Places to visit
Bordeaux
The sixth largest in France, Bordeaux is among the country’s most exciting, vibrant and dynamic cities. There are plenty of spots for shopping, eating and drinking. If you plan to go to a restaurant in the evening, making a reservation is nearly always a must.
A modern tram system makes getting around easy, allowing you to explore the beautiful lanes and boulevards that make literally half the city a Unesco World Heritage site. There is lots to see, but walking around taking in the architecture has to be one of the best ways to spend an afternoon.
Things to see
Place de la Bourse - Impressive public square, where the Palais de la Bourse is reflected by the largest water-mirror in the world.
Jardin Public - Beautiful public park in the centre of the city. 07.00 - 21.00
Bordeaux Cathedral - Different parts of the building range from 11th to 15th centuries. Open from 15.00 - 19.30
Passage Sarget & Galerie Bordelaise - 19th century covered shopping arcades with shops and cafés. Open from 09.00 - 19.30
Porte Cailhau & La Grosse Cloche - 15th century city gates. La Grosse Cloche has a large bell that is only rung six times a year. The towers of Porte Cailhau are accessible for €5. Open 10.00 - 13.00, 14.00 - 18.00.
Musée des Beaux-Arts de Bordeaux - one of the largest fine art galleries in France, outside of Paris. Featuring works by Titian, Rubens and Picasso. €4, open 11.00 - 18.00. Closed Tuesdays
Rue Sainte Catherine - The longest pedestrian street in Europe, and the