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Bordeaux
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“Take Versailles, add Antwerp, and you have Bordeaux,” said Victor Hugo of this city, and such a summary seems quintessentially apt. For centuries, Bordeaux has fired the imagination of visitors to its streets. It was the heart of Medieval chivalric romance; a land where dashing knights sought the hands of maidens-fair, and the music of troubadours filled the air. During the Enlightenment, Bordeaux enjoyed a golden age of prosperity and beauty, setting an elegant precedent for other European cities. The bounty of this storied past is reflected today: Bordeaux is the largest urban World Heritage site in the world. And where would the city be without le vin? The lifeblood of the city, the region’s wine has never lost its hold on the world.
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Live like a local
Must-do
Lovers of architecture will be spoilt in Bordeaux; Paris is the only French city with more protected buildings. In particular, Bordeaux’s churches draw the eye. The Basilica of St. Michael, sitting at the heart of the historic Saint Michel district, and Bordeaux Cathedral, housing the amazing Marcadé collection of illuminations, both have stunning bell towers. For true history, the Basilica of Saint Severinus is a vast Romanesque church from the early 11th century and has been a site of worship since the dawn of Western Christianity. At the centre of it all is Bordeaux’s most iconic landmark: the Place de la Bourse, the city’s dramatic central square and elegant Miroir d’eau, the world’s largest reflecting pool.
Find out moreCulture
For centuries, Bordeaux was the heart of an independent kingdom and developed a proud culture and artistic heritage separate from the rest of France. The city’s excellent museums are an ideal way to explore this history. Musée d’Aquitaine displays the history of the region, starting with relics dating back 25,000 years, right through the Gallo-Romano and Medieval periods up until the pinnacle of Bordeaux’s prominence in the 1700s. Musée des Beaux-Arts contains a fantastic collection, including the works of Bordeaux’s earliest female painter, Rosa Bonheur. But the museum you simply have to visit is La Cité du Vin, the Disneyesque gold complex which charts the history and intricacies of the region’s winemaking in fascinating detail.
Find out moreAdventurous spirit
Exploring the vineyards surrounding Bordeaux is an absolute delight, both for the beautiful scenery and the opportunity to sample plenty of wine. Cycling is popular, both independently or as part of a guided tour, with excursions available to nearby towns such as Saint-Émilion. More relaxed options include river cruises along the Garonne. Try to seek out smaller vessels, as not only do they afford more intimacy, they can also access sites and wineries that larger craft miss. Within the city itself, join the Bordelais in letting their hair down along Quai de la Paludate for the best clubs and bars in town.
Find out moreWith the kids
While the French may start young when it comes to wine drinking, there’s still plenty of fun to be had in Bordeaux that doesn’t involve uncorking a bottle. The Jardin Public has plenty of space for outdoor frolicking, along with an arboretum, a natural history museum and a puppet theatre. Skateboarding and rollerblading are popular, and there are skate parks at Parc des Chartrons and Hangar Darwin. While La Cité du Vin does have child-friendly activities, kids might prefer the new Musée de la Mer et de la Marine, which has exhibits and activities sure to satisfy sea lovers, wannabe explorers or budding pirates of all ages.
Find out moreRetail therapy
As a stylish French city, Bordeaux does shopping well. A stroll up Rue Sainte-Catherine is worth it just to be able to say you’ve been to the longest shopping street in the world, but do it south to north, so that your destination is the Triangle d’Or formed by Allées de Tourny, Cours de l’Intendance and Cours Georges Clemenceau, where Bordeaux’s finest luxury shops and boutiques can be found. Don’t miss out on a visit to l’Intendant, the most grandiose and prestigious wine merchant in the world, where it’s not uncommon to find single bottles worth thousands. For something a tad edgier, head to the hipster boutiques on Rue Notre-Dame in Chatrons or Rue St-James in St-Pierre.
Find out moreFood and drink
There are plenty of opportunities to sample the complexities and tastes of Bordeaux’s different regions and grapes. Wine tastings abound across the city, as well as tours of local vineyards and wineries. For something solid to line the stomach, Bordeaux has a fantastic array of restaurants, from classic old school harkening back to the decadent days of the Belle Epoque, to elegant, cutting-edge cuisine. Oysters are a stand-out in the city, and for a light delight, head to Capucin Market to enjoy the bounty from the farmlands around Bordeaux. A word of advice: never presume to know more about wine pairings than your waiter (or anyone else for that matter) while you’re in town.
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