{"id":7391,"date":"2018-04-27T16:28:34","date_gmt":"2018-04-27T13:28:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/travellingbuzz.com\/?p=7391"},"modified":"2021-07-08T15:23:47","modified_gmt":"2021-07-08T12:23:47","slug":"what-to-do-in-bordeaux-france-wine-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/travellingbuzz.com\/what-to-do-in-bordeaux-france-wine-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"What to do in Bordeaux, France: A guide to the city of wine"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Of all the cities in Europe you can visit, there is one that is quickly moving up the ranks: Bordeaux.<\/strong> With its 18<\/span><\/span>th<\/span><\/span>-century architecture, gastronomic restaurants and easy-to-<\/span><\/span>manoeuvre<\/span><\/span>\u00a0layout it is a city-trippers dream. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

But there is one aspect of Bordeaux that is even more alluring than all the before: wine,\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/span>wine and<\/span><\/span>\u00a0don’t forget\u00a0<\/span><\/span>wine<\/span><\/span><\/strong>.<\/strong> Whether you are a total beginner (as I was when I visited Bordeaux for the first time!), don’t even like wines<\/span><\/span>,<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>or\u00a0<\/span><\/span>are a full-fledg<\/span><\/span>ed\u00a0<\/span><\/span>wine-<\/span><\/span>connoisseur,\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Bordeaux will impress you<\/a>. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Lonely Planet made no mistake when they ranked this\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Burgundian<\/span><\/span>\u00a0gem number 1 on the list\u00a0<\/span><\/span>of<\/span><\/span>\u00a0‘<\/span><\/span>Cities<\/span><\/span>\u00a0to visit in 2017′<\/span><\/span>. You should! And by reading this article you will know all the right activities, spots and\u00a0<\/span><\/span>wine bars<\/span><\/span>\u00a0to make your winy adventure an absolute success.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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When to visit:<\/span><\/span><\/strong>\u00a0Bordeaux is best enjoyed in springtime (March \u2013 June) and the autumn (September \u2013 November) when the days are sunny and long and the temperature mild. The summer months are great too but can get really hot.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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How to get there:<\/span><\/span><\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong>Bordeaux’ airport<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>has a huge budget terminal, so I should not be too hard to find a decent priced flight from any major European city. More comfortable and more environmentally friendly is the TGV-train<\/span><\/span>\u00a0that takes you from Paris to Bordeaux in less than 2 hours.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Budget<\/span><\/span><\/strong>:<\/strong> EUR 50 for a budget hotel, EUR 10-15 for a 3-course ‘plat-du-jour’ (during midday), EUR 3 for a glass of\u00a0<\/span><\/span>wine. Whole c<\/span><\/span>araf<\/span><\/span>es<\/span><\/span>\u00a0of\u00a0<\/span><\/span>house wine<\/span><\/span>\u00a0come as cheaply as EUR 7<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Find out more information about traveling to France safely with EU Digital COVID Certificate<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Going on a\u00a0<\/span><\/span>w<\/span><\/span>inery\u00a0<\/span><\/span>t<\/span><\/span>our<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
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\"what<\/a>

One of the many charming Chateaux de Vin’s that host the best Wineries in the Bordeaux region<\/p><\/div>\n

So,<\/span><\/span>\u00a0I am going to be assuming that you, like me, don’t know all that much about wine.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Sure,<\/span><\/span>\u00a0we all know that wine is made out of grapes and that<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>French wines are regarded as some of the best wines in the world. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

You probably also have heard that Bordeaux wines are top-of-the-top but did you know that all French grapevines grow on American roots? Did you know that there are\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/span>over 37\u00a0<\/span><\/span>wine regions<\/span><\/span><\/strong>\u00a0within the Bordeaux area, all with a different soil, altitude, micro-climate, and grape-<\/span><\/span>varieties? <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

And can you really tell the difference between a Merlot and a Cabernet-Sauvignon? If your answer to all those questions is no, it is best to start off\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/span>your Bordeaux trip\u00a0<\/span><\/span>with a\u00a0<\/span><\/span>w<\/span><\/span>inery\u00a0<\/span><\/span>t<\/span><\/span>our.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"what

