Bordeaux in 2-3 days
Day 1
Spend your first day getting orientated in the city. Start in the north at the Jardin Public where you can check out the Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle (natural history museum) or the Jardin Botanique (botanic garden).
Only a shot walk from the public garden is the Musée d’ Art Contemporain (museum of contemporary art).
Stop for a photo op at the Monument aux Girondins before heading past the Grand Théâtre and down Rue Ste-Catherine (the city’s main shopping precinct).
If you’re keen for a big lunch head east to the dining precinct at Place du Parlement.
Walk off your lunch with a stroll along Bordeaux’s 4km-long riverfront esplanade. Check out the Pont du Pierre — a bridge built during Napoleon’s reign. It has 17 arches, one for each of
his victories.
Day 2
On your second day head out to one of the wine regions surrounding the city. The Bordeaux Tourism Office offers day tours out to the nearby regions, including St Emillion and the Médoc. Book at least one day in advance.
Day 3
History and art buffs should check out the the Musée d’Aquitaine, which gives an interesting look at the city’s history and the Musée des Beaux-Arts.
In one week
If you’re in the Bordeaux region for a week, you should spend you first two-three days checking out the city’s sights, before heading out for a tour of the wine regions.
You can hire a car (although good luck picking a designated driver!) but the area is served by public transport.
St Émilion is well worth at least an overnight stay. The fortified medieval town is 35km east of Bordeaux and has many interesting sights including a huge subterranean church, cut out from a single piece of rock, and the catacombs
