Bordeaux – –

by Elizabeth & Gary's Magic Bus Tour

The city BORDering the water (EAU in French). Perhaps the most beautiful dock, as the water Bordeaux sits on is La Garonne River, which brought the Marina to the middle of the city!

The morning May have begun with a little fog, but the day was the most wonderful of the trip.

Morning sun trying to break through the river fog – –
– – And then there was blue sky and a fabulous view of Bordeaux from our balcony.
Our ship is moored on the Garonne River in the middle of the city.

Wandering the narrow, historical streets of this UNESCO World Heritage site is a delight. Around every corner is a surprise – especially the sight of Saint Andrew’s Cathedral.

St. Andrew’s Cathedral, where Elenor of Aquitaine marries King Louis VII of France.

This is the first cathedral in the world dedicated to Saint Andrew, one of the twelve apostles. While a cathedral has been on this site since the 4th century, it is around the 1100’s that the Romanesque cathedral was built and used for the marriage of Eleanor of Aquitaine to King Louis VII. (Eleanor of Aquitaine later became Queen of England marrying King Henry II). It is not the most ornate to be seen, but it’s height and wonderful organ pipes were something to see (and listen to).

Intricate Gothic buttresses are beautiful.
The organ was playing continuously – just a short sample.

Wandering beyond the Cathedral, one passes the Palais Rohan, now Bordeaux’s City Hall, then Place Tourny where the Grand Theatre is. Also, where there are many good places for lunch AND the beginning of Rue St. Catherine – THE shopping street!

Just beyond is the Place des Quinconces and an elaborate monument to the Girondins of the French Revolution.

The old, a statue remembering those who fought in the Revolution and the Ferris wheel with the carnival twice a year.

Back along the river is the Place de la Bourse, with its many official buildings, museum and stunning reflective pool!

The Place de la Bourse.
Incredible reflection 👏👏

Before heading back to the ship there were a few last shots of the quaint parts of the city – –

The Porte Caillou, one of the original gates to the city.
The Pl. du Palais inside the Porte.
An interesting history of film cameras and other gear in the window of this shop.
Young woman with a heavy load of groceries.

Bordeaux was quite fun, also, because there was an overnight here allowing more exploring a second day. Since there isn’t near enough to eat on the ship 😂😂, a Michelin starred restaurant just had to be visited. This gave the opportunity to cross the river over a marvel of a bridge, which would raise later in the day for the Marina to leave Bordeaux.

Very interesting bridge that the ship will go under later this afternoon.
Bordeaux’s first bridge was built at the request of Napoleon – so that his army didn’t have to cross the River in boats.
View from the grounds of the St. James – our gourmet lunch spot in the hills above the city.

St James was in an adorable little village sitting atop a hill providing fabulous views of Bordeaux, the river and the surrounding area.

Small church in the village.

And then – the lunch. Lost track of the number of courses. Thankfully – they were all small.

Awards galore.
Beautiful grounds.
Our restaurant is on the lower right.
Our happy – very full – table mates.
A couple of the courses.

Not having had enough to eat – we hurried back for a cooking class and our farewell to Bordeaux passing under that extraordinary bridge!

Learning to make crepes.
Headed under the drawbridge en-route to our next port.

Truly an amazing visit! So happy to have had a couple of days in Bordeaux and would love to come back. Just a beautiful city and port.

E & G still enjoying every minute

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