So, imagine this scenario. You have always dreamed of visiting France or even living here. You have studied French for the past five years of your life, preparing for this trip. Of course, after all this time you can now order yourself a piece of cake (and that’s basically it, because who can actually learn French?) You have already prepared your barrette and you say ‘oh la la’ to everything? Time to take the next step. Buy a ticket and come to France. But where do you go? Paris springs to mind as always. But even though the city of love has its perks, why not try something a bit different? Of course, there are many wonderful places around the country but since I am bias and not afraid to say it, I am going to give you my top reasons why you have to visit in Bordeaux.
Main tourist attractions in Bordeaux (Part I)
Tourist sites in Bordeaux you must see (Part II)
Bordeaux is a port city in the Gironde department in the Southwestern part of France. It is the sixth-largest town in France and is the capital of the Nouvelle- Aquitaine region. Bordeaux can be considered the world’s wine capital and hosts the biggest wine festivals. Sleeping Beauty (a nickname for Bordeaux) is also on UNESCO’s world heritage list.
When one asks themselves where one wants to live, the quality of life is one of the most important things. I can bore you with some numbers here. Such as Bordeaux ranking at the top of charts like ‘where do the French people want to live and work?’ But I prefer to speak from experience as I believe this is a lot more realistic.
The Scenic Beauty
To put it simply Bordeaux is beautiful. It has a certain charm, that is almost breathable. When you step foot in the city you feel like time has stopped in the 18th century. Even though Bordeaux is a metropolis it seems like the city has found a perfect symbiosis between being a modern town, keeping its history and still having a slice of nature all around it for people to enjoy with many parks in the heart of the town. Bordeaux is surrounded by picturesque countryside, with vineyards and charming villages. Visitors can take a scenic drive through the region or take a leisurely bike ride along the banks of the River Garonne.
The Public Transport
The transportation system in the city is modern and reliable. Something French people make sure of by having a strike now and then to ensure that. It might be considered a little pricey, but it is a great convinience. The only negative for me is that it is not working after 1 o’clock at night. There are four main lines of trams A, B, C and D.
It Is Family Friendly
If you are someone with a family or you just like nature you are in luck too. The city has thought about something very important and it is keeping a lot of green spaces around the town. Gardens, and parks – are everywhere and they give the locals an opportunity to kick it back and relax. This brings me to my other point about why living here is so nice. This is a trade I think typical for all around France, to be honest, but still…. People here know how to relax. And I am not talking about having a weekend every two weeks. The locals respect their lunch breaks and days off religiously. So, if you decide to come work in Bordeaux… here you go.
Food and Dining
Bordeaux is renowned for its delicious cuisine, which is a fusion of traditional French cooking with a modern twist. There are many resotrants available from Micheline star places, to fast food spots. A quick tip, restoranrs here are not open all the time. Usually they are closed between 14h00 and 18h00 o’clock.
Bordeaux is considered the wine capital of France and is famous for its wine production. Many wine bars are available for your enjoyment. Visitors can take a tour of one of the many vineyards in the area and taste some of the finest wines in the world.
Architecture and History
As I said Bordeaux is on UNESCO’s list and this is not a coincidence. History surrounds Bordeaux and there are countless beautiful landmarks you should visit when you come here. Art, architecture, and history are intertwined into creating amazing spaces. If you are interested in checking them out I do have a vlog from Bordeaux about all the landmarks you should visit. Also, I have an article about my top ten destinations in Bordeaux you must see. I will leave links in the description.
The Shopping
Bordeaux is a shopper’s paradise, with one of the longest pedestrian shopping streets in Europe going through the heart of the city. Saint Cathrine haa wide range of boutiques, shops, and markets offering everything from high-end designer items to unique local souvenirs.
Well, guys if all of this did not convince you to come and visit or live in Bordeaux then consider this. Bordeaux is named La Belle Endormie or the Sleeping Beauty. And honestly who doesn’t want to live in a place called like that?! I know I do.
