Bordeaux Hotels

Remarkably, skeletal remains from as far back as 200,000 years have been found in the Bordeaux area. A number of years after the Neanderthals, the area was a haunt for Celtic tribes, Romans, Vandals, Visigoths and Franks. Clearly, Bordeaux has allure. Celebrated novelist and activist Victor Hugo once made the famous remark: “Take Versailles, add Antwerp and you have Bordeaux.”

Attractions

With a lofty designation as a “City of Art and History”, Bordeaux delivers on the attractions front. Start with the World Heritage section of the city, rich in 18th century architecture. Place de la Bourse is a spectacular pavilion complex built between 1730 and 1755 by the famous Gabriel family, now home to a Customs

Museum that chronicles the history of the city port.

The Grand Théâtre de Bordeaux is the majestic home of the Opéra National de Bordeaux, as well as the Ballet National de Bordeaux, built in 1780.

Rue Ste-Catherine is the main thoroughfare of Bordeaux, replete with history and monuments, not to mention some of the best shops in the city.

Although consecration of Cathedral of St André took place in 1096, most of what remains hails from the 15th century. Nonetheless, the structure is a foremost national monument in France.

Two other important cathedrals in Bordeaux are the Saint-Seurin Basilica and église Sainte-Croix.

The city has a full slate of museums to visit. The best of the lot are the Musée des Beaux Arts, or Museum of Fine Arts, Casa de Goya and Vinorama, a wonderful education in Bordeaux wine.

Wine of course, is why many come to Bordeaux. The area, with 57 appellations, is second in the world in terms of size, with Languedoc numéro un. Wine icons in Bordeaux include Château Margaux, Château Lafite Rothschild and Château Latour.

Events

Vineyard tours up and down the shores of the Garonne River, to Bordeaux regions such as Medoc, Sauternes and Pomerol, comprise the most indelible activity around the city.

The Bordeaux Spring Fair in April and May is a lively city marketplace with antique, art and food vendors.

Every June the city celebrates the River Festival and Garden Festival, with various events around the waterfront and public parks for both.

Journées du Patrimoine is heritage festival in September that celebrates the rich history of Bordeaux, with free admission to most major attractions and museums.

Climate

Bordeaux has a climate that is fairly moderate and oceanic by nature, with a beneficial Gulf Stream effect that produces warm conditions.

• Winter (November to February) 6-13°C

• Spring (March to April) 9-16°C

• Summer (May to August) 15-26°C

• Fall (September to October) 14-23°C