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Porte Cailhau -

If grand entrances are your thing, begin your exploration of Bordeaux by walking under Port Cailhau. This 15th-century city gate serves as the main portal to medieval Bordeaux and was built to celebrate King Charles VII's victory at the Battle of Fornovo (1495) and conquest of the kingdom of Naples.

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Cathédrale Saint-André -

Bordeaux's magnificent cathedral is set in the heart of the city. While its oldest section dates back to the late 11th century, most of what you see today was constructed in the 13th and 14th centuries. The cathedral, together the Basilica of Saint Severinus and the Basilica of St. Michael, are included in the UNESCO-designated Routes of Santiago de Compostela in France as a World Heritage Site.

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Place de la Bourse -

Place de la Bourse is the city's most recognized public square, which epitomizes the elegance of 18th-century architectural design. The square is dominated by the imposing Palais de la Bourse, which faces the amazing Miroir d'Eau, a huge reflecting pool that at night mirrors the ensemble of surrounding buildings. The entire square is a UNESCO Wold Heritage Site.

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Musée National des Douanes -

One of the buildings overlooking Place de la Bourse is the Musée National des Douanes, or Customs Museum. This unusual visitor attraction is the only museum of its kind in France and explores the role of French customs, including preventing smuggling and border surveillance, from the 1730s to the modern day.

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Basilique Saint-Seurin -

Translated in English as the Basilica of Saint Severinus, this delightful basilica stands on a site where Gallo-Romans once buried their dead in a vast necropolis.

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Basilique Saint-Seurin -

Built during the course of the 11th to 13th centuries, the church became a key stop for medieval pilgrims following the Camino de Santiago de Compostela to Spain. It's for this reason that Saint-Seurin is today a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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Basilique Saint-Michel -

Bordeaux's imposing 14th-century Basilica of St. Michael is another important church on the Camino de Santiago de Compostela. The building— indeed, the entire Saint-Michel neighborhood—is distinguished by the free-standing 114-m-tall (374 ft) bell tower known as "La Flèche." The tower can be climbed, and offers a superb city-wide panorama.

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Grand Théâtre de Bordeaux -

Home to the Ballet de l'Opéra National de Bordeaux and Opéra National de Bordeaux, the city's grand opera house dates back to 1780.

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Grand Théâtre de Bordeaux -

Second only in grandeur to the Paris Opera House, Bordeaux's finest cultural venue hosts regular performances of ballet, opera, and musical recitals. Joining a guided tour provides visitors with a glimpse of the lavish, gilded interior.

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Pont de Pierre -

You will undoubtedly cross Pont de Pierre during your time in Bordeaux, the famous "stone bridge" with its 17 graceful arches that spans the Garonne river. Built on the orders of Napoleon I and completed in 1821, the bridge is permanently closed to traffic except for pedestrians, cyclists, trams, and emergency vehicles.

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Musee d'Aquitaine -

Among the "don't miss" exhibits at the Museum of Aquitaine is the Laussel Venus, a 25,000-year-old limestone bass relief representing a pregnant woman. The rare artifact was discovered in a rock shelter in the Dordogne.

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Musee d'Aquitaine -

The museum is also known for the cenotaph of late French writer Michel de Montaigne (1533-1592).

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Musée des Beaux-Arts -

Occupying part of the Hôtel de Ville (Town Hall), Bordeaux's fine arts museum houses a splendid collection of art spanning the 15th to 20th centuries. Masterpieces by Titian, Rubens, Matisse, and Picasso number some of the works on display. Pictured is the 'Wedding Dance' (circa 1600) by Flemish painter Jan Brueghel the Elder (1568-1625).

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La Cité du Vin -

One of Bordeaux's most popular visitor attractions is La Cité du Vin, an innovative wine museum set in a remarkable piece of contemporary architecture resembling a wine decanter on the banks of the Garonne river. Take a guided tour before sampling a bold red or a fruity white.

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L'Intendant Grands Vins de Bordeaux -

Wine connoisseurs will be in their element at the city's L'Intendant Grands Vins de Bordeaux wine shop. L'Intendant is considered one of the grandest wine stores in France with a staircase that spirals up five floors surrounded by cylindrical shelves holding as many as 15,000 bottles of regional wine at prices ranging from €7 to thousands of euros.

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Bordeaux wines -

Bordeaux is not just city. It's the largest wine-growing area in France, and one of the great wine-producing regions of Europe. Make sure to visit one of the numerous wineries set in neatly combed vineyards. The after-tour tastings alone are reason enough to make the effort.

