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 18th 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.
Car hire from Bordeaux airport will get you out and exploring the city and surrounding areas in no time. Whether it’s touring the vineyards and Chateaux of Saint Emilion, or eating in one of the city’s incredible restaurants, car rental from Hertz will get you where you want to be in this stunning French city.
