Bordeaux Glimpses

Bordeaux is not unfamiliar to a considerable number of Chinese people. After 1978, one of the first red wine regions that the Chinese public came into contact with was Bordeaux, France's largest wine-producing region, whose quality of wines is recognized by consumers around the world. Many people know very little about the city of Bordeaux. Located in the southwest of France, downstream of the Garonne River, it is currently the ninth largest city in France in terms of population. The city has been established since the Roman period and is a historical and cultural ancient city of France. In 2007, the Port of the Moon in Bordeaux was listed as a World Cultural Heritage site by the United Nations. There are many historical relics and buildings preserved in Bordeaux. In my hurried visit, I could only measure it with a few hours of walking, taking a quick look at the scenery. The hotel I booked was located in the center of the old town, which is not large, and it takes about two to three hours to walk around. The magnificent Saint-André Cathedral is located within the old town, tracing back to 1096, which is even earlier than the Bordeaux city area to be recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage site. Most of the buildings we see today were built in the 13th-14th century. The visit is free, and there is a bell tower that you can climb, but there is a fee. It is currently under repair, and some areas are closed. The Aquitaine Museum is an archaeological museum that houses discoveries from local excavations, where you can enjoy sculptures and ruins from the Gallic and Roman periods. It is closed on Mondays and is a free attraction. Place de la Bourse is a very magnificent building, and if you're lucky, there is a shallow pool by the river that releases water, allowing you to enjoy the full view of Place de la Bourse and its reflection in the water, which is very beautiful. The Bordeaux Museum of Fine Arts offers free admission and provides insight into the evolution of Western art from the Renaissance to the mid-20th century. The museum building itself is an antique, built in 1801. Additionally, the old Pont de Pierre bridge spanning the Garonne River is a 17-arch bridge built during the Napoleonic era and is still in use today. The Grand Théâtre de Bordeaux is also a magnificent building. Many old city gates are preserved around the old town, with the Porte de Bourgogne and the Grosse Cloche by the river. The University of Bordeaux, with several hundred years of history, is also nearby, and you can walk around the campus to see the students studying. In short, even if you only have one day, you will feel that the time is too short even for a brief visit. Don't forget, this is also a land of gourmet food, with the best wines and other fruit wines. All are worth stopping to savor.