Bordeaux Things to Do

  Monument Aux Girondins
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  • Monument Aux Girondins
      Monument Aux Girondins
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  • The Fountain in the Square at Dusk
      The Fountain in the Square at Dusk
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  • Basilique St. Michel
      Basilique St. Michel
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Most Recent Things to Do in Bordeaux

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Walk Around the Cathedral St.-Andre
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hquittner 2578 reviews
Approaching the North Transept Portal
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The Cathedral of St.-Andre is both interesting and in many parts beautiful. In any other country but France, it would be in the first rank. It was built on Romanesque fragments in Gothic and Renaissance style from the 12 to the 15C, taking advantage of the best design elements as time progressed. Unlke most cathedrals, the focus is not on the west front which is quite plain. The church is usually encountered from the north and it is the North Transept portal which is met, flanked by two turrets with spires that are taller than its freestanding belfry. There are adornments of its jambs and tympanum that. This ensemble is used as the main door and even called the “West Front” in many guides (even Wikipedia). On the north side to the west (right) is another (closed) doorway into the nave called the Royal Portal which is 13C. Viollet-le-Duc restored this early Gothic masterpiece;the grime is a recent 20C addition. The South transept has a broad triumphal flat-topped portal. Finally in circling the church there is a tall and impressive chevet and a little off to the southeast the freestanding “Tour Pey-Berland”. ( We have given some of these elements are given separate Tips).

Updated Mar 14, 2009

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Cathedral St.-Andre: The North Transept Portal
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A Partly Cleaned Lower North Portal
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This portal is the most prominent part of the Cathedral exterior. It has an elaborate design starting with a statuary arcade at the top , a large petaled Rose in a square next below, then 3 lancet windows and two tiers of trefoil openings until the arcades of angels, apostles and prophets are reached. All is set between two spired support towers (the only towers that are part of the church). The tympanum has a Last Supper on the lintel with an Ascension and Christ Triumphant above. Both jambs have sets of three clergymen. On the trumeau is St.-Martial (much revered here).

Written Mar 14, 2009

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Grand Theatre
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Stairs leading to the theatre
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Located here in the Place de Comedie is the Grand Theatre of Bordeaux. It really is a beautiful site to see. The structure was designed by Victor Louis. The theatre has a neo-classical facade with the portico decorated with 12 Corinthian style columns and on top of the facade are 12 statues, 9 of which represent the art muses and three goddesses (Juno, Venus, and Minerva).

The interior of the building is quite impressive as well with its double staircase leading to the theatre.

Updated Feb 19, 2009

Website: www.opera-bordeaux.com

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Palace of Justice/Palais du Justice
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Palais du Justice on an empty weekend

We were walking around trying to get our bearings when we approached this huge open area, almost like a square or plaza. Located here is this building, somehwhat grand and impressive with its white wash finish. Neither of us had any idea what this building was but we did spot a few statues of what looks like judges guarding each side of the building. I later learned that this buiding is the Palace of Justice.

Located in the same "square" is the Hospital.

Updated Feb 19, 2009

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Fleche de St. Michel
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Fleche St. Michel
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Standing alone and separate from the Basilica is the steeple called the Fleche (Arrow). The Fleche was built in the late 15th century and along with St. Michel Basilica are a UNESCO World Heritagage Site.

Updated Feb 19, 2009

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Eglise Notre Dame
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We stumbled upon this magnificant structure as we were walking around Bordeaux. The facade of the church was quite interesting with its characteristic "pine-cone shapped towers". The church is located in an area teaming with activity with an open-air market.

I read in my guide that the church was designed by Pierre Duplessy who was the king's architect and who was also Bordeaux's great urbanist. Inside the church is an organ that was added in the late 1780's and is said to be the "crown-jewel" of the church.

Updated Feb 19, 2009

Address: Place Charles-de-Gaulle

Phone: 05-49-41-22-56

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Palais Rohan/Hotel de Ville
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Palais Rohan at Place Pey Berland

Located just steps away from Cathedral St Andre (at Place Pey Berland) and dominating the center of the old city is the Palais Rohan (or hotel de Ville). The current structure, which parts can be dated to medievil times, owes is name and renovations to the Archbishop Ferdinand Maximilien Mériadec de Rohan.

The building currently houses the town hall of Bordeaux. The Museum of Fine Arts can be found here as well.

Updated Feb 19, 2009

Address: Place Pey Berland

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Pont de Pierre
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Pont Pierre in the evening
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The Pont de Pierre is a beautiful stone bridge which was completed in 1822 after being commissioned by Napoleon. The bridge is quite amazing and was the first bridge built across the Garonne.

It is said that the bridge could only be compared to those magnificient bridges in Paris, and I quite agree. During dusk you can appreciate the bridge in all its glory as my picture illustrates.

Updated Feb 19, 2009

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Basilica St. Michel
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The impressive gothic structure
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Construction of the Basilica St. Michel began sometime in the 1350's and took over 200 years to complete. The structure is a wonderful example of gothic architecture along with Fleche St. Michel. Although each structure stands on its own they both comprise what is considered to be one structure. They stand at a famous pilgrimage route and are a UNESCO world Heritage Site.

We didn't have the opportunity to view the interior of the building, but it is quite impressive from the outside. The Basilica does look like it can use a bit of cleaning.

Updated Nov 20, 2008

Address: rue Permentade

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Eglise St. Bruno
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Facade of St. Bruno
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The only part left of the first Counter Reformation Church built in Bordeaux is this monastic church for the Carthusian Monks. The church was quite small but impressive. Across the street from the church is the cementary and behind the church is the War Memorial.

Updated Nov 12, 2008

Address: Rue François-de-Sourdis

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Top 3 Hotels in Bordeaux

Hotel Chateau Grand Barrail

 1 Review and 45 Opinions  A wonderful spot amid the grapevines. It was fairly new when I went so the condition of the place... 

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Quality Hotel St. Catherine

 3 Reviews and 154 Opinions  Hotel is situated just off the main shopping street and close to many bars & restaurants, so very... 

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Amarys Royal St Jean

 1 Review and 25 Opinions  Three star hotel. Very clean. Excellent friendly staff. Internet service available. 

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 The only part left of the first Counter Reformation Church built in Bordeaux is this monastic church for the Carthusian Monks. The church was quite small but... 

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Q:  Hello VT friends, I know you are going to know the answer to this... What is the area to the west of Bordeaux like? Its called... 

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A: We made this detour on a similar journey some years ago. Colleagues - who were enthusiastic campers, cyclists anwalkers,as well as beach lovers made annual vists to... 

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Top Bordeaux Writers

1

A Surprisingly Interesting City

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 We came to Bordeaux as the first leg of a trip that would take us to the Dordogne and then north to Paris. When we arrived in Paris (Orly). it was a day of “sympathy strike (greve)” for some group of... 

2

Bordeaux - La Belle Au Bois Dormant

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 Bordeaux is a port city in the south-west of France. It is the capital of the Aquitaine région, as well as the préfecture (administrative capital) of the Gironde département. The city is nestled along... 

3

Bienvenue a Bordeaux

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 Bordeaux was a pleasant surprise. We had traveled from Den Haag to the small town of St. Ferme with Sandra as guests to her familie's home. While in St. Ferme we did many day trips and Bordeaux was...... 

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Bordeaux Historic and wine city

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 nice, but still in repair 

5

BORDEAUX

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 Bordeaux. One of the great experiences in my life. I think I was struck first of all that in 2005, in January, it was + 14 around. It’s unbelievable for Russian mind. We have -10 as a high temperature... 

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