Elegant and seductive Bordeaux is like one of its fine wines, once experienced, never forgotten.
The Port of the Moon, as Bordeaux is often called due to it
being on a crescent-shaped bend on the River Garonne (South-West France), has
like Paris a right and left bank and is broken up into districts. As the city
is much smaller it is easier to get around. I love the high-tech tram system.
One of the star attractions of the city is the Cathédral Saint-André, renowned for its superb architecture and Tour Pey-Berland, a 15th century bell tower. One of the most striking landmarks is the Gross Cloche, a big bell from the Middle Ages.
Bordeaux looks magnificent whatever the weather. As you would expect from such a sophisticated city there are some amazing restaurants.
Le Pressoir d'Argent in The Regent Grand Hotel Bordeaux, the
city’s smartest address, and where I stayed, was my favourite. The beautiful
French décor of this Michelin-starred restaurant made me feel as if I was back
in the 18th century – the period known as Bordeaux’s Golden Age – reliving the
glamour of this era.
Another superb eaterie is La Tupina, a country-styled
restaurant in the heart of the city which specialises in south-western French
cuisine. Also check out Le Gabriel in the ornate Place de la Bourse with
its Fountain of the Three Graces which has superb views of the river.
This is a city where you will want to make sure that
your hair is styled to perfection and that you are dressed immaculately
when you go out at night.
In general French women always look so well turned-out.
Their secret is how they put themselves together. By and large they wear
clothes that fit them and that flatter their shape. They tend to opt for
classic tailoring updated with a contemporary twist usually in the form of
accessories such as the bag of the moment. They invest in key pieces in quality
fabrics. Simple and elegant seems to be their mantra. Maybe this is a lesson we
can learn when we next go shopping.
By Daralyn Danns
Getting there
Eurostar (www.eurostar.com) offers connecting services to
Bordeaux, return fares from £109. Tip: go via Lille, it’s an easier
connection than Paris
The Regent Grand Hotel Bordeaux (www.theregentbordeaux.com) rooms per night from €320 (approx £300)
