The first vineyards in Bordeaux appeared thanks to the ancient Romans. It was they who laid down the traditions of winemaking, which later glorified this region throughout the world. The Romans also gave an impetus to shipping and the development of trade ties, thanks to which, over the centuries, Bordeaux turned into the largest cultural center in France, not inferior in anything to Paris.
Above all, Bordeaux is known for its gastronomic tradition. Who hasn't heard of the great local wines? Moreover, the graceful, smooth, aristocratic streets and squares of the city attract thousands of tourists every year. Here you can feel the true French sophistication and the ability to enjoy life. The sophisticated atmosphere of Bordeaux can be felt at the Port of the Moon, on the Place de Saint Andre and on the banks of the picturesque Garonne River.
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What to see and where to go in Bordeaux?
The most interesting and beautiful places for walking. Photos and a short description.
Moon Port
Port of the Moon is an allegorical name for the architectural ensemble of the historic center of Bordeaux, which is located along the Garonne (Gironde) river. Picturesque buildings in classical style are located in a semicircle on its banks. The complex of structures includes: the building of the town hall, the grand theater, the Place de la Bourse, Sainte-Catherine, the Cayo gate and the Hotel Labottier. The Port of the Moon has played an important strategic role since the days of the Roman Empire.
Exchange Square
The square is located at the Garonne embankment. Its architectural appearance in the Baroque style took shape in the 18th century. The project was developed by A.J. Gabriel. The square is surrounded by the buildings of the Customs Museum and the Stock Exchange Palace. The main decoration of this place is the Fountain of Mirrors, which is a wide and flat surface filled with water. With the help of special sprays, the smallest drops are sprayed into the air, which sometimes causes fog over the square.
Parliament Square
A small square in the Italian style, located near the Cathedral of Bordeaux. Most of the lush mansions that surround the square were built in the 18th century. In the central part there is the Parliament fountain of 1865 in the neo-Renaissance architectural style, installed thanks to the efforts of G.-A. Brochon, one of the mayors of Bordeaux. Parliament Square is a historical monument in France.
Quincons Square
The main square of Bordeaux, one of the most impressive squares in Europe. The huge spaces of the Quincons can accommodate a large number of people, which is why fairs and concerts are constantly held here. In 1883, a monument to the Girondins was erected on the square - representatives of one of the political parties of the period of the Great French Revolution, who were ultimately persecuted by the Convention.
Big theater
The magnificent building of the Grand Theater was erected in the classical style on the site where a Roman temple was located in ancient times. Perhaps this fact ultimately influenced the choice of the appearance of the building. The facade of the theater corresponds to the canons of the ancient Corinthian order, the portico is complemented by statues of the goddesses of the Roman pantheon. The architect V. Louis was invited for the construction. Since the 18th century, the theater scene in Bordeaux has been the center of the city's cultural life.
Rogan Palace
Previously, the palace served as the residence of the Archbishop of Bordeaux - F.M. de Rogan. The complex was built in the 18th century under the direction of the visiting architect V. Louis, who also worked on the project of the Gran Teatro Bordeaux. The building changed owners several times. During the revolution, a tribunal was located here, during the reign of Napoleon Bonaparte - the imperial palace, since 1835 the building houses the Bordeaux city hall and museum.
Saint André Cathedral
Bordeaux Cathedral, dedicated to Saint Andrew (in the Orthodox tradition he is known as Andrew the First-Called). The building was erected in the XI century on the site of the destroyed temple of the IX century. Over the long period of its existence, the cathedral has experienced several redevelopments of the interior space and renovations of the facade. With each new reconstruction, its appearance gradually changed, while maintaining the standard Gothic features.
Pe-Berlan tower
The tower is located on the square of the same name, which was named in honor of Archbishop P. Berlan. The personality of this minister of the church remained in history due to the fact that he founded the city university for poor students. The tower is the bell tower of the Saint André Cathedral, although it is located at some distance from it. The structure was built in 1863, in 1869 an 8-ton bell was erected on top of it.
Basilica of Saint Michael
The temple is located on Place Menard, which is located near the Pont du Pierre bridge. The building of the church was erected in the XV-XVI centuries according to the project of J. Leba. The temple is built in a graceful architectural style known as "Flaming Gothic". The bell tower of the basilica is located at some distance from the main building. The bell tower is almost 115 meters long, making it one of the tallest temple structures in the world.
