When in Bordeaux
Bordeaux has more to offer than simply some of the world's finest wine. There are a large number of fascinating quatiers to explore and plenty to keep the visitor amused in terms of museums as well.
The city's architecture is second to none and one of the top draws is the Basilique Saint-Seurin, which has been given the status of a World Heritage Site by Unesco. The building is said to date from the sixth century and has many Romanesque and Gothic touches to it, as different generations added more and more to it. It is more impressive on the inside than out so please check on opening times before turning up.
At Place Pey Berland stands Cathédrale Saint-André. Dating back, in part, to at least the 11th century, this mainly Gothic structure is another treasure to behold and has a rich history attached to it, including royal marriages. The majority of this fascinating building was constructed in the 13th and 14th centuries.
The city has an enviable number of museums to explore. One of the best is the Musée d'Aquitaine, which takes the visitor on a journey of the city's 25,000-year history, with the help of various artefacts, carvings and paintings. An English language catalogue can be borrowed from reception for a small deposit.
Modern Art lovers will find much to enjoy at CAPC Musée d'Art Contemporain on rue Ferrère. Originally built to house interesting products from the French colonies, the coffee and bananas have now been replaced by a number of constantly changing exhibitions, which always contain works of the highest standard.
Bordeaux airport is six miles to the west of the city centre and there are frequent buses and numerous taxis willing to take you in to town. The city is one of the main hubs of France's rail network and has links with all the main cities in the country. The main station, Gare St-Jean, can be found two miles from the city centre at the southern end of cours de la Marne and there is a direct bus service to the airport. Buses run from the Halte Routière (bus terminal) in the north-east corner of esplanade des Quinconces and cover a number of destinations in the local region.
Getting around Bordeaux is easy thanks to the city's extensive bus network and its recently opened tram system. Single tickets can be purchased from kiosks beside the stops and then stamped once on board. For the visitor who is spending a few days in the city, a Bordeaux Découverte, which can be purchased at the tourist office, provides unlimited journeys on both modes of transport for a set number of days. Cycling is popular with the locals and there are a number of 24-hour rental establishments. Many also offer little scooters to zip around town on.
July and August are the hottest months, although the breezes from the Atlantic Ocean prevent things from getting too stifling. Spring is often said to be the best time to visit, although autumn too can be enjoyable. Winters are decidedly chilly.
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Introduction
