For your next getaway, embrace the magic of France. Bordeaux, surrounded by rolling hills and vineyards, has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You'll discover why when you take a city break to this remarkable destination. Explore Bordeaux's historical architecture and indulge in some of France's finest cuisine. Loosen your belt because it's time to visit Bordeaux.
Bordeaux is one of the best destinations in France for foodies. In a country famous for its cuisine, Bordeaux stands out for its exceptional food and wine. It's the capital of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, located in southwestern France. Renowned as the wine capital of France, Bordeaux is also known for its beautiful historical monuments, making it a great choice for city breaks.
Flight duration (from London): 1 hour 40 minutes
Main airport: Bordeaux–Mérignac Airport (BOD)
Population: 265,000 (1.3 million for Bordeaux metropolitan area)
Language: French
Currency: Euro
Socket type: Type C (European standard)
Time zone: CET (GMT+1)
The greater Bordeaux metropolitan area is a sprawling city. It's not nearly as big as Paris, but it's one of the largest cities in France, so choose your hotel in Bordeaux carefully. Staying in the historic centre means you'll have easy access to all the sights, while staying on the outskirts may be lighter on the budget. Here are some popular neighbourhoods below.
To stay in the very heart of Bordeaux, look for a hotel in Saint Pierre or Saint Paul. These two neighbourhoods are the historical part of the city, with narrow, maze-like cobbled streets and dramatic monuments. They're a great choice for a Valentine's Day getaway or other romantic trip.
The neighbourhood of Bastide is separated from central Bordeaux by the mighty River Garonne. You can still get around the city on foot, but you'll be crossing a lot of bridges. It's a good choice for cheaper accommodation. For something even more budget-friendly, try Bassin a Flot in Bacalan. This grungy, urban neighbourhood has a very different vibe from the glamorous city centre. In recent years, it's become one of the hippest parts of the city, with modern art galleries and trendy bars.
Some visitors to Bordeaux plan a getaway just in the city; others include it as part of a great train journey across France. Either way, it's worth spending a few days exploring the city. Discover its historical buildings and rolling vineyards, and be sure to sample the local cuisine. Here are a few ideas to get you started.
Take a walking tour of the old town. Highlights include the Sant-Michel Basilica, with its 375-foot bell tower, and the Place de la Bourse, famous for its 18th-century neoclassical architecture.
Explore the Cité du Vin wine museum. This museum is packed with interactive exhibits to help you learn about how wine is made. Of course, there's a wine tasting to enjoy as part of the visit.
Descend into the crypts of the Saint-Seurin Basilica. While the basilica was built in the 11th century, the eerie crypts date back to the 4th century and were one of the first Christian burial sites in France.
Of course, Bordeaux has lots of world-famous wine to enjoy. Most of the local tipples are red wines, but there are some whites, too.
Seafood is often on the menu in Bordeaux. Lampreys in red wine is a strongly-flavoured popular delicacy, while fresh oysters from the Gironde estuary are a real indulgence.
When the locals eat steak, they serve it as entrecote à la Bordelaise. The rich red wine sauce means that this is a true special occasion dish.
Raise a glass to one of France's finest destinations! Feast your eyes on our collection of special offers, and book flights to Bordeaux today.
A: In London, both Gatwick and London Luton have direct flights to Bordeaux. In other parts of the country, you'll be able to fly from Manchester, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Aberdeen, Newcastle, Bristol and Belfast. A number of different airlines offer flights to Bordeaux.
A: Bordeaux is a popular destination for weekend breaks, so flights are usually cheaper if you book a midweek journey. In particular, many savvy travellers report that Tuesday and Wednesday are the cheapest days to fly to Bordeaux.
A: January and November are usually the cheapest times of year to fly to France. In general, the winter months offer budget-friendly flights. However, there are some spikes around holidays like Christmas. Valentine's Day sees a spike, too, particularly when it comes to flights to Paris.
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