Bordeaux: a UNESCO World Heritage Site and gateway to the vineyards.

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Bordeaux

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Reading time: 0 minPublished on 31 December 2022, updated on 16 April 2024

Bordeaux “the elegant”, is the most extensive urban environment in the world to be recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Transport by tram and bikes makes the city easier to discover. Take a walk next to the Garonne River, along the waterfront and get acquainted with the numerous maritime and river cruises. Bordeaux embodies the quality of life, thanks to its gastronomy, its romantic gardens, its sustainability. The cultural scene is always very exciting, with exhibitions, concerts, lectures, street art … Located in the heart of the largest fine wine region, Bordeaux is an ideal starting point to discover the châteaux available for visits all around. Bordeaux is an amazing tourist destination, a “little Paris”. By the way, Lonely Planet has declared Bordeaux the top city in the world for 2017!

Bordeaux world wine capital

Situated in the leading fine-winegrowing area in France with 65 appellations, Bordeaux is the worldwide capital! This is even more true since June 2016, with the opening of La Cité du Vin, a unique place for wine-related discoveries and experiences. Midway between a museum and a theme park, La Cité du Vin is dedicated to wine as cultural, universal and alive heritage, and offers a total experience on 8 levels. The main tour is an immersive, sensory voyage, introducing visitors to the world's wine civilizations. Some exhibitions, tasting areas, a panoramic restaurant at the 7th floor, a cellar with more than 14,000 bottles, and a wine-themed store complete the offer.

Bordeaux, the city of 1,600 restaurants!

The city is a playground for haute cuisine chefs, and has also spawned a new generation that champions the specialities of South West France. There are now more than 1,600 restaurants: Bordeaux has become a hot gastronomic destination! Enjoy the beautiful markets of Bordeaux: Capucins Market, one of the largest of the city, where people meet there on Sundays for brunch, tapas or seafood platters. Head for the outdoor Chartrons market on the waterfront and admire the view on the Garonne River. Must-taste: the canelé, both creamy and crunchy, the most famous pastry of Bordeaux! Made with sugar, rhum, vanilla … and love!

© Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey

Bordeaux by the river

There are 76 km between Bordeaux and the tip of the Gironde estuary, providing several cruise companies with the perfect setting for cruises and excursions that can last from an hour and a half to the whole day. See Bordeaux, with its harmonious 18th century façades, and the beautifully restored Quais des Chartrons, from a different angle. Continuing downstream, the rich architectural diversity of the city is revealed, before giving way once more to a wild landscape of trees and greenery. The river cruise companies offer a wide range of possibilities. Cruises through the Port of the Moon, and further down the Garonne River and the estuary, an aperitif accompanied by the winegrowers who produced the wine you are drinking, stopovers at beautiful châteaux and nature-reserve islands, or dinner cruises, that may even be accompanied by a jazz trio!

Campagne Bordeaux

By Redactie France.fr

The magazine of the destination unravels an unexpected France that revisits tradition and cultivates creativity. A France far beyond what you can imagine…