Bordeaux City Guide
Bordeaux is the capital of Aquitaine, and the centre of a major wine producing area in France. Bordeaux was established by the Romans as a major European trading base, and in the 18th century Bordeaux was the centre of colonial trade, much of the city's of the architecture remains from this period. Taste the wine, visit one of the surrounding vineyards, and explore the streets of Bordeaux.
Bordeaux is 3.5 hours from Paris by train.
What to do and see in and around Bordeaux
Vieux Bordeaux (Old Town Area)
Vieux Bordeaux area contains elegant 18th century buildings, mansions, and grand squares. The highlight of Vieux Bordeaux is the 18th Grand Théâtre on the place de la Comédie, with its 12 columns topped with statues of goddesses. Attend one of the operas or ballets to see the gloriously painted interior. The main shopping area of Vieux Bordeaux is rue ste Catherine, and visit the riverside place de la Bourse and 1733 customs house.
Place Gambetta
Place Gambetta is an 18th century square, the houses which line the square are all decorated with a carved mask. Many of the houses are now cafés and shops, making place Gambetta a good place to relax in between shopping and sightseeing. The square housed the Bordeaux guillotine during the French Revolution, and at the centre of the square is now a small English style Garden.
Cathedral
Bordeaux Cathedral is south of the place Gambetta, and dates back to the 11th century when the foundations of the Cathedral were laid. Above the doors are 13th and 14th century sculptures, and the separate 47 metre high belfry (Tour Pey-Berland) dates from the 15th century. The Cathedral stands in the place Pey-Berland which is lined with a variety of pavement cafés.
Musée des Arts Décoratif
The Musée des Arts Décoratif is based in the 18th century Hôtel de Lalande, and contains a variety of Bordeaux and French 18th and 19th century porcelain, furniture, sculptures, prints and glassware. Three of the rooms have been restored to their former 18th century glory.
Musée d'Aquitaine
The Musée d'Aquitaine covers the commercial, agricultural and maritime development of Bordeaux from pre-history to the modern day. The museum includes a collection of 18th century drawings of Bordeaux, and writings about Bordeaux. There is also an excellent section on the Bordeaux wine trade.
Esplanade des Quinconces
Esplanade des Quinconces is Bordeaux's largest square (and possibly the largest square in Europe) and looks out over the River Garonne. At the riverside end of the square are two huge columns topped by statues representing Commerce and Navigation. Also in the square is the Monument aux Girondins, a collection of fountains and statues in memory of the Bordeaux deputies who attended the 1789 Revolutionary Assembly.
Jardin Public
Jardin Public is 10 hectares of peaceful parkland close to the centre of the Bordeaux. The gardens were originally designed and laid out in 1756, during the French Revolution the gardens were completely destroyed, and were re-laid in 1856 in an English formal style. Bordeaux's botanical gardens are in the park, as is the entrance to the Natural History Museum.
Maison du Vin
Bordeaux is famous as the centre of the French wine region, and the Maison du Vin is the first stop for anyone visiting Bordeaux on the wine trail. Maison du Vin is the headquarters of the Bordeaux Wine Council, and offers tours of the surrounding wine region and vineyards and even wine tasting courses.
St Émilion
35 minutes from Bordeaux by train
St Émilion is a charming medieval town set in a vineyard on the hillside. The town is named after an 8th century hermit that lived in a cave on the site. Visit the limestone catacombs which run underneath the town and contain wine cellars and museums.
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