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Bordeaux
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Bordeaux certainly owes its worldwide reputation - synonymous of quality and exception for all wine-lovers - to the role it has always played as a wine-trade city.
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A city dedicated to wine
Eternally present in the stones of fronts or in the bronze of statues, the city which gave its name to the wine bears everywhere signs reminding visitors of its main activity: wine trade. This activity really flourished in the middle of the 18th century, leading Bordeaux to build such places as the wine-trade building, the customs palace, the stock exchange, as well as Aquitaine and Dijeaux gates. Then, the inhabitants followed the trend and adorned the fronts of their luxurious town houses with sculptures representing grape cloisters or Bacchus, the God of Wine.
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| Bordeaux historical center extends from Saint-Pierre area to Sainte Croix area and numerous 18th and 19th century squares enhance the architectural unity of these parts of town. |
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Saint-Pierre area
Saint-Pierre church is not at the heart of old Bordeaux by chance : Before being a wine-trade city, Bordeaux was first a harbour and was thus bound to honour the Saint protecting the majority of its inhabitants living thanks the river : Saint-Pierre.
This part of town was first constituted of marshes but in the 12th century, the harbour was dried out and filled in. Houses were build there and the docks were moved further South.
During the 18th century, Boucher and Tourny set up decisive actions for the future of Bordeaux. They destroyed the medieval wall bordering this district, created place de la Bourse and rue Royale, opened up place du March? Royal. Today Saint-Pierre streets are lined up with Louis 15 houses, the front of which is decorated with sculpted faces, mouldings, stone and iron-wrought balconies.
Sainte-Croix area
This former popular district was built outside the medieval walls and only became part of Bordeaux in the 14th century. The district is still dominated by the high Roman tower of Sainte-Croix Abbey-church.
Rope-makers and shoe-makers settled in this district as well as ox-breeders as the animals were needed to draw carts to deliver goods transported by sea.
As early as the end of the 16th century, big sugar refineries were built there as raw sugar arrived by boat from the French West Indies.
Old town squares
From the 13th to the 20th century, squares were created to fulfill economic, religious or administrative functions.
Fernand Lafargue square dates back from 1248. Located near the harbour and the town hall, it was the meeting point for students, merchants and pilgrims on their way to Saint-Jacques of Compostella.
In front of Saint-Pierre Church, Saint-Pierre square was shaped to allow representations of mystery plays which were frequently staged in front of religious buildings in the 15th century.
Sainte-Colombe square still exists today although its church collapsed at the end of the 17th century. The inhabitants bought the square to prevent any construction and preserve its original shape.
Finally, Camille Jullian square is quite recent as it was built in 1935. Today those open spaces are used for markets, concerts or restaurant and caf? terraces.
Saint-Michel area
Saint-Michel is built arount the Gothic basilica of the same name and today is definitely the most lively and colourful area of Bordeaux.
A market is held every Monday and Saturday mornings around the church. Nowadays, picturesque shops and stores around the square create a colourful atmosphere appreciated by artists and students.
Back in the Middle Ages, this district was already reputed for its nightlife and sailors mingled with craftsmen and bourgeois to have a pint at one of the numerous cabarets.
Sainte-Eulalie area
Located South West of the former town walls, this area was built around its Church, Sainte-Eulalie, which was the point of departure for the pilgrimage to Compostela.
This is the reason why the number of convents and monasteries built in this area was really impressive.
Away from the river, commercial activities linked to the harbour gave way to other crafts such as glove-makers or tanners who all had their specific church and congregation. Today only two of those numerous monasteries still exist: Annonciades and Notre-Dame but the area is still very interesting for its ruins and archeological remains.
