Visit Bordeaux – A City Shaped by Time
AH _ Bordeaux! Bordeaux is a city that leans against a river, swirls a glass of red, and casually stands in front of some of France’s most elegant architecture as if it were nothing special. Long known as La Belle Endormie, the Sleeping Beauty, Bordeaux spent centuries hidden beneath soot-darkened stone before re-emerging in the 21st century with effortless confidence and renewed glow.
by JulieAnna Vogel | www.julieabroad.com
From Romans to Royalty
Arguably the world’s wine capital, Bordeaux’s story begins with the Romans in the 1st century BC and deepens dramatically under English rule in the 12th century, when Eleanor of Aquitaine married Henry II. What followed were three centuries of booming wine trade—and Bordeaux learning how to turn fermented grapes into global influence.
Architecture as Power
The city’s architectural moment arrived in the 18th century, when trade wealth reshaped the riverfront into a neoclassical statement of ambition. Limestone façades, elegant symmetry, and grand squares weren’t just beautiful—they were designed to impress arriving ships and rival ports alike. Even today, Bordeaux feels like an open-air showroom of confidence carved in stone.
The Long Sleep — and the Wake-Up Call
Then came the pause. Industrial decline dulled the city’s glow, earning it the nickname La Belle Endormie. But in the early 2000s, Bordeaux woke up. The riverfront was reclaimed, trams returned, and the limestone once again caught the light—revealing a city reborn.
Bordeaux Today
Today, Bordeaux is fully awake. Cyclists glide along the Garonne, debates over natural wine spill onto café terraces, digital nomads settle in, and the city quietly reminds visitors that beauty, history, and modern life can coexist—gracefully.
WHAT TO DO IN BORDEAUX
Go Big on Wine: La Cité du Vin
Not a dusty museum, but a high-tech, interactive wine playground. Learn, sniff, swirl, and finish with a tasting overlooking the river—even non–wine lovers usually leave impressed (and slightly buzzed).
www.laciteduvin.com
Explore WWII History: The Submarine Base
A massive German U-boat base turned cultural venue. Today it hosts immersive digital exhibitions, but its raw scale and wartime past remain powerfully present.
www.bordeaux.fr/la-base-sous-marine-entre-histoire-et-projets
Cycle or Jog Along the Garonne
Flat, scenic, and full of life. Walk, run, or bike past grand façades and reflective water at the Miroir d’Eau—Bordeaux at its most relaxed and photogenic.
WHERE TO STAY
Sleep Like a Prince: InterContinental Bordeaux – Le Grand Hôtel
Opposite the Grand-Théâtre on Place de la Comédie, this 18th-century landmark blends old-world grandeur with modern luxury. Think rooftop views, Guerlain Spa indulgence, and a two-Michelin-starred restaurant—royal living, Bordeaux-style.
www.virtuoso.com/advisor/julievogel/travel/luxury-hotels/6163722/intercontinental-bordeaux-le-grand-hotel
ART & CULTURE
Go Digital: Bassins des Lumières
Set inside a former submarine base, this immersive digital art centre transforms masterpieces into moving light, colour, and sound—an unforgettable fusion of history and technology.
www.bassins-lumieres.com
WHERE TO DINE
Dine Like a King: L’Observatoire du Gabriel
A two-Michelin-starred address on Place de la Bourse, pairing refined seasonal cuisine with one of Bordeaux’s most iconic settings—elegant, restrained, and unforgettable.
www.le-gabriel-bordeaux.fr/fr/lobservatoire-bordeaux.html
