The Essential Bordeaux 6 Days | History & Culture

Enjoy the best that Bordeaux has to offer in 6 days and 5 nights. Bordeaux is a charming city brimming with beautiful 17th-century architecture, great food, and world-class wine. Just outside of the city the natural beauty impresses from the seaside Arcachon and the Dune of Pilat to the vineyards. This tour highlights this enchanting destination. Wine tours help develop your palate and expand your knowledge of the region's wonderful whites and reds.

Day 1: Bordeaux

Private Transfer

A chauffeur will meet you for a private transfer between the airport in Bordeaux and your lodging.

Suggestion: Free Day in Bordeaux

Bordeaux is one of France’s most fascinating cities. It lends its name to the renowned Bordeaux wines and is praised for its exquisite cuisine. There is no need to go to a fancy restaurant to find an excellent meal. You’ll find them in cozy inns or small romantic taverns. Not only is Bordeaux France’s uncontested capital of good food and wine, but it also boasts splendid monuments, mansions, and architecture.

Bordeaux is an ideal starting point for exciting excursions into the surrounding countryside and beaches. Wide Atlantic beaches, imposing sand dunes, lush vineyards, and dense fragrant pinewoods dominate the landscape. There are well-marked hiking and biking trails, making this region a paradise for nature lovers.

• 7 Mezher Street, Antelias • 60-233 Beirut, Lebanon • +961 4 712037 www.ventnouveau.com • [email protected] Day 2: Bordeaux

Two-Hour Private Walking Tour of Bordeaux

It is truly exciting to stroll through a city with as rich a history as Bordeaux. Your private guide takes you to Bordeaux’s essential sites and its most impressive monuments, churches, and squares. Continue your tour with a walk along the river banks to admire the unique panorama over the Garonne River. Nearby, Old Bordeaux features charming squares and restaurants.

A visit to the Bordeaux Patrimoine Mondial center explains Bordeaux’s architectural heritage and the dynamic Bordeaux of tomorrow. The tour ends at Place de la Bourse, where the reflecting pond has become emblematic of the city.

Guided Cruise Along on Garonne River

The most charming and comfortable way to discover the historic heart of Bordeaux is on a Bateau Mouche. This tourist boat cruises along the Garonne River which traverses Bordeaux before flowing into the Atlantic.

Glide along the river while taking in the panorama of the city’s landmarks and the beautiful Aquitaine, Jacques Chaban-Delmas, and Eiffel stone bridges. Discover the city’s history from the Middle Ages to the 18th century.

Day 3: Arcachon

Private Tour of Arcachon and the Dune of Pilat

A chauffeur will meet you for a private transfer between your lodging and the day’s activities.

Arcachon is one of the most popular seaside destinations in all of France. You can find miles and miles of sandy beaches. South towards Biscarrosse the waves are ideal for surfing or body- boarding. The town center’s features variations of neoclassical, neo-gothic, old-colonial and Swiss-chalet architecture, making it very vibrant with plenty of markets.

• 7 Mezher Street, Antelias • 60-233 Beirut, Lebanon • +961 4 712037 www.ventnouveau.com • [email protected] This winter town (the ville d’hiver) is home to grand villas dating to the 1860s when the town was promoted as a sanitarium because of its natural beauty and fresh air.

If you crave a tasty treat, try the moules frites (mussels and fries). You’ll find them in any of the beachside restaurants. And just a short walk away from the beachfront you will find more restaurants offering fine great at reasonable prices.

France is famous for its oysters. The Oyster House in Arcachon gives insight into oyster farming techniques. All of that learned will certainly whet your appetite for an oyster tasting. The Gujan-Mestras Port is a perfect spot for that!

Interested in seeing the tallest sand dune in Europe? The Dune of Pilat is almost 360 feet (100 m) high and its top invites you to admire the view over the Atlantic Ocean.

Day 4: Saint Emilion

Private Full-Day Tour of the Graves and Libournais Subregions of the Bordeaux Wine Region

A chauffeur will meet you for a private transfer between your lodging and the day’s activities.

Stretching over 31 miles (50 km), Graves is an important area of the Bordeaux wine region located west of the Garonne River and south of the city of Bordeaux.

The morning begins with a visit a Graves winery to taste white and red wines of the Pessac-Léognan AOC (Appellation d’Origins Contrôlée). Pessac-Léognan is located in the northern part of the Graves sub-region and, unlike most Bordeaux appellations, is equally famous for both red and dry white wines.

Visiting a wine estate is a unique experience. Walk through the vineyards with the contrasting leafy green vines and dark-red grapes. A tasting offers the opportunity to sample some of the best French wines, while a winegrower as your guide.

• 7 Mezher Street, Antelias • 60-233 Beirut, Lebanon • +961 4 712037 www.ventnouveau.com • [email protected] In the afternoon, enjoy a visit to picturesque Saint-Émilion. Take some time to wander through the narrow streets past the Medieval and Roman architecture. The area was first cultivated for wine by the Romans in the 2nd century.

Later visit two Libournais wineries in the Libournais, located north of the Dordogne River and east of the city of Bordeaux. The Saint-Émilion and Pomerol AOCs are found here.

Day 5: Ludon-Médoc

Private Full-Day Tour of the Médoc Wine Subregion of the Bordeaux Wine Region

A chauffeur will meet you for a private transfer between your lodging and the day’s activities.

The Médoc is a massive peninsula starting outside the city of Bordeaux, passing the Pointe de Grave in the far north, and leading into the Atlantic Ocean. “Méd” means between and “oc” means ocean.

There are eight different major AOC wines (Appellation d’Origine Contrôlèe) produced in this subregion of the Bordeaux wine region. Travel along “la route des châteaux” and stop to sample some fantastic Margaux and Saint-Julien AOC wines.

The town of Pauillac begs to be explored. You pause here for lunch. In the afternoon rejoin your guide for a third wine tasting to the Pauillac AOC, possibly the most famous of all the Bordeaux AOCs.

Day 6: Bordeaux

Private Transfer

Unfortunately, it’s already time to say goodbye! A chauffeur will meet you for a private transfer between your lodging and the airport.

• 7 Mezher Street, Antelias • 60-233 Beirut, Lebanon • +961 4 712037 www.ventnouveau.com • [email protected]