Take a city break in Bordeaux with Premiere Classe hotels.

Bordeaux is a well known French city located in the south west of the country. It is close to the French Atlantic coast and is built on a bend of the river Garonne. The city is divided two sections, the right bank and the left bank. The left bank is historically the more developed of the two. The city enjoys an oceanic climate, but has warmer summers and milder winters than other comparable towns or cities.

Bordeaux has a rich history dating back to its origin as a Celtic settlement in 300BC. It fell under Roman rule in 60BC due to its tin and lead industries. Between 276 and 498 the city was sacked several times by the Vandals, Visigoths and finally the Franks, after which he city fell into relative obscurity. It rose to prominence again in the late 6th century when it became an important urban centre.

Two-day break
Two days is just enough time to get a good taste of this city. The Premiere Classe Hotel Bordeaux Est – Lormont is just a 15-minute drive from the Place de la Bourse, or Place Royale. This square’s stunning architecture and ‘water mirror’ make it ideal for holiday snaps. You won’t want to leave without trying some of the wine Bordeaux is famous for. The Ecole du Vin is near the Place de la Bourse and offers wine tasting and group tours.

Seven-day break
With a little longer in Bordeaux why not visit the city’s Grand Theatre, the Opera National de Bordeaux. The building displays some stunning architecture that can be experienced with a guided tour during the day, or to get the full impact of the building take an evening out and go and see a ballet performance. Take a stroll along the city’s historic Port of the Moon. The area has been revitalised and features gardens along the waterfront that are lacking in other parts of the city.

Family Holiday
The Bordeaux tourism office offers treasure hunts for children around Bordeaux, check their website for up-to-date times and dates. Alternatively the Bordeaux Little Tourist Train offers and hour’s guided tour of the city which is suitable for children. The Zoo de Bordeaux – Pessac also makes for a brilliant family day out full of animals and sights that will thrill and excite children.

Transport
Bordeaux is incredibly well provided for in terms of public transport. The entire network includes buses, trams, a free city centre electric bus and a water shuttle. The bus network consists of over 70 lines all of which connect to the tram network’s three lines. The entire system runs from 5am until 1am and is one of the only of its kind in the world.

Food
You have some great options when it comes to food in Bordeaux. The region has exceptional seafood with outstanding mussels, oysters, shrimps, crabs, cockles, clams and scallops. Alternatively you can try the region’s signature dish, entrecote marchand de vin, a beef dish cooked in red wine. Bordeaux wine has obviously made the city famous worldwide and there are no shortage of places to try it.

Events
Every June the city plays host to the Bordeaux River Festival when the city’s waterfront comes alive with lights and floating parades. In July Bordeaux is home to the National Antiques Market, a treasure trove for bargain hunters. Also throughout July and August Bordeaux is home to Un ete au Cine, an indoor and outdoor cinema festival.

Did You Know ?
The Laser Megajoule is currently being constructed in Bordeaux. Once completed it will be the largest experimental inertial confinement fusion (ICF) device outside the US. ICF devices have been linked with research into nuclear technology in the US and the Laser Megajoule will serve France’s own nuclear weapons research program.