BORDEAUX

Where is Bordeaux ? Bordeaux is located near the Atlantic coast, in southwest France. It is a port city, capital of the region of Aquitaine and it belongs to the department of the Gironde.

Demography Bordeaux has about 240,000 residents. It is the 9th largest French city. Its urban area consists of 27 municipalities and it has about one million residents.

How is Bordeaux ? Bordeaux is an 18th century architectural gem. Since 2007, it is a World Heritage Site by Unesco. This distinction recognises the beauty and unity of style of Bordeauxs architectural heritage. As early as the 3rd century AD, Bordeaux was a prosperous Gallo-Roman city. The Middle Ages were a time of major economic development thanks to the wine trade. Bordeaux is famous around the world for its vineyards. The wines are made in cellars called castles. Bordeaux is also on the pilgrim road to Santiago de Compostela. Bordeaux has inspired numerous artists and musicians of renow : Francisco Goya, Paul Gauguin, Richard Wagner, etc All of the French luxury brands are available in Bordeaux : Vuitton, Herms, Cartier, Chanel, Dior, Gaultier, Givenchy, Saint-Laurent, etc

What can we see in Bordeaux ?

The Port of the Moon The Place de la Bourse The Mirror of Water The Saint Andr Cathedral is the main religious building of Bordeaux. It was built in the eleventh century (the XI century).

The Grand Thtre : it is a neoclassical architectural masterpiece. For many it is the most important in France. Its construction began in 1773 and finished in 1780. The Place des Quinconces is nineteenth century. Its surface is 12 hectares. It is the largest in France. Its principal monument is the Monument des Girondins.

How can we visit Bordeaux ? We can visit the city on foot, by bike, by boat, by car or by tramway. Bordeaux tramway was opened on December 21, 2003.

The bridges of Bordeaux Bordeaux life develops on the two sides of the Garonne river. So the bridges are very important to get across that river. Bordeaux has eight bridges (for cars and for trains). The oldest is the Pont de Pierre. It was opened in 1822. The more modern is the Pont Chaban-Delmas (name of former major of Bordeaux). It is the largest drawbridge Europe. It opened on March 16, 2013.