NEW YORK CITY – France has many beautiful places to visit, but Bordeaux is an absolute must for wine lovers. If you are seeking fantastic food and culture and a rich experience of French "art de vivre", you came to the right place. The city itself is on flat land and has special tracks for bikes, which is one of the reasons cyclists love this region. Here are five more reasons why Discover France thinks you would enjoy a cycling tour through Bordeaux:
Wine and Food: You can't come to Bordeaux without tasting some of the greatest vintages in the world; in fact, there are more than 50 appellations of Bordeaux wine to choose from! You will be surrounded by stunning vineyards sprinkled with more than 10,000 wine producers happy to share their blends, most notably Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Sauvignon Blanc. Don’t forget to pair vin with traditional Bordeaux food like oysters from the Bassin d'Arcachon or the delicious cannelés Bordelais.
Town of Bordeaux: This town is well known for being all about wine, but you will also discover numerous châteaux, long promenades, the Victory Arch, Cathédrale St. André and many other remarkable sites. Don’t miss the Museum of Bordeaux Wine and Trade, where you will learn the history of this city and the reason why it has become the world's major wine industry capital.
The Big Bell: La Grosse Cloche dates back to medieval times and is the last vestige of the city ramparts. It is the symbol of Bordeaux and still appears on the city’s coat of arms. The Big Bell was primarily used as a prison but magistrates also used the bell to alert the town of a fire or to announce the beginning of grape harvest season. The bell itself weighs more than 17,000 lbs.!
Rue Sainte Catherine: The longest and main shopping street in Bordeaux, it's a pedestrian street crossing the historic part of the city and linking the Place de la Comédie – where you can find the "Grand Theatre" – to the Place de la Victoire. It provides a copious amount of cafés and shops where you will be able to find a refreshing drink, watch passersby and find a souvenir to take home with you.
Saint Emilion: This UNESCO World Heritage commune was named after the monk Emilion who lived there as a hermit in the 8th century. The monks who followed Emilion established commercial wine production in the area. Cyling through this medieval village filled with Romanesque churches and ruins, you will discover the culture and history of the city. You will even have the opportunity to visit the Tour du Roy, the city’s defense tower built in 1237. Tip: Stop at the Place du Clocher and climb the steps up to the top of the bell tower for an amazing view of this legendary wine town.
To learn more about Bordeaux, check out Discover France’s Bordeaux Regional Information page. To find out more about the fully-customizable, self-guided Bordeaux Wine Country bicycle tour, visit www.discoverfrance.com.