Sunday, April 6 - Tuesday, April 8, 2025 - Bordeaux, France

Although we had visited this intoxicating city before, we were thrilled to be here again.  It's one of those cities which excites you as you sail into port and see its unique facades and then draws you in with its captivating charm as you begin to explore it.  We were very fortunate to be sailing on a small ship which was able to maneuver along the river where Bordeaux is located so we were able to dock directly in the middle of the city.  What a luxury!!  Our cabin was on the side facing the shore so in the evening we had a brilliant view of the city lights with its church steeples and towers glowing in the evening sky.  The view was simply magnificent.

Bordeaux is a visually stunning city.  It has an aristocratic, noble air with a supreme array of elegant architecture.  Beautiful town squares abound.  Outside of the city, there is beautiful bucolic countryside, encouraging visitors to take leisurely, relaxing strolls.  There are green, rolling hills, meandering brooks and uncluttered countryside regions with occasional stately chateaus standing proudly in the distance.

The city of Bordeaux boasts a rich and vibrant history.  Settled by Celts and later flourishing under Roman rule, it became the capital of Aquitania, renowned for its educational prominence.  The medieval era saw Bordeaux thrive under English control, fostering a prosperous wine trade.  Majestic landmarks emerged during this period.  Following French annexation in 1453, Bordeaux evolved into a bustling commercial hub, adorned with elegant 18th-century architecture.  Despite enduring German occupation in World War II, Bordeaux resiliently transformed into a lively cultural and economic center.

Bordeaux is truly an elegant, divine city with delicious food and wine.  Its graceful architecture, cobblestone streets, and charming bridges make it one of the most delightful cities in Europe.  We sailed up the Gironde River in our small ship.  We passed under the Jacques Chaban Delmas vertical bridge just before we reached the town center.  It was a fascinating experience since the barrier lifted straight up so we could pass under it.  

Before we reached our dock we passed the modern Wine Museum which is shaped to look like a wine bottle.  Although it is quite upscale and contemporary, I'm not sure I would recognize it as a wine bottle if I had not been told in advance! 

We passed the Monument of the Revolution which is one of the most photographed sites in the city as well as the most emblematic of the French Revolution in Bordeaux.  It is a monument dedicated to the Girondins who were a radical revolutionary group based in Bordeaux in the 18th century.

Now, I'll attempt to share how we spent our three days in this enchanting town:

Sunday, April 6th:

We arrived late in the afternoon so we weren't able to take an organized tour.  However, we explored restaurants that might be close enough to where we dock that we might enjoy a night out for dinner.  However, after examining the options and looking at the distance, we decided to remain on the ship for dinner and perhaps take a walk later in the evening along the bank of the serene river, with its lively, even rowdy, nightlife on the surrounding streets.   

We arrived at the SALT restaurant, and our friend and opera singer extraordinaire, Giovanni Palminteri, walked in!!!  He boarded our ship at this port and will do two shows before he disembarks in Southampton.  We are thrilled he is onboard.  After having a lovely dinner with our best friends, Art and Joanie, we decided it was too cold and dark to go for a walk so we decided to see the onboard show instead, which turned out to be a great decision.  The show was fabulous and we thoroughly enjoyed it.

Monday, April 7th:

We didn't have a tour during the day so we had the rare opportunity to sleep late, which was WONDERFUL!!  We are usually up early to have breakfast and then attend the early lecture.  However, since we're still in port today there was no lecture so we were able to get a little extra sleep.  Bob decided to go for a walk while it was still quite cold and gloomy out but I opted to remain onboard until the weather warmed.  

When the weather warmed in the afternoon, Bob and I went for a walk in the town.  It was such a beautiful afternoon.  The cobblestone lanes, charming architecture, and narrow alleyways created a magical atmosphere.  It was a bit like walking through a painting from one of the master's. 

At one point, however, we were brought back to reality when we visited a pharmacy to attempt to get a refill on one of my medications.  It was quite the amazing experience when there was no problem getting the refill at about 20% of the cost in the U.S!

After the pharmacy, we continued our walk through the elegant streets, lined with outdoor cafes and people relaxing in the afternoon sun sipping their lattes.  It's such a relaxed atmosphere in France, where people appear to enjoy life at a much slower pace than the U.S.  They take time every day to slow down, rest, and socialize whereas people at home are wrapped up in working long hours and being identified by how financially successful they are at work.  It's just a completely different mindset.  

Once we completed our leisurely stroll, we returned to the ship for a rest before going out for our evening tour.  As evening approached, we prepared to disembark the ship again and go out for an evening tour on a drive through this charming town at night.  Although we have done this tour on previous visits to Bordeaux, it is still just as magical, with lights gently illuminating the arched bridges, old church steeples, cobblestone squares, and narrow lanes.  

