Journey to Bordeaux. From the airport to the city. Little Hotel Labottier

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Bordeaux. France.

The special "wine" atmosphere of the holiday permeates the whole city, in numerous wineries and restaurants you can drink a glass of excellent red wine and join the walking stream of the evening and night city. Maybe this is how a fresh wind from the Atlantic works, or maybe a wine aroma, but the Bordeaux people are friendly, sociable and will gladly accept you into their company.

Restaurant Le Saint Broc. 28 rue Leupold. At the church Dt. Pierre. Bordeaux. France.

Bordeaux. France.

Let's start our walking tour of Bordeaux from Cathedral (Saint-Andre Cathedral) Saint Andrew.

Cathedral.

The cathedral was consecrated by Pope Urban II in 1096. It was rebuilt several times and the current building dates back to the 14th-15th centuries. In the XIII century. in the cathedral, Eleanor of Aquitaine married her first husband, King Louis VII of France, whom she later divorced.
The Rey Berland Tower, in flamboyant Gothic style, was built between 1440-1466. like the bell tower of a cathedral. The tower was damaged by a thunderstorm in 1667 and was restored, and in 1863 a statue of Our Lady of Aquitaine with a baby was placed on top.

Burgundy gate.

The construction of the gate was timed to coincide with the triumphant arrival of Emperor Napoleon. But there is a story that Napoleon really did not like the inhabitants of Bordeaux, and he preferred Burgundy wine. Therefore, the gate was named after Burgundy.

Spread across the Garonne River A stone bridge(Pont de pierre). It connects the left and right banks of the river, old quarters with modern ones. The stone bridge was built at the beginning of the 19th century, its length is 487 m, 17 arches symbolize individual letters in the name and surname of Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte.

Without crossing the river, we will walk along the embankment. Here on Exchange Square (place de la Bourse) is unique fountain called "Water Mirror". Its area is 3450 square meters, the water does not flow upwards, but appears as clouds of steam from the ground, evaporates and envelops the area in haze. Then the fog slowly leaves and the fountain begins to gurgle, filling the surface with water. Everyone can walk along the shallow water lake or take pictures in the fog.

Fountain "Water Mirror".

The Exchange Square was laid out in the 18th century, and the Exchange Palace is reflected in the water. Once the Royal Palace was located here, during the revolution - the Freedom Palace, and in 1848 - the Exchange Palace, part of which is now occupied by the museum.

After crossing the road, we dive into the narrow streets. Here it is St. Peter's Church.

Church of St. Peter.

Around the plexus of narrow streets with restaurants, cafes, bars and shops. In the evenings it is crowded, numerous wineries open their doors to visitors, people with glasses of wine or mugs of beer can be seen walking along the streets.

Bordeaux. France.

Here is the main street - St. Catherine's Street (Rue Sainte-Catherine).

Rue Sainte-Catherine.

The pedestrian street stretches for 1.2 km and is one of the longest shopping streets in Europe. Around are shops (including the Galeries Lafayette), restaurants and cafes. The street is laid exactly along the contour of the old Roman road.

The street connects two squares of the city - place de la Comedie And Place de la Victoire.
Let's go north to Comedy Square. Here is located Bolshoi Theater (Grand Theatre), built in neoclassical style in 1780 by the architect Victor Louis. The upper part of the theater is decorated with 9 muses and 3 goddesses (Juno, Venus and Minerva).

Big theater. Bordeaux. France.

From here you can see the column Esplanade Cancons square.
But before going to the square, let's turn into a small street directly opposite the central facade of the Bolshoi Theatre. She will lead to a tiny area Place du Chapelet where is located Church of Our Lady (Notre Dame) built at the end of the 17th century. in baroque style.

Church of Our Lady.

The church has amazing acoustics, and organ music concerts are held here. In 1675, when the king Louis XIV decided to build Trompett Castle, the Dominican monastery was broken. Then the brothers decided to rebuild new monastery not far from the original location. The new monastery became larger with two beautiful courtyards and the Church of St. Dominic, which was later dedicated to Our Lady in 1802.
In 1797-1885. the monastery housed a military unit, then a museum of antiquity, and in 1994, after restoration, the judiciary.

