Think of Bordeaux and one thing will instantly spring to mind: Wine.
Understandable, as the region has been producing wine for nearly ten centuries, but it turns out there is much more to Bordeaux than just red or white?
The city is undergoing a huge transformation and is now a hot spot for culture, food and shopping – and located in the south west of France, its less than a 90 minute flight from London, making it the perfect weekend getaway.
So what are you waiting for? Get booking… once youve read our handy guide.
Wine – or vodka?
Yes the wine in Bordeaux is delicious, but the city also has a growing bar scene that focuses on spirits, making it the perfect destination for those who arent so keen on the grapes.
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Sauvelle Vodka – its name means wild beauty – is one brand among many who are making their home there, distilling their vodka before selling it online and across the world including in Harvey Nichols and Selfridges, and to trendy bars including Groucho Club and the cool London city bar Madison.
Founded by two friends who sum up the vibe of Bordeaux – think east London beards and brunch meets the history of Europe – their distillery will open in the north of the city in October 2018 and tours will begin in 2019.
Where to drink (and eat) then?
Bordeaux isnt that big which makes it the perfect city for a weekend getaway, but it also means that you want to make sure youre hitting up the right bars and restaurants.
For your first brunch, visit Frida in the heart of the city.
A tapas and wine bar, Frida is achingly chic but also warm and inviting, perfect for families and friends.
Their outdoor garden is an idyllic hideaway on a warm morning – or to sit wrapped up warm on a cool evening if thats when you decide to visit – and their breakfast menu is to die for, with everything from eggs and smokey bacon to fresh fruit juice, yogurts, and pastries.
Le Magasin Général at Darwin Ecosystéme, on the east bank of the river – or what the residents call the alternative bank – is a unique venue which is best described as part restaurant, part supermarket, and part bar where the decor is mainly recycled items – look up and youll even spot a few bicycles.
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The market offers fresh, local and organic produce including bread, cheese and cold cuts offering you the chance to create a picnic and enjoy the sunshine in nearby Parc aux Angélique along the river, or the restaurant offers brunch, lunch and dinner meals.
Heads up, the falafel salad is delicious.
For something very different though, try Symbiose.
Well known locally for the their expressively raw and innovative cuisine, the team behind this restaurant rely solely on traditional ingredients paired with exotic extras that they have grown themselves.
Their tasting menu is a good place to start, and it comes with a paired wine.
But definitely give their cocktails a go as well.
And for a drink to cap the night off, try one of the many little bars dotted around the city; Cancan is a secret bar with blacked-out windows and staff who will happily create you any drink you want, even if its not on the menu.
How to shake off the hangover:
Bordeaux is full of history; the historic part of the city is on the UNESCO World Heritage List as an outstanding urban and architectural ensemble of the 18th century and, after Paris, Bordeaux has the highest number of preserved historical buildings of any city in France.
Impressive.
With that history comes a lot of churches and cathedrals..
The 11th century Gothic Cathedral of Saint Andrew of Bordeaux (Cathédrale Saint-André de Bordeaux) is a stunning piece of architecture, and where in 1137 the 15-year-old Eleanor of Aquitaine married the future Louis VII, a few months before she became Queen.
St Michel church, whose free-standing spire at 114 metres makes it the tallest building in the city, is a 20-minute walk away.
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Mummies found in a nearby cemetery were exhibited there to the public in the late 18th century and remained until 1990 when the macabre exhibit ended, but for those who enjoy a bit of creepiness with their culture, an audio-visual tour explains the history behind the preserved bodies – and why they were given names.
Take a climb to the top of the spire to look out over the city, but remember that on Sunday mornings a huge flea market fills the surrounding square.
Up the road is Place de la Bourse, which may just be the recognisable sight in Bordeaux.
Home to a gorgeous city square with 18th-century architecture and a picturesque fountain, its also where youll find the miroir deau, a large shallow pool of water which is perfect for an afternoon dip of the toes to cool off.
Art lovers will also find a lot to enjoy in Bordeaux with the Musée des Beaux Arts which is home to numerous renaissance painting, or the CAPC Museum of Contemporary Art which features work from the likes of Robert Combas, Annette Messager, Mario Merz and Richard Long.
Art can also be found around the city in stunning graffiti and a wander with no destination in mind can often help you find some of the more interesting sights.
On the East side of the river you can also fund the Darwin Ecosysteme.
A half hour walk from the spire, the space is a former military barracks which has now been converted as a cultural hub filled with restaurants, second-hand shops, co-working spaces, a skatepark, and free expression spaces for graffiti artists.
Bordeaux
Flights to Bordeaux begin from £22 one-way with Easyjet.
AirBNB have numerous accommodation options for travellers. We stayed at the Splendide Chai Bordeaux which sleeps 13 people, and prices start from £618.
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