Rolling vineyards and picturesque chateaux
Dubbed “the very essence of elegance” by none other than Queen Elizabeth II on her 1992 visit, Bordeaux city shines bright with a grandiose 18th-century harmony epitomised in the beautifully restored neoclassical architecture of its port. In 2007 half of the city, some 1,810 hectares, was certified by UNESCO making it the world’s largest Urban UNESCO heritage site. In addition to exploring Bordeaux itself, there are plenty of opportunities for day trips. It’s easy to pop over to Cognac for a day of exploration, and of course, tastings. Or visit the Bassin d’Arcachon for fresh oysters.
It’s likely for its viticulture that you’ll be familiar with Bordeaux. The south-western region has been producing wine since the Romans arrived in the 1st century AD and is today without doubt the world’s major wine industry capital. The countryside surrounding the city is covered in vineyards and dotted with rambling, picturesque chateaux – more than 3,000 estates in the greater Bordeaux area, according to some estimates – that produce some of the best known grapes in the world.
Intersected by the graceful Garonne River, Bordeaux is the largest city by area in France and after some serious renovation, has emerged to become a European contender in its own right. Public transportation has been improved with new tramways, new landmarks (such as the Miroir des Quais) and much-needed restoration of old monuments. New cafés, restaurants and museums are also frequently popping up all over this ancient, château-driven city.
Highlights
Take a leisurely cruise down the Garonne River.
Discover the only Cognac house specialising exclusively in the production of Old Cognacs using Grande Champagne grapes.
Head out of the city to marvel at prehistoric cave paintings at the Lascaux caves.
Take a day trip to Bassin d’Arcachon to learn all there is to know about farming oysters before enjoying a tasting.
Dan Rhodes
Travel Designer
History, culture and wine combine to make this a must-visit destination. Whether you prefer to spend your time wandering along village streets, enjoying private tastings of some of the region's best wine and Cognacs, or seeking out places of historic interest, Bordeaux is an enchanting region.
Dan Rhodes
Travel Designer
Luxury accommodation in Bodeaux
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Trip inspiration
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When to visit
May and June see pleasant temperatures before summer arrives, as well as fields blanketed in beautiful wildflowers. August is the hottest month of the year and often unbearably humid, so best avoided. The temperatures start to get cooler into September and October when it’s time for the wine harvest, making for the ideal time to visit the region and enjoy the sights and flavours.
Spring Flowers
May - June
Harvest Time
September - October
Exploring on Foot
May - November
Plan your trip to Bordeaux
Whatever you want from your adventure in Bordeaux, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.
Our trip to Paris, overall, was spectacular and one for the books. Paris has left a lasting impression on us and we plan to return soon. There were a couple of bumps here and there, but nothing that we could not figure out. Anytime we reached out to the Jacada team or the local team, they were always very prompt…
Excellent company and communication. They were able to put together trip last minute. Everything on the trip was amazing, hotel, trips, tour guide. It was everything i expected and beyond!
Jacada Travel planning a perfect trip for my family, (husband and 18 yo daughter). ALL the details were taken care of without any issue. Our Senior Travel Designer, Kate and our Concierge for Europe, Symmone, helped me plan every detail for our trip. They gave wonderful suggestions for additional tours which were a must-see and the restaurant recommendations and the…
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Hanna and Alice were amazing! They were great planners and advisors. Any questions, concerns, or requests were promptly handled.
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