Bordeaux is not only one of the most beautiful cities in France it also possesses the ability to intoxicate one with its cultural, educational and historical richness. This has been recognized by the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) which enlisted Bordeaux as a World Heritage Site in 2007. The city is situated next to the Garonne river in the Aquitaine region of France and boasts more than 350 classified buildings and historical monuments. In 1998 three religious buildings were selected as World Heritage buildings which forms part of the revered Route of Santiago de Compostela. This article looks at wine tasting tours in Bordeaux as well as other popular tourist attractions while visiting the celebrated city.
Wine Tasting Tours in Bordeaux
There are multiple ways of satisfying one's palate with some of the finest wines Bordeaux has to offer. It is possible to combine wine tasting with a cruise on the Garonne river which includes a buffet lunch on the Patiras island. This excursion starts at 9 am and only finishes at around 7:30 pm, the cost range between 45 Euros and 95 Euros depending on the person's age.
For those who would like to take a more in-depth look into the art of wine-making there are workshops available from the end of September to mid-October which cost 80 Euros. The workshop will give wine enthusiasts the opportunity to take part in the sorting of the harvest and to learn about the different methods of wine-making associated with Médocaine, which include: Château Paloumey, Château La Tour de Bessan, Château Le Taillan as well as Château Loudenne.
Each year Bordeaux hosts a Wine Festival toward the end of June which allows wine lovers from all over the world to take part in the festive ambience. During this time the city presents a 2 km "wine road" along the riverbank which allows visitors to sample more than 80 different types of wines to accommodate an array of tastes. To add to the sensory pleasure one will have the pleasure to view extraordinary 18th century buildings while discovering new wines.
There is thus no need to feel overwhelmed with the numerous available wine tours as there are wine tastings to suit everyone's needs. Imagine an exclusive wine tour at a private Bordeaux chateau or creating one's own wine trail. For a comprehensive look at all the many possibilities visit the tourism website which states that the wine tours are available in English as well.
Tourist Attractions in Bordeaux
Driving alone in Bordeaux might be dangerous as all the architectural wonders effortlessly succeeds in diverting one' attention from the road. It is recommended to see many of the impressive structures during the evening as it lights up certain aspects of the buildings that could be overlooked during the day. One of these is the Facade of the Quays which overlooks the river as well as Saint Andrews Cathedral which is breathtaking in the evenings.
The Pey-Berland Tower situated next to the cathedral was built in the mid-15th century in a mesmerizing Gothic style by Archbishop Pey Berland who was also the founder of the Bordeaux University. There are 231 steps leading to the terrace which gives tourist one of the best viewpoints over the city. Other tourist attractions include visiting some of the finest museums and shopping. It is good to know that there are a number of designer outlet stores located along the river such as Calvin Klein and Hugo Boss which offers quality products at reasonable prices.
Choosing Bordeaux as a holiday destination will undoubtedly be an interesting vacation where it is possible to get drunk from Bordeaux's beauty and elegance rather than its wine. However, if one chooses to get elegantly wasted on the best wine in the world be sure to remember every detail of the vacation as it promises to be unforgettable.
Nadine Visagie - I am a freelance journalist and full-time French student who currently live in the South of France with my fiancé. I graduated ...
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