April 21-23, 2009 (Tuesday – Thursday)
My Travel Log
Day 1 – Tour around rue Sainte Catherine & 1st night wine tasting in front of the Grand Theatre
After the 2 hours flight from London Luton, I arrived at Bordeaux in late afternoon (16:20p.m.). The Bordeaux airport was a very small local airport, yet shttle buses (Jet’Bus) were available from the airport to Gare St-Jean train station. It only took me 45 mins to arrive in the Touisme center at the city center, getting my accommodation confirmation and settling down in the hotel on the right bank of La Garonne.
fantastic white wine + cheese set at "Bar à Vin", overlooking the Grand Théâtre
In the evening, I got myself familar with the city and toured around one of the largest main shopping, pedestrian street (1.2km) in Bordeaux – rue Sainte-Catherine. Here I can find most of the popular shops in Europe. At night, I treated myself with a fantastic white wine + cheese set at “Bar à Vin“, overlooking the Grand Théâtre! With the superb weather, I enjoyed the sunset at around 9p.m. with the glass of wine in my hand.
Day 2 – A Day exploring the Grands Vins: Wine Museum tour in the morning, Saint-Emilion vineyard tour and wine tasting in the afternoon
There are lots of museums in Bordeaux. Coming to the largest and oldest fine wine producing region in the world, I decided to take the tram to visit Musee Du Vin Et Du Negoce before the vineyard tour in the afternoon.
Situated in the district of Chartrons, traditionally dedicated to the busienss of the wine from the middle Ages, the museum occupies the first floor and the cellars of 41 Borie Street. This dwelling was built in the 1720 for an Irish trader. He settles his trade house and also his residence, as all the traders who came here at the same time to make fortune in Bordeaux. It is interesting to notice that the Chartrons district was still outside the city despite its importance in the economy of Bordeaux. It was separated from the city by the Chateau Trompette, amiliary fortress built by the French kings after the 100 years wars.
James de Coquet, a chronicler from Bordeaux, describes his impressions of the Chartrons district at the end of the XIX centtury, “A universe apart from the city of Bordeaux, the equivalent of the Forbidden city in Beijing”
The museum space is displayed in two of the vaulted cellars. It is divided into 4 key sections:
- Wine Trade System (with modern scenography presents the historical documents) set by the British when Bordeaux was under the English control for 3 centuries from 1154. And how to wine exported to India back in 12th century.
- The cellar
- The marketing of wine – labels, bottle design, corking equipment etc. How Port of moon as the key area of trade
- Tasting of a red & white at the souvenirs shop
I was particular impressed with the souvenirs shopkeeper who explained to me diligently different wine regions in Bordeaux when I was having the wine tasting.
In the afternoon, I joined the half-day long excursion to one of the world’s most famous vineyard regions – Saint-Emilion. I cannot help myself to compare the tour with the one I joined in Tuscany. Although Saint-Emilion is not as beautiful as the one in Italy, I was impressed by how French people organized the tour – really well-organized tour includes a visit to a family-owned wine chateau Larmande in the Saint Emilion appellation, followed by a tasting, a glimpse of the vineyards, and a tour in the nearby town enjoying the amazing underground monuments and the medieval town’s beautiful architecture.
Wine tasting @ Chateau Larmande in the Saint Emilion
I particularly amazed by the high-tech equipment used in today’s chateau. Wine are mostly blended. Red wine is more dominated than white. With the 5 key areas in the region, 3 out of 5 are red wine region.
I liked the medieval town very much. It reminded me San Gimignano in Italy!
My second day in Bordeaux ended at Miroir d’eau, where I sat there relaxly enjoying a wonderful sunset in front of the Port of Moon!
Day 3 – 2 hours City Tour
Before heading back to London, I joined the 2 hours city tour on my last day! Although by the 3rd day I have been to most of the places included in the tour, I knew the history better with the guided tour. I was particularly impressed by the government effort to perserve the building. Not to mention the money spent on restoration, but also all the new buildings were added on accordingly to its original décor. I was surprised to hear Peruians and Mexicans were actually the first group of rich people came to Bordeaxu and built different infrastructures in churches
The Heritage Walks includes Place de la Bourse, Grand-Theatre, Place Gambetta, Cathedrale Saint-Andre et tour Pey-Berland … … The tour ends with the “showcase of Bordeaux’s heritage” inside the Tourisme office.
My trip @ Bordeaux ended with a fantastic lunch at one of the restaurants overlooking the La Garonne. During the lunch I met a Professor from Cambridge who happened to come to Bordeaux for a tennis tournament. First time to know the handicap system in Tennis as well! With a nice oyster set as the starter, a beef pasta and a glass of wine, I already missed Bordeaux alot before I took off.
I hope I can come to Bordeaux again! And I will definitely join the blending / wine appreciation workshop next time!
Bordeaux – the place I like, the place full of things for me to explore!
More Photos @ Photo Gallery http://travel.webshots.com/album/573379799CmHpcr
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Reference:
- Wine Tour /Tasting package: www.bordeaux-tourisme.com
- 2 nights package offered by Bordeaux Tourisme: http://www.bordeaux-tourisme.com/uk/preparer_son_sejour/forfaits/forfaits_bordeaux_decouverte.html
- Transportation in Bordeaux: http://insurance.essentialtravel.co.uk/tg-europe/france/bordeaux-getting-around.asp
- Musee Du Vin Et Du Negoc: http://www.mvnb.fr/
- Airport-City Center bus: Jet’ Bus: www.bordeaux.aeroport.fr (from Gare St-Jean <-> Office de Tourisme <-> Place Gambetta <-> Barriere Judaique <-> Aeroport)
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“Bordeaux est une ville curieuse, originale, peut-etre unique. Prenez Versailles et melez-y Anvers, vous avez Bordeaux.” by Victor Hugo (1843)
