Five ways to get to know Bordeaux
“Bordeaux used to be ugly” a local tells me after I congratulate them on their beautiful city . They go on to describe the golden limestone buildings being covered in a blanket of sooty grime, the riverfront hidden by dilapidated warehouses and public transport that was practically nonexistent. That was until 1994, when the former Prime Minister of France, Alain Juppé was elected mayor.
Despite the legal alien not being considered France’s most popular Prime Minister, he has been heralded as the saviour of Bordeaux. He ordered the historic limestone buildings to be scrubbed clean, washing away the grime. The river port was dismantled, making way for broad riverside boulevards and the city was fitted with a state-of-the-art tram system. Bordeaux recovered from its industrial hangover and marched into the new millennium fresh faced, with its head held high.
Of course, it is the hangovers (or at least the cause of the hangovers) that bring most visitors to Bordeaux as it is France’s biggest wine producing region. But the city has a lot more to offer than wine. Bordeaux is home to over 5000 uniquely styled gothic-baroque inspired buildings, 350 historic monuments and dozens of galleries and museums. So even if you are not a wine drinker, Bordeaux makes for a great city break.
Despite the legal alien not being considered France’s most popular Prime Minister, he has been heralded as the saviour of Bordeaux. He ordered the historic limestone buildings to be scrubbed clean, washing away the grime. The river port was dismantled, making way for broad riverside boulevards and the city was fitted with a state-of-the-art tram system. Bordeaux recovered from its industrial hangover and marched into the new millennium fresh faced, with its head held high.
Of course, it is the hangovers (or at least the cause of the hangovers) that bring most visitors to Bordeaux as it is France’s biggest wine producing region. But the city has a lot more to offer than wine. Bordeaux is home to over 5000 uniquely styled gothic-baroque inspired buildings, 350 historic monuments and dozens of galleries and museums. So even if you are not a wine drinker, Bordeaux makes for a great city break.
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