Bordeaux We arrived in Bordeaux via train from Tours on Thursday 21st August for 6 nights after deciding to drop Sarlat from our itinerary deciding to spend more time on next trip. Our first impression of Bordeaux was not a good one due to the route our taxi driver took. The buildings looked black, apparently due to pollution. Once we checked into our hotel we headed into the city centre for dinner. Our hotel has a restaurant but is only open for breakfast for August due to staff holidays. A very interesting way of running a business since this is the tourist season. We have encountered many businesses closed on our travels. This is the French way, holidays come first.

Bordeaux city centre is very grand, with lovely sandstone buildings which have undergone cleaning & restoration, as well as the creation of many pedestrian areas. The port/waterfront area is a great place to enjoy the rejuvenated city centre with a very long promenade & numerous restaurants and cafes. Ocean & river cruise boats visit every day during the high season.

Bordeaux is the world's major wine industry capital with wine produced in the region since the 8th century. Bordeaux's interesting history dates back to around 300BC, being settled by a Celtic tribe it then came under Roman rule. In 1154 Bordeaux fell under English control & for the next three centuries, during which time it began to grow and prosper from exporting wine to England. The grand structures we now see in Bordeaux are mainly from the 18th century when 5,000 were built. 

During our stay we met up with Pip & Richard before they joined their Back Road tour for a enjoyable meal including of course a bottle of bordeaux.