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Bordeaux

Fast Facts

Country: France
Region: Southwest of France
Languages Spoken: Officially French but English as it is traffic prone city
Currency: Euro (dollars and traveler's checks still accepted at some places)
Time Zone: Central European Time Zone (1 hour ahead of GMT)
Religion: Roman Catholic and protestant and also Jewish communities
Climate: Humid (since its close to Atlantic Sea) and temperate with hot summers and mild winters.
Population Density: A 2004 estimate says its close to 4700 persons per square kilometer.
Country Code: 33 556

History

During the First Century Bordeaux was founded by a group of local people known as the Biturgies Vivisques. Then the city was named as Burdigala by Caesar. Members of a Celtic Tribe were the first inhabitants of this land. Burdigala became a prosperous commerce center because of its advantageous location. As the city started to grow in economy, it was targeted by several invasions until the 12th Century. After that Aliénor d'Aquitaine and Henry II captured the city and brought some peace in the city. The city of Bordeaux came under the English control nearly three centuries ago following the marriage of Eleanor of Aquitaine to Henry II of England. From 1066, after the invasion of England by William the Conqueror, Duke of Normandy almost every English kings started holding a land in France. Britain had no existence as a nation at that time. In 1451, Bordeaux was captured by the French.

Today, Bordeaux is known as the most famous wine region of France, attracting thousands of visitors every year for its delicious wine and food. Bordeaux is the city in Aquitaine in the west of France. The city also attracts visitors for its overwhelming gothic cathedrals and mansions of 18th century.

Geography

The city of Bordeaux is located on the western Atlantic coast of France. Bordeaux can be reached in about three hours from Paris through TGV (speed trains). Bordeaux is about two hours from Spain and just a few minutes off the Aquitaine Atlantic shore. The city is just three hours from the Pyrenees and is near to the vibrant Toulouse. You can have easily available daytrips to delight of almost anyone. The city of Bordeaux has tram system as transportation, through the downtown. Bus system is also clean and reliable within the city. The city also extensive pedestrian areas, for people who love to walk and explore the city in a much closer view.

Attractions

The most naturally beautiful district in Bordeaux is 'Quartier Saint-Eloi'. The amazing 'Grosse Cloche' was used as the bell of the Town Hall. Though the Town Hall has been shifted in other place, the 'Grosse Cloche' bell is still one of the attractions of Bordeaux. The attraction of Bordeaux's historic center is enormous. In Bordeaux you must visit the famous vineyards and the city's museums. There you will get the ancient glory of the city.

At the end of the Victor Hugo Avenue, there is The 'Porte de Bourgogne'. At one time there was one of the city's gates. At the left there is the 'Quartier de la Rousselle' that has medieval time houses and in the right there is the 'Quarter Saint-Michel' and in the front there is the 'La Garonne' river.

Napoleon had built here The 'Pont de Pierre' in 1822. This is a "Stone Bridge" and is almost 500 meters long. Before 1861, the bridge was used as a toll bridge. Then in 1861 the bridge was bought by the town and made it free. This bridge is one of the most beautiful bridges in France and competes well with the bridges in Paris, in respect to beauty. The district of 'Saint Michel', where the superb Saint Michel Church is; is very near to this bridge.

The 'Saint Michel' church is among the identities of Bordeaux. The church was built during the XV century, most likely during the end. Its height is 114 meters, being the second tallest in France, and was twice struck by lightning and a hurricane which caused much damage to the structure. The French Pilgrim routes of Santiago de Compostela have been added to the list of World Heritage sites by the UNESCO

.

Three monuments of Bordeaux

: the Saint-André Cathedral, the Saint-Seurin Basilica and the Saint-Michel Basilica are added in the list.

The biggest church in Bordeaux is The Saint Andre Cathedral. The church seems to be built in the XI century. King Louis VII married his fiancée Eleanor of Aquitaine in this church in the XII century. Though the church is a very special monument of Bordeaux, The Saint Andre Cathedral has been left with very little originality. At the back of the cathedral, there is the Town Hall. This building was used as the palace of the Archbishop of Bordeaux. The town hall palace is also called the 'Palais Rohan'.

The 'Tour Pey Berland' is a tower about 50 meters high, built in the 15th century. From the top of the 'Tour Pey Berland', anyone can get an awesome view of the city of Bordeaux.

There are many interesting museums in the city of Bordeaux.
The Museum of Fine Arts occupies its place as on of the best museums in this city. This museum is not so far from the Cathedral of Saint Andre and is at a few yards from the Cathedral. The museum has a vast collection of art works, which are mainly from the 17th to the 20th century.

