Retirement Adventures: A Letter from George in Bordeaux!
"Hello Everybody,
I recently had a 4-night break in Bordeaux where I’d not stayed before… it’s a very impressive place, and well worth keeping in mind for anybody looking for a city break with lots of interesting things to do…. even if you’ve never been interested in wine!
With the Ryanair service 3 times per week from Cork, there are plenty of options.
Bordeaux is the 6th largest city in France and had a long history and lots to see. The city is built on the curve of the river Garonne before it makes for the Atlantic.
I was very impressed with its tram system and it’s best to buy a 1, 2, or 3-day pass for the system which also offers some extra advantages such as a river cruise or a free walking tour. You can buy the pass at the Airport and the tram A from there connects with all parts of the city.
The city centre is quite compact and easy to get around…. the main tram junction for all the four connecting lines is Quinconces. The best place to see the maximum with the minimum of walking is the Golden Triangle, with the adjacent areas of St Peter and St Paul .
A few major places that we enjoyed...
La Cité du Vin
A very striking building depicting the story of world wines and Bordeaux – of course!
Pont Jacques Chaban-Delmas
A fantastic new lifting bridge near the Cité du Vin.
Cathedral of St Andre
This striking Cathedral has been listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage site since 1998.
Place de la Bourse
Facing the River with its great water pool where one can paddle on a warm day!
Great bookshop of Mollat
The largest independent bookshop in France.
Rue Sainte Catherine
With its smart shops, this pedestrianised street is one of two main lines running through the historic part of the city.
Food
There is no end of all types of restaurants and food outlets…. so no worries in this area…. and a big range in prices to suit every budget as well.
Wine
Bordeaux is synonymous with the grape and its history goes back for hundreds of years. The two principal areas are the lovely town of St Emilion to the east and the Medoc area along the left bank as the Garonne heads to the sea. These are the best-known (and most expensive) wines… but there are 4/5 other areas in the countryside surrounding the city.
Wine tours
These break into three general categories…
1. Best value are guided coach groups usually 25-30 people for half or full-day trips to St Emilion and the Medoc. Some tours are multilingual, and others are just French/English, so there are plenty of options available.
2. Small group tours… usually 6-8 people in a minivan with an English-speaking driver guide. We did this and had a great day out… it's not cheap but much more personalised than the bigger numbers.
3. For those that have a large budget and want exclusivity… there are private visits with a car and driver that go to some of the most important chateaux and wineries.
Accommodation
The hotels in the city centre (in June) were really quite expensive… so I reckon that it’s best to book in advance or opt for somewhere slightly outside of the city centre that can be reached by the local tram service.
Kind regards to each of you…
George"
Barter's Travelnet Team Recommendations
Bordeaux has been a really popular destination with our clients recently, particularly with the direct flights from Cork Airport! Below is a list of recommended hotels for your trip to Bordeaux, direct from our Travel Experts here in the office!
- 4* The Hilton Garden Inn
- 4* Mercure Bordeaux Centre
- 3* Best Western Grand Hotel Francais
- 3* Quality Hotel Bordeaux Centre
Looking to speak to one of our Travel Consultants? Enquire here!
