Bordeaux Packages/Deals & Travel Agents Near Me

Bordeaux, France, an elegant city 360 mi/580 km southwest of Paris and near France's Atlantic coast, is the heart of the famous Bordeaux wine region.

In addition, Bordeaux has some of France's best 18th-century architecture, a major fine-arts museum and a world-renowned wine museum. Go for a walk along the river near the Quai de la Douane (Customs House Quay). The city is a walker's paradise, especially in the compact center, where the only transportation is an electric tram.

Long a bastion of conservatism, Bordeaux has loosened up considerably. The Gironde departement was greatly revitalized in the 1990s, and the banks of the Garonne River have been transformed with an esplanade of shops and restaurants replacing old river warehouses. Downtown, visitors should be sure to traverse Rue Saint Catherine, a shopper's nirvana.

Bordeaux was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2007, the largest urban entity to be so honored.

Geography

The captivatingly beautiful city of Bordeaux, ironically known as "Little Paris," (as Bordeaux greatly influenced the architecture and design of modern Paris) is situated on the banks of the Garonne River. This prominent wine-producing hub, once leading seaport and thriving industrial center is located 50 mi/80 km from the Bay of Biscay.

Bordeaux is a flat city, hence bicycling is an excellent way to explore its charming streets. The city is furnished with more than 360 mi/580 km of bike paths.

Location

Known as the port de la lune, or "port of the moon" for its curved shape, Bordeaux has an expansive stretch for ships to dock alongside. Many cruise-ship passengers visiting Bordeaux may find it difficult to get into the city. Large ships dock at Le Verdon-Sur-Mer, which is a two-hour train or car ride from the city. For passengers docked there, the best option is to join a ship-sponsored excursion or package tour, as there are very few taxis available and the train station is a long way from the dock.

Some ships dock at Bassens, which is a half-hour from the city. Only the smallest ships are able to dock in the city center, near the Esplanade des Quinconces and Place de la Bourse. Most Riverboat cruises will dock by Chartons, which is a 5-minute tram ride stop to Place de la Bourse.