Bordeaux
City of Art and History
General Information
Other Name: Wine capital of the world, District: NA, State: Aquitaine, France
Area: 0 -
Languages Spoken: French
Long Distance Code: -
Importance: The historic part of the city is on the UNESCO World Heritage List as "an outstanding urban and architectural ensemble" of the 18th century.
Best Time to Visit: - to - and -
International Access: -Description
Bordeaux is a port city on the Garonne River in southwest France. It is the capital of the Aquitaine region, as well as the prefecture of the Gironde department.The city is among the world`s major wine industry centres.The historic part of the city is on the UNESCO World Heritage List as "an outstanding urban and architectural ensemble" of the 18th century.Bordeaux has about 117,000 hectares of vineyards, 57 appellations, 9,000 wine-producing châteaux, 13,000 grape growers, 400 traders and sales of 14.5 billion euros annually. With an annual production of over 700 million bottles, Bordeaux produces large quantities of everyday wine as well as some of the most expensive wines in the world.Bordeaux is home to one of Europe`s biggest 18th century architectural urban areas, making it a sought-after destination for tourists and cinema production crews.Location
Bordeaux is located near the European Atlantic coast, in the southwest of France and in the north of the Aquitaine region.Climate
Oceanic climate
Chateau Beychevelle is a fine Bordeaux red wine, or ''Claret'' as reds from the region are known. Throughout February you can visit the beautiful Chateau and taste its produce. You can turn up anytime, although the Chateau requests that groups of visitors telephone before arriving. Visitors to the Chateau are not charged a fee for their visit but decorum suggests that you purchase some of the fine wine that they produce before you leave.
This old warship cruiser belongs to the French Navy and is one of the country''s biggest warships. Now with a new lease of life as a museum.
Known as Bordeaux''s answer to Paris''s famous Père Lachaise cemetry, many well-known people are buried here, including Goya, Lacour, Flora Tristan and Gauguin''s grandmother. Like its larger counterpart, it is also home to an amazing variety of monuments and thus offers a window onto the world of nineteenth century sculpture. Its suitably peaceful atmosphere is also reminiscent of the Parisian cemetry.
The pick of the region''s horses will compete with national thoroughbreds over jumps, in dressage and on show. The event attracts a large number of tourist.
The Christmas market begins every year in late November when wooden stalls are set up. The stalls feature a plethora of goods from over 100 merchants, with many great Christmas gift ideas. Displays include sweets, gourmet food, decorations, jewelry, crafts and toys. Each year a different country sets up the nativity display.
Opened in 1811, Bordeaux''s Natural History Museum is one of the oldest of its kind in France. Set in a stunning private mansion adjoining the Jardin Public, the museum hosts a zoological collection of specimens from all over the world. It features present-day species, including those at risk of extinction, belonging to the mammal, bird, reptile and fish families, as well as crustaceans, mollusks and insects.
Here''s a museum dedicated solely to Bordeaux''s wine-producing culture, located in the former home of an 18th-century nobleman. The vaulted cellars, dating back to 1720, as well as the storehouses, bear witness to the importance of wine from this time onwards. Today, the museum charts the history of a wine known the world over and gives an insight into how the finest vintages are stored for optimum improvement.
Also known as Place Royale, this is a perfect example of Bordeaux architecture at the end of the 18th century. This is a beautiful line of archways and slate roofs, with an impressive fountain in the centre - a setting made even more magnificent when it is lit up at night. There is a superb view of the Garonne river''s right bank from this square.
Entirely pedestrianized and over a kilometre long, this is the busiest shopping street in Bordeaux; it is also one of the town''s oldest thoroughfares. In Roman times, it was a major north-south road. Today, it is still important, since it links the Grand Theâtre to the Place de la Victoire. The street has borne the same name since the 18th century, in honour of the martyr saint whose chapel is located nearby.