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Bordeaux City Orientation Tour, Bordeaux
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Bordeaux City Orientation Tour
Guide Location: France » Bordeaux
Guide Type: Self-guided city tour
# of Attractions: 15
Tour Duration: 3 hour(s)
Transportation Mode: by foot
Travel Distance: 6.3 km
Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Pline
Author: alexander
Bordeaux is a port city on the Garonne River in the Southwest of France. It is world known for its high quality wines. Due to its splendid Gothic cathedrals and 18th century mansions, Bordeaux was called the “City of Art and History”. Check out the following list of top attractions in Bordeaux that could help you get oriented when visiting the city.
Tour Stops and Attractions
Pont de Pierre
1) Pont de Pierre
Pont de Pierre is the main and most beautiful construction in the city. This 500 meters long bridge extends over the Garonne River, connecting two regions of Bordeaux called “Cours Victor Hugo” and “Quartier de la Bastide”. Designed and built in honor of Napoleon Bonaparte, it represents a construction of seventeen connected arches, the exact number of letters in the Emperor’s name. The bridge provides some stunning views of the surroundings.
Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Maarten Sepp
Basilica of Saint-Michel
2) Basilica of Saint-Michel
Saint Michel is one of the most astonishing churches in Bordeaux. It was built at the end of the 15th century. Its steeple is the second tallest in France. You can enjoy magnificent views of the city from the top of Basilica's bell tower.
Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Olivier Aumage
The Great Bell
3) The Great Bell
The Great Bell is one of several surviving Middle Ages monuments in Bordeaux. It was built in the 13th century as part of the Saint-Eloi church, and in the 17th century a clock was added to it. Until the end of World War II, the clock heralded all the important events, fires, and even the start of grape harvest.
The Musée d’Aquitaine
4) The Musée d’Aquitaine
A wide collection of archeological and ethnographic facts is displayed in Musée d’Aquitaine. Situated in the heart of the city, the museum is a great place to learn about life in Bordeaux and its development from ancient times until today.
Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Grenavitar
Tour Pey Berland
5) Tour Pey Berland
Built in the first part of the 15th century, Pey Berland Tower was named in honor of its founder, architect Pey Berland. Several centuries later, in 1863, two huge bells and a giant statue of Lady of Aquitaine were installed on the top of it. The magnificent 50 meters tall monument is one of the best locations for admiring views of Bordeaux.
Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Olivier Aumage
The Saint Andre Cathedral
6) The Saint Andre Cathedral
The Saint Andre Cathedral is the largest church in Bordeaux and a premier tourist attraction. The origins of the cathedral date back to the 11th century and today it is home to a number of 13th and 14th century sculptures. The most impressive feature of the building is the great upward sweep of the twin steeples.
Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and F. Lamiot
Musee des Beaux Arts
7) Musee des Beaux Arts
One of the most interesting museums in Bordeaux is the Museum of Fine Arts. It was founded in 1801 by Napoleon Bonaparte and hosts a vast collection of art works from the 15th to the 20th century. The museum is part of The Palais Rohan (the City Hall of Bordeaux).
Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Michel BUZE
Musée des Arts Décoratif
8) Musée des Arts Décoratif
Dating back to the 1770's, the house was initially built for a member of the French Parliament and his family. Later the building was purchased by the town of Bordeaux and in the 1950's it was made a museum. Today the museum stocks collections of sculptures, paintings, furniture, glassware, silverware and ceramics of decorative arts of the 18th and 19th centuries. There is a restaurant and tearoom available on-site.
Image Courtesy of Flickr and unforth
The Grand Theatre
9) The Grand Theatre
This monument is the last surviving original wooden-framed theater in Europe. It was designed at the end of the 18th century and since then it has been the cultural heart of the city. This fantastically carved opera house surprises the senses with its fine architecture and interior design as well as its world-class performances.
Image Courtesy of Flickr and filtran
Eglise Notre-Dame
10) Eglise Notre-Dame
The Notre Dame church in Bordeaux is the best Baroque style structure in town. It was built in the late 17th century after the Gesù Church in Rome. In 1908 the church was designated as a national Historical Landmark.
Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Ludovic Courtès
Palais Gallien
11) Palais Gallien
Palais Gallien represents a historic monument and dates to the Roman past of the city and is, in fact, the only reminder of ancient Bordeaux. The building served as an entrance to the amphitheater which could accommodate 15,000 spectators.
Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Michaël Van Dorpe
Esplanade des Quinconces
12) Esplanade des Quinconces
Built in the early 19th century on the bank of Garonne River, Esplanade des Quinconces is famous for the various monuments located here, such as the two rostra columns, the Girondins monument and a magnificent fountain. Being the biggest European square, it is visited by a multitude of tourists daily.
Image Courtesy of Flickr and Jonas Witt
Monument aux Girondins
13) Monument aux Girondins
Monument aux Girondins was erected at the end of the 19th century in memory of the Girondin officials, victims of the French Revolution and symbolizes the triumph of the Republic. It is one of the tallest monuments in the city.
Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Alexandre Duret-Lutz
Palais de la Bourse
14) Palais de la Bourse
Place de la Bourse and the magnificent building standing here are situated near the Garonne River. The design of the edifice, of its arched facade and the gorgeous fountain in front represents a perfect combination of several architectural ideas making this place one of the main attractions of the city. Today, Place de la Bourse houses the Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Image Courtesy of Flickr and Eric-P
Porte Cailhau
15) Porte Cailhau
The Cailhau Gate was built in 1494 and was one of the main entries to the city of Bordeaux at the time. It has a very interesting and rich history that you would definitely love to learn about. And as you go to the the top of Porte Cailhau you will be amazed at the gorgeous view over the city and the Garonne River. There are tours available here for up to 19 people.
Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Luidger
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