Bordeaux, for all its great reputation and connection with the world of wine, has never been a city that I have warmed to. I never seemed to be able to find a "heart" to the place, and whilst the river and the Quai des Chartrons (Wine Warehouses) are historically impressive they were, on my last visit (a few years ago), quite rundown and delapidated - and Bordeaux is essentially a big industrial city. So my experience of the place has tended to be of getting in, out or around it as quickly as possible by plane or the autoroute peripherique.
However, things are changing and I may be tempted to take another look for 4 good reasons:-
BORDEAUX DIMANCHE - this Sunday 4 December is "car free" in the centre of the town - and this should make it much easier and pleasant to explore the old town and boulevards.
FREE MUSEUMS From 1 December 2005 all the municipal museums are free to enter - includes some great exhibitions of modern and classical art, the Jean Moulin museum (dedicated to a hero of the Resistance), a natural history museum, and the "Musee des Douanes" - a Customs museum - a positive wealth of splendours.
BORDEAUX TOURIST OFFICE has a decent website (in English) including numerous options for getting out to the vineyards on organised tours or even by taxi!
FLIGHTS - for 2006 there are more UK airports serving Bordeaux especially with the budget airlines - with departures from Bristol, Birmingham,Nottingham/East Midlands, Norwich, Manchester and London. - making it a good weekend jaunt. See www.frenchduck.co.uk/travel/flights.html
If you get the time I'd always recommend a visit to St Emilion - about 30 minutes away, but an attractive village with many wine and food shops.
For more on France, French Wine, Food and Travel see www.frenchduck.co.uk
Keywords:France,Bordeaux,Aquitaine,wine,travel,museum
The City of Bordeaux is becoming more visitor-friendly and deserves a re-visit