The Museum of Modern Arts, which is a very good resource of contemporary art, is another museum that you should visit and should not miss its beautiful presentations.

The Museum of Decorative Arts has a widespread collection of classic furniture and decorative objects; which is another attraction of Bordeaux. Then there is The Natural History Museum that showcases animal and fossil specimens, which is a place not to be missed by animal history lovers.

The Center Jean Moulin is another one that is dedicated to the WWII's Resistance and Free France movements.

The Musée d'Aquitaine is a historic museum where you can realize the history of this region from the prehistoric days.

Bordeaux is the largest fine winemaking region not only in France, but also in the whole world. Varieties of wines include Red wines, dry and sweet whites, rosé, clairet and sparkling wines and many more. When it comes to wines, the city of Bordeaux has endless choice of wines. This city is a great reservoir from of the most expensive wines to the fine tasting wines of average prices in the world.

In the city of Bordeaux, there is a different wine for every different meal. You just choose your course and then select the appropriate wine that matches your course of meal. Even if you are in a mood for a particular wine then you can also select the wine first and then choose a suitable meal to be tasteful with that wine. You may have heard that red wines were for meat, while the white ones are for fish. But in Bordeaux there are red wines suitable for fish also.

The golden rule that goes there is to start with a mild wine and end it with one of the strongest wines. With meats you should order the full-bodied red wines. Then after your strong meal you can think of ending your meal with a sweet white wine. You can also think of a combination of French Cheese and a fine Bordeaux wine.

Now following the 'Cours de l'intendance' we get into the 'Grand Theater', which is a neoclassical theater designed by Victor Louis during the 18th century. Just near to the 'Grand Theater' is the 'Maison du vin' (=House of Wine). This building hosts "Conseil Interprofessionnel du Vin" which is an organization of the region's winegrowers.

If you want to have a well-planned tour of Bordeaux, you can contact the town's Tourist Bureau, who will help you to visit every attraction of the city in an organized manner. They are the best guides in the city and will organize coach, bike and walking tours for you.
You can also contact the Office of Tourism of Bordeaux who provides tutored testing of Bordeaux wines in 2 hours. The 'Maison du vin' also have programs for blind tasting of the city wines and help you discover the secrets of the great Bordeaux wines.

Besides all these, Bordeaux is a paradise for shopping lovers. The world's most popular brand names are present in Bordeaux namely: Cartier, Hermes, Louis Vuitton, Hugo Boss, Mont Blanc, Christian Lacroix, Rolex and Tartine et Chocolat.

The region of Bordeaux is divided in seven sub regions. The one closer to the Atlantic sea is called 'Region du Medoc' and produces red wines. Closer to Bordeaux city, on the same river bank sits the 'Region des Graves et Pessac-Leognan', which produces sweet white wines, dry white wines and red wines. Next to this area is the 'Region des vins Blanc doux', this small region only produces sweet white wines. Between the Garonne River and the Dordogne river sits the 'Region de l'Entre-Deux-Mers' that produces red, rose, dry white and sweet white variations. On the other side of the Dordogne River sits the 'Region Saint-Emilion, Pomerol, Fronsac', which produces red wines. 10 km down the river sits the 'Region du Blayais-Bourgeais', with its red and dry white wines.

Most of the France and Bordeaux is fairly safe though visitors need to take some precautions in order to avoid tourist-aimed crimes. Try avoiding carrying much cash more than you need and wearing expensive jewelries. Before staying in a hotel makes sure that the hotel is safe for your valuable luggage. Avoid carrying wallets in the back pockets pay close attention to the baggage while shopping.

Some information on Hotels and Restaurants

Hotels - $25 - $110 - Maximum are near the City Centre - Meriadeck.
Hotels with Bed And Breakfast - $115 - $130 - Maximum are near the Saint Jean
Hotels with Conference Center - $135 - $175 - Maximum are near the Le Lac
Hotels with Inn/lodge - $180 - $390 - Maximum are near the Chartrons

Top Hotels

Hotel Chateau Beau Jardin
Hotel de France
Chateau Lamothe du Prince Noir
Hotel Majestic
Appart'City Cap Affaires
Hotel Continental
Hotel Burdigala
Seekoo Hotel
Quality Hotel St. Catherine

Top Restaurants

Le Chapon Fin
la cape
GRAVELIER
Le Palatium
le cochon volant
le petit bois
L'Entrecote
Cafe Japonais
CHEZ PEPPONE
L'assiette Musicale

Considering all these aspects of traveling, hope your trip to Bordeaux will be an amazing and overwhelming experience with ancient monuments and luscious food and drinks.

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