Let's return to the Bolshoi Theater and go to Esplanade des Quinconces.

Esplanade des Quinconces- one of the most large areas France. Today the square is dominated by the Girondins memorial, the work of Ritchie and Dumiliatre. Until 1800, Trompett Castle stood here, built to intimidate the British after the 100-year war.

Esplanade Cancons. Bordeaux. France.

Not far from the square is a beautiful garden - a favorite place for recreation of local residents.

But we will pass from the square along courses de Tournon before Piazza Tourni. In the center of the lively square stands the monument to the Marquis de Tourny, who contributed so much to the modern look.

Marquis de Tourny. Bordeaux. France.

Now, walking about the beautiful and well-groomed streets of the city, it is hard to imagine that until recently it was not so beautiful, black and shabby facades of houses, dirty streets, all this scared away tourists. Then the city authorities decided to urgently rectify the situation. The houses are made of beautiful light-colored stone, but, unfortunately, this stone absorbs smog, dust and pollution, which are inevitable in big city and turns black over time. It was decided to wash all the facades, for this purpose they used not only water procedures, but also lasers. As a result, the city boasts of bright houses and the appearance that the Marquis de Tourny gave it.

We continue our journey along rue Fondaudege turning left on .
Here we will remember the Roman past by seeing the Roman ruins called the palace of Gallienus.
In fact, it was an amphitheater built in the 1st century. BC, which interfered with 15 thousand spectators. Already in the III century. the amphitheater began to collapse.

Roman amphitheater. Bordeaux. France.

We continue on our way rue du Doctor Albert Barraud, turn left to Rue Capdeville and on the square Place des Martyrs de la Resistance see the most ancient church Bordeaux - Saint-Seurin Basilica, erected in the VI century. In the ancient crypt are the sarcophagi of the representatives of the Merovingian dynasty.

Basilica of Saint Serena. Bordeaux. France.

From here we go to the square place Gambetta and take the tram to the stop Victory. In three tram lines (A, B, C), they were laid relatively recently, only in 2003 and immediately fell in love local residents for convenience.

Place de la Victoire, where the tram will take us, is one of the main and lively squares of Bordeaux. The University of Bordeaux is located on the square, so cafes and bars are always filled with students and young people.

Aquitaine Gate at Place de la Victoire.

confused narrow streets from the square towards the river, through the Arab quarters, will lead to a magnificent Basilica of Saint Michael, erected in the XIV-XV centuries. in flaming gothic style.
The stained-glass windows of the cathedral were damaged during the bombings of 1940. Separate from the cathedral there is a bell tower 114 meters high, which you can climb.
Under the bell tower, a Gallo-Roman cemetery and catacombs were found.

Basilica of Saint Michael.

There is a tram stop next to the Basilica that takes you to St-Jean Station.

Welcome to the Bordeaux region!Bienvenue dans le Bordelais!

What to say about Bordeaux, when this name is definitely on the lips of our brother?

Actually, in France and in French, the region around the city of Bordeaux is called Bordelais / Brothel. Of course, the stress falls on the last syllable: Bor-de-le. But, in order to avoid ambiguity and because of the technical impartiality of the Runet search engines, we, as already accepted in the great and mighty, will stick to the name "Bordeaux region" in the text. For who wants to, wanting to visit the Brothel (read: in the region of Bordeaux), to be in.!? (yep, here are the next translation difficulties).

This wine region, located near the Atlantic in southwestern France, has given its name to wines famous throughout the world. Geographically, the Bordeaux region is part of historical area Aquitaine / Aquitaine, with the capital in the city of the same name, around which these most noble Bordeaux vines grow. Today Bordeaux / Bordeaux also main city enlarged in 2016 administrative region of New Aquitaine / Nouvelle-Aquitaine (Aquitaine-Limousin-Poitou-Charentes). It turns out 3 in 1: region - city - wine. We will be happy to talk about everything "Bordeaux" in more detail (history, traditions, cuisine, architecture, natural and other attractions of the "wine" region and its capital) on the spot.