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Esplanade des Quinconces -

Bordeaux's breezy public spaces are numerous and include the tranquil Esplanade des Quinconces. This expansive retreat is notable for the Monument aux Girondins, a monumental fountain that was largely rebuilt after being damaged during the Second World War.

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Palais Gallien -

The only remaining vestige of Gallo-Roman rule, the Palais Gallien was once a amphitheater of considerable dimensions. The crumbling ruins date back to the 3rd century CE, when the Romans called their city Burdigala.

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Grosse Cloche -

This sturdy Gothic belfry stands as a reminder of Bordeaux's medieval might. Known as the Grosse Cloche ("Big Clock"), the ancient gate tower is one of the city's most iconic monuments.

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Grosse Cloche -

The most distinctive detail of the Grosse Cloche is its decorated clock face and the huge bell (a hefty 7,750 kg, or 17,085 lbs) that peals just six times a year. The structure can be visited as part of a guided tour.

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Musée des Arts Décoratifs et du Design -

Anyone with an interest in period design and decorative art will be suitably impressed by this engaging museum. Faience pottery, porcelain, gold, iron, glasswork and furniture from the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries are housed in an elegant hôtel particulier (private mansion).

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La Base Sous Marine Bordeaux -

La Base Sous Marine Bordeaux is an impressive but eerie reminder of the city's role during the Second World War as a German submarine base. The enormous pens, built between 1941 and 1943, housed U-boats of the 12th fleet.

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Place de la Victoire -

Every city has a favorite people-watching square and in Bordeaux it's Place de la Victoire. Lined with cafés and restaurants, the picturesque concourse is overlooked by the lofty Colonne de la Victoire. By the way, look out for the bronze mother-and-baby turtles in the center of the square.

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Bordeaux café culture -

Pictured: locals and tourists eating and drinking on a café terrace on Place Pey Berland, another well-known Bordeaux square set opposite the Cathédrale Saint-André.

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Cap Ferret oysters -

The Atlantic coast is just 48 km (30 mi) from Bordeaux, so it's no wonder fish and seafood feature on most restaurant menus. For a treat, order a platter of fresh Cap Ferret oysters.

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Canelés de Bordeaux -

What goes great with a cup of coffee? Canelés de Bordeaux, of course. These small pastries smothered with rum and vanilla are a yummy specialty of the Bordeaux region of France.

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Saffron de Bordeaux -

Looking for a unique souvenir? Not many people realize that Bordeaux is one of the few places outside of Iran, Morocco, and India where saffron is grown. Visit the Saffron de Bordeaux farm, located just 15 km ( 9 mi) from the city, and be pleasantly enlightened.

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Accommodation options -

Accommodation options in Bordeaux are numerous and cater for all tastes and budgets. But if you're feeling flush and looking for somewhere plush, head for the five-star InterContinental Bordeaux Le Grand Hotel.

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Château de La Brède -

There are plenty of excursion options for those wishing to vacate the city for a few hours, among them a visit to nearby Château de La Brède. Located about a 30-minute drive south of Bordeaux, the historic property dates back to the 13th century and sits in resplendent poise on an island in the middle of a small lake.

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Cadillac -

Further afield, around 40 km (24 mi) southeast of Bordeaux, is the town of Cadillac. The French explorer Antoine Laumet (1658–1730) adopted the name Antoine de Lamothe-Cadillac and founded the city of Detroit in 1701 upon his arrival in what is now the United States. He later became Governor of Louisiana. The Cadillac division of General Motors, and Cadillac, Michigan, are named after him.

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Abbaye de la Sauve-Majeure -

Its bucolic setting in the countryside of the Entre-Deux-Mers region makes a day trip to the Abbaye de la Sauve-Majeure a worthwhile option. The abbey ruins date back to the 11th and 13th centuries, when the monastery served as a retreat for pilgrims following the Camino de Santiago de Compostela. The ruins are today a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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Macarons de Saint-Émilion -

A day trip to Saint-Émilion, located 35 km (22 mi) northeast of Bordeaux, is not just rewarded with fine wines. This is where the fabled macarons de Saint-Émilion are made, the macaroons invented by nuns in 1620 and made to a traditional recipe. Purchase a box to go. Actually, make that two boxes!

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Bordeaux after dark -

Bordeaux after dark takes on a completely new and wholly romantic complexion. Indeed, exploring the city at night is an equally captivating experience.

Sources: (Musée d´Aquitaine) (Bordeaux.com) (Bordeaux Art Contemporain) (History) 

See also: Picturesque towns in Europe you won't believe exist

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