Attractions
Vieux Bordeaux
Take a stroll through Vieux Bordeaux (old town) to visit some of Bordeaux’s best sights. Quartier St. Pierre lies at the centre of the town, with narrow streets, old churches and great mansions surrounding it. Some of the streets can be a little rundown, even with the restoration of recent years. Visit the sparkling Grand Theatre to catch a glimpse of Bordeaux’s glory days. The theatre was built in the late 18th century on the site of a Roman temple. Operas and ballets are still performed here if you want to get a peek inside. Saunter over to the Esplanade des Quinconces, a large square laid out between 1818 and 1828. Place de la Bourse is a smaller, but prettier, square with the fountain of the Three Graces at its centre. It’s bordered by quays that open onto the river. The Pont de Pierre crosses the river with 17 arches marking Napoleon’s victories in his Spanish campaigns. The bridge is a great way to catch some beautiful views of the river and quays, especially at night. The Basilique St. Michel is an important church in the area, and it’s right across from the Fleche St. Michel. If you’re visiting in the summer months, you can climb 228 steps to the top of the Fleche St. Michel’s tower, one of the tallest stone towers in France. To the west you can visit the most impressive church in Bordeaux – the Cathédrale St. André, which was built in the 13th century. If you’re not exhausted from all the sight-seeing, head to one the museums surrounding the cathedral. The Musée des Beaux-Arts has a great collection of European art, including Rubens, Matisse, Titian and Bordeaux’s own Marquet. The museum is closed on Tuesdays, but open, the rest of the week, from 11am to 6pm. Admission is €6.