The lights began to shine on the river, highlighting the ripples on the gently flowing water.  As the sun set, Bordeaux transformed beautifully, with its charming streets coming alive with gentle chatter and soft music, which created a truly enchanting experience.  The city's beauty was showcased elegantly and warmly as night fell over this magical town and it provided us with an enchanting evening.

Tuesday, April 8th:

For our last day in the elegant city of Bordeaux we enjoyed a leisurely morning on the ship.  In the afternoon we boarded a bus to tour the city (again) and visit the unique Wine Museum. We're not big wine drinkers but this museum is evidently very unique and since this entire area revolves around the wine industry we decided to join the tour.  This will be our last opportunity to spend time in the lovely town of Bordeaux since our ship leaves this evening so we want to make the most of the limited time we have left in this charming place.  

We boarded our bus and made our way to the town center.  Bordeaux is such a vibrant city and it shines elegantly along the Garonne River.  As we drove we passed picturesque 18th century limestone facades which glowed warmly in the sunlight, while modern architecture added a sophisticated touch.  There were hundreds of people taking leisurely strolls and delightful picnics in the lush green parks.  The entire city's relaxed atmosphere encourages a slower pace of life than we have found in many countries. 

As we drove, we passed historic buildings such as the Grand Theater,  the Cathedral of Saint Andre, and the Basilica of Saint Michel.  This lovely town is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its many 18th century facades. The architecture is absolutely exquisite. Only six of the original city gates remain today and we were fortunate to see three of them, including from the 3rd, 13th and 15th centuries. The city was founded approximately 2700 years ago and has so much rich architecture.  

After our panoramic tour of the city, we drove to the Cite du Vin, or Wine Museum, a vibrant and captivating space.  The stunning contemporary structure, with its curved lines and reflective surfaces,  stands in contrast to the historic backdrop of Bordeaux.  It is meant to evoke the swirling motion of wine in a glass, although even after repeated views, from nearby and from a distance, I still couldn't see it! Upon entering we embarked on an immersive journey through the world of wine, where we explored 18 interactive sections that delved into the history culture and production of wines from around the globe.  Of course, we immediately got off on the wrong foot since none of the displays included any information on our delicious Napa Valley, California wines!!

The museum's dramatic lighting and curvy walls did create an inviting atmosphere, and displays were geared to both beginners and experts.  There were informative videos providing aerial imagery, and sensory experiences that brought the world of wine to life. One display allowed visitors to "sniff" the aroma of the different wines by placing your nose into a funnel-like device.  All I could think of was how many noses had been pressed up against those displays, while Bob was open to "sniffing" a few of them.

After we finished walking through the exhibit area, we took the elevator up to the 8th floor Belvedere tasting room which offered breathtaking 360-degree view of Bordeaux.  Although Bob sampled a couple of wines from various regions, I enjoyed a glass of water! Once Bob had finished his wines, we went outside and enjoyed the views and then returned to the bus. I will admit that the exhibits are engaging and the interactive workshops are well-organized.  However, since I am not really a wine drinker much of the museum was lost on  me.  I was just anxious to return to the ship, since we were scheduled to return from our outing at exactly the same time that it was all aboard!

We are so grateful we have had a few days here to enjoy this magnificent city and we look forward to visiting again in the future. There are so many extraordinary places to visit and a variety of ways to get around.  In addition to the spectacular city, Bordeaux is also a truly elegant, divine city with delicious food and wine.  It is at the center of the wine growing and wine producing region in France.  It is home to the world's main wine fair, Vin Expo. The wine economy in the metro area takes in more than $16 billion dollars each year!! The gently rolling green hills covered with exquisite grapes wrapped gracefully around the vines creates an idyllic, pastoral setting and radiates a sense of calm.  

We have thoroughly enjoyed our time in this captivating city.  There's something very hypnotic about it that draws you in, engages you, and compels you to stay longer.  Our visit has come to an end too soon.  For me, the call of this city in all of the magnificent, graceful architecture and the mix of sometimes aloof but yet engaging attitude of the people make Bordeaux one of the most exhilarating cities in the world.  The green rolling hills of the countryside dotted with medieval castles, villages with stone houses and cobblestone streets remind us of a time long ago.  The elegant food and drink presented in the most creative, enticing presentations I have ever seen, and just the overall magical, captivating feeling of knowing you're in fabulous France will be a treasured memory. I look forward to being here again in the future.  Now, we sail toward Saint Malo, France, where Bob will get to enjoy fresh oysters, one of his favorite foods!