Bordeaux 2008
Trip Start
Jun 14, 2008
1
2
13
Trip End
Jul 02, 2008
Nantes,
France
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Left Nantes around 10:30 am and arrived in Bordeaux at 2:00 pm. The ride was uneventful, though around 20 miles outside of Bordeaux, grapes vines were abundant. Wine country was nearing!!
Upon arrival at the station, I tried to figure out the ticket machine for the tram. It took me missing about 3 trams to finally figure out the machine, a one way ticket cost 1.30E and a one day pass was 4.10E. The tram was very modern and clean and it took me to about 50 yards of my hotel. Settled in and then out to wander, found a street cafe for a beer and then back to the room. Dinner on the Place de Parlement was great. Bordeaux wine is very good. Sandy and I have been to the Burgundy region and I have a feel for the Burgundy wine, but this is my first experience with Bordeaux. The reds are fabulous. Have to check them out when I get home, but the price is right here. Tonight France is playing Italy in the Euro 2008. France needs to win to stay in the tournament, so people have crowded all the bars that have TV's. Some even look like sports bars back home. I decided to watch in the room. France lost 2-0, I'm sure people are bummed.
Wednesday morning I arrived at the TI (Tourist Information office) for a 10::00 walking tour of the Old Center. I was informed that today was a bus tour, so for 7.50E off I went. Bordeaux is an absolutely beautiful city on a river. The winding streets, places (squares), cafes and pedestrian walking streets, may make this my favorite city in France outside of Paris. We drove by a large concrete building that was a German U-Boat base during WWII. It was on the river and you could see 10 pens that the subs would come in for work and provisions. The Allies tried to bomb the hell out of it to no avail. It is now and exhibition hall.
After the tour, to the train station to get a reservation that was required for Thursday's trip to Arles. Back to the room for internet stuff, then out for dinner to the same square, different cafe outdoors. Nice dinner and wine. Back to the room to ready for tomorrow.
