DuVine Apres Velo - Bordeaux
by Bike tour guruMost of our guests like to spend a few days exploring a city or two on the front or back end of our bike trips in Europe. Taking the extra time to get more out of your visit to Europe is well worth it. If you have chosen one of DuVine's bike tours in France, then Bordeaux is at the top of the list of cities to become familiar with either before or after the tour. One of the main reasons is the wine...
Wine, wine, and more wine. While you will be enjoying plenty of wine with us on any of our bike tours in France, engaging yourself fully in the wine of Bordeaux is something you cannot pass up. The city is considered one of the best in the world for producing high-end wines, and must be explored by your taste buds. And though Bordeaux has the reputation of being a sleepy city, rapid growth and city development has occurred since the new millennium. So if you're content waiting for the tour to get too involved in the wine, there is plenty to do otherwise.
Take the River bus across the Garonne to get a great view of the Aquitane Bridge from the water. Les Quais used to be solely a harbor for incoming goods from the sea, but in recent years has been renovated to provide a place for tourists to visit. With bridges like the Aquitane and the Pont Neuf it is great that this portion became more walkable and tourist friendly. Walking across the Pont Neuf to the eastern side of the Garonne will leave you on the preferable side to take a stroll.
A great opportunity to enjoy a progressive wine experience is a visit to Max Bordeaux. At Max Bordeaux guests have the ability to taste the 48 best Bordeaux wines by the glass. After buying a tasting card you can slip it into the futuristic Enomatic machine, pick from eight of Bordeaux's best wineries, put your glass under the spout, and enjoy the amazing liquid that flows out.
Before you feel too affected by the incredible selection of wines, you can head over to the Pedestrian Centre.The Centre is the cultural hub, filled with shopping centers and cafes. If you are interested in doing some shopping while in one of the fashion industry's greatest nations, this is the area to do it. With the city's new focus on creating a livelier environment, this area is usually bustling with local students and tourists alike.
If modern art is an interest of yours, the Musee D'Art Contemporain will be very satisfying. Perhaps the most unique permanent feature the museum offers is the Richard Long exhibit on the roof. Make sure to head up there if you do visit. Many of the exhibits rotate, keeping the museum fresh with new content to share with visitors.
The city is incredibly flat, so biking through the area is very easy and enjoyable. While the city is relatively large, most of the popular places to visit are within walking distance of the main section of town. You shouldn't have any problem exploring the great sights while also being able to relax and enjoy a drink at a café.
The bridges and chateaux along the water offer stunning views and the walks through to city are soothing to all your senses. If you visit Bordeaux before or after a bike tour in France, it will certainly provide a relaxing bookend to your trip.
