Trading port second only to Marseille, modern working city with an elegant 18 th century neoclassical heart, Bordeaux's fame precedes it. With a hinterland of 1000 sq km of prime wine-growing areas, Bordeaux's reputation as a producer and exporter of fine wines dates back to Roman times. Entre-Deux-Mers, Graves, Médoc, St. Emilion, and Sauternes are familiar sights on dinner tables all over the world. The city itself boasts wide avenues, attractive public squares and parks, even cruises on the river to tempt the visitor.

Conveniently and appropriately, the main sights of the city are all located within a mile radius of the Maison du Vin (book your vineyard visits and tastings here). Towards the river the wide, tree-lined Esplanade des Quinconces glides gracefully down to the waterfront as it has done since being laid out back in the 19 th century with an flamboyant display of fountains and statuary that would not look out of place at Versailles. A series of grand Classical facades lines the Garonne here and makes for a beautiful walk. Nearby stands the Grand Théâtre, a veritable model of exuberant Classicism and with superb acoustics to boot. Don't miss that other architectural masterpiece on the riverbank: the Place de la Bourse with its graceful and majestic 18 th -century Palais de la Bourse and the Hôtel des Douanes (Custom House).

Not to be outdone, the Rue des Trois Conils has more fine buildings and museums including the 11 th -century Cathédrale St-André (topped out a matter of 400 years later), the superb 18 th century Hôtel de Ville, the Musée des Beaux Arts, the Musée des Arts Décoratifs and many others. So whatever your inclination, be it old masters, porcelain and furniture, local history, military uniforms, history and ethnography, the Liberation or even an old Navy cruiser - there's a museum for everybody.

Not that Bordeaux is in any way devoid of fashionable boutiques, classy restaurants, or just regular brasseries and bistros: these can all be found within the triangle formed by Allées de Tourny, Cours de l'Intendance and Cours Clemenceau. Off the “Triangle” runs the pedestrianised Rue Ste-Catherine where all the big department stores congregate. This is the district of Saint-Pierre, where shopping centre meets old town and a thouand shops and restaurants provide both a gastronomic experience and some serious retail therapy.

But now it's time to unwind and retrace our steps back to the Quai Louis XVIII by the Embarcadère des Quinconces, which is the departure point for the various river cruises, local, longer distance or lunch-time.

Why not round off the day by moving up a gear and sampling some of Bordeaux's lively nightlife? Cabaret dinner shows, night clubs, pubs and music venues of every kind are all on offer for your entertainment.

How to get there

From Waterloo take the Eurostar to either Lille or Paris for a connecting TGV to Bordeaux. Travel via Lille and you only have a simple platform change; travel via Paris for a wider choice of connections.

Fares start from as little as £99 * return in Standard class or you can travel in true style from as little as £179 * return in First class.

Click here to book travel to Bordeaux

*Terms & conditions apply.

Bordeaux Fête le Fleuve !

This year Bordeaux is paying tribute to the river which has literally put the city on the map. To celebrate the local tourist board is offering visitors accommodation packages designed to help visitors to discover the delights of the city. The package comprises:

•  Two nights in a double room with breakfast in a 2, 3 or 4 star hotel

•  A guided visit (French/English) of Bordeaux.

- Everyday until 10 am (duration 2 hours)

- From July 15th to August 15th supplementary tour everyday at 3 pm.

•  A guided visit (French/English) in the vineyards with wine tasting in the chateaux.

- Everyday at 1.30 pm (duration 4 hours) from April 1st to November 15th

- Wednesday and Saturday, from November 16th to March 31st.

•  A pass providing free access to main sites, monuments and museums of the city.

•  A pass providing 2 days of free transport on city bus lines, if requested.

•  A free bottle of wine and a free souvenir per hotel room.

Notes
Package valid for stays up to and including 31 Dec 2005, subject to availability.

Click here to find out more and to book.

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