The mild and humid climate of these lands, due to the proximity of the Atlantic, the valleys of the Garonne and Dordogne rivers with their joint mouth of the Gironde, has attracted people since prehistoric times (the presence of Homo sapiens in these lands was noted 35-10 thousand years BC by the Cro-Magnons). Aquitaine for many centuries was the theater of historical strife and the object of numerous encroachments: the legions of Caesar in 56 BC. e. annexed it to Roman Gaul, the Visigoths in 418 - to their Spanish kingdom, the troops of Clovis in 507 - to the kingdom of the Franks. At the end of the VI century. the Vascons, the ancestors of the Basques, settled on the plains of the so-called. Gascony. The invasion of the Arabs, who burned Bordeaux on their way and ruined other cities, was stopped in 732 only near Poitiers by Charles Martell. The Franks under Charlemagne even managed to drive the Saracens to the Pyrenees, but in 848 the Norman Vikings were already besieging Bordeaux ... In 877, the Carolingian kingdom of Aquitaine split into two duchies: Gascony (south of the Garonne) and Aquitaine; in 1058 both duchies were reunited with their capital at Bordeaux. In 1152, the Duchess Eleanor of Aquitaine, having received a divorce from the King of France, Louis VII the Younger, 2 months later, she marries the Duke of Normandy and the Count of Anjou, who in 1154 also becomes the King of England as Henry II Plantagenet / Henry II Plantagenet. So Aquitaine (since 1229 called the Duchy of Guyenne / Guyenne) for 300 years became part of the English - yes! - the crown, until the end of the Hundred Years' War in 1453

As a result, and to the delight of lovers of heraldry, since 1190, under King Richard I the Lionheart, the legendary son of Eleanor, one golden leopard on a scarlet field from the coat of arms of Aquitaine multiplied to two on the armorial shield and banner of Normandy, and as many as three animals (they are called and how Lions Walking on Guard) appeared in English. Have you ever wondered why the inscription in pure French “Dieu et mon droit” (God and my right) appeared on the coat of arms of the English monarchs from Henry V in 1413? She and the motto of the Order of the Garter "Honi soit qui mal y pense" (Shame on him who thinks badly about it / fr.) are still inscribed on the Royal Arms of Great Britain ...

Religious feuds between Catholics and Huguenots in the 16th century, the Fronde against Cardinal Mazarin (1648-53), the Girondins and the whirlwinds of the French Revolution, Bordeaux as the temporary capital of France during the German offensive on Paris in 1914 and 1940 ... the new history of Aquitaine is already closely connected with history France, but it will not be our basis for further narration.

Today, the lands around Bordeaux have preserved a rich heritage from different eras: prehistoric caves, Gallo-Roman settlements, Romanesque temples and Gothic churches, medieval cities and villages, powerful fortified castles and chateau palaces in the Renaissance or classicism style. And here, for centuries, unique traditions of viticulture and winemaking have been preserved and passed on.

And now about the main thing. The Gallic tribe of the Biturigs laid the port of Burdigala / Burdigala in the bend of the Garonne, which laid the foundation for the future city of Bordeaux. Osci merchants from Campania (now the region southern Italy centered in Naples) already in the 1st century. BC e. they actively traded their wines here, so grape wine is known in Bordeaux before the vine, even before the invasion in 56 BC. e. Roman legions of Crassus to the local Gallic lands.

The history of the cultivation of vineyards in Aquitaine will lead its countdownc IV. from winter-hardy vinesVitis Biturica, progenitors of Cabernet. It is from the Romans that the Aquitanians will learn the art of winemaking and over the centuries even surpass their teachers. Significantly contributed to the development of local winemaking and wine trade "for export" the aforementioned marriage of Eleanor of Aquitaine. In the XII century. ships loaded with young Gironde wines have been leaving the port of Bordeaux since November. Wines of the new harvest, then called "claret" / claret, won their recognition first in England (where Bordeaux held a monopoly on the production and sale of wine), then in Holland and the Hanseatic League, and then throughout the world. But this path was neither quick nor easy ... In those days, no way to store wine had yet been found, so clarets went to the table at Christmas young (even if, by today's taste and other standards, we hardly began to drink them for pleasure))), and the next year the wine was already spoiled. Centuries will pass before merchants come up with the idea of aging young wine in oak barrels, using sulfur to sterilize them, bottling wine, etc. Thus, the New French Claret turns into a prototype of modern bordeaux rouge. Gradually, the prices for wines will proportionally depend on aging, quality, wine house. Glory to the 18th century! Winemakers will begin to carefully choose the terroir (fr. terror from lat. terra- land), regulate yields, improve methods of storing wine, fight phylloxera or economic crises ... Why are you not the first principles of wine quality control and the foundations of AOC?

