- The old town districts of Saint Pierre and Saint Paul. These narrow and busy streets are the beating heart of Bordeaux and date back to medieval times. They are a joy to wander around with numerous small shops, cafés and restaurants. Don’t miss the Grosse Cloche, the bell tower is built in the gothic style and the bell has been used to warm the citizens of Bordeaux of significant events for centuries. The current bell was made in 1775 and is rung at noon on the first Sunday of the month and for other significant occasions such as Bastille Day.
Place St. Pierre is a lovely space to stop for coffee, the tree covered terrace gives welcome shade if it sunny.
For those requiring something little stronger Vins Urbains (27 rue des Bahutiers) is an excellent wine bar, serving mainly French wines alongside small plates. Beware however, it is not open at lunchtime.
2. La Cité du Vin.
Opened in 2016 and now one of the top tourist attractions in the city it is a must for wine lovers but there is also much to admire for others. Basic admission covers the permanent exhibition, the observation deck giving excellent views of the city and a wine tasting from the sixteen on offer in the Belvedere Bar. Many other booking options are available including a full wine tasting, sensory workshop and tour of the building focusing on its design and construction. You can easily spend a full day here. You can read more bout it in my post here
3. The Water Mirror. The water mirror, constructed in 2006, is to be found opposite one of Bordeaux’s architectural gems, The Place de la Bourse. the mirror is the worlds largest reflecting pool of water. Constructed from slabs of granite, the surface is flooded with water to a depth of only 2cm. As the flow of water stops, the surface gradually clears to create a perfect mirror much loved by locals and visitors alike. The cycle repeats every 20-30 minutes to replenish the water which gradually drains away. There is even a system to create mist which gives an intriguing and alternative view. It gets very busy at times and you may have to wait awhile to get that perfect photo as adults and children just love going for a paddle.
4. One of the worlds greatest wine regions. The Bordeaux region produces somewhere around 700 million bottles of wine per year, 90% of which is red, some of which is the most expensive wine in the world. The good news is that the wine regions are relatively close to the city and make for an ideal day out from the city. You can hire an car or join one of the day trips that leave the city each day. A chateau visit is a great way to see how this famous wine is made and visits always finish with a short tasting. It is worth noting that for many of the well known chateau an appointment is necessary prior to visiting. This can usually be done via the chateau’s website and the advantage of this system usually means that you have your own private tour for as little as 15 euros in some cases.
5. Food. As in many towns and cities in France food is taken very seriously indeed. There are numerous options to suit all manner of budgets. If queues are anything to go by L’Entrecote (4 Cours de 30 Juillet) is a big favourite. When it opens at 7.15 there around 100 people waiting to get in. The queue moves quickly however as the restaurant is large. It is a set menu of steak, chips and salad with very reasonably priced drinks. It offers great value. Nearby, opposite the Opera House, the Grand Hotel offers a more formal experience in the Gordon Ramsey restaurant L’Pressoir d’Argent which holds two Michelin stars. Les Noailles (12 Allées de Tourney) offers a traditional French bistro style experience.
The Canele is a small rum flavoured cake that is filled with a light custard which can be found in many shops and cafés of the city. They can be eaten for breakfast or as a snack with a cup of coffee. Well worth trying.