Bordeaux Photo by Chris WaryBordeaux is positively famous as a wine region; current and aspiring wine lovers flock to this corner of France, and it’s easy to get caught up in the nuts and bolts of the fine offerings in this area. However, Bordeaux is a French destination even aside from the wine. Bordeaux is an enticing alternative to Paris, offering the advantages of a city with some of the localism it’s easy to miss in a world capital.
Bordeaux is also an incredibly walkable city, and the combination of architecture, the Garonne river, and the street layouts make the entire experience one of visual charm. Most importantly though, Bordeaux would not have been able to build such a fine wine reputation if the region didn’t have the food to complement its vintages. From main dishes to sumptuous desserts, Bordeaux is a hot spot for any couple that enjoys great food – especially those who want to remain active, do some bicycling, and take advantage of all that southwest France has to offer.
Insider Tips
- The train from Paris is an efficient, hassle-free way to travel to Bordeaux. The TGV runs from Montparnasse in Paris to Bordeaux St Jean every hour; the journey averages three and a half hours and tickets are about $70.
- Many of the smaller vineyards may not be open year round for tours, but if you call them in advance, they are often willing to arrange a short tour or informal tasting for your group on a negotiable price.
- Bordeaux’s tram (its above-ground version of a subway) is an easy way to traverse the town; you can purchase tram tickets at the pay stations right by the tram stops. Many locals and tourists choose not to buy tickets because there is no consistent ticket-policing. However, police do sporadically enter the trams and ask to see tickets; being caught without one and having to pay the exorbitant fine is not worth the risk. There are three tram lines, and you can expect to wait no more than 12 minutes at any one station. Single ride tickets are one euro, 40 cents
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