I have been living here in France for about 7 months now and there are still too many places I haven’t visited. When my boyfriend came to visit, I showed him the places that I’ve been to and the places I wanted to see. We knew it would be hard to get to the city for valentine’s because he had to work all week and I have classes too. We figured to visit the city before the week gets too busy for the both of us.
We started our afternoon at La Cité du Vin. We took an almost 45-minute tram ride from where I am staying. We weren’t able to get inside because it was already too late. Afterwards, we walked for a few meters and took a few photos of the new bridge called Pont Jacques Chaban-Delmas, which was named in honour of the former Prime Minister of France and the former mayor of Bordeaux. The middle part of the bridge lifts up vertically when a cruise or any large boat passes through the Garonne.
After walking for a few minutes next to the river, we took the tram again and headed towards Place des Quinconces. It is one of the largest squares in Europe. It has the best of view of both the Monument aux Girondins and the Garonne river. Then we walked around the city centre. We stopped by at the Grand Theatre of Bordeaux, which was built in the 18th century. We walked through the busiest street in the city, Rue Saint-Catherine, which is the main shopping street in Bordeaux.
Afterwards, we headed to the Place de la Bourse. One of the recognisable sights of Bordeaux, and right across is where you can find Miroir d’Eau but unfortunately, they drained out the water during winter. We walked beside the river to get a closer look of Pont de Pierre. The bridge was built under the orders of Napoleon I. By this time, we were starting to get hungry so we started walking back to the city centre to catch the tram home. We passed by the Porte Cailhau, the Tour Pey-Berland and the Saint-André Cathedral before we took the tram.
It was a wonderful afternoon walk. Just the right weather, in this beautiful city, with the right person. My days are always better when I’m with him.
Love, J.
Bordeaux is gorgeous. Youre right, it is a romantic city. It has that special Old European charm and fantastic architecture.
Thank you! 🙂
Looks like you had a wonderful day. Place des Quinconces indeed seems so vast and wonderful. So does the Grand theatre. I guess if I were to head here, I would plan my day exactly the way you did yours
There are still a lot more to see that we skipped tho 🙂 but it’s still fun to get lost in the city because of the beautiful architecture.
Bordeaux comes alive with all its typical French charm in your post. We have not traveled beyond Paris and would love to explore the interiors of France. There are so many enchanting places, many of them unknown and unsung, it would be a pleasure to discover.
It really is a pleasure to discover! Too many places to see 🙂
I feel the love in this article 🙂 Happy for you Jane 🙂 The city is indeed beautiful. And I just can imagine the happiness when you are in any place with the love of your life 🙂 Congratulations for finding true love and than you for sharing these wonderful pictures! 🙂
Thanks Erica! That means a lot 🙂 Cheers!
Bordeaux looks like a must-visit honeymoon destination after your post! I’ll suggest this place to my friends who are getting married later in the year.
Thanks Ambuj! 🙂
sadly I have never visited this part of the country. living in Nice since 10 years but never had a chance to visit bordeaux. after reading your piece it reminds of trips which my friends had there. the photos looked so much fun! I would love to go there in the month of August, how that would be in August? or do you suggest any other time?
You should come! I’m not sure about the season in August. I arrived here on the last two weeks of August and I didn’t see the city that much because it was hot. Maybe at the start of Automn would be nice. 🙂
You guys have seen a lot and all the photos are beautiful. I am sure it’s a lot more beautiful in person. *Le sigh* here I am dreaming again, wondering when will I be able to go to France. By the way, how’s your French now? Are you now fluent?
That’s not even half of Bordeaux yet. LOL. I can understand much better now, but I still have a long way to go to be fluent. French and I have a very complicated relationship. Haha
Your pictures are really beautiful and seems you had a great time. The most imteresting for me is the bridge that lifts up from the centre when boat passes underneath. Really interesting. This reminded me of a train market in Bangkok.
Bordeaux! Oh, Bordeaux! I always wanted to go to France but yeah, travel budget! Hehehe, anyway, this place still mystifies me as it is one of the to-go places in France. How I wish I get to step foot in this province soon! 🙂
Someday! 🙂 I’ll show you around when you do
Bordeaux sounds so wonderful from your post. I couldn’t make it to this place during my tour of France. Looks like I missed a lot. I hope I can get there again.
Someday 🙂
Bordeaux looks like every Instagram and Pinterest enthusiasts’ dream!