Bordeaux: the city that loves to Wine and Dine

Aug. 10, 2010 - PRLog -- It is the south west port city which lies on the Garonne River, the city has an estimated population of 250,082.  It is the capital of the Aquitaine region and the inhabitants of the city are called Bordelais. The city is often referenced as little Paris which leads to some passionate debates between Bordelais and Parisians.

Before Bordeaux was colonised and settled by the Romans as the area was founded in the third century BC by the Gauls and was called Burdigala.  The town became a flourishing and prosperous port controlling the trade of tin throughout Europe.

Now the city is up there with world's major wine industry centres.  It is considered the red wine capital of the world; a wine lover's Mecca.  The wine in Bordeaux has been produced in the region since the eighth century.  Three varieties of grape dominate the production of red wine Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot. The three main white wine grapes are Sauvignon Blanc, Semillion and Muscadelle.  But all was Rosy with the wine industry as in the middle of the nineteenth century there was an infestation of phylloxera which destroyed a large portion throughout the great châteaux in the region.  This spread a plague throughout the grapevines which had to be dealt with and stayed around for a long time.  It wasn't until the twentieth century after the Second World War that Bordeaux wine production was back to a normal plague less level

The city has a historic part of the city what is on the UNESCO World Heritage list, it has been described as “an outstanding urban and architectural ensemble”.  This historic part of the city has drawn the attention of tourist away from the wine making with its splendid Gothic cathedrals and 18th century mansions.  Some they can boast that they have great historic looking villas in France.

The Esplanade des Quinconces is the largest square in Europe that spans over 12 hectares. There are many fine examples of neo – classical architecture.  The Grand Theatre that was designed and built by Victor Louis between 1773 and 1780.  Louis designed many things such as the surrounding the gardens of the Palais Royal and the Theatre Francais in Paris.  Bordeaux boasts nine fine museums and on the first Sunday of each month they offer free admission to visitors.

There are a few beaches nearby for example the Plage du Nice is one of the quieter beaches near the city and is a great place if you want to relax and take a break.  The Biscarrosse Plage is a beach that is more suited for those who want to partake in some water activities, here is there is an area set aside for land yachts, kite buggies, surfing and many other others.  Dune Du Pilat is a beach with a huge dune it lies on the south coast of the city.  The dune is the highest in Europe measuring 114m/374ft high and is 2.7km/1.5miles long to get to the top of it you can climb up a 154 staircase and to get down you can take a sand board

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