Legislatively AOC concept (appellation d'origin controlee/ appellation controlled by origin = modern control of the authenticity of the origin of the product in France) was assigned to wines in 1935 and opened to agricultural and food products since 1990. The first classification wines was established in 1855 by order of Napoleon III. In Bordeaux, it included 80 farms from the left bank of the Garonne, forming a kind of "closed club". Based on different quality criteria, the compilers divided the wine of the left bank into 5 classes grand cru(grand cru). Disputes over the so-called. The imperial classification of wines of the Medoc and Sauternes, which is still in force today, has not subsided to this day, as well as the rivalry between farms for the right to be called the best. It is also clear that promising newcomers no longer fit into the 1855 classification. Therefore, today in Bordeaux there are 5 classifications, but they are all based on two key principles: terroir and the quality of the work of winemakers.

Often the word "Bordeaux" refers to red wines - obviously by analogy with the color of the same name. However, Bordeaux includes a wide range of white, rosé, red wines from simple table wines to the most expensive and famous in the world. Of course, the concept of "expensive" is different for everyone, but let's look at the stubborn numbers of high-profile auction sales of Bordeaux. The most expensive bottle in the world- red Chateau Lafite (Chateau Lafite) 1787, which allegedly belonged to the third US President Thomas Jefferson; it was bought at Christie's in 1985 by Christopher Forbes (who is also the owner of Forbes Corporation) for $160,000. In 2006, in London, a bottle of sweet Sauternes (white!) . was sold for 55 thousand pounds (about $90 thousand). In 2009, 12 bottles of Chateau Mouton-Rothschild 1945 left the Zachys auction for $218,581... centuries), but the Bordeaux “Victory Wines” of the 1945 harvest are still not only found by connoisseurs, but also praised.

The white wines of Bordeaux are made from varieties Sauvignon Blanc (38%), Sémillon (53%) and Muscadelle (6%). The basis of red wines is grapes Merlot (60%), Cabernet Sauvignon (25%) and Cabernet Franc (11%). The presence of Cabernet gives the wine a tannic structure, but it takes several years of aging for its quality to reach its optimum level (which is why it is better to “dig a bottle of Bordeaux” in the cellar or wine cabinet for later). Merlot, in turn, gives the wine flexibility and ensures its faster development. Winemakers, combining these two varieties, varying their proportions depending on the soils and types of wine, using a small number of vines as complements Malbec, Petit Verdot, Carménère(assemblage / assembly- mixing different varieties of wine materials) achieve the best result, which is called the "Art of Winemaking".

The wines of Bordeaux are geographically created 6 sub-region families (sauce– regions). Reds are famous for Medoc, Libournais, Graves. Eminent dry white wines are produced in Entre-deux-Mers, Blaye and Bourg, and sweet ones in Sauternes. Inside the wine-growing sub-region is divided into appellations (the same AOCs that are controlled by the place of origin). We will not list them, since in 2016 there were 57 AOCs in the Bordeaux region.

Wines produced in the Bordeaux region more than 20 thousand farms, from small family wineries, cooperatives or eminent chateaus ( chateaux) to large enterprises where it (wine) is produced on an industrial scale. At the same time, we ask you not to confuse chateaus, which are real castles (and they are also here: medieval bastides and fortresses, fortified chateau-fort or palaces), with those chateaus that are now centers of wineries in Bordeaux (often just a winemaker’s estate; many of which you can visit with a visit, tasting and with indispensable curiosity).

In 2015, Bordelais produced 5,700,000 hectoliters (more than 700 million bottles) of red, white (dry and sweet), rosé and sparkling wines. Let's clarify: Bordeaux wine region is the second largest in the world, 117,500 hectares of vineyards; the first place is occupied by the southern French Languedoc / Languedoc, 246,000 ha. Under the vineyards, the lands of the entire department No. 33 of the Gironde are occupied (105 km from north to south and 130 km from east to west). It is not surprising that such land, multiplied by vine varieties and the number of producers, can produce such a variety of wines.

