Tourist information on Bordeaux, France

Bordeaux is a major port on the Garonne River in southwest France, located about 100 km from the Atlantic. It is the capital of the Aquitaine region and prefecture of the Gironde department. With its wide boulevards, grand 18th century palaces and formal public gardens, it feels like a cut-down version of Paris, but therein lies most of its charm. Bordeaux is one of the most important cities in France, thriving as an industrial centre, seaport, university town and tourist hotspot. Bordeaux is most famous for its wines and, with over 100 thousand hectares of vineyards, the region is one of the world's leading producers and exporters of wine.

Bordeaux originated in around 300 BC as the town Burdigala, home to a Celtic tribe named the Bituriges Vivisci. In Roman times, the town became the capital of Roman Aquitaine and, owing to its strategic location, was a prosperous trading area. Repeatedly attacked by the Vandals and the Visigoths between the 3rd and 5th centuries, the town fell into obscurity. Bordeaux only regained its former pre-eminence in the Middle Ages, after the marriage of Eleanor of Aquitaine to Henri Plantagenet, the future King Henry II of England. From the 12th century, the town grew rich through its burgeoning wine trade. After the Battle of Castillon in 1453, it became part of France. Bordeaux's importance increased in the 16th century when it became a centre for the distribution of sugar and slaves from the West Indies. The city's heyday came in the 18th century, when its urban landscape was revitalised through an ambitious programme of rebuilding, which gave it something of the self-assured grandeur of Paris.

Bordering the River Garonne, Les Quais offers some of the most picturesque views of Bordeaux, and also the best walks. It is here that you will come across the city's chic restaurants and trendy nightclubs, as well as the Aquitaine Bridge, a large suspension bridge across the Garonne. La Victoire is the old hub of the city, where most of the historic monuments are located, including the triumphal Arch of Aquitaine, a magnificent 18th century structure which is one of Bordeaux's most easily recognisable landmarks. Among Bordeaux's main attractions is the elegant late 18th century Grand Théâtre, dominating the landscape with its neo-classical façade comprising a portico of twelve Corinthian-style columns. Today, the theatre is home to the city's principal opera and ballet companies.

Le Palais Rohan (on the Place Berland) was originally the residence of an archbishop, but today serves as the Hôtel de Ville (City Hall). Completed in 1774, this is one of the most striking examples of Bordeaux's municipal architecture. Among its interesting features is the trompe-l'oeil décor in the dining room. The enormous Bordeaux Cathedral (Cathédrale Saint-André de Bordeaux) dates back to the late 11th century, although most of the present structure is from the 14th and 15th centuries. Another of Bordeaux's architectural gems is the Grosse cloche, a rare 13th century gate tower which once served as the belfry of the former Town Hall.

The Place de la Bourse is one of the most important squares in Bordeaux. Designed to accommodate an equestrian statue of Louis XV, it provides the perfect setting for the nearby Palais de la Bourse. Adjacent to it is the Miroir d'eau (Water Mirror), a stretch of water that reflects the surrounding architecture to great effect, especially at night when the monuments are illuminated. At the heart of the modern city centre is Gambetta Square, an attractively landscaped green space that offers a welcome break from the busy shopping district that surrounds it.

Situated on the Place du Chapelet is the Église Notre-Dame de Bordeaux, a handsome example of early 18th century Baroque architecture. The church is renowned for its acoustics, which make it a popular venue for music concerts. The Basilique de Saint-Seurin is Bordeaux's oldest church, dating back to the 6th century, recognisable by its 11th century portico. The church contains an 11th century crypt that holds 6th century sarcophagi. The Basilique Saint Michel is a marvellous example of 14th century architecture which is dominated by a 400 foot spire, the second tallest ancient structure in France. Bordeaux's other attractions include: the Palais Gallien (L'amphithéâtre de Bordeaux), the ruins of a Roman amphitheatre of the 3rd century; the Betasom submarine base; and the Jardin botanique de la Bastide, a large botanical garden situated on the right bank of the Garonne.

Bordeaux has a wide assortment of museums, of which the best known is the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Bordeaux, which houses one of France's largest collections of fine art outside Paris. Although the collection is pretty all-encompassing, it is dominated by French and Dutch paintings. The museum exhibits work by such masters as Van Dyck, Renoir, Delacroix, Matisse, Reynolds and Picasso. The city's contemporary art collection is owned by Le Centre d'arts plastiques contemporains de Bordeaux (CAPC), located in a building which used to be a large wool warehouse. The Musée d'Aquitaine documents the history of Bordeaux and Aquitaine through a remarkable collection of artefacts which date back 25,000 years. Other museums of interest include: the Musée du Vin et du Négoce; the Musée des Arts Décoratifs; the Musée d'Histoire Naturelle; Vinorama; the Musée Goupil; and the Centre Jean Moulin.

Bordeaux's nearest international airport is the Aéroport de Bordeaux Mérignac, which is 8 km to the west of the city centre. The airport is served by carriers from major European hubs, including Paris, London, Amsterdam and Madrid. There is a frequent bus service to the city centre. Bordeaux's excellent public transport system consists of a network of trams and buses. In addition, the pedestrianised part of the city centre is served by an electric shuttle bus, and a boat shuttle service operates on the Garonne River. Gare de Bordeaux Saint-Jean is Bordeaux's main train station, located 4 km from the city centre. This offers high speed (TGV) connections to Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam and London, as well as standard rail services to other French cities, including Nice, Marseille and Lyon.