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FRANCE - BORDEAUX CITY

Bordeaux was a very active trading port in the 18th century. It is nicknamed "Port de la Lune" (Port of the Moon) because of its crescent moon like shape. Most of the buildings in Bordeaux were built between the 16th century and the 19th century. The part of Bordeaux called "Le vieux Bordeaux" or "Quartier St Pierre" is even older. Bordeaux has two major perpendicular pedestrianized streets: St Catherine street and Porte Dijeaux street. The Romans chose the sites of these streets. At present, they are a great Bordeaux shopping area.

Bordeaux is probably the most well-known wine region in France. Bordeaux counts for one third of the good quality French wine. Surrounding areas of Bordeaux include 54 vine regions. Bordeaux wine is usually associated with a "château" Bordeaux is the largest fine wine-making region in the world - with 284,320 acres of A.O.C. vines - as well as the most legendary. Its sterling reputation is built mostly on red wines, especially those from the Médoc, Saint-Emilion, Pomerol and the famous Sauternes (sweet white) districts.Bordeaux doesn't just mean red wines, however. Bordeaux also produces a wide range of other excellent wines, including dry and sweet whites, rosé and claret, and a sparkling wine called Crémant de Bordeaux. Thanks to its size and diversity, Bordeaux produces fine wines for every taste, every mood and every budget.

First impressions may be that Bordeaux is a little neglected, almost grimy in appearance, but one has to remember that this is a major port and a thriving, extremely industrious city. A closer look at Bordeaux will reveal a wealth of beautiful neo-classical architecture, wide avenues and lovely well-kept public parks. An ideal place to begin your exploration of Bordeaux is at The Porte Cailhau (Cailhau Gate), one of the two city gates, which were not destroyed by Tourny, in the 18th century. Strongly resembling a fortified castle, this triumphal arch has wonderful views of the river Garonne and the City. Bordeaux's most significant landmark, insomuch as you can see it from almost everywhere, is the 15th century Saint Michael Bell Tower, which at the time of construction was the 2nd tallest structure of its kind in France. Built separately from its namesake basilica it houses an ancient crypt below.

Bordeaux also has a strong artistic history (Francis Goya painted a large part of his body of work here) and accordingly has a plethora of fine museums and galleries. The Museum of Fine Arts has an extensive collection of paintings, sculptures and drawings from the 16th to 20th century including works by Titian, Vincent, Renoir and Matisse. The Museum of Contemporary Art has temporary exhibitions of work predominantly from the 60s and 70s whilst the Museum of decorative arts specialises in faience, porcelain, silverwork, glasswork etc. Other non-art museums of note in Bordeaux are the Natural History Museum with its large collection of animal and fossil specimens and Centre Jean Moulin that traces the history of WWII, in particular the French Resistance and Free France movement.