The Vineyards in autumn just after the harvest (late October)<\/p><\/div>\n

\"what<\/a>

Red wines stored in the cellar to ripen, these cannot be drunk yet<\/p><\/div>\n

\"what<\/a>

A mini-winetasting course is provided on most tours, it involves identifying many aromas from an extract that can also be noticed in wines<\/p><\/div>\n

Bordeaux has many tour-agencies all offering half-day and full-day tours that visit a couple of wineries. You’ll learn a lot about the different types of wines, get to see<\/strong><\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/strong>the winemaking process up-close<\/strong> and\u00a0<\/span><\/span>of course<\/span><\/span>\u00a0get to sample a few of the finest wines right at the place where they were created. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

If you think a full day is a bit too much, take an afternoon-tour and use the morning to go sight-seeing during a (free!) walking tour through the city.<\/strong> The ‘<\/span><\/span>Office the\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Tourisme<\/span><\/span>‘ can tell you more about those. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Personal recommendation for a winery-tour<\/strong><\/span><\/span>\u00a0is going with\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/span>Bordovino<\/span><\/span><\/strong>.<\/strong> They are not the cheapest, but they do excellent tours in a fun and relaxed way.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Sipping wine on a terrace<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
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\"what<\/a>

Place the Palais, one of the favourite terraces of the locals<\/p><\/div>\n

Bordeaux\u00a0<\/span><\/span>w<\/span><\/span>eather<\/span><\/span>\u00a0is\u00a0<\/span><\/span>characterized<\/span><\/span>\u00a0by long and sunny days<\/strong>, perfect to sit outside and sipping on a wine accompanied with some nice\u00a0<\/span><\/span>French c<\/span><\/span>heese<\/span><\/span>s<\/span><\/span>\u00a0or<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>charcuterie<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>(assorted meat platter). There are a couple of terraces I grew fond o<\/span><\/span>f<\/span><\/span>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span><\/span>I don’t want you to miss out<\/span><\/span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Place du Palais<\/span><\/span><\/strong>\u00a0is my\u00a0<\/span><\/span>favou<\/span><\/span>rite with its wide terraces on different levels<\/strong> slowly\u00a0<\/span><\/span>descending<\/span><\/span>\u00a0onto Porte\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Caillhau<\/span><\/span>, one of the\u00a0<\/span><\/span>architectural<\/span><\/span>\u00a0highlights in the city.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Also<\/span><\/span>\u00a0very nice is\u00a0<\/span><\/span>the tiny authentic<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Place\u00a0<\/span><\/span>G\u00e9n\u00e9ral<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Serrail<\/span><\/span><\/strong>, especially during midday when the sun shines brightly. After sundown, the terraces remain open until long after midnight<\/span><\/span> (most places serve food until 12, or even 1\u00a0<\/span><\/span>AM!).<\/span><\/span>\u00a0W<\/span><\/span>ith its beautifully lit facades on all sides, it<\/span><\/span>‘<\/span><\/span>s\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/span>Place\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Camille Julian<\/span><\/span><\/strong>\u00a0that deserves your attention in the last few hours of the day.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Visiting la Cit\u00e9 du<\/span><\/span>\u00a0Vin<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
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If the winery tour gave you\u00a0<\/span><\/span>a<\/span><\/span>\u00a0basic\u00a0<\/span><\/span>understanding of wine, and the terraces of Bordeaux allowed you to explore your own preferences a bit more, it is time to take a deeper dive into the world of\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Vin<\/span><\/span>. Meet La Cit\u00e9 du<\/strong><\/span><\/span>\u00a0Vin, the\u00a0<\/span><\/span>N<\/span><\/span>r<\/span><\/span>.1 wine-museum in the world.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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All the information and displays can be a bit overwhelming but visiting la Cit\u00e9 du Vin means smelling, hearing and tasting wine.<\/strong> There is literally everything to know about the history of wine<\/span><\/span>, the winemaking process and the art of wine-tasting and the displays all make excellent use of digital media and are very interactive<\/span><\/span>. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The\u00a0<\/span><\/span>m<\/span><\/span>useum also hosts a stunning wine-shop<\/strong> in its cellars and\u00a0<\/span><\/span>a 360 degrees<\/span><\/span>\u00a0panoramic\u00a0<\/span><\/span>wine bar<\/span><\/span><\/strong>\u00a0on the 8<\/span><\/span>th<\/span><\/span>\u00a0floor overlooking the Garonne river. Better yet: the entrance (EUR 20) includes a glass of wine of your choice, so you can put all th<\/span><\/span>at<\/span><\/span>\u00a0freshly obtained wine-knowledge straight into practice.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"what<\/a>

