Introduced into the region by the Romans, Bordeaux is now a world capital of wine. With over 100,000 hectares of vineyards, and 6,000 wine-producing estates (châteaux), approximately 700 million bottles of wine are produced each year in the region.

If you're a wine lover in Bordeaux, a wine tour to a château or two is a must, experiencing the delicious red and white wines the area produces. You can also visit La Cité du Vin, which provides an interactive and sensory experience of the world of wine, or even the Musée du Vin et du Négoce de Bordeaux (Bordeaux Wine and Trade Museum) to learn the history of France’s largest winemaking region.

_{Vineyards in Blaye, right bank of the Bordeaux region}

_{Château Haut-Brion, wine estate of Bordeaux wine}

_{La Cité du Vin, French wine museum in Bordeaux}

For something a bit closer to home, check out our next French Wine Trail on Friday 23 May, which will be making a stop in Bordeaux with a guided tasting of four outstanding Bordeaux wine and a journey through its history, terroirs, and traditions, alongside a spread of apéro-style nibbles.

Bordeaux is a city filled with history, dating all the way back to around 300 BCE when a local Celtic tribe settled a small town named Burdigala along the Garonne river.

Burdigala was invaded and captured by Rome around 56 BCE, though little is left to remember them by in modern day Bordeaux, except for the introduction of vines to the region and the preserved Palais Gallien, ruins of what was likely to be a classic Roman amphitheater—like the one still remaining in Nîmes—that would have held up to 22,000 spectators.

It is likely that the Palais Gallien was destroyed during the Frankish raids of Bordeaux in the third century.

_{Palais Gallien}

Over a millennium later, during the times of Medieval France, Bordeaux was a walled city like many others in Europe. Though the walls no longer exist, some portions still remain. Most notably are the Grosse Cloche, a 13th century belfry that served as a defensive gate and prison, and Porte Cailhau, a historic city gate built in 1495 to commemorate King Charles VIII’s Italian War victory — which is now known better for its gothic turrets, cathedral-like spire, and dramatic arch.

_{Grosse Cloche}

_{Porte Cailhau}

Art is an integral part of France's history and culture and Bordeaux delivers on ways to admire the creativity of artists — past and present. In the medieval part of Bordeaux, you can visit the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Bordeaux (Bordeaux Museum of Fine Arts), established in 1801 to bring art back to the people after works were confiscated during the French Revolution. It now houses an impressive collection of Italian, Flemish, and French art — one of France’s largest collections of art outside of Paris.

_{Musée des Beaux-Arts de Bordeaux}

_{Bordeaux Museum of Fine Arts}

For something more immersive, the Bassins des Lumières presents majestic digital art expositions of the works of great artists in a contemporary visual display. Transformed from an old submarine base in 2020, this digital art centre is the largest of its kind in the world.

Un cannelé or un canelé is a French pastry that is a specialty of the region around Bordeaux — but can now be found all over France.

Usually flavoured with rum and vanilla, this treat is known for its iconic shape and a caramalised crust with a soft centre, all thanks to the specially-made copper moulds that are traditionally used to make them.

Their origins are unclear, with a similar dessert being made in the 18th century — the canaulé — which mysteriously
disappeared for a century or two before being revived in the early 20th century to much success — likely due to the addition of rum and vanilla to the mix.

Cannelé or canelé?

While un cannelé is the recommended spelling by l'Académie française, un canelé is the preferred spelling by the Confrérie du Canelé de Bordeaux (Brotherhood of the Canelé of Bordeaux) as a way to protect and authenticate traditionally made canelés made in Bordeaux — much like champagne.

Either way, the name is likely to be from the French cannelure (fluting, ribbing) due to the shape of the moulds.

The Dune de Pilat, situated 60km southwest of Bordeaux along France's Atlantic coastline, is the tallest sand dune in Europe. Mesuring 500 metres wide, over two and a half kilometres long and around 110 metres above sea level, this dune is a captivating natural wonder that must be seen to be believed.

With more than two million visitors per year, you can climb the dune, enjoy a dip in the ocean and take a nature walk through the adjoining pine forests. Make sure to add this to your Bordeaux travel list!

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