Bordeaux is located in the region of Nouvelle Aquitaine and in the department of Gironde. Bordeaux is the Capital of Aquitaine and the historic part of the city is on the UNESCO World Heritage List as an “an outstanding urban and architectural ensemble” of the 18th century. The city is built on a bend of the river Garonne, and is thus divided into two parts: the right bank to the East and left bank in the West.
Access
Bordeaux has very good national and international transport services both to and from the city.
Rail: Bordeaux is served by the High-Speed TGV Rail Link from Paris Montparnasse. Journeys generally take 3 hours 50 minutes. All other French destinations are linked to Bordeaux thanks to its great Saint Jean SNCF Station.
Air: Bordeaux benefits from an International airport, in Merignac. There are low cost flights to and from the UK provided by both Easyjet and Ryanair throughout the summer season. The flight to London lasts 1 hour 30 minutes only.
Road: Bordeaux is served by the major highways. Bordeaux is located at 50mn from La Dordogne. The Lacanau beaches are located at 50mn drive from Bordeaux. You can reach the popular Arcachon and its wonderful Bay in 1h drive, La Rochelle and Biarritz in 2h drive.
Activities
While coming to Bordeaux, it is more than essential to:
- Discover the city by boat over the Garonne river
- Visit the famous contemporary art museum (called the CAPC) which gathers the history and treasures of Bordeaux and its harbour
- Enjoy and cross for the most courageous the “Miroir d’eau” (water mirror) in the superb Place de la Bourse. This is a spectacular artwork achieved by the landscaper Michel Corajoud which offers extraordinary mist and mirror effects. This 2cm of water on a huge granite plinth made the place magic for everyone: lovers, children…
- Go into the one of the most beautiful religious place the Saint André cathedral and its bell the Tour Pey Berland.
- Walk and relaxing in the wonderful Public Garden of Bordeaux
- Visit the charming great Theatre
- Drive on the Wines of Bordeaux roads
- Stroll in Saint Pierre’s streets: the historic heart of the city
You can take to the cycling tracks, go for a horse ride, have a round of golf- these are just three leisure activities among so many others that allow you to combine physical activity with the discovery of nature.
Bordeaux and its surroundings are the perfect place to sailing, water-ski, kayaking, canoeing, jet skiing, scuba-diving and of course surf in exceptional spots.
It’s also possible to jump, fly or glide in complete safety with qualified instructors. Choice between hang-gliding, balloon trips, gliders or parachuting can satisfy every adventurer.
Gastronomy
Bordeaux is the world’s wine industry capital. Bordeaux wine draws its name from the famous wine that has been produced in the region since the 8th century. Bordeaux is located in the heart of the largest vineyard in the world: Margaux, Saint Emilion, Sauternes, Pessac-Leognan…
In Bordeaux you can enjoy lots of bar wines for degustation.
Apart from the wine the drinks definitely to try are: Fine de Bordeaux, Abatilles mineral water, Cremant de Bordeaux and Lillet.
Bordeaux offers all the South-East France specialities: the oysters, sea bass, mullet in wine sauce, black sea bream from Arcachon; the Landes Foie Gras, the Périgord strawberries, the delicate Pauillac lamb (typical local lamb “of the vines”), the Bazas beef, the Bordeaux cepe mushrooms, or the famous Entrecote steak served with bone marrow, cooked on an open fire, once made using Bordeaux barrel wood, now replaced by vine branches…
On the dessert menus there are specialities like: Bordeaux caneles, St Emilion macaroons, bouchon de Bordeaux, cruchade, noisettines du Medoc and fanchonnettes.
Examples of restaurants: Le Glouton, L’exploit, Le Raviolon…
Sextant properties who can put you in touch with a local bi-lingual agent, someone who really knows the area and can take you on guided viewing trips of suitable properties. They will be able to answer any questions, explain unusual terms. And then, quicker perhaps than you might imagine, you are the owner of a place in Bordeaux.