One of the many interactive displays in the Cite du Vin<\/p><\/div>\n

\"things<\/a>

The wine-cellar of the museum, where they sell wines up to EUR 20.000 a bottle, they have even more expensive onces locked away underneath the cellar<\/p><\/div>\n

\"things<\/a>

The Panoramic wine-bar at the top-level of the museum where I am caught sipping wine and putting on the most snobbish look ever.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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The best\u00a0<\/span><\/span>wine bars<\/span><\/span>\u00a0in Bordeaux<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
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So<\/span><\/span>\u00a0by now, you are probably a true wine-expert, and what is better than to continue your wine journey by<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>walking around the perfectly preserved 18<\/span><\/span>th<\/span><\/span>-century buildings of Bordeaux’s historic\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/span>centre<\/span><\/span><\/strong>\u00a0and hopping in and out of tiny\u00a0<\/span><\/span>wine-bars to sample some of their finest for only a few euro’s a glass? <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The best place to do so is\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Rue de la\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Parlement<\/span><\/span><\/strong>,<\/strong> which hosts many,\u00a0<\/span><\/span>many<\/span><\/span>\u00a0little\u00a0<\/span><\/span>wine bars<\/span><\/span>\u00a0and shops. Fill up your stomach\u00a0<\/span><\/span>before<\/span><\/span>hand<\/span><\/span>\u00a0since, apart from some wine-pairing chocolates and cheeses, these bars do not have a food menu. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Another great place to go is\u00a0<\/span><\/span>The Wine Bar<\/span><\/span>\u00a0in\u00a0<\/span><\/span>La Boutique Hotel Bordeaux<\/span><\/span><\/strong>.<\/strong> They exclusively serve vintage premium wines in this up-class place, but they also have<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>a<\/span><\/span>\u00a0Blind Tasting Menu, where you can taste premium wines for 7\u00a0<\/span><\/span>euro<\/span><\/span>s<\/span><\/span>\u00a0per glass. Considering the excellent\u00a0<\/span><\/span>wines<\/span><\/span>\u00a0they serve, this is probably one of the best value-for-money you can get in the whole city.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"things<\/a>

Place Camille Jullian, this terrace, located right next to a 16th-century church, stays open until long after midnight<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Now you’ve obtained all there is you need to know for a\u00a0<\/span><\/span>winy<\/span><\/span>\u00a0city-trip to Bordeaux, there is really nothing stopping you from going.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>E<\/span><\/span>nchant\u00e9<\/span><\/span>!<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

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Guest author:<\/strong> Thijn is the creator of No Road Back<\/a>, a travel website on practical sustainable travel: green travel without feeling any hindrance from it. He writes articles and guides on backpack-travel in South-East Asia and South-America and on taking city-trips in Europe.\u00a0<\/em><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Of all the cities in Europe you can visit, there is one that is quickly moving up the ranks: Bordeaux. With its 18th-century architecture, gastronomic restaurants and easy-to-manoeuvre\u00a0layout it is a city-trippers dream.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":7396,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"spay_email":""},"categories":[1,274,88],"tags":[722,58,358],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/travellingbuzz.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/what-to-do-in-bordeaux-ftance-7.jpg?fit=1024%2C768&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/travellingbuzz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7391"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/travellingbuzz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/travellingbuzz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/travellingbuzz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/travellingbuzz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7391"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/travellingbuzz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7391\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9284,"href":"https:\/\/travellingbuzz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7391\/revisions\/9284"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/travellingbuzz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7396"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/travellingbuzz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7391"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/travellingbuzz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7391"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/travellingbuzz.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7391"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}