre with its twelve Corinthian columns plus ornate sculptures of the 9 Muses and three goddesses (Juno, Venus and Minerva), is good for outside eating and folks watching. And, in the event you’re not on a finances, head to the primary flooring for Gordon Ramsey’s 2 Michelin-Starred restaurant: Pressoir d’Argent which takes its identify from the a strong silver lobster press, made by famend design firm Christofle. It’s used each night when prospects order lobster, a ritual.
There’s additionally a spectacular roof prime bar with fantastic views over town – and Bordeaux’s first Champagne bar (opened in 2024). There’s additionally a beautiful Orangerie Bar, adorned in English fashion with twinkling lights, it’s received oodles of attraction – good for lunch, afternoon tea and night aperitifs.
For an additional spectacular view – the restaurant of the Renaissance Bordeaux Lodge (marriot.com) within the Previous Docks district, overlooks the Cite du Vin. This resort is critically funky, with the previous grain silos that had been part of the realm in its dock days forming a part of the doorway. Head to the ninth flooring, the best roof prime bar and restaurant within the metropolis to dine or get pleasure from a cocktail – the mixologist is great!
Keep at:
Lodge de Seze (hotel-de-seze.com) 4* – two-minute stroll from the Grand Théâtre, luxurious rooms and suites.
Lodge Burdigala (inwood-hotels.com) 5* – Burdigala, the Roman identify for Bordeaux, is within the residential Meriadeck district. Beautiful ambiance, nice restaurant and plush rooms.
And there’s extra!
However there’s extra to Bordeaux, town is surrounded by vineyards and superb countryside peppered with chateaux, lots of which you’ll be able to go to and luxuriate in a wine tasting – learn extra right here Bordeaux’s finest wineries excursions and stays
And Bordeaux is only a quick drive or practice journey to superb Silver Coast seashores lapped by the Atlantic Ocean – learn extra right here Arcachon – Bordeaux’s stunning seaside paradise
Bordeaux actually does have one thing to please everybody.
Sensible data
The quick practice to Bordeaux from Paris takes from 2 hours, trains run between Arcachon and Saint-Émilion each day.
Bordeaux Worldwide Airport, 12km from town centre.
Taxi service: Driver Service Company (driverservicesagency.com)
Vacationer places of work: Bordeaux-tourism.co.uk
Janine Marsh is the creator of a number of internationally best-selling books about France. Her newest guide How one can be French – a celebration of the French way of life and artwork de vivre, is out now – a have a look at the French lifestyle. Discover all books on her web site janinemarsh.com
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