 | Discover Bordeaux with Carhire3000 |  | The great wine capital of Bordeaux can be found within the Aquitaine region of France, standing proud on the banks of the River Garonne as it flows into the Gironde Estuary and the Atlantic Ocean beyond. Used as a gateway to the beaches and mountains of south west France, Bordeaux itself could be overlooked as a tourist destination but is rich in 18th century architecture, boasting 3 UNESCO World Heritage Sites and a lively Old Quarter. |
 | City attractions |  | With many places of historical and cultural interest, Bordeaux is a much sought-after film location. Places to visit include: - The church of Saint Pierre lies on the site of the original Gallo-Roman port in the heart of Old Bordeaux and a bronze statue of Hercules, which once decorated the mouth of the harbour, was discovered beneath the church square
- Grand Theatre
- The Saint-André Cathedral. Only part of the original Romanesque building survives today, most of the architecture is from the 14th or 15th centuries
- Esplanade des Quinconces
- Colonnes des Girondins
- The Saint-Seurin Basilica, built in the 6th century, is the oldest church in Bordeaux.
- The Saint-Michel Basilica
- Place de la Bourse
- The quarter of Saint-Michel is one of the most atmospheric quarters in the city with lively markets on a Monday and Saturday and a good selection of shops
- Musee d’Aquitaine
- Musee de Beaux Arts
- Vinorama, a museum devoted to wine, its traditions and history
- The “Jardin Public” was initially designed for promenades and relaxation. Following the revolution, they were transformed into the Champs de Mars for official ceremonies before being extended by Napoleon III in a more formal style of garden
- The Bordeaux Casino offers dinner and a show for a taste of the highlife
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 | Fine Wines |  | Bordeaux, surrounded by legendary vineyards and prestigious chateaux, has a worldwide reputation for fine wines. But did you know that the wine trade was actually started here by the English during the reign of Eleanor of Aquitaine?
The region is mainly known for the claret red wines of the Médoc, Pomerol and Saint Emilion appellations but there are 57 local “Appellations d’Origine Contrôlées” (A.O.C.) producing over 800 million bottles of wine each year.
It is clear that the Bordelais take their wine very seriously and there are numerous related events and exhibitions each year. Whilst VinExpos (17-21 June 2007) is reserved for the trade, the Fete-le-vin is a celebration for all. If you’re visiting this year, you might be disappointed to know that the next festival is not until 2008 as it is held in rotation with the Bordeaux River Festival (21-24 June 2007), a four day street party celebrating the river’s rich history. However, if you’re still keen to sample the local produce, the Bordeaux Tourist Office can arrange introductory wine tasting courses or you could educate your palate at the local Wine School. And if you’d rather head off and discover the vineyards at your own pace, there is a wide choice of “Routes des vins”. One of the most popular wine routes is to drive out of the city on the N89 towards the fortified town of Libourne and then take your pick from the surrounding villages and vineyards. Visit the chateau and vineyards of Fonsac; head east to Pomerol, home of the legendary Petrus; or wander through the medieval street of St Emilion, now also a UNESCO world heritage site.
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 | Of interest within the region |  | - The white sand beaches of the Atlantic coast, bordered by huge dunes (the largest of which is the Dune de Pilat)
- The Landes Forest with vast hikes and trails for those in search of a more active holiday
- Bassin d’Arcachon, famous for its oyster farms
- Castillon-la-Bataille, taking its name from the famous battle which ended the “War of 100 Years” here in 1453
- To the east of Bordeaux lies the picturesque town of Bergerac and the bastides of the Dordogne
- A 2 hour drive south will bring you to the seaside resorts of Biarritz and St Jean de Luz as well as the Pyrenees and the Spanish border
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This webpage is intended to be used as a source of information only. Traveljigsaw gives no warranty or guarantee whatsoever regarding the accuracy, currency, reliability or completeness of the information provided for these events and attractions. Any warranties regarding such information which may be implied by law, statute or otherwise are hereby excluded to the fullest extent permitted by law. Visitors are advised to check the accuracy of the information provided here for themselves, including dates, fees and times, with the attractions or event providers themselves |
