"Sleeping Beauty." "Port of the Moon." Bordeaux is considered one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
Located in the southwest corner of France, Bordeaux has long been the center of the historic region of Aquitaine. This city of 750,000 people (the fifth largest in the country) is approximately 35 km or 22 miles from the Atlantic coast and lies on the picturesque banks of the Garonne River.
The architecture, traditions, culture and "l'art de vivre" or lifestyle of its inhabitants all bear the influence of its long and rich history. Settled by the Celts, the city fell under Roman control around 60 BC. Centuries later, it flourished under the English Crown before finally becoming a French territory in the middle of the 1600s.
The district of Bordeaux, whose nickname Port of the Moon comes from the bend of the Garonne river, encompasses an historic center classified as an UNESCO World Heritage site in 2007. An outstanding urban and architectural ensemble created in the Age of Enlightenment, the city is a true cultural treasure.
Bordeaux is second only to Paris in the number of protected architectural and historical monuments.
The most prominent examples are the:
- Place Royale (today Place de la Bourse)
- Allees de Tourny
- Public Garden
- Grand Theatre
- Palais Rohan
- Place des Quinconces
- La Grosse Cloche
This city is created for walks, for new cultural, gastronomic and enological discoveries. The proximity of the ocean and the Gascon forest gives Bordeaux a mild climate which makes it a cozy and comfortable destination anytime of year.
Bordo Grand Cru – Your Hedonist Guide in Bordeaux and Aquitaine!