A Stop in Bordeaux
When hearing “Bordeaux” while talking about France, many people think of wine. And though Bordeaux does have historic and famous grapevines, there is much more to enjoy. This is part of the reason why it’s a popular stop for cruise ships. When choosing what to do while in Bordeaux, you will find that you have many options.Upon Arrival
Cruise passengers dock near the Place de la Bourse. As ships arrive at the port, they are greeted with nearly a mile of historic places with beautiful, centuries-old architecture. Famous sites to take in include the Opera National de Bordeaux, the national opera house, as well as the St. Andre Cathedral, which is a lovely church dating back to the 17th century. Less than 250 yards from many of these historic sites, you can find over 200 stunning parks, buildings, squares and amazing museums that have a lot of history to them as well.The Wineries
As beautiful as the architecture is, if you only have one day to spend in Bordeaux, you will really have to decide on that or a trip to the wineries. If you decide to explore the vineyards, you’ll find there are several tours available that you can take. You can choose to book these ahead of time or go on a prearranged cruise ship excursion if one is offered. One popular vineyard is the Medoc and Chateau Mouton Rothschild. This wine estate is just 30 miles northwest of Bordeaux and is owned by a branch of the famous Rothschild family. You can also tour quaint wine towns like Saint-Emilion if you’d like and, of course, you don’t only have to visit the wineries to taste, you can learn, and even buy, the famous wines from the region. No matter what you choose to do, you will definitely have a full day in Bordeaux that will be a major highlight of your cruise. Should you choose to explore further the architecture or a more out of the way place and don’t want to walk to it because of limited time, you use the newly improved tram system to check out the city or take advantage of the shopping and dining. Overall, the city is very friendly, and you will find that you may want to visit it again in the future to see and do some of the things that you missed. As one of the many incredible destinations in France, France Tours can take you to Bordeaux with many other great destinations along the way. Be sure to explore your full options before heading out!Bordeaux is one of France’s most rewarding destinations. For more France travel inspiration including the city that captivates all visitors, see our guide to Paris in the Spring: The Complete Travel Guide.