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To greatly appreciate your stay in Saint-Emilion, Finestwine warmly recommends you the Hotel Chateau Grand Barrail. Set amongst the famous vineyards and Chateaus on the outskirts of the medieval City of Saint-Emilion, stands the most unique Chateau hotel of the Bordeaux "Rive Droite" with its impressive 19th century architecture. Hotel Chateau Grand Barrail Lamarzelle Figeac is synonymous with warmth and the art of hospitality and, whether on business or vacation, you will be seduced by the charm of the Sud-Ouest. |
Bordeaux Vineyard
With
The wines of
These days, the
The
The multi-faceted nature of Gironde offers a host of singular sites to the admiring eye of the curious passer-by: the ocean, vines, forests, lakes and rivers have composed an infinite number of landscapes, from the grandiose panoramas offered by the Bassin d’Arcachon, to the estuary of the vineyards that stretch as far as the eye can see, not forgetting a more secretive nature, which will only reveal its intimacy if you take a stroll through the pines forests of the Gascony Landes.
The department is crisscrossed by almost
While it offers a thousand and one culinary variations, the cuisine of
A Sauternes wil highlight the finesse of a foie gras, a Saint-Emilion will set off a lamprey dish to perfection; fish and shellfish are the ideal for an Entre deux Mers or a dry white
As you stroll through the markets of Gironde, all five sense are alive: here a fresh catch of Atlantic fish, oysters and shrimps that were still in the water not an hour before; there beef from cows fattened in traditional fashion, just next to the fresh vegetables grown so nearby. Whether their feet take them to a bistro, a riverside restaurant or a more reputed establishment, lovers of great food will never be short of delights in
The
You only have to mention the name of the Altantic coast to conjure up images of long sandy beaches, nestling against huge dunes. The seaside resorts here have maintained a certain discretion, and visitors always fall under the charm of the 10th century villas that harken back to the holidays of days gone by.
Because it lives life at the intense opace of tis maritime and river life, the department of
With courtesy of Tourisme Gironde – Conseil Regional
Bordeaux Museums
CACP: Contemporary Art Museum
This museum, located in a former warehouse, exhibits works by internationally renowned
contemporary artists.
Entrep?t Laine
7, rue Ferrere
33000 Bordeaux
Phone: +33 (0) 556 008 150 - Fax: +33 (0) 0556 441 207
email: capc@mairie-bordeaux.fr
Art Museum
An extensive Collection of paintings, sculptures and drawings from the 17th
to 20th centuries
20, cours d'Albret
33000 Bordeaux
Phone: +33 (0) 556 102 056 - Fax: +33 (0) 556 102 513
email: musbxa@mairie-bordeaux.fr
Museum of Aquitaine
Regional historic and archeological collections dating from prehistoric times right up to
the presend day.
20, Cours Pasteur
33000 Bordeaux
Phone: +33 (0) 556 015 100 - Fax: +33 (0) 556 442 436
email: musaq@mairie-bordeaux.fr
Museum of Decorative Arts
Located in a beautiful 18th century town house, this museum exhibits a collection off furniture and decorative "objets d'art" from the 16th to 20th centuries.
39, rue Bouffard
33000 Bordeaux
Phone: +33 (0) 556 007 250 - Fax: +33 (0) 556 816 967
email: musad@mairie-bordeaux.fr
Museum of natural History
Large collections of animal and fossil specimens.
Place Bardineau
33000 Bordeaux
Phone: +33 (0) 556 482 637 - Fax: +33 (0) 556 012 859
email: musad@mairie-bordeaux.fr
Goupil Museum
19th century prints and photographs
20, Cours Pasteur
33000 Bordeaux
Phone: +33 (0) 556 016 940 - Fax: +33 (0) 556 016 941
email: musad@mairie-bordeaux.fr
Jean Moulin Cultural Centre
Dedicated to WWII, with emphasis on the Resistance and Free French movement.
Centre Jean Moulin (Near city Hall)
Place Jean Moulin
48, rue Vital Carles
33000 Bordeaux
Phone: +33 (0) 556 796 600 - Fax: +33 (0) 556 796 604
email: cnjm@mairie-bordeaux.fr
For further information :
Bordeaux Tourist Office
12, Cours du XXX Juillet
33000 BORDEAUX-FRANCE
Phone: +33 (0) 5 56 00 66 00
Fax: +33 (0) 5 56 00 66 01
Direction des Musees de Bordeaux
Entrepot Laine 7 rue Ferrere
33000 Bordeaux - France
Phone: +33 (0) 556-006-410
Fax: +33 (0) 556-006-420
email: dmb@mairie-bordeaux.fr
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