Bordeaux city centre is around a 30-minute drive from the airport. If you’re planning to head right into the heart of the city when you arrive, you’ll find the easiest route is via the A630 south from the airport. You’ll then need to take the exit onto the Avenue Francois Mitterrand, which will bring you directly into the town centre.

The bulk of the attractions are on the west bank, but should you want to head over to the east bank – perhaps for the Botanical Gardens – the easiest route to take is via the Pont de Pierre.

Note that some motorways in France carry a toll. The speed limit on tolled motorways is 130 km/h, whereas for duel carriageways and non-tolled motorways it’s 110 km/h. Be sure to check the speed limits of whatever road you’re on as these can change – especially when entering the local cities and towns.

A sign with the town name indicates when the 50 km/h limit starts, and a sign with the town name crossed out indicates when it ceases. In wet weather, all four limits are reduced by 10 km/h.

As with most European countries, in France you are required to drive on the right hand side of the road, and you must overtake on the left. You should carry your licence and passport at all times (failing to do so carries a fine), and children under ten must be seated in the back of the car.

Drivers in France are also required to carry a warning triangle and fluorescent vest to be used in the event of a breakdown.

Bordeaux is a city with many faces. The magnificent architecture has meant the city has become a UNESCO world heritage site, while the contemporary buildings mean it’s a modern city with plenty to offer visitors.

On the grapevine

Bordeaux is known as the wine capital of the world. As such, it would almost be a travesty not to visit one of the regions many beautiful vineyards. Park up your hire car for the evening if you’re planning on sampling any produce from the vineyards.

The town of Saint-Emilion lies around 40 minutes away from Bordeaux city centre by car. It is surrounded by 5,500 hectares of vines and is home to some of the most recognisable chateaux in the world, including Château Beau-Séjour Bécot and Château Haut-Sarpe. These castles usually offer tours to members of the public and several offer both food and accommodation.

The town itself is also well worth a visit. Check out the underground church, as well as the hermitage where Emilion – the monk who gave the town its name – lived. Take a wander through the town’s streets, and discover the cloisters, wash houses and small squares, amongst many other treasures.

Go gourmet

Bordeaux is a gastronomic treasure trove, with a plethora of bars and restaurants to cater for every culinary need. One popular pastime for visitors to Bordeaux is to embark of one of the city’s many gourmet tours. Companies such as Miam and Insol’eat offer incredible pedestrian tours of the city centre, where you can sample some of Bordeaux’s many edible delights.

If a tour doesn’t sound up your street, then why not just visit one of the city’s many restaurants, from purveyor of traditional fayre, Café Lavinal, to the more modern La Dame – an amazing restaurant on a boat docked in the harbour.

Bourse, of course

The Place de la Bourse is a public square on the banks of the Garonne. Its story begins back in the early part of the 18^th century, when city intendant Claude Boucher instructed Jacques Gabriel, Louis XV's ‘First Architect’, to design and build the square, as well as the surrounding buildings. An architectural masterpiece, Place de la Bourse took an eye watering twenty years to complete.

You’ll want to bring your camera with you, as the square, the fountains, the three graces statue, and the two hotels - Hôtel des Fermes and Hôtel de la Bourse - are all remarkable sights. The statue of Louis XV on horseback, an original feature of Place de la Bourse, was destroyed during the French Revolution.