 Bordeaux, France
Bordeaux, France
Author: Christophe:Finot (Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 2.5 Generic)
Bordeaux is a port city in southwest France. It is located by the banks of the River Garonne. The city of Bordeaux is the capital of the Aquitaine region. It has a population of around 250,000 within the Bordeaux-Arcachon-Libourne metropolitan area, which has a population of a million.
Guide to Bordeaux Hotels
Here's a list of hotels in Bordeaux that you can book online, with full description, star rating, address, location map, evaluation, and prices as offered by different booking sites. This helps you to make your room booking with the site that offers the best price.
More on Bordeaux
Bordeaux is a famous wine producing centre in France with a history going back to the eighth century. The historic centre of Bordeaux is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Basilique Saint-Michel, Bordeaux
Author: Christophe Gimenez (Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported)
Humans have inhabited the Bordeaux area as early as the Neanderthals some 20,000 to 30,000 year ago. Their remains have been discovered at the famous Pair-non-Pair caves north of the city. The city was already an established settlement during Roman times, when it was an important port for the export of tin and lead to Rome.
After a few centuries of obscurity, Bordeaux regained prominence in the 12th century as a result of wine growing and trade. That was also when the Cathedral of St. André was built.
The French government was relocated briefly to Bordeaux during World War II, when it became imminent that Paris would fall to the Nazis.
Going to Bordeaux
By Train
You can reach Bordeaux from Paris. The journey takes about 3 hours, and there's a train several times a day. Gare Saint Jean is the train station in Bordeaux. From there, you can catch a bus or tram or simply walk to explore the city.
By Plane
There is a limited number of flights from Paris to Bordeaux-Merignac Airport (BOD), located to the west of downtown. From the airport, budget travellers can take the public bus No. 49 to Bordeaux 2 and get off at Lycée Mérignac. From there catch a tram to go downtown. The entire journey costs €1.40 as long as you don't exceed the one hour limit between transfers.
Another option is to take the airport express bus straight to downtown Bordeaux. The fare is €7; those below 26 years old and above 60 pay €6.
Exploring Bordeaux
Most of the places of interest in Bordeaux are located in the city centre, so it is quite possible to explore it on foot, taking the trams and buses only when it is necessary. There is also a river ferry to cross the river when need arises.
Bordeaux is the only city so far with trams that do not use overhead wires. Instead the power is delivered to the carriages from an underground conduit. The system, called APS, was introduced in 2003. However, it faced some issues such as waterlogging during heavy rain which may result in it being replaced by conventional overhead lines.
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Places of Interest in Bordeaux
- Grand Théâtre
One of the finest Classical-style theatres in France.
- Église St-Seurin
Church with a 6th-century Gallo-Roman sarcophagi in the crypt.
- Basilique Saint-Michel
The massive 14th century basilica took 200 years to build has the tallest belfry in southern France.
- Musée des Beaux-Arts
Museum within the Hôtel de Ville, with collection that includes many masterpieces by famous artists.
- Musée des Arts Décoratifs
Exceptional collection of period furniture and porcelain housed in the 18th century Hôtel de Lalande.
- Musée d'Aquitaine
Museum that chronicles the Bordeaux region from prehistoric times to the present.
- Cathédrale Saint-André
Gigantic church with beautiful medieval sculptures.
- CAPC Musé d'Art Contemporain
Museum of contemporary art housed in a 19th century converted warehouse.
- Les Quais
Quayside neighbourhood of Bordeaux. Good place to take a stroll.
- La Victoire
Historic neighbourhood now a popular night spot in Bordeaux.
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