France: A Visitor's Guide to Bordeaux

Located in the southwest of France near the Atlantic coast, Bordeaux is the sixth largest city in France and attracts more than 2,5 million visitors each year. The city has a busy and creative atmosphere with festivals, special events and other culture venues. Due to its important seaport, twenty cruise ships tie up opposite Place de la Bourse in the center of Bordeaux every year.

What to Do

Bordeaux certainly lives up to its name as the "City of Art and Culture". Lovers of art prefer the museums presenting outstanding collections of artists as Andy Warhol, Pablo Picasso and Verones, or the major modern art festival Novart Bordeaux each November. On the first Sunday of every month, Le bus de l'art contemporain (The modern art bus) tours all over the city to promote modern art. At each stop, passengers can listen to commentary by an art expert, and artists and gallery owners display their works.

Bordeaux has a lot to offer, but it's for the wine the city is most recognized. In June, thousands of people come here to attend the Fete le Vin (Wine Festival) and Fete du Fleuve (River Festival). Lovers of film should postpone their visit to the autumn when the "Festival International du Film au Fminin" honors women in cinema and acts as a major event for national and international directors and screenwriters to present their creations.

Although the high-tech tram and the cruises departing from Quai Louis XVIII offer enjoyable sightseeing, the best way to explore Bordeaux is on foot. Stroll along the redeveloped waterfront by the river Garonne and stop for lunch at one of the excellent restaurants lining the river walk. Shoppers will like the pedestrian Rue Sainte-Catherine, Europe's longest shopping street starting at Place de la Victoire.

The city's neighborhoods all have their own personality. Visit the vibrant Saturday market in Saint-Michel, saunter along the narrow streets in Saint-Pierre (old Bordeaux), admire the chic boutiques and townhouses in Grands Hommes (the triangle), and enjoy the dynamic ambiance at the Colbert Sunday market by the quays in the Chartrons district. Spend the afternoon in the gorgeous Jardin Botanique, Parc Bordelais in the residential district Bordeaux-Caudran, the forest Bois de Bordeaux next to the Bordeaux Lac or the neighboring Floral Park.

At night, several of Bordeaux's remarkable historic monuments are floodlit to show off their beauty. Many of them are highlights along the pilgrim road to Santiago de Compostela and listed as World Heritage Sites.

What to Eat

Don't miss the delicious green asparagus from the Landes or Mauve asparagus from the Blaye region. Ceps (wild boletus mushrooms) cooked with garlic and parsley, or the garlic soup "Tourin" with egg yolk are also worth a try. Savor the "canel" for dessert. This cake is soft on the inside, but crisp on the outside.

Where to Live

Bordeaux cater for all needs and budgets with its 154 hotels, nine bed and breakfasts an one youth hostel with 108 beds.

How to Get There

Flights depart from French cities and international destinations to Bordeaux several times a day. Shuttle buses from the airport to the city center (Place de la Comedie) and the SNCF Saint-Jean train station leaves every 45 minutes, seven days a week.

Bordeaux is located less than 3 hours from Paris by TGV high speed train, 45 minutes from the ocean and 2 hours from Spain.

Where to Get More Info

Buy a guide book over Bordeaux or visit www.bordeaux-tourisme.com for more information on the city.

See www.bordeaux-fete-le-fleuve.com and www.bordeaux-fete-le-vin.com if you are interested in the River- and Wine Festivals.