The quality of wine is largely determined by the nature of the vineyards. There are never too many of the best, and there are few wine-growing areas with ideal conditions in the world. Bordeaux is very lucky in this sense: the proximity of the ocean, the mild and humid climate in the river valleys, protection from the winds pine forests Land, warm autumn .., - create conditions that are “right” for grapes. In addition, vineyards differ from each other in location, terrain, wind rose, soil character, flora, etc. - which in one word is called terroir. The more unique the terroir, the more original the price of its wine can be!

It is important to consider another useful and fashionable word millesime (millesime – grape harvest year). To find out favorable years in a particular area, there are special tables of millesims; they are available in the press, on the Internet, and often in the shops and liquor stores themselves. Wine guides and experts (sommeliers, oenologists, winemakers, sellers) will tell you in more detail what year wine, what appellation and in what year it is worth trying, and which one is better to lie down and wait. Just as there are grand cru, there are also gran millesima. For example, for red burgundy, these are 2005, 1995, 1990, 1982, 1975, 1961, 1959. Also 2009, 2000, 1989, 1988, 1985, 1983, 1981, 1979, 1978, 1976, 1970 and 1966. Gorgeous, but already hard to find 1955, 1949, 1947, 1945, 1929 and 1928. Look for your year?!.

Now about the second component of quality, which is the basis for the classification of Bordeaux cru (often it is inseparable from the first - terroir). This the skill of the winemaker who works on these lands. When a chateau is famous for its wines for two or three hundred years, and traditions are passed down from father to son, its next owner not only understands all the technological aspects, but can also be versed in the character of each row of grapes on a particular field - parcelle! They say the truth or they made up for the red word: in the same grand cru Chateau Margaux, since the 18th century, grapes have been harvested two or three berries from a bunch and strictly in the afternoon - so that the dew that dilutes the grape juice has time to dry. Such pedantry and ironclad adherence to ancient rules should be rewarded accordingly (here's another pricing factor for you). Well, in the end, no one canceled the power of the brand. A big name implies an increased responsibility for quality.

Tasty stories in the wineries of Bordeaux are loved and know how to tell. For wine–this is history. The history of the Art of winemaking itself and the story told by a specific winemaker (at the same time, the "opinions of the author, editors and readers" may sometimes not coincide).

Of course, when everything comes together - a unique vineyard with old vines, a talented winemaker in the Nth generation, and a load of history - it turns out not just expensive, but the very Grand cru- a phrase, for connoisseurs and lovers identical to "great wines", but in reality (see above) - a classification term. For example, the status of greats in the classical interpretation of 1855 is attributed to wines that are produced by only a few eminent estates in the Bordeaux region. Five great red wines, also known as Premier Cru, looks like this: Chateau Margaux (Margot / Margaux), Chateau Latour (Pauillac / Pauillac), Chateau Lafite-Rothschild (Pauillac), Chateau Mouton-Rothschild (still the same Pauillac; chateau received the status Premier Cru in 1973 when reclassifying), Chateau Haut-Brion (Pessac-Leognan / Pessac-Leognan). It will not be enough to continue this Grand list of hands, since the classifications are regularly reviewed, sometimes with disputes and inspections, up to litigation.

Now a short reminder: if in the sea of bottles of Bordeaux wine on the label you managed to find an inscription corresponding to one of 5 current classifications: Grands crus classes en 1855 Medoc & Sauternes, Crus classes de Graves (officially active since 1953), Grands Crus classes de Saint-Emilion (1954), Crus Bourgeois du Medoc, Crus artisans du Medoc (1994) - These are wines from estates with a high reputation and controlled quality. Aesthetes and collectors compare them with paintings or symphonies of great masters in terms of the power of impressions… Only this kind of wine is not for every day. Yes very expensive wines so expensive, because there are still someone to buy them and for what reason. But in order to thoroughly feel the nuances of a bottle for hundreds of euros, one must both understand wine and have at least good experience tastings. Agree, not everyone will notice that they are drinking an outstanding Bordeaux, if they are not told about it in advance. Fortunately, there is someone to describe its merits here.

