There are plenty of sites and places of interest in Bordeaux, on top of all the intriguing boutiques and delightful cafés and restaurants that there are to explore. Here are a few ways to spend your time, which are firm favourites with regular visitors to the city
Welcoming around six million tourists each year, Bordeaux is one of the most visited cities in France. In 2016 the New York Times named it the second major destination in the world. For 2017, Lonely Planet has crowned it most attractive city and the Los Angeles Times has made Bordeaux its number one place to visit.
Capital of the Nouvelle Aquitaine region, Bordeaux is an extraordinary historic city with a world-class reputation for wine. It’s also a thriving modern metropolis where demand is outstripping supply for houses, especially now the TGV connects Bordeaux and Paris in two hours. This is part of the reason why house prices have risen by more than 8% in the last year.
A glorious combination of old and new, along the river Garonne the modern masterpiece that is the Miroir d’eau contrasts beautifully with the Place de la Bourse and the 18th and 19th architecture of the buildings that line the wide tree-lined avenue.
If you are looking for things to do in Bordeaux, here are some suggestions:
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Take a wine tasting tour
Around 22 bottles of Bordeaux wine are sold every minute around the world, so no trip to Bordeaux is complete without at least one wine-tasting session at a traditional vineyard domaine. With 60 designated wine production areas (AOCs – “appellation d’origine controlée”) on over 100,000 hectares there is plenty of choice. There are companies around, such as Bordovino and Bordeaux Wine Trails, which provide private and group tours, and there are some wonderful Saint-Emilion and Médoc tours that can be booked through Bordeaux’s tourist office.
Marvel at the Miroir d’eau
The Miroir d’eau in Bordeaux is the world’s largest reflecting pool and in the summer visitors often just kick off their shoes and relax here. With myriad slabs of granite covered in 2cm of water opposite the Place de la Bourse, this is an unforgettable experience in Bordeaux. Kids love it too as the feature is programmed to release mist every 15 minutes, causing much merriment and laughter.
Learn about wine at the La Cité du Vin
The design of Bordeaux’s new architecturally striking wine museum was inspired by images of twisty vines and wine swirling in a glass. If you prefer to do the latter for real then whether you’re a wine buff or an enthusiast who wants to learn more, this is the place to up your viticulture knowledge and where you can explore and taste different wines from all over the world.
Take time out at the Jardin Public
A natural wonderland in the centre of Bordeaux on the Place du Champ de Mars, this landscaped park is the perfect spot for a picnic lunch or to take the kids for a run around during a city break. There is even a carousel to keep them occupied. The stunning variety of trees, colourful flower beds and landscaped grounds makes it a beautiful place to relax, and, as it’s on the tram route, it is easy to get there, too.
If you are looking to buy a property in Bordeaux, you can check out luxury properties for sale at www.home-hunts.com. To speak with a consultant about your specific search requirements, call +33 (0)970 44 66 43.