Church of Notre Dame in Bordeaux
An expressive baroque church built at the very beginning of the 18th century. The building has a very lush and pompous facade with an abundance of decorative finishes, decorated with sculptures and bas-reliefs. An image of the Virgin Mary is placed on the figured stained-glass window. The interior spaces are interconnected by arched galleries. The walls of the church are painted with skilful frescoes of the 18th-19th centuries.
Museum "City of Wine"
The Bordeaux region is known for its excellent wines all over the world. You can learn more about the history of winemaking, learn more about the varieties of the drink and the peculiarities of its production in the "City of Wine". This is an interesting museum housed in a modern building called the Wine Guggenheim. The museum opened in 2016 and quickly gained popularity among fans and connoisseurs of the grape drink.
Aquitaine Museum
In the 18th century, the Museum of Stone Sculpture was founded in Bordeaux, where artifacts from the Roman period found in the surrounding area were kept. From 1962-63 it became a regional museum of ethnography, archeology and history. The collection has existed in its present form since 1987. The exposition covers a fairly extensive historical period, about 70 thousand exhibits are placed on 5 thousand square meters.
Gross-Cloche Tower
In the Middle Ages, the tower was part of the Bordeaux city fortifications. It is believed that the structure was erected in the 15th century on the site of the destroyed gate. The image of Gross-Cloche is present on the city's coat of arms and is a symbol of Bordeaux. The building acquired its modern look in the 18th century, when two side towers acquired cone-shaped roofs. The northern facade is decorated with figures of fabulous gargoyles, in the central part there is an astronomical clock dial.
Cayo gate
In the 15th century, the main entrance to Bordeaux was carried out through the Cayo Gate (or Palace Gate). The gate was erected after the victory in the Battle of Fornovo, when the troops of Charles VIII defeated the Italian army. The architectural style of the building represents a transition from the Gothic to the Renaissance, which somewhat knocks the building out of the surrounding landscape, giving it a light "medieval" flavor.
Rue Sainte-Catherine
The street is about 1.3 km long, where there are more than 200 different shops. It can be safely called the main trade artery of Bordeaux. Since the 70s. XX century, the alley became a pedestrian, which further increased tourist traffic.In addition to shops, there are several historical sites, among them - a Gothic cross on the site of an old cemetery and the Church of St. Simeon, built in the XIV century.
Submarine base
The base was laid before the outbreak of World War II by agreement with Hitler, when the Italian navy was stationed in this area. Italian and German submarines were based here. The place was reliably protected from bombing, so the ships were practically not damaged during the air raids. Nowadays, an exhibition center is located on the territory of the gloomy concrete docks of the former base.
Jacques Chaban-Delmas bridge
A vertical lift bridge over the Garonne River, completed in 2013. The opening was attended by President F. Hollande and Bordeaux Mayor A. Juppe. The structure is equipped with an elevator that lifts passengers to a height of 50 meters. Once every few days, the bridge is raised to allow ships to enter Bordeaux harbor. The building was named after J. Chaban-Delmas, a former prime minister.
Pont de Pierre bridge
An old 19th century bridge across the Garonne, designed by C. Deschamps. The customer was Napoleon Bonaparte himself. The structure is a series of arched spans similar to ancient Roman bridges. The pillars are decorated with medallions depicting Napoleon's profile. In the evening, Pont de Pierre is illuminated with a floodlight system, which gives it a very romantic look.
Garonne river
The river originates in the central part of the Pyrenees and flows into the Bay of Biscay. The total length of the channel is 647 km. The Garonne is an important shipping artery in France, with several hydroelectric power stations and reservoirs. The river flows through the cities of Toulouse, Bordeaux and Agen. It spills with enviable frequency, which causes problems in settlements located on the banks.
Wine tours and excursions in Bordeaux
Bordeaux is the oldest wine-growing region in France, where the best quality drinks are produced using traditional technologies. Local (and not only) travel companies offer a huge number of interesting wine and gastronomic excursions, during which tourists visit vineyards, factories, wine cellars, taste different varieties and learn to distinguish one wine from another.
