After visiting Burgundy couple of years ago & Champagne this summer, it was time to go to Bordeaux, one of the most acclaimed wine regions in France, but also a beautiful city.
There are direct flights from London with British Airways from Gatwick, but also with Ryanair from Stanstead or Wizzair from Luton, depending on the budget you’ve got to spend for getting there. Once there, I strongly recommend renting a car from the airport, if you want to go around a bit and explore more than Bordeaux city.
What to do in Bordeaux?
For me the best way to feel the vibe of the city is to walk around & adventure myself on the smaller & less crowded streets. However, there are definitely couple of must sees in the city:
Bordeaux Cathedral
Rue Sainte – Catherine – 1.2 km long pedestrian street, the main shopping street in Bordeaux
Place de la Bourse & Miroir d’eau – probably one of the most famous spots in the city
Porte Cailhau – which looks like a fairytale, perfectly resembling the Disney Castle
Porte de Bourgogne & Pont de Pierre over Garonne river
The Grosse Cloche
The City of Wine museum (Cité du Vin) – didn’t have time to check this place, but was on my list and would definitely go there next time I’m in Bordeaux
Darwin Eco-system – an alternative place with shops, restaurants & coffee places.
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Where to eat or stop for a coffee in Bordeaux?
Le Chien du Pavlov
The Alchemist Coffee shop & the Dunes Blanches chez Pascal Bordeaux Patisserie right across the street. They are actually serving the choux à la crème fresh from the oven from the bakery 🙂
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SIP Coffee Bar, Cafe Gusco, La Toque Cuivree Gamebetta for the traditional canelé.
Restaurant le 7 – panoramic restaurant at Cité du Vin
La Tupina – Maison Fredon (unfortunately not tried, had to cancel very last minute)
Where to stay?
Lots of options in Bordeaux city and its surroundings, it’s all up to your budget and preferences.
We stayed at Chateau Le Thil, in one of the 11 beautiful rooms & suites, each of them with its own charm and personality. Not only the rooms are well appointed, but the building itself is authentic and elegant. Chateau Le Thil is a historic house, built in 1737, situated just 1 mile away from Les Sources de Caudalie, where you can enjoy the spa & interior pool, a wine tasting, but also have dinner at their 2 Michelin star restaurant if you want to remain on site.
They also serve breakfast in the morning, a selection of cold cuts & different types of cheese, yoghurt, fruits, fresh baguette and pastries and of course coffee/tea and a selection of fresh juices & nectars. Breakfast is served in the breakfast room downstairs, but you can always enjoy a coffee & a croissant outside on the terrace.
You can also get bikes if you want to explore the surroundings, especially the vineyards.
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Tried & tested Michelin star restaurants
La Grand’Vigne – Les Sources de Caudalie, 2**
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L’auberge Saint Jean, in Saint Jean de Blaignac – 1*
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If you’ve got more than a couple of days to spend in the area, you may considering a trip to Saint Emilion village, a World’s Heritage site and also to Dune of Pilat, Europe’s tallest sand dune nestled between the Atlantic Ocean, an enormous pine forest, the Arcachon Bay, a sandbank and a peninsula, making it a unique landscape in Europe.
Bordeaux After visiting Burgundy couple of years ago & Champagne this summer, it was time to go to Bordeaux, one of the most acclaimed wine regions in France, but also a beautiful city.