The capital of the world's wine industry, Bordeaux is an intoxicating mix of 18th-century grandeur, first-rate museums, vibrant neighborhoods and ancient churches. With its flat geography, walking and cycling have always been a favorite mode of transportation in Bordeaux, but a new tramway system has made the city even easier to navigate.
The city in the southwest of France makes a great base for excursions into wine country, and there are plenty of sights and attractions in Bordeaux too, including restaurants and bars where visitors can sample wines from the region's 57 appellations. From nights at the opera to days spent exploring the luxury shops around the elegant Place Gambetta, there's always something exciting to see and do in beautiful Bordeaux.
1. Place de la Bourse
No visit to Bordeaux is complete without a visit to the city's most famous square. The Place de la Bourse has been a symbol of Bordeaux since its creation in the early 1700s.
2. Grand Theatre de Bordeaux
Designed by renowned architect Victor Louis, the 18th-century Grand Théâtre is Bordeaux's star cultural attraction. The theatre where Marius Petipa once staged ballets in the 1840s also plays host to the Ballet National de Bordeaux.
Best known as the place where a 13-year-old Eleanor of Aquitaine married Louis VII, the Cathédrale Saint-André de Bordeaux is located in the southern section of the city's historic district. It includes 42 illuminated manuscripts made between the 16th and 14th century.
4. Musee d'Aquitaine
One of the best places to explore French history outside of Paris, the Museum of Aquitaine charts the timeline of the region from prehistoric to modern times. Eleanor of Aquitaine's life is well represented here too, as is Edward of Woodstock, the son of King Edward III known in France as the Black Prince.
5. Rue Sainte-Catherine
The capital of the world's wine industry, Bordeaux is an intoxicating mix of 18th-century grandeur, first-rate museums, vibrant neighborhoods and ancient churches. With its flat geography, walking and cycling have always been a favorite mode of transportation in Bordeaux, but a new tramway system has made the city even easier to navigate.
No visit to Bordeaux is complete without a visit to the city's most famous square. The Place de la Bourse has been a symbol of Bordeaux since its creation in the early 1700s. Best known as the place where a 13-year-old Eleanor of Aquitaine married Louis VII, the Cathédrale Saint-André de Bordeaux is located in the southern section of the city's historic district.
The entrance to the historic Galerie Bordelaise shopping center is located near the street's northernmost point. With its many restaurants, boutiques and cafés, the southern section is popular with the city's more than 60,000 students. At the street's center point is the Place Saint-Project, a pretty square where visitors can relax and contemplate their next destination.
