The region is popular with tourists visiting the vineyards and sampling local wines. The history of winemaking in Bordeaux dates back to the Roman Empire, and unlike other regions in France it was not controlled by the monastery, but by the merchants. Trains between Ebbsfleet and Bordeaux run around 20 times a week.
Eurostar
trains between Ebbsfleet International and Bordeaux have average journey times of either 6 hours 37 minutes or minimum 7 hours 15 minutes depending on whether you booked tickets to change at Paris or Lille. Highspeed rail routes are one of the easiest ways of travel between London and Bordeaux. The most popular time is spring, for the wine industry, and late spring for tourists.
At the beginning of the 14th Century, it was under English domination, and during the 17th-18th century English and German merchants controlled most of the wines being produced. Wine was sold in barrels up until the end of World War Two, when a wine maker began to bottle it and let them mature.
Bordeaux is made up of 4 different quarters:
Quartier de Saint Pierre –the city’s culinary capital with restaurants to suit everyone.
Quartier of Saint-Michel – the liveliest quarter of the city, which is Gothic style, with markets every Monday and Sunday mornings.
Quartier Sainte-Croix – there is a strong historic feel in this quarter that only became part of Bordeaux in the 14th century. It was originally built outside the city walls.
Quartier of Sainte-Eulalie – this area has changed little and still retains a lot of its original character. It was built around its church, a departure point for pilgrimages. There were many monasteries and converts built, two of which still exist, but the remains of the others are open to the public.
Points of interest
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Croiseur Colbert
The floating museum was originally a battleship that fought in the Gulf War.
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Palais de la Bourse
Famous for its architecture, the palace was also the city's stock exchange.
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Zoo de Bordeaux Pessac
There are hundreds of animals as well as fossilised exhibits, water tabogganing, play areas and restaurant facilities.
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Arachon Museum & Aquarium
The museum/aquarium has 1980000 litres of water that house its sealife. There are also paleontological and archaeological features to show every aspect of marine specimens.
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Chartreuse Cemetery
Many prominent figures are buried here including Goya, Lacour and Flora Tristan.
Hospice Comtesse
Originally built as a hospital in 1237, it remained in working operation until 1939 when it became a museum containing tapestries, paintings, wood sculptures all from this region of France.... Lille, France
La Vieille Bourse
The finest building in the city, built around 1652 during which period Lille was part of the Netherlands. Above the entrance gate are two lions, a symbol of this, and in the centre is the "fleur de lys", the city's emblem. Inside the cloister there are usually bookstalls with interesting engraved designs on the stone.... Lille, France
Palais des Beaux-Arts
A 19th century building which holds Lille's renowned museum of fine arts. The gallery features examples of work by Goya, Donatello, Raphael and Rubens.... Lille, France
The Open Air Museum
Lille's living museum, which is a recreation of a local village including thatched cottages, rural craft workshops, seed barns and traditional farmhouses.... Lille, France