Friday, May 21, 2010

The Beautiful City of Bordeaux in France

Bordeaux is a really popular city in France due to its wineries and numerous vineyards. However, there are many other places of interest and attractions which makes this city a popular tourist destination. There are a large number of libraries, gardens, parks, ancient streets, historical monuments, religious sites and museums which tourists can visit when they come to Bordeaux for their holiday.
The most popular museums include Musee St. Croix, Museum of the New World, Musee des Chartrons, and Musee d'Orbigny. The art galleries in Bordeaux house a huge number of works of art and paintings. There are also quite a number of historic monuments and religious buildings which are famous for their beautiful architecture. The historical sites and Cathedrals which are worth visiting in this city include Notre Dame Church, St Andre Cathedral, Opera de Bordeaux, Eglise Ste Radegonde, Palais de Justice, City hall and so on.
The major tourist attractions which most people love to visit are the wineries. There are a number of ancient as well as modern wineries which tourists can pay a visit to and these include Chateau Lafite, Maison du Vin, Bordeaux Wine School, Chateau Belair, Chateau Mouton Rothschild and so on.
In addition to these wonderful places, there are many other tourist attractions such as Tour de la Lanterne which is a jail and an old lighthouse. There are many ancient streets, landmarks and town centre which tourists can check out while visiting this beautiful city. Other places of interest which visitors can take pleasure in include Place Royale, Rue du mirail, Place Parlement, Place Gambetta and so on.
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Exploring Bordeaux Wineries

It is that rare day when an entire region is so admired that its name is given to something as occurs with Bordeaux wine. Exploring Bordeaux wineries is an experience in wine royalty.
Exploring Bordeaux Wineries
One of the world's foremost regions for wine can be found in France. The city of Bordeaux, located on the western side of the River Garonne, is the second oldest port city in the country of France - it was established during Roman times, and when this area was under the control of England (in the early 1100's) Bordeaux became a major wine making and exporting area. This French city is also known for its tourism attractions, such as major shopping areas, museums and one of the most complete displays of 18th century architecture in the country. Also popular among tourists are the many Bordeaux wineries that welcome visitors.
One company that offers Bordeaux winery experiences in a number of different lengths and styles is the Bordeaux Wine Experience (+33 (0)556 20 64 12 - English is spoken as well as French). Based in the city of Bordeaux at Château Coulon Laurensac, the Bordeaux Wine Experience is a highly rated winery guide company that allows visitors to the area to enjoy the different wine regions around the city. One of these is the Bordeaux Day Trip, which can include the Grand Cru Wine Médoc or the Grand Cru Wine St. Emilion.
If you prefer the taste of Médoc wines, you will want to take the wine excursion to this region. A bilingual driver will pick you up at your Bordeaux area hotel, and chauffeur you to three separate châteaux in the Médoc region. While at these different wineries, you will be able to taste wines of different varietals and ages, as well as explore the famous "Road of the Châteaux". The St. Emilion trip allows you to see three châteaux in this area, as well as a visit to a UNESCO world heritage site - St. Emilion. This site is full of medieval architecture and culture.
For longer Bordeaux wine trips, the Bordeaux Wine Experience offers Bordeaux Wine Weekends at the Château Coulon Laurensac. The weekend here offers a romantic experience for couples that includes accommodations at the Château, as well as a candlelit dinner and an appointment for a wine tasting at the Saint Emilion Wine Château (Saint Emilion Grand Cru Classé). There are also additional nights available to add onto these weekends, to make your stay longer. The Château is a non-smoking establishment, not common in Europe.
Taking in the wineries in the Bordeaux region can allow wine lovers to really explore the wine of this region, all while enjoying the beautiful French countryside.
Xavier Moldini is with WineriesforYou.com - information on wine tours throughout the world.

Bordeaux

Overview
Bordeaux is perhaps best known for its world-famous selection of wines. However, the city is worthwhile for more than just that. The city extends westward from the River Garonne and is divided into six districts. Les Quais is the city's center, lying directly on the banks of the river. Surroundings its center are La Victoire and The Pedestrian Center -- these are common tourist destination where historical buildings house outlets dedicated to the city's college population. North of the center is Gambetta Square, nicknamed Little Paris, a rich district that was heavily influenced by Bordeaux's Roman past. Quinconces Square and Meriadeck are also close to the river, and Meriadeck is home to one of France's biggest libraries.
Sightseeing Attractions
At the north end of Les Quais is the Aquitaine Bridge -- a marvel for its brilliant architecture. In La Victoire, you can see the Roman Victory Arch, a tell-tale sign of the city's Roman past. Gambetta Square is the home of the Public Garden, a wonderful place to relax, and Quinconces Square is the location of the Girondins Memorial. There are two museums worth visiting in Bordeaux: the Musee d'Art Contemporain and the Musee d'Aquitaine. The Musee d'Art Contemporain houses contemporary art, and the Musee d'Aquitaine houses relics that tell the history of the region.
Outdoor Attractions
Because the city is so flat, it is the perfect place for going for a bike ride, rollerblading, or simply taking a stroll. The Public Garden is a good walking terrain with plenty of natural attractions; however, the city itself has more than 15 miles of bikes trails. Roller skates, if wanted, can be rented from Pierre Qui Roule, a shop located north of the Pedestrian Center. Another fun activity is taking a ferry across the river; however, the bridges can be crossed on foot if you prefer the exercise.
Nightlife
The Pedestrian Center is the hotspot for shopping, with tiny shops on every street selling everything from clothing to wine to art. Gambetta Square also has its share of shops; however, these shops are more upscale and expensive than those of the Pedestrian Center. If you're looking for a good restaurant, you'll want to check out the streets of place du Parlement and place St-Pierre first, as they have the largest selection of cuisines and the most varied prices. Bordeaux is a good place to find cuisine for just about every European country as well as some Asian countries. For drinking, wine is available everywhere in Bordeaux, and it's worthwhile to try some of the world-famous wine even if wine isn't your drink of choice. To visit a typical bar, La Victoire is the place, and, for a night of dancing and cocktails in a club, you'll want to head to Les Quais.
Jessica Elliott is a freelance writer for Directory of Hotels.com – Hip Cool Hotels. For travel to this region, she recommends staying at any one of these fine Small Hotels in Bordeaux.