Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re talking about Bordeaux, one of the most beautiful cities in France. It’s an amazing city full of fun surprises. So, today, we’re sharing the nine things that will shock you when you travel to Bordeaux.
The Abundance of Wine
Sure, Bordeaux is known for wine, but you will be shocked at how often you are drinking wine in Bordeaux. The wine is phenomenal, so this is not a bad thing. But truly, life in Bordeaux revolves around wine. It appears in many recipes, and many of the best things to do in Bordeaux are at the vineyards and wineries.
UNESCO World Heritage Center
Because so many people visit Bordeaux for the wine and the countryside, the city itself is relatively uncrowded. And that’s a shame, because the historic city center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is a city of Art and History, and there is so much to explore. The architecture is phenomenal, and the preservation is fantastic. Bring your walking shoes, because this is a walking city!
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The Bordeaux Food Scene
French cuisine is world-renowned, and I’ve had some of the best French food in Bordeaux. The meat and seafood in Bordeaux is phenomenal, especially the oysters. Of course, wine features heavily in the sauces, too. Don’t forget to leave room for dessert, as the pastries are amazing, too! It’s a good thing you’ll be doing so much walking because you’ll need to walk off all that fantastic Bordeaux food.
Friendly Locals
France has a bad rap for rude locals, and for the most part, we’ve not found that to be the case. The locals in Bordeaux are super friendly and totally negate that rude reputation that the French have. Even the servers are super friendly. If you speak a little bit of French, they are even more friendly, and very tolerant of beginner’s French.
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The Number of Vineyards
Of course, your Bordeaux trip will include a vineyard tour. There are hundreds of vineyards that are open to the public, so you can spend weeks just exploring the vineyards of Bordeaux. Just make sure you call ahead to ask for the wine-tasting hours. Most of the vineyards aren’t open all day and every day for visitors, so you need to plan ahead.
Bordeaux Day Trips
When you visit Bordeaux, make sure you also include time in your itinerary for the day trips. There are so many chateaux and villages scattered throughout the countryside here, and they’re all worth a trip. There are even beaches within an hour of Bordeaux. Having a car really gives you more freedom to explore all of the day trips from Bordeaux.
Rue Sainte-Catherine
Rue Sainte-Catherine is the main pedestrian shopping street of Bordeaux, and it’s shocking how long the street is. It’s said to be the longest pedestrian shopping street in France. There’s something for everyone along this street, so if you have any shoppers in your family, you definitely want to plan a day to stroll the Rue Sainte-Catherine. And it’s not just shopping; there are plenty of bars and cafes along the way, too.
Water Mirror
Across the street from Place de la Bourse, you have to visit the Water Mirror, or Miroir d’Eau. It is the largest reflecting pool in the world, and it’s really cool to see in person. It was created to be a reflecting pool and a “mist forest” at alternating intervals. So you get to see the cool reflections of the buildings and then play in the water jets. If you can catch it at sunset, it’s even more beautiful.
Access from Paris
We were shocked at how quickly we traveled from Paris to Bordeaux. If you take the TGV, it’s just over two hours. Despite the easy access from Paris, there are relatively few tourists in Bordeaux. You really feel like you are having a French experience with loads of culture and cuisine, without the tourist crowds of Paris. If you are planning to travel over a weekend, though, amke sure you book your tickets in advance as they do sell out.
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We always love visiting France, but we were still shocked at how much we loved visiting Bordeaux. It’s really a great destination in France, and an excellent place to escape the tourist crowds of Paris. Looking for more tips on travel in France? Check out some of our other blog posts!