Our opinion: each of us as a consumer, connoisseur and buyer can find his own wine. For a certain mood, food, event ... And for yourself at an average (moderate, adequate) price. Everyone should have their own pleasure (and more often 🙂 ). In search of your Wine happiness, the only thing left to do is to taste the wine. And it’s better to try Bordeaux wines “on the spot”, in order to firmly connect the bouquet and taste of the drink with the history of its origin, cuisine and the spirit of the area in your mind. And let's not forget that Bordeaux is more than wine (even because you simply cannot physically devote all the time to one tasting))). Antique and modern architecture(civil, military and religious), art and museums, recreation and entertainment, cultural and gastronomic traditions, natural landscapes land and ocean ... Our rubric Excursions brings you a few ingredients that you can add to your glass of Bordeaux experience in Bordeaux.

And may you be “all right, Chateau Margaux.Everything is fine!" (Spleen)

Useful information for tourists about Bordeaux in France - geographical position, tourist infrastructure, map, architectural features and attractions.

Bordeaux is a city in southwestern France, the center of the historical region of Aquitaine and the modern Gironde department. Located on the banks of the Garonne, the city is known for its traditions and success in the field of winemaking. Bordeaux is a city with a rich history, known since ancient times under the name Burdigal. It was once the capital of ancient Gaul.

Bordeaux has always been a city of skilled artisans and winemakers, aristocrats and clergy. Medieval knightly armor, made by Bordeaux armorers, was considered the standard and saved more than one life for the ardent representatives of the French aristocracy.

Bordeaux is a valuable architectural monument. The city has a lot of museums, attractions and simply beautiful squares, streets and squares.

Along the Garonne embankment, there are many elegant mansions of the classicism era. In the city center, on site ancient castle Trompet in the 19th century, esplanades were built, from the terraces of which a magnificent view of the river opens. In the old merchant district of Chartrons, houses of the 18th century have been preserved. The Chartrons Museum, located in the modern building of the International Wine City, contains labels from wines of all vintages, as well as a winepress and bottling plant of the 18th century.

The building of the Grand Theater was built in the 18th century by the architect Victor Louis. It is considered one of the finest classical buildings in France. The churches of the city are also interesting: the church of Saint-Seren was built in the 11th century and was rebuilt several times, therefore it is an amazing symbiosis of architectural styles; the basilica of St. Michael, built for 200 years, starting from the middle of the XIV century, is famous for its free-standing bell tower - the highest in southern France; in the cathedral of st. Andrew has a collection of Renaissance sculptures depicting scenes of the Last Judgment.

The rich history of Bordeaux is carefully preserved in many museums that are definitely worth a visit. The most significant and interesting are the Archaeological Museum, the Museum of Decorative Arts and the Museum of the History of Aquitaine, as well as the National Center. Jean Moulin, where the Museum of the Resistance is located. The Museum of Fine Arts, the Goya Museum, the Museum of Modern Art and the Ethnographic Museum also surprise with the richness of the collections. Unusual and informative is the Customs Museum, which contains many exhibits related to smuggling. The Museum of Printing acquaints visitors with the development of modern printing.

Bordeaux is a green and colorful city with a lot of beautiful squares, streets and monuments. The main pedestrian street of the city is Saint-Catherine, here you will find many cozy restaurants, cafes and bars where you can sit down with a glass of excellent wine and lazily watch the motley crowd.

The fame of Bordeaux wines has long crossed the borders of not only France, but also Europe, spreading throughout the world. The pride of the local vineyards are such varieties as Chateau Margaux, Pauillac, Saint-Ester, Pessac, Chateau Yquem, Pomerol, Saint-Emilion, Grave, Sauternes, named after the surrounding lands, estates and castles.

There are five main red grape varieties grown in the Bordeaux region: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Malbec. The most common variety is Cabernet. Wine made from grapes of this variety in the Bordeaux region is considered the reference Cabernet. And there are only two white varieties - Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon.

Bordeaux is the most beautiful city in France, located on the banks of the Garonne River and has gone down in history with its unusual buildings. Sometimes the French call it the "port of the moon". Bordeaux received such a charming epithet due to the fact that in its old part on the left bank of the river there is a magnificent picturesque harbor, which nature has created in the shape of the moon.

