Experience
France

BUCKET LIST TRAVEL : BORDEAUX

A delight for the eyes and the taste buds

Bordeaux and the surrounding region are famous for their exceptional vineyards, among the oldest in the world. The city also has a rich history. Stroll around and explore Bordeaux’s mix of historical and ultra-modern buildings, like the visitors' favourite Cité du Vin.

GET LOST AMONG THE VINES

A trip to Bordeaux simply must include a vineyard visit. The region, Gironde, is home to over 2,000-year-old vineyards, and there are now nearly 7,000 winemakers in the area. 80% of the wine coming produced in Gironde is red. There are many activities in Bordeaux vineyards, from traditional winery visits to yoga amongst the vines. We recommend having a picnic at a Bordeaux wine estate for some relaxation. To experience the château lifestyle, head to the Malartic-Lagravière estate owned by the Bonnie family, located on the outskirts of Bordeaux ( 43 avenue de Mont de Marsan, 33850 Léognan)in the town of Léognan. They have recently started offering a ‘Chic & British’ picnic package in the château’s shaded gardens. After visiting the wine cellars, where the white wine is rated as highly as the red, enjoy lunch on the lawn. The traditional picnic menu includes salmon sandwiches, lemon muffins and – of course – wines from the Malartic vineyard, one white and one red. The experience is offered once a month from May to September and lasts two and a half hours.

Must-sees in Bordeaux

CITÉ DU VIN

The Cité du Vin (City of Wine) museum, which opened in 2016, is dedicated to the drink of the god, Bacchus. The permanent exhibition tells you everything about the region’s famous export. After your tour, the rooftop bar means you can sip many of the world’s best wines while enjoying panoramic views of Bordeaux.

The pool of lights at the Bordeaux submarine base

BASSIN DES LUMIÈRES

Ever immersed yourself in a work of art? You can feel like you’ve dived into a painting in this digital art centre created in a Bordeaux submarine base. Its 12,450 metres-squared projection surface makes it the largest of its type in the world. Simply unmissable!

THE PUBLIC GARDEN

The countryside comes to the city in this 11-hectare oasis of greenery, a Jardin Remarquable (remarkable garden) of France. The public park is home to the science and nature museum, a botanical garden and a restaurant bar, L’Orangerie, not forgetting the famous Guignol Guérin puppet theatre.

THE WATER MIRROR

At the Place de la Bourse, Jean-Max Llorca used the reflective power of water to double the majestic three-century-old building that takes centre stage. Just two centimetres of water on a gigantic granite slab have transformed this traditional location and made it a favourite for photography enthusiasts.

PLACE DE LA VICTOIRE

A bustling area full of bars and restaurants, Place de la Victoire is also worth a visit for its Porte d’Aquitaine, constructed in 1748. In 2005, bronze turtles and a 16-metre twisted red marble obelisk were added in homage to this winemaking region.