Relaxing Things To Do In Bordeaux

An Overview of Bordeaux

The wonderful and beautiful wine-capital of France is a realm of unsurpassed culture and beauty with excellent access to many unique attractions within the city and across the countryside.  Tall spires, stately buildings, winding roads, vast water spaces, grand bridges and enormous shopping centers help define the center of France. There are many relaxing things to do in Bordeaux.

Relaxing Things To Do In Bordeaux

Miroir D’eau

This is one of the world’s largest reflecting pools, with water at only two centimeters deep. The reflecting pool sits next to the Garonne River, overlooking the swift current. The pool rests around some of the most stunning French architecture in the country with easy access to the central shopping area. The pool is usually occupied by a large number of tourists and children splashing freely in the shallow water.

Bordeaux Statue of Liberty

The original designer of the Statue of Liberty, Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, had a tiny clone offered to the city of Bordeaux in 1888. Sadly, this miniture copy was removed by the German occupying forces in 1943, who wanted to remove the liberty symbol and also reclaim metal for their war efforts. The smaller version of Lady Liberty was created once more and now stands in Bordeaux, though it has been vandalized multiple times in open protest of world events and unpopular United States policies.

Garonne River

The Garonne is a wide, pretty river with a swift current cutting through the center of Bordeaux. The river is a nice for walking while taking photos of France.  The shops near the river are considered supreme wine destinations in the city. Additionally, walks along its sparkling banks at night are sublime.

Jardin Public Bordeaux

This is a large garden space in France often used for picnics. There are several trails allowing visitors to meander through endless acres of flowers and cultivated hedges. The gardens are also home to the Museo de Burdeos – Ciencia y Naturaleza (Natural History Museum) and a small Jardin Botanique (Botanical Garden).

Tour Pey-Berland Tower

This is a large, iconic tower in the city’s center, known for it’s bold design and beauty. Though it’s separate from the Bordeaux Cathedral, the structure serves as the religious center’s bell tower.

Rue Sante Catherine

This is a famous cobbled street to walk down in Bordeaux.  It is the main shopping street and has many famous, historic stores on the route. The street is one of the two main pedestrian lines running through the historical section of Bordeaux.

Place de Victoire – Victory Square

This is a great area for visiting cafés and spotting artwork alongside antique shopping opportunities. The circular public space is located in the heart of the city.

Musee d’Aquitaine

A notoriously well-designed museum in Bordeaux, especially considering it’s in-depth exhibits portraying the geopolitical history in the region. The museum specializes in collections of objects and documents regarding the history of Aquitaine and Bordeaux.

Esplanade des Qinconces

Located quite close to the river, the Place des Quinconces is a popular area to visit to see bronze fountains and statues of the famed philosophers Montaigne and Montesquieu. The large square was laid out in 1820, strategically placed to prevent rebellion against the city.

Cathedral of Saint Andrew

Better known as the Bordeaux Cathedral, the Primatial Cathedral of St. Andrew of Bordeaux is a massive catholic church in the center of the city. This Gothic masterpiece is the official seat of the Archbishop of Bordeaux.

Palais Gallien

The immense ruin of a daunting Roman Amphitheatre, often known as Burdigala, was utterly shattered to provide room for housing projects.  The remaining ruins, which date from the 3rd century are still imposing features of Bordeaux’s heritage.

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