So Milica called after a very long and hard day at work: Would you like to fly with me to Bordeaux for the weekend?

– Is Friday included?

-Yes it is, she said.

-Hm, I can’t risk the day off at work, it is too soon. I just got back from Christmas holidays.

5 mins later I am texting my friend: You know what? Life is too short, book these tickets!

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Vineyards at Bordeaux Airport

This is how our arrival looked like: vineyards everywhere. We knew the Aquitaine region is famous by vineyards and that the city is the french capital of wine, but still, we were impressed with the surrounding. In fact, Bordeaux is the world’s major wine industry capital. It is home to the world’s main wine fair, Vinexpo.

Our weekend was about fine wine and well dining. 🙂

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Canele cakes

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 The historic part of the city is s an outstanding urban and architectural ensemble of the meadiaval period up to 18th century. It was the department of the Girondine – the important party of the French Revolution. After Paris, Bordeaux has the highest number of preserved historical buildings of any city in France, since the Revolution never included the city of Bordeaux. 

If you ask me, the mediaval period lover, I enjoyed the architecture and hidden streets! 🙂

But let me start from the beginning:

In historical times, around 300 BC it was the settlement of a Celtic tribe, who named the town Burdigala, probably of Aquitanian origin.

In 2nd century BC the battle was hel and the city became part of  The Roman Empire!   Later it became capital of Roman Aquitaine with the famous Pont de pierre, or “Stone Bridge” over the river Garonne. 

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Pont de pierre, or “Stone Bridge” – the first bridge over the river Garonne

Actually, the bridge you see on the photo above is reconstructed during the First French Empire, under the orders of Napoleon I, and later again during the Bourbon Restoration. 

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Rests of the Roman Amphiteatre

Robberies of the city in 5th and 6th century of Vandals and the Franks are ony bringing a period of obscurity for the city. So the city started to build fortresses and city walls.

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With the Merovingian kingdom of the Franks the it starts to be recuperated and the battles between England and Franks started.

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Grosse Cloche – 13th century bell tower

This bell tower was named after its main feature: fat bell. It is one of the few remaining vestiges of the middle ages in Bordeaux. It used to be a jail as well.

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Porte Cailhau

Like the Grosse Cloche, Porte Cailhau was a medieval gateway to pass the city walls.

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The inspiring church, out of many, for e was the Church of Saint Pierre with the nice stained glass and high, but really high arches:

The Cathedral of Saint Andrew of Bordeaux is from 11th century, originally romanesque. In this church in 1137 the 15-year-old Eleanor of Aquitaine married the future Louis VII, a few months before she became Queen (Queen consort of France and England. She was one of the most powerful and wealthiest women in western Europe during the High Middle Ages. She was patron of literary figures and led armies of the Second Crusade.

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Cathedral of Bordeaux

Moving towards 18 century well preserved architecture and Bordeaux facades. As mentined, the Revolution never hit this city so the facades and balconies are french unique.

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Theatre

The very famous is Place de la Bourse which inuguration started in mid 18th century signalling the first breach of the mediaval walls and symbolised an era of prosperity. 

Unfortunately, we were not lucky to capture photos of the recent addition of Mirror d’eau.

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Place de la Bourse 

Then, a  vast esplanade with the colossal monument to Girondines at Place des Quinconces: 

Opposite of which are two standing columns of two famous Bordelais philosophers Montaigne and Montesquieu.

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The last day we left for walking down the Garonne river and enjoying the sun.

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Pont Nouvelle

We entered the Cite du vin – museum of wine, which is kinda futuristic building but is shows you entire history of the wine. How it played the iportant role in the society since the ancioent societies and relligions until today.

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Cite du vin

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The wine bar at 4th floor 

Oh, and this little cute thing:

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Posted on 38 By RED RIDING HOOD cathedrals Posted in cathedrals, food and drink, History, Home page, kings and queens, Travel

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38 Comments »

  6. One good thing about this French country is the fact that they produce one of the finest wine in the whole world, and that has made them unique, the first time i heard about this city their love for football especially their participations in Ligue 1.
    Bordeaux is a great place to be

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