Saint Emilion © Saint Emilion © Stephane Bidouze via Canva “Dedeuche” called Rose Antoinette! As dusk fell, and the streetlights twinkled, we pootled past the fabulous Miroir d’Eau water sculpture, the lit-up Place de la Bourse and the stunning Grand Théâtre, along cobbled streets lined with busy bars and restaurants, monuments, fountains, statues and stately buildings Bordeaux has been shaped by the river Garonne which, with its natural harbour, made it a major import/export location for hundreds of years. A guided river tour is a fun way to learn more about the history of the city and the natural harbour. There are several museums but don’t miss Cité du Vin, a hi-tech look at the influence wine has had on almost everything from farming and civilisation to art, cinema and more. Every tour ends with a top floor wine tasting, and there’s a gastronomic restaurant, Le 7, on the 7 th floor with super views over the city Wine is almost a religion in Bordeaux, there are wine bars galore, however don’t miss Le Bar à Vin. Their local wine list is top notch, and incredibly good value (subsidised by the wine makers so that everyone can afford a taste) starting at just €2.50 for a Château Penin Bordeaux Clairet. Seriously – a must stop. Cite du Vin Eat at: Chapon Fin: Celebrating its 200 th anniversary in 2025, this elegant restaurant is a legend in Bordeaux and beyond. Follow in the footsteps of the great and the good from Toulouse Lautrec to Sarah Bernhardt. Sumptuous dishes, sensational décor, and as you’d expect the wine list is phenomenal. The sommelier told me that some of their wines are so scarce, when a customer orders a rare bottle, the staff have to look up the price on the internet! InterContinental Bordeaux, in the heart of the city in the Place de la Comèdie, has a superb restaurant with terrace opposite the Grand Théâtre. If you really want to push the boat out, head to the second floor for Gordon Ramsey’s 2 Michelin Starred restaurant: Pressoir d’Argent. Stay at: Hotel de Seze 4* - two-minute walk from the Grand Théâtre, luxurious rooms and suites. Hotel Burdigala 5* – Burdigala, the Roman name for Bordeaux, is in the residential Meriadeck district. Lovely atmosphere, great restaurant and plush rooms. Bordeaux Vineyards Bordeaux isn’t just a city – it’s a style of wine too, and some of the most famous wines of the area (and the world) come from around the perched village of Saint-Émilion, a must visit if you’re in Bordeaux (less than an hour from the city centre by car/train). Named after the Saint who settled here in the 8th century, this village of hilly cobbled streets, wine stores and restaurants, is a photographer’s dream, luring some 950,000 visitors a year (just 226 permanent inhabitants). Saint-Émilion is surrounded by vineyards and many of the great wine making estates of this area are now changing with the times and offering public visits for tastings, cooking lessons, restaurants - and the most amazing B&B and hotels. Some of the best include: Château Fleur de Lisse, just a few kilometres from Saint-Émilion offers tastings and tours (from 3 vintage wines, to wine and chocolate pairings and gourmet plates). They also run cooking courses with Chef Stéphanie Cellar, Château Fleur de Lisse Bottreau where you’ll learn the art of classic French cuisine and create a three-course lunch (my husband was blown away by my French peas when I got home!) which you’ll enjoy paired with spectacular wines from the estate. Or enjoy lunch on the terrace in the sunshine amongst the vines. Their 5-bedroom Château l’Etampe with pool, billiards room, wine cellar etc is in the heart of the vines, just 3km from Saint Emilion. Château de Ferrand, built in 1702 was bought by a household name in 1978 – Baron Bich – of BIC pen fame (is there anyone in the world who hasn’t got a BIC pen?!). This place is seriously glamorous and includes a BIC pen 14 | The Good Life France The Good Life France | 15
