2 days in Bordeaux: my itinerary in the wine capital
If you say France, almost always think of two things: Paris, French Riviera.
Yet, Time, I was fascinated by “province” that, a po’ as in Italy, It is mistreated by tourists, especially Italian.
in fact, throughout the part of France that overlooks the Atlantic Ocean, it seemed to me that the vast majority of tourists were British, German, Spanish (I suppose the neighbors of the Basque country), Dutch, Belgian. Of Italian, even the shadow.
What better occasion, if you do not start by visiting Bordeaux, then go north?
The airport is not great but, thanks to the direct links of Volotea and easyJet, you can reach it from many parts of Italy, in about two hours flight.
On disembarking, head to the hall B. Shortly before the output ports, It is the tourist office, where you can fill up with various plants and seedlings.
Enter through the exit doors and, immediately in front of you, you will find the shelter of bus 1+, only direct line in city center (Gare Saint Jean). Here you can buy the ticket, costing 1.5eur (Prices summer 2015).
Leaving the monotonous (but ordered) periphery, you'll begin to see the classic buildings typical of French, I personally love!
Place Pey Berland, a stone's throw from the Cathedral and the City Hall of Bordeaux
In these my two days (that, Indeed, two half days) Visiting Bordeaux, I decided to do as residents, and move only by bicycle. How could I give up? IL Cost to use the bike sharing is 1.5 EUR each 24 hours! Sufficient to lay the bike within 30 minutes, in order to avoid additional penalties.
Sufficient to own a debit or a credit card, go to any column, and buy “Secret Code” that, combined with the code to unlock the bike, will let you use the bike sharing. Do not miss the package with “Secret Code” for subsequent 24 hours, because you will have no way to recover it (alas, personal experience :P).
You can view an interactive map with all stations of bike sharing, on the official website (vcub.fr).
Speaking of bike sharing, I shot a video just as I was moving by bike, along the famous Stone Bridge, by Napoleon in person, and Quai Richelieu.
The city is a real gem, an Old Town refurbished (largely in recent years), a series of squares and squares with cafes relaxing, and… a real treat: the stretch of water artificial world's largest, The Water Mirror. It sounds like a stupid (and, In fact, it is), but it's really relaxing walk, barefoot, above this immense “veil of water”.
The Water Mirror (Waterhole), very popular with adults and children!
I built a small guide, complete with a map, to show you my itinerario a Bordeaux in a rapid, and not going into too much detail, threatening to ruin the surprise!
The photo I took in Bordeaux are, as always, in my gallery, A this address.
1DAY
- Holy Cross Church Bordeaux (Abbey Church of the Holy Cross, Romanesque, built between the eleventh and twelfth century. It was restored in the nineteenth century. There is also the bike sharing station)
- Basilica of St. Michel (Flemish Gothic style, It was built in the late fourteenth and sixteenth century. The pulpit represents St. Michael slaying the dragon. The stained glass windows were destroyed during the bombing in 1940. It has one of the highest belfries of France, A 114,6 meters)
- Stone Bridge (Stone Bridge. Connects the two banks of the Garonne, and it was among the costurito 1819 and 1822, after the fall of Napoleon)
- Porte Cailhau (one of the city gates, It built in Gothic style in the fifteenth century. It is the main city gate, and replacing a door even older. From the side facing the river, are statues of King Charles VIII, and St. John the Evangelist)
- Parliament Square (Square-style Italian in the district S.Pierre, near Piazza della Borsa. Remember the Parliament of Bordeaux, Active between 1451 and 1790)
- Place de la Bourse / The Water Mirror (example of neoclassical art French, It was built in the first half of '700. Opposite the square, It is the body of water artificial world's largest. It's one of the main points of the city. It was called the Place Royale and then, after riv.francese, Place de la Libertè. At its heart is the fountain of the Three Graces Euphrosyne, Aglaia e Talia, daughters of Zeus)
- Monument aux Girondins / Esplanade de Quinconces (built in 1820, The Esplanade is one of the biggest squares in Europe. There are two statues, dating back to 800, philosophers Montesquieu and Montaigne. The monument was built between the main 1894 and the 1902 in memory of the Girondins, victims of the Reign of Terror during the French Revolution. It consists of a broad pedestal formed by two tanks, decorated with soldiers and horses in bronze, and topped by a large column with a statue on top, that is the spirit of freedom. There is also the bike sharing station)
2DAY
- Grosse Cloche (or doors Saint-Eloi - St. Eligius port is one of the historic gates of the city, and dates from the fifteenth century. Just to the left, in Place de la Ferme Richemont c’è stazione del bike sharing)
- St. Catherine Street (important pedestrian shopping street of the center, collega Place de la Comedie in Victory Square. A 1200mt, It is the longest pedestrian street in Europe)
- Tour Pey-Berland (Gothic tower, bell tower of the nearby Cathedral of S. André. 66metri never in doubt and was built in the second half of the '400. For structural issues, the tower was not built near the cathedral. At the top is a golden statue of the Madonna. You can climb to the top, cost of 5.5eur)
- Cathedral Bordeaux (Cathedrale St. Andre) (Time 10-13, 15-19:30. Gothic, It was consecrated by Pope Urban II in 1096, and rebuilt between '300 and' 400. In '200 was added to the Gothic portal "Porte Royale")
- Hotel de Ville (Palais Rohan) (Il town, built between 1771 and 1784. It was destroyed and rebuilt during the Second World War)
- Grand Theatre (theater opened in 1780, sede dell’Operà National de Bordeaux)
- Church of Our Lady (Time 9-20. Baroque church, dating from the late seventeenth century. E'ispirata the Church of Jesus in Rome)
- Public garden (Beautiful public park, containing a botanical garden. It was inaugurated in 1746)
- all 15, take tram C to Tauzia, o prendi bici da incrocio Cours de Verdun e Marechal Foch Course)
Itinerary format google map: link
In the late afternoon, I left for La Rochelle, charming small town halfway between Bordeaux and Nantes.
Not advise you to stay more than a couple of days in Bordeaux but if, unlike me, you have more time available, you could go to “climb” the imposing dune Pilat, as did Irene viachesiva (thanks to which I had the inspiration to visit Bordeaux).