The region is popular with tourists visiting the vineyards and sampling local wines. The history of winemaking in Bordeaux dates back to the Roman Empire, and unlike other regions in France it was not controlled by the monastery, but by the merchants. Trains between Ebbsfleet and Bordeaux run around 20 times a week.
Eurostar
trains between Ebbsfleet International and Bordeaux have average journey times of either 6 hours 37 minutes or minimum 7 hours 15 minutes depending on whether you booked tickets to change at Paris or Lille. Highspeed rail routes are one of the easiest ways of travel between London and Bordeaux. The most popular time is spring, for the wine industry, and late spring for tourists.
At the beginning of the 14th Century, it was under English domination, and during the 17th-18th century English and German merchants controlled most of the wines being produced. Wine was sold in barrels up until the end of World War Two, when a wine maker began to bottle it and let them mature.
Bordeaux is made up of 4 different quarters:
Quartier de Saint Pierre –the city’s culinary capital with restaurants to suit everyone.
Quartier of Saint-Michel – the liveliest quarter of the city, which is Gothic style, with markets every Monday and Sunday mornings.
Quartier Sainte-Croix – there is a strong historic feel in this quarter that only became part of Bordeaux in the 14th century. It was originally built outside the city walls.
Quartier of Sainte-Eulalie – this area has changed little and still retains a lot of its original character. It was built around its church, a departure point for pilgrimages. There were many monasteries and converts built, two of which still exist, but the remains of the others are open to the public.
Points of interest
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Croiseur Colbert
The floating museum was originally a battleship that fought in the Gulf War.
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Palais de la Bourse
Famous for its architecture, the palace was also the city's stock exchange.
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Zoo de Bordeaux Pessac
There are hundreds of animals as well as fossilised exhibits, water tabogganing, play areas and restaurant facilities.
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Arachon Museum & Aquarium
The museum/aquarium has 1980000 litres of water that house its sealife. There are also paleontological and archaeological features to show every aspect of marine specimens.
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Chartreuse Cemetery
Many prominent figures are buried here including Goya, Lacour and Flora Tristan.
Alpe d'Huez
Alpe d'Huez has a skiing area of 450km, one of the great features of Alpe d'Huez is it's large vertical drop an average of 2,210m. The resort has one of the largest ski runs in the world.... Alpe d'Huez , France
Avoriaz (Portes du Soleil)
Avoriaz is probably the best known resort of the Portes du Soleil area which has 12 resorts and two country's. Avoriaz is located at an altitude of 1800m, it stays open until April when the Ski season Ends.... Avoriaz, France
Brides-les-Bains
Brides-les-Bains has the worlds largest ski area with 600km. The resort has apres ski life and a spa resort. You can stay in the upper mountain hotels to get the most out of your holiday resort.... Brides-les-Bains, France
Courchevel
Courcheval does enjoy a reputation for being the world's best ski resort. Described as classic, prestigious and extravagant , Set in breathtaking scenery in a superbly inter-linked region, Courchevel offers visitors a choice of 198 lifts, uphill capacity of over 243,000 people an hour .... Courchevel, France
Drouzin le Mont (Vallee d'Aulps)
Drouzin le Mont is a small beautiful family resort, children can learn to ski here in complete safety on slopes facing the accommodation. The resort has 15 slopes with 2 chair lifts, 4 drag lifts and 2 snow wires.... Drouzin le Mont, France
Flaine
Flaine has 265km of skiing area, it is a well known tourist attraction for winter holidays. Some of the best skiing in France can be found at this resort. The resort is well laid out with 77 lifts.... Flaine, France
Grand Massif
Grand Massif is 5 resorts linked by 256km of skiing with 133 down hill slopes served by 78 lifts.... Grand Massif, France
La Clusaz
The ski village of La Clusaz celebrated 100 years of winter sports in 2007 and this resort, often described as dynamic,is one of the closest to the UK so is convenient for car drivers.... La Clusaz, France
La Plange
La Plange has a 6 seater detachable chair lift, 11 individual resorts make up the area La Plange. It has slopes at different levels of difficulty, there are 210km of ski runs which favours beginner and intermediate skiers.... La Plange, FranceLa Plange, France