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Located only 2 hours by train from Paris, Bordeaux is one of the must-see destinations for anyone wishing to discover the most beautiful cities in France. Capital of New Aquitaine just 50 kilometres from the Atlantic coast, Bordeaux, surprising and captivating, owes its fame to its culture, its wines, its gastronomy, its architecture (with more than 350 buildings listed as Historic Monuments) and its dynamic and attractive living environment.

Jewel of the 18th century, Bordeaux, a UNESCO World Heritage City of Art and History, is one of France's most beautiful built heritage cities. Designed by centuries of history, it alternates traditional stalls, magnificent gardens, wealthy buildings and more modern buildings. The ideal time to visit Bordeaux is to stroll in its streets and along its banks of the Garonne on foot or by bike, to take the time to admire all its most hidden charms. Dating back to the Enlightenment, the very lively Place de la Comédie is one of Bordeaux's landmarks. With its neo-classical Grand Theatre decorated with Corinthian columns (also called the Bordeaux Opera House), it is the ideal place for cultural outings. The nerve centre of the city, we advise you to stop for a coffee on the terrace accompanied by a canelé, to take the pulse of Bordeaux and soak up its friendly atmosphere on a sweet note. Then take the Allées Tourny, to discover the beautiful 18th century facades that dot this promenade full of chic cafés and elegant breweries. After photographing his wooden carrousel, head towards the Place de la Bourse, which is also one of the city's unmissable : with its Three Graces fountain representing the three daughters of Zeus, its palace and its Water Mirror, it is one of the most visited places in Bordeaux. Designed during the renovation of the quays in the mid-2000s, this Water Mirror - one of the largest in Europe - is to Bordeaux what the Eiffel Tower is to Paris. Worshipped by the inhabitants of Bordeaux who come to cool off, it takes on the air of an immense paddling pool from the first heat.

Bordeaux is also marked by the seal of medieval history: the Saint-André cathedral is one of the most beautiful witnesses of this distant era. With its Gothic choir and Renaissance organs, it was notably the wedding venue of Eleanor of Aquitaine in 1137 and Anne of Austria in 1615. Not far from there, the Cailhau Gate, 35 metres high, was once part of the Bordeaux walls. Under its oak frame, its panorama over the quays and the Pont de Pierre is not to be missed under any pretext, especially at sunset, so the view is particularly magnificent. Then take the 230 steps of the Pey Berland Tower's spiral staircase to take advantage of its breathtaking view over the bell towers and rooftops of the Bordeaux, and walk down to rue Sainte-Catherine. Linking Place de la Victoire to Place de la Comédie, Sainte-Catherine Street is one of tourists' favourite arteries because of its many boutiques of all kinds. With its 1250 meters, it is the longest pedestrian shopping street in Europe.

The esplanade des Quinconces is the largest square in France with some 12 hectares. Pride of Bordeaux decorated with the magnificent Monument aux Girondins, you can also see two imposing Neo-classical style rostral columns. It is the centre of local entertainment and the scene of many celebrations such as the Fête du Fleuve, the Foire à la brocante, the Foire aux plaisirs, Fête du Vin, but it also hosts concerts, sports celebrations and circuses.

It is well known that in Bordeaux, the thermometer can rise very quickly during the summer period : we advise you to walk along the banks of the Garonne for cool brackets. The place is ideal for cycling, scooter or rollerblading, but also for a refreshing break and a picnic by the water. The most sporty will be delighted to know that through the parks, the public garden, the botanical garden, the green spaces and the quays of Bordeaux, nearly 160 kilometres of marked paths have been laid out for walkers of all levels (through Bordeaux and its surroundings), as well as more than 200 kilometres of cycle paths.

Cultural capital, Bordeaux is full of museums for all tastes: Musée d'Aquitaine, Musée des Beaux-Arts, Musée des Douanes, Musée des Arts décoratifs, Muséum d'histoire naturelle, Musée d'art contemporain... But what makes Bordeaux so strong is its wine. With more than 120 000 hectares of vines, Gironde is one of the most wine-producing departments in France. In all, there are 6 routes that will allow you to discover all the secrets of making the famous Bordeaux wines through the vineyards, castles and restaurants that have made the history of these so refined grape varieties.

How to evoke Bordeaux without talking about its Port de la Lune ? Undeniably facing the sea, Bordeaux was once one of the main ports in Europe. Today, its port is the starting point for many boat excursions through the meanders of the Garonne. Note also that taking a cruise on the Garonne (in addition to being pleasant !) is one of the best ways to discover the richness of the local heritage, from its vineyards to its beaches bordering the Gironde estuary.

Finally, some ideas of other sites to see during your visit to Bordeaux : the Place des Grands Hommes and its glass market, the crypt of the Saint-Seurin basilica, the Utopia (a cinema set up in an old church), the Cité du Vin on the banks of the Garonne, the Grosse Cloche (belfry of the old town hall), the Sainte-Croix Romanesque church, the village of Saint-Emilion (40 minutes away), the Chartrons district and its old architecture, the Bastide district and its botanical garden on the right bank, without forgetting the Darwin district, a fashionable, organic and trendy place for young people from Bordeaux.

More information about the region :

Médoc

Gascogne

Sud Ouest

Activities and Events

Discover one of the city's symbols. Admire the superb view of the even more majestic facade at night.

Discover the region's vineyards through 5 thematic routes: hills, castles, heritage....

From Ares, embark on a superb cruise. Discover the bird island and its tchanquées huts.