Beck & Mikayla
Things To Do
Porte Cailhau
Port Cailhau was once the city’s main gate and it has been almost unaltered from the time it was built in 1494. Port Cailhau was both celebratory and defensive when it was built. It was an arc of triumph dedicated to King Charles VIII commemorating his victory at Fornovo, Italy. There is a statue of the king alongside St. John and the Archbishop of Bordeaux on the river side of the gate.
Place des Quinconces
Place des Quinconces is the largest city square in France and one of the largest in Europe. When it was conceptualized, it was intended as a defense to prevent rebellion among the citizens, and the guns were pointed toward the city center, as opposed to enemies that might approach from outside. Now, it’s full of trees, fountains, and food, in addition to being a major transportation hub. One site not to miss in the square is the Girondins Monument, which honors the Girondists that were victims of the Reign of Terror during the French Revolution. Its pedestal and fountain are decorated with large bronze horses and troops. The tall center column is topped with a statue representing the spirit of liberty breaking free from her chains.
Les Halles Bacalan
This is a modern food hall on Quai de Bacalan that houses over 20 different merchants including butchers, seafood sellers, cheesemongers, a wine specialist, and more. There are lots of items to take on a picnic or consume on the spot. Most things are local! About 85% of the products come from southwest France.
Miroir d'eau
The largest reflecting pool in the world, the Miroir d’Eau is only 2 cm deep, but that’s enough water to create the mesmerizing mirroring effect that reflects Place de la Bourse just across the street. The 18th-century buildings and Fountain of the Three Graces that make up Place de la Bourse are some of the most recognizable sites in the city.
Basilique Saint-Michel
The Basilica was built from the late 14th century through the 16th century. The interior of the Gothic church has a pulpit that shows St. Michael slaying the dragon. The freestanding 15th-century bell tower in front of the church is over 375 feet tall. Known as "La Flèche" to the locals, it’s the second tallest bell tower in France after Strasbourg Cathedral. Climb up the tower for a great view of the city, one of the best things to see in Bordeaux!
Rue Sainte-Catherine
Rue Sainte-Catherine is the longest pedestrian shopping street in Europe. It has over 250 stores, including high-end options, French brands, and bargain stores. There are also cafés and restaurants! Even if you’re not shopping, it’s a nice place to relax in a café and do some people watching.
La Cité du Vin
Three words: Interactive. Wine. Museum. The exhibits in Cite du Vin covers the history and the process of wine making from its origins millennia ago, and it highlights what makes different wines around the world special. All the education gets put to good use by the end of the visit when you can sample several wines of your choosing from the bar with gorgeous views over Bordeaux. In addition to the museum, La Cité du Vin hosts classes and special events. There are wine tasting workshops—often with cheese, chocolate, or other delicious bites—happy hours, and even performances. La Cité du Vin is one of the busiest Bordeaux tourist attractions, so plan your time accordingly if the museum is on your Bordeaux list.
Saint-Émilion
Saint-Emilion is just a 30-minute train ride or 45-minute drive from Bordeaux. This ancient village is an ideal location for a day trip. Saint-Emilion is renowned primarily for two things: The Monolithic Church and the rich red wines produced in the surrounding area. The hulking underground church was dug out of limestone in the early 12th century in honor of the hermit monk Emilion who lived in a cave on the site 400 years earlier. The tourism office runs tours of the church, the catacombs, and related sites, which is the only way to get an inside look at this part of the village’s history.