See the sights
Must-see sights in the city include the 43m-high Girondins monument in Place des Quinconces, Europe’s largest square, and the magnificent Place de la Bourse, whose ‘water mirror’ feature provides both stunning visual effects and the chance to cool off! Other popular visits are the sumptuously decorated Grand Théatre, home to the Bordeaux National Opera, and the gothic Cathédrale Saint-André, whose bell tower can be climbed for a panoramic view. Maison Gobineau is a historic and distinctive boat-shaped building, which now houses the wine bar of the Bordeaux Wine Council.
Feet, train or boat?
Guided walking tours can be booked at the tourist office, to learn about the city, its history and culture firsthand. There are also food and drink tours. Those with youngsters may like to take a ride through the heart of the historic city centre on the little electric train, ‘Le Petit Train’. Others may find a boat trip on the River Garonne a relaxing and interesting way to see the city, either a simple tour with commentary or a longer cruise with a meal or wine tasting.
Wine
Bordeaux wines are of course famous around the world, so oenophiles will be in seventh heaven in this area. In the heart of the city, ‘La Cité du Vin’ describes itself as an “immersive multi-sensory space” with tours in different languages, food and drink spaces. Different exhibitions, workshops and events are hosted throughout the year. This is a great place to head for detailed information about wine routes in the area and to book tastings.
History, art and science
History buffs are spoilt for choice with the city’s museums. The Musée d’Aquitaine houses a collection of artefacts discovered in the region, including Roman and prehistoric, whilst the Musée Mer Marine focuses on Bordeaux’s marine history. At an attraction called ‘Les Bassins de Lumières’, moving images of artworks are combined with music to create an immersive experience in a former submarine base, and you can learn about the history of the base too. There are galleries showing both modern art and traditional fine art, and scientists will be drawn to the engaging and interactive ‘Cap Sciences’ museum.
Open space
The city is blessed with great open spaces. The Botanic Gardens on Esplanade Linné are very attractive and modern in design. Just across the road, the Angéliques park is a further green space, a long riverside park with lots of trees. The public gardens at Place du Champ de Mars are more classic and traditional but also very relaxing, and in the very heart of Bordeaux.
Day trips from here
Saint-Emilion is only about 45 minutes away and well worth a visit, for both its superbly preserved medieval architecture and the chance to sample fine wines at world-famous wineries. If you like the bustle and interest of the weekly market, head there on Wednesday or Sunday morning.
The coast is about an hour’s drive of Bordeaux, where you can choose between the calm lake beach at Cazaux and the long sandy beaches along the Atlantic shore, whose rollers are perfect for surf sports. There are also some more sheltered beaches in the Arcachon Bay, as well as numerous activities and attractions including bird watching, walking and cycling, canoeing and kayaking, golf, a zoo, theme and water parks.
