The Sleeping Beauty of France is now awake!

Two international rankings, one by Lonely Planet and the other by Los Angeles Times, both of which placed the city at the head of the most attractive destinations of 2017, have made Bordeaux the place to be for any wine-lover.

2016 saw the launch of a very interesting project in the city: La Cité du Vin, a beautiful museum dedicated entirely to wines, replete with an exclusive wine bar and exquisite restaurant. A few years after its grand opening, it has just been named one of the Best Museums in the World by National Geographic. What’s more? Even the building of the museum is shaped like wine swirling in a glass!

If Bordeaux’s UNESCO World Heritage Site status, its city architecture, stunning vineyards and refined cuisine, aren’t enough to convince you to visit, then surely the fact that the high-velocity train (TGV) gets you to Bordeaux from Paris in just 2 hours, will!

To make your lives easier, we have come up with a weekend trip itinerary for all food, wine and culture enthusiasts, so you can spend 48 magnificent hours in the wine capital of the world!

Arrival on Friday Night

After a stressful week, take the train, plane or bus to finally set foot in the blissful city of Bordeaux. Travelling around the city is very easy with the three tram lines at your disposal throughout the day.

Dinner at Le Bordeaux Gordon Ramsay

A casual dining experience in the city center at one of the most famous restaurants in the city will give you a true taste of the evolved cuisine of Bordeaux. With great respect for the quality and freshness of local and regional products, the menu of Le Bordeaux Gordon Ramsay proposes specialties of the South West of France with a British touch.

 

Stay and Breakfast at Le Saint James

 

Hotel Saint James

A contemporary hotel designed by Jean Nouvel. Nicknamed the 'balcony of Bordeaux' for its panoramic views, Hotel Le Saint James has long drawn gourmets and gourmands, those who love art and Art-de-Vivre. Let's enjoy the calm of the countryside just a few minutes away from Bordeaux' center. 

 

Saturday Morning at La Cité du Vin

Vin

After enjoying a sumptuous breakfast, you can stroll along the Bordeaux quais- which were the former docks. Today, it is a beautiful pathway along the Garonne river, which has become the city’s central hangout. Here, you will come across the enigmatic Place de la Bourse with its Miroir d’eau, which will be the perfect backdrop for all your touristic pictures.

Walk, bike or take the tram along this scenic route towards La Cité du Vin. An entry fee will take you into the world of wines and vines. Learn about the wine-making history and the evolution of the Bordeaux wine market- called La Place de Bordeaux over the last few decades. Interactive modules and virtual reality software make for an exciting experience to discover the A to Z of wines and wine-making!

 

Lunch at Le 7

This panoramic restaurant situated on the seventh floor of La Cite du Vin is a delight for the taste buds as well as the eyes! Take advantage of a rare panoramic view of Bordeaux, while tasting dishes based on seasonal regional produce, which the Chef combines with flavors from around the world. In this cosmopolitan venue, you will go on a culinary journey, pairing dishes with wines from 50 wine-producing countries throughout the world.

Le 7 restaurant

An Afternoon at Château La Dominique

La dominique winery

No trip to Bordeaux would be complete without a Château-visit and we’ve got a long list of options for you to choose from! One of our suggestions involves you heading over to the gorgeous, medieval town of Saint Emilion that doubles as one of the premium wine-growing regions of France. Visit the beautiful Château La Dominique and take an exclusive tour of their vineyards and cellar. Taste some of their best wines as you unveil their wine-making secrets! The gorgeous Château and its stunning tasting room have been awarded the Best Architecture and Landscaping award at the Great Wine Capitals - Best of Wine Tourism Bordeaux contest (Hint: It makes for a beautiful setting for your “#winesaturday” pictures!).

 

Dinner at La Terrasse Rouge

After the wine-tasting session, head on over to La Terrasse Rouge, the scenic restaurant of Château La Dominique for an early dinner. Here, you can enjoy panoramic views of the vineyards while you indulge in a menu that unites gourmands and food lovers alike. This menu consists of regional specialties like Foie Gras (PGI South West), Landes chicken, Bazas beef, Marmande tomatoes, asparagus from Blaye, and lamb from Pauillac, amongst others.

 

Stay at Les Sources De Caudalie

A one-hour drive from Saint Emilion will get you to the exquisite property of the great growth, Château Smith Haut Lafitte, in Graves, that encompasses the beautiful palace resort- Les Sources de Caudalie. The hotel has 61 rooms and suites, two restaurants and a Vinothérapie® Spa combining the therapeutic effects of warm mineral springs with vine and grape extracts.

 

Sunday Morning at Château Smith Haut Lafitte

Enjoy a relaxed breakfast and head on over to the Vinothérapie® Spa in the resort to unwind and rejuvenate yourself. After this, you may enjoy an interesting walking tour in the Smith Haut Lafitte’s reserved forest area or indulge in a fine-wine tasting experience at the Château.

 

Lunch at La Grand’Vigne

Enjoy a delicious cooking class at La Grand'Vigne, a 2 Michelin-starred restaurant at Les Sources de Caudalie. Chef Nicolas Masse gets his fresh supply of seasonal produce daily from local fishermen, livestock breeders, and market gardeners on the Atlantic coast and in the Graves countryside. Learn his tricks and secrets and cook a lip-smacking meal that you will enjoy paired with some fine wines.

And thus, in this way, your 48 hours of magic in Bordeaux are up!

You can head on over to the airport or train station from here and make your way back home with memories and experiences of a lifetime from one of the world’s finest wine cities!

 

If you're interested in Bordeaux wine tours, click this link

 

Note: This is just an example of how you could spend 48 hours in Bordeaux. We can modify the length of your stay and also help you choose from our select list of members, the wineries, hotels and restaurants you wish to visit on this trip. Just contact our local travel expert in Bordeaux and start planning a memorable weekend in this city!

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