BORDEAUX

1 hour from Paris by plane and 2 hours by TGV, Bordeaux is a must-see destination in Europe that invites you to discover its heritage, its wines and its gastronomy. Often referred to as "little Paris" by visitors who all fall in love with it, Bordeaux was named the most fashionable city in the world in 2017 by Lonely Planet. A multifaceted city ideal to discover as a couple, with family or with friends!

Bordeaux elegance
The capital of the Southwest is classified by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site for its exceptional architectural heritage. The city is an open-air postcard with its many 18th century buildings and monuments. The city also boasts a modern architectural ensemble like the Miroir d´eau (the largest in the world), the futuristic Jacques Chaban-Delmas bridge or the Matmut Atlantique stadium.

Bordeaux, world wine capital Bordeaux is close to the largest and oldest fine wine vineyard in the world, which has 65 appellations and covers 112,000 hectares. Several hundred properties called châteaux open their doors to the public and share their know-how. Wine is also present in the city! The cultural center “la Cité du Vin” is the best example.

The art of living "made in the South-West »
Bordeaux is the embodiment of the art of living in the South West of France where quality of life reigns, symbolized by its green spaces, its renovated buildings, its pedestrianized city center. Gastronomy is one of the city's assets, with many delicious local products: canelé, oysters, Bordeaux-style entrecôte ... Good little tables, starred restaurants, markets where to eat "on the go": There is something for every taste !

Stadium that will host RWC2023 matches

• Stadium Matmut Atlantique
• 42 000 places

Sites not to be missed

• Le Vieux-Bordeaux : a must-see neighborhood! Discover its good restaurants and terraces, its small squares and pedestrian streets. The Place de la Bourse and its majestic 18th century facades delight visitors who come to take the souvenir photo of Bordeaux. The Water Mirror - the largest in the world - faces it, and amazes with its spectacle of mist.
• La Cité du Vin : opened in 2016, this new generation cultural center, unique in the world, presents wine in its cultural, civilizational, heritage and universal dimensions. It honors vineyards from all over the world through a permanent route, temporary exhibitions, tasting workshops. A spectacular journey around the world, through the ages, in all cultures! laciteduvin.com/
• The quays of the Garonne : Bordeaux is crossed by the Garonne river, the quays offer great opportunities for walks, passing over the essential Pont de Pierre, built by Napoleon. Day and half-day cruises are also available to explore the city from the water.

Specialties

• Wine of course ! The Bordeaux vineyard is divided into 6 wine regions, which produce red, white, rosé and Crémant wines.
• Le canelé : impossible to stay in Bordeaux without tasting this sweet specialty which has delighted all gourmets for several centuries. This little cake with a crisp color and a tender heart is made with a dough made from flour, milk, egg, sugar and butter, flavored with rum and vanilla.

New　　

• Les Bassins de Lumières : it is the largest digital art center in the world. Opened last June, the place offers an immersive experience of sound effects and projections, inside a bunker from the Second World War. 2021 exhibitions: “Monet, Renoir… Chagall, voyage in the Mediterranean” and Yves Klein. www.bassins-lumieres.com/
• Bordeaux Fête le Vin : the largest wine tourism festival in Europe will take place from June 17 to 20, 2021. Visitors will be able to meet wine growers, taste their wines, enjoy gastronomic huts, and attend many activities.. www.bordeaux-fete-le-vin.com

Getaways

• The Bordeaux vineyard : many circuits are offered from Bordeaux, and take visitors into the vineyard with visits to castles and tasting. Some excursions even include lunch in the vineyards. www.visiter-bordeaux.com/fr
• Le Bassin d’Arcachon (which forms an inland sea) is an hour's drive back. You will discover a Belle Epoque resort and beautiful listed villas, but also the Dune du Pilat (highest dune in Europe), and the small oyster ports and typical cabins of Cap-Ferret.

City professional club

• The Club : Union Bordeaux-Begles
• In June 2006, the leaders of Stade Bordelais (Pro D2) and CABBG (Fédérale 1), decided to merge the two historic Girondin clubs: the UBB was born. At the end of the 2014-2015 season, UBB became the number one audience in Europe, with an average of 27,000 supporters per match. Season after season since 2011 and its rise to the Top 14, UBB continues to progress and now wants to play the leading roles. For the first time in its history, it qualifies for the European Rugby Champions Cup for the 2015-2016 season. https://www.ubbrugby.com/

Good addresses before or after the match

• Rendez-vous at the restaurant « La Belle Saison » located on the right bank of the Garonne, and run by a former player of the XV of France, Jérome Fillol. https://www.la-bellesaison.fr/
• The evenings of matches are always very lively in the streets of Bordeaux, heading to one of the pro-rugby bars and pubs such as Connemara, the Bistrot des Frérots, or even The House of Parliament.

Access from Paris

• by train : 2 hours by TGV from Montparnasse or 3 hours 45 minutes from Roissy CDG TGV station.
• by plane : 1 hour by plane from Roissy CDG