Every year, millions of tourists from all over the world come there to see the architectural and cultural sights of Bordeaux, which are distinguished by their particular elegance and diversity: coastal piers surrounded by original buildings, cathedrals, temples, museums, theaters, gardens and parks. Many of his architectural monuments, which are of historical value, are taken under the protection of UNESCO.

Bordeaux is seaport. It is known that in the III century it was called "little Rome", because it personified its likeness. And after the architects slightly modified the city in the 18th century, it acquired a new name and began to be called "little Paris".

Bordeaux gained particular popularity due to its traditions and customs: he is the fifth largest French city famous for its chic vineyards. Grape vines can be found here on almost every piece of land: in clearings of pine forests and shady hollows, on hills and plateaus, around settlements and churches. Excellent Bordeaux wines are among the most prestigious and best brands in the world. And today Bordeaux is known as a holiday city. The Wine Festival is held here every year.

The main attractions of Bordeaux

Squares and streets

The most famous and large-scale square in Europe, which is the main pride of Bordeaux. It impresses with its size - more than 125 thousand square meters. meters. The area was built on the site of the old medieval castle Trompet, the historical purpose of which was to protect the fortress from enemy attacks. Today it amazing place for walks, where shady alleys frame it from the north and south sides, and in the western part monuments to prominent political figures and citizens were erected. A East End Esplanade goes to the embankment, from where the most beautiful views of the Garonne open.

The most famous monument is the monument to the Girondins, which is a 50-meter-high column, on top of which there is a statue of the winged Liberty, and its bottom is decorated with interesting figures: the Triumph of Concord, the Triumph of the Republic, two bronze fountains and a Gallic rooster.

Palais de la Burse is a square decorated in the style of classicism, striking in its beauty. Among the French she is known as Royal Square. Burs has a very interesting shape, similar to a hexagon, which gives the space a certain comfort. This hexagon was obtained due to two buildings in the Baroque style - the Stock Exchange Castle and the Customs Museum, spread out in a semicircle on the banks of the Garonne and forming a single ensemble. Today it is a lively center of the city's business life, as the financial exchange is located here. In this regard, Burs Square has another name - Exchange Square. In its very center is the world-famous mirror fountain of the Three Graces. It was built in 1864 according to the designs of Louis Visconti. According to ancient Greek mythology The goddesses of Grace were Venus, Juno and Minerva, personifying feminine charm, beauty and joy. The fountain is especially beautiful at night when the backlight turns on.

Decorated in Italian style and located near Burs Square. Previously, it was called the Royal Market Square, and after the French Revolution it was renamed Freedom Square. It received its current name due to the Parliament building located on it. Its main decoration is the eponymous fountain of the Parliament, made in the neo-Renaissance style according to the sketches of Louis Garo in 1865. The fountain stands on a gilded plinth and is a flowerpot on a pedestal, decorated with figures of nymphs from which water flows.

Cathedrals, churches, temples

Built in gothic style with patterned spiers and lace flying buttresses. It was erected in honor of the wedding of Louis VII and Eleanor of Aquitaine. At the very top of the tower of the cathedral, which offers an amazing view of the Garonne and the city, there is a statue of Our Lady of Aquitaine with a baby in her arms. The facades of the building are decorated with various scenes from ancient Greek mythology. The magnificence of the interior decoration is amazing: ribbed vaults with domed squares, a beautiful majestic organ, naves, carved choirs, painted walls. This building has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The most beautiful Cathedral in Bordeaux, standing on Place Pe Barland. This one-nave cathedral with two symmetrical towers and Gothic spiers was built over several centuries. Its appearance combines a mixture of different styles and techniques. Inside, the cathedral is elegantly decorated with openwork balustrades, chapels with relief images of biblical scenes, and choirs.

Museums

Museum of Fine Arts built by order of Napoleon Bonaparte, and its first founder was the artist Pierre Lacourt. It presents an extensive collection of sculptures, drawings, paintings, engravings, ceramics, glass, and furniture. The Museum of Fine Arts has become famous for such famous world names as Van Dyck, Rubens, Delacroix, Picasso.

