The Garonne river

The Garonne river is never very far from the centre of old Bordeaux. Its a nice walk along it, for example in the Chartrons district, just north of Quinconces square. Also do cross the Pont de Pierre, the stone bridge (tramway!) to see the view on Bordeaux as from the other side of the river.



Place de la Bourse, stock exchange square.



The Garonne seen from Quinconces square.



St. Michel church, meeting point of the Santiago de Compostella pilgrims.



The Pont de Pierre, the stone bridge, and the Porte de Bourgogne, Burgundy gate.



To the right of the Porte de Bourgogne you can just see one of the cathedral's towers and the roof of the impressing Porte Cailhau, Cailhau gate.





At the end of the Chartrons quay (tramway!) you find old warehouses which now house lots and lots of outlet shops, galleries and CAP sciences, the scientific museum.



At the left the double tower of the cathedral behind the Porte Calhau, and at the right the Pey-Berland tower that stands next to the cathedral.

Châteaux, wine castles, around Bordeaux

To all the famous wine regions near Bordeaux you can book day trips at the tourist office, where they have a special counter for these trips. You can find tourist information at the corner next to the Quinconces square (where the Girondins fountain is).
The castles are beautiful as wel is the countryside!



Château Ausone



Chaâteau Dufort-Vivens



Château Labegorce



Château Malescot-St. Exuperie



Château Margaux



Château Palmer



Château Rauzan-Segla



Château Sénéjac (where I lived, years ago)

Food in Bordeaux

Food is very important for the French. But in Bordeaux, it is of extreme importance. And do realize that Bordeaux is the world culinary center. Margaux, Pauillac, Pomerol, St. Emillion, Sauternes, Graves... Oysters, foie gras, caviar, lamprey, Basque cheeses, armagnac, Agen plums, lamb from the salt coast meadows, Bazais beef...
One more thing: food in Bordeaux is of very good quality and quite cheap! The two simple meals you see below here, the mushroom omelette and the steak with French fries, were both good and costed about € 9,-, drink included.
First picture: olive bread, tomato, mozzarell, pesto costed € 2,-.
Last picture: salmon skewer, good veggies and mashed potatoe, very good beurre blanc sauce, chique place, €13,- drink included.

Girondins monument and fountain

One of the highlights of Bordeaux, at Quinconces square. The nicest thing about this monument is that all bodies and faces are so natural, so real. You could meet these persons in the street!
(Girondins: the people that live in the Gironde, the Bordeaux department.)

Bordeaux people

What a difference with Paris. About everyone you meet in the street in Bordeaux, or on a market or in a shop, is smiling and in a good mood.
Lots of musicians too. Good musicians...



At saturday St. Michel market, in the old part of the town





At sunday Chartrons market, next to the Garonne river







In Rue St. Catherine, Bordeaux fashion centre (starting near the theatre with very expensive shops, running down to Victoire square, with very cheap shops).

Bordeaux architecture

Bordeaux architecture is incredible. I mean that about every single house is a beauty, really.
Monuments and modern architecture later.



Cours du Chapeau Rouge, avenue of the red hat, between the theatre and the Garonne river; in the background the Hôtel de la Bourse





St. Michel square







Behind the theatre



St. Michel square





At the Cours de l'Intendance, between the theatre and Gambetta square



Near the Chartreuse cemetery (worth a visit!)