Bordeaux

Bordeaux, France

Celebrating wine, gastronomy, arts and culture, Bordeaux is a city that represents the very essence of the French spirit. Located in the southwest of France, on the Garonne River, Bordeaux casts its charms around the region through its broad pedestrian boulevards, gorgeous squares, modern buildings and historical architecture. Pay a visit to Bordeaux on your next trip to France and see why the city was once elected as "European Best Destination".

Population:

Over 240,000 inhabitants (2015)

Currency:

1 Euro = 100 cents

Emergency Numbers:

Police: 17
Fire Brigade: 18
Ambulance: 15
If you are calling from a mobile telephone dial: 112

Opening Hours:

Most stores are open from 10am to 7:30pm, malls up to 9pm and supermarkets until 8/10pm.

Newspapers:

Courrier Français
Sud Ouest
Bordeaux Tourisme
Bordeaux7

The City

Associated to wine and the pleasures of life like no other city, Bordeaux is the kingdom of the grape. Wine bars, wine merchants, and over a hundred winery castles throng all around Bordeaux. Wine is savoured and enjoyed, but is also used for health purposes through wine therapy—a spa treatment using grape extract, said to be beneficial for the body.

The beautiful Baroque buildings, which were once erected in the city centre to conceal the slums, have made Bordeaux world-famous for its architecture. On top of its historic charm and presence, the city has built a modern character with brand new futuristic buildings, modern transports, and a town life that becomes trendier every day. With its well organised river banks, structured squared, and pedestrian streets, this city on the Garonne is a pleasure to walk through, whether it is to visit, shop, or taste the French gastronomy.

Do & See

History, sights, landmarks, architecture, arts and tons of activities have turned Bordeaux into a beautiful and exciting city. Consistently renewing itself, for example with the recent construction of the Cité du Vin, Bordeaux is typical and modern at the same time, with sights and entertainment for everyone. One thing is for sure: hold on to your camera, because everything here is highly photogenic.

Dining

Bordeaux's cuisine offers as many flavours as its wines, and they are a perfect match for each other. Marry your favourite red or white wine with one of the city's culinary specialty: lobster, oysters, Pauilla clam, Aquitaine beef, Entrecôte "à la Bordelaise", and the list goes on.

If your mouth is not watering yet, step into one of the following restaurants and we guarantee it will.

Cafes

Whether you want to take a break in-between visits or you feel you might have indulged too much in French wine the night before, there is no bad excuse for a coffee break in Bordeaux.

Although you will be spoiled for choice with all the beautiful and tasty French pastries on offer, there is one local specialty you shouldn't leave without trying: the canelé, a small pastry flavoured with rum and vanilla with a soft custard centre and a dark caramelized crust.