Bordeaux, France — Where to Go
Bordeaux Sightseeing Overview
Bordeaux traces its origins to Roman times, when a settlement was founded on the Rive Gauche (left bank) of the River Garonne. The site chosen was on a bend of the river, which formed a crescent-shaped harbor, known as Port de la Lune.
Bordeaux grew rich from a surge in international commerce in the 18th century. Inspired by their new-found wealth, the city's burghers decided to redesign their city. Its winding medieval streets were cleared to make way for grand squares and elegant tree-lined avenues, lined with monumental buildings.
Bordeaux is famous for wine, not surprising as it sits at the heart of one of the world's best wine regions, but the wine trade was not enough to prevent a slump in the 19th century, during which much of the city center deteriorated. It has since been restored to its former glory, however, with landscaped quaysides and the colonial-era warehouses now housing trendy bars and restaurants, and beautiful parks giving the city space to breathe.
Sightseeing in Bordeaux is a pleasure. Most of the city's monuments are within easy walking distance, and the tourist office is a good starting point. Nearby the fine Esplanade des Quinconces overlooks the Garonne, and the superb wine merchants' residences in the rejuvenated Chartrons Quarter have been converted into trendy shops and museums, including the Musée d'Art Contemporain.
South along the Garonne is the beautiful Grand Théâtre, the elegant Palais de la Bourse and the Hôtel des Douanes (Custom House). On and around the rue des Trois Conils are the 11th-century Cathédrale St-André, the majestic Hôtel de Ville and the Musée des Beaux Arts. The superb collection at the Musée de l'Aquitaine is one of the highlights of the city.
Bordeaux Tourist Information
Office de Tourisme de Bordeaux
12 cours du 30 Juillet, 33080 Bordeaux
Tel: (05) 5600 6600.
Website: www.bordeaux-tourisme.com
The main tourist office in Bordeaux organizes city tours and guided tours of the vineyards. They have a good-value package ‘Bordeaux Découverte' offering two nights' accommodation, a guided tour of the city and the vineyards with wine tasting and one pass giving admission to the city's principal monuments.
The Comité Régional du Tourisme, 23 parvis des Chartrons (tel: (05) 5601 7000; www.tourisme-aquitaine.fr), deals with the Aquitaine region. The Bordeaux Wine Council (www.vins-bordeaux.fr) provides information about local wines and vineyards.
Key Attractions in Bordeaux, France
Quartier des Chartrons
Fabulously rich European wine merchants built sumptuous residences in this Bordeaux quarter. The area declined after the French Revolution, but was recently spruced up and is now home to swanky shops, trendy bars and restaurants and the Museum of Contemporary Art.
Quartier des Chartrons, 33000 Bordeaux
UNESCO site: Y.
Cathédrale St-André
One of three Bordeaux churches listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites, the gothic Cathédrale St-André, built during the 13th and 15th centuries, was on the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela. The top of the lofty bell tower commands superb views over Bordeaux.
Place Pey-Berland, 33000 Bordeaux
Admission charge: N.
Disabled access: Y.
UNESCO site: Y.
Esplanade des Quinconces
One of Europe's largest squares, this vast open space has the Monument des Girondins (a memorial to the Girondin deputies guillotined at the behest of Robespierre and other leaders of the French Revolution) along one side, and two tall ships' columns on the riverside. The heart of Vieux Bordeaux runs between here and the Cathédrale St-André.
Esplanade des Quinconces, 33000 Bordeaux
UNESCO site: Y.
Musée d'Aquitaine
This superb museum has a rich collection of archaeological, historical and ethnographic artifacts illustrating Bordeaux's history from prehistoric times to the present. The highlight is a magnificent bronze statue of Hercules, which once stood at the entrance to the port.
20 cours Pasteur, 33000 Bordeaux
Tel: (05) 5601 5100.
Website: http://musees-aquitaine.com (French only)
Opening hours: Tues-Sun 1100-1800.
Admission charge: Y.
Disabled access: Y.
Musée d'Art Contemporain (CAPC)
This Bordeaux museum of contemporary art is housed in a monumental colonial warehouse, and has an excellent collection of arte povera (Italian for ‘poor art'), experimental art of the late 1960s, and good temporary shows.
7 rue Ferrère, 33000 Bordeaux
Tel: (05) 5600 8150.
Website: http://musees-aquitaine.com (French only)
Opening hours: Tues and Thurs-Sun 1100-1800, Wed 1100-2000.
Admission charge: Y.
Disabled access: Y.
Musée des Beaux Arts
One wing of the sumptuous baroque Palais Rohan, now the City Hall, is dedicated to an impressive collection of 16th- to 20th-century paintings, including masterworks by Perugino, Titian, Rubens, Brueghel, Matisse, Renoir, Delacroix, Seurat, Bonnard and Kokoschka.
20 cours d'Albret, 33000 Bordeaux
Tel: (05) 5610 2056.
Website: http://musees-aquitaine.com (French only)
Opening hours: Wed-Mon 1100-1800.
Admission charge: Y.
Disabled access: Y.
Further Distractions
Jardin Botanique
The old Jardin Botanique (cours de Verdun) is part of Bordeaux's first ever park, the Jardin Public. It is a classic French garden with a lake, arranged flowerbeds and 3,000 different plant species. On the other side of the river is the new Jardin Botanique (quai de Queyries), which is very French too, but contemporary, with water gardens, a grass meadow and chalk hillocks that recreate the various habitats of Aquitaine.
Esplanade Linné, Rue Gustave Carde, 33100 Bordeaux
Tel: (05) 5652 1877.
Opening hours: Daily 0800-2000 (Apr-Oct); Daily 0800-1800 (Nov-Mar).
Admission charge: Y.
Disabled access: Y.
