City Overview

Bordeaux, the capital of Aquitaine, is situated 350 miles southwest of Paris. One of the best known cities in France, its fine wines are appreciated the world over by millions of connoisseurs. "Take Versailles add Antwerp and you end up with Bordeaux".

This is how Victor Hugo described the wine capital. Since the 18th century, the city of Bordeaux has assumed a majestic air and prided itself on an elegance which it has never lost. Rich in history, culture, arts, music, legendary wines and fantastic food, Bordeaux is a wonderful place in which to learn French and discover the best that France has to offer. Today this distinguished city offers visitors the chance to visit one of the best preserved 18th century city centers in the world. Its white stone facades, lush gardens, original cobblestone streets and elegant boulevards are just some of the many aspects which seduce visitors and ranks Bordeaux among Europe's most beautiful cities. Visitors to the city will also enjoy the vibrant night life, theaters, concerts and bustling cafes. In addition, broad avenues and spacious squares, like the Place de la Bourse and the imposing Esplanades des Quinconces, dominate the city and give it wonderful international flavor.

A visit to the Aquitaine region in which Bordeaux is located inevitably inspires interest in its past. With an abundance of prehistoric sites and a fascinating variety of artifacts, it is no wonder that the region is referred to as the "Cradle of the Arts." The outstanding finds at Lascaux, La Madeleine, and Rouffignac, the abbeys, fortresses, and châteaux, and the Gallo-Roman remains will delight those interested in architecture and archaeology. Bordeaux was founded by the Romans in the 3rd century BC. From 1154 to 1453, it prospered under the rule of the English, whose fondness for the region's red wine - known across the Channel as claret - gave impetus to the local wine industry.

Romantics will be fascinated by the social history of the region, the duchy ruled over by Eleanor of Aquitaine in the 12th century. Married first to Louis VII of France, and later to Henry II of England, Eleanor bore ten children, including Richard the Lion-Hearted. One of the earliest feminists, Eleanor's court encouraged the flowering of the troubadour tradition and the development of the concept of romantic love.

We are confident that you will find Bordeaux to be a wonderful place to discover France.

Back to the Top