BORDEAUX
30 BRITTANY FERRIES
Le Pont de Pierre
Wining and dining
L’art de bien vivre
Surrounded by palatial architecture,
visitors to Bordeaux are immediately
inducted into a more refined way of life.
Sitting on the banks of the Garonne
River in the south-west of France, the
city is renowned for its food scene,
boutiques and grand theatres and
squares, which are the perfect
complement to its main attraction –
its famous wine.
Lovers of the grape should make a
beeline to the Cité du Vin, a colossal
museum dedicated to wine, its
production and history, and an ideal
first stop before you hop on a guided
tour to destinations such as Saint-Émilion
or the Médoc to try the best
wines of the region.
To soak up the alcohol, take a seat in
one of Bordeaux’s many restaurants
and enjoy steak with Bordelaise sauce,
or a lighter snack of oysters fresh from
the sea. To satisfy your sweet tooth,
order a few cannelés – small pastries
local to the region.
Culture enthusiasts can wander around
the vaulted interior of the Cathédrale
Saint-André, where Eleanor of Aquitaine
and the future Louis VII were wed, or
book to see an opera at the Grand
Théâtre. Visit at night to admire its
illuminated portico, complete with 12
muses and goddesses.
If you want some retail therapy, cruise
along the bustling Rue Sainte-
Catherine, said to be the longest
pedestrianised street in Europe, or dip
into the chic boutiques of the Chartrons
or Saint-Pierre districts to find vintage
bargains.
For a slower pace, pack up a picnic and
enjoy a lazy afternoon under the trees
of the Jardin Public, a green space
redesigned in the English style as a
peaceful escape from hectic city life.
Finally, before you depart with a
suitcase full of your favourite vintages,
stop by the Miroir d’Eau for a
picturesque photo opportunity. Located
opposite the Place de la Bourse, this
shallow pool creates a misty effect on
hot summer days and reflects the
glittering lights at night – a true
reflection of the beauty of Bordeaux.
Indulge a love affair
with fine wine and food
in the endlessly elegant
city of Bordeaux
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