Is located in wine district Bordeaux, in the basement of Charton Palace. The exposition of the museum is entirely dedicated to the two thousand year history of winemaking. The museum tells about the history of the origin of world-famous wines - Cabernet, Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot Noir, about the processes of settling and cleaning, about optimal storage conditions, about tasting, about the secrets of producing this wonderful drink. The museum has a wine boutique where you can buy decent wines, as well as various souvenirs, accessories, and themed products.

Theaters

One of the most perfect works french architecture XVIII century. It was built by Victor Louis. It is a neoclassical theater with 12 colossal Corinthian columns that adorn stone statues: 9 muses and 3 goddesses (Juno, Minerva and Venus). Today it hosts National Opera Bordeaux.

There is hardly a person who has not heard of Bordeaux, a city in southwestern France. It is the center of the historical region of Aquitaine, it is the territory of the modern department of the Gironde. The city is located on the banks of the Garonne, known for its traditions and achievements in the field of winemaking. Winemaking and the history of the city are inextricably linked. For more than two millennia, vineyards have been an important factor in the lives of people in the area. Bordeaux is located in the center of the vineyards, the area of the territory occupied by this culture is more than 120 thousand hectares.

History of the city of Bordeaux

The history of the city of Bordeaux goes back over a thousand years. Before the invasion of the Romans, the large Celtic village of Burdigala stood on this territory. The rule of the Romans radically changed the history of this region, it was they who planted a vine here. In 56 BC, the settlement was renamed Port Luna. It got its name from the shape of the river on which it stood.

In the Middle Ages, Aquitaine (including Bordeaux) was given as a dowry to the English king Henry, who married a French princess. After 300 years, Charles XII returned this area back to the French.

The economic condition of Bordeaux began to improve thanks to the export of wine, first to England, and then to other countries. The city was actively developing, expanding, at present it is largest port and the fifth largest city in France.

Bordeaux is currently one of the most visited cities in France and popular place recreation.

Sights of the city of Bordeaux

An interesting excursion to the Museum of Wine, the building of which was built in 1720 by the royal courtier. This private palace is dedicated to wine and feasting. The palace is located in close proximity to the center of Bordeaux, in the wine district of Bordeaux.

This palace has a large number of different rooms, rooms for receptions. There is also a museum in the palace dedicated to the wine trade in the 18th and 19th centuries. There are other sights of Bordeaux that will be of interest to tourists.

There are many different ancient churches in Bordeaux: Saint-André Cathedral, Sainte-Croix Church, Sainte-Elali Church - each is interesting in its own way. Here you can also see the Saint-Michel Basilica, which has a tower height of 114 meters. Of particular historical value is the bridge in Bordeaux, which has been preserved since Roman times. And from the tower of Cayo open great views cities, beautiful landscapes.

The Basilica of Saint Seurin, built in the 11th century, now regularly organizes organ music concerts. Due to the excellent acoustic data, this building is chosen for sacred music concerts by children's and adult choirs.

Nature lovers will love the walks fresh air in the city garden, the first trees in it were planted in the 18th century.

Having visited a beautiful private palace, next to the park, you find yourself in National Museum natural history opened in the early 19th century. In it you can see the exposition dedicated to animals from all over the world. The museum has representatives of the fauna, including those who are on the verge of extinction or are listed in the Red Book.

Wine Festival in Bordeaux

Once every two years, an event is held in Bordeaux, which attracts tourists from all countries - this is the famous wine festival "Bordeaux Fete le Vin". Not only tourists come here, but also wine producers, collectors, some just want to admire the ceremony, others come to purchase exquisite varieties for their cellar. All wines produced in Bordeaux are divided into 57 brands. Each brand is unique, offering an original bouquet of taste sensations. The taste of wine is largely determined not only by the grape variety, but also by the content of certain substances and wine production technologies in the soil.

Bordeaux Airport is located 10 kilometers from the city center, but it accepts aircraft that serve mainly domestic flights. From Russia to Bordeaux you can fly only with transfers. For example, you can fly to the capital of France - Paris by plane Russian airline, and then Air flights France to your destination. There is also a train connection from Paris to Bordeaux, a trip by high-speed train takes no more than 3 hours. Trains to Bordeaux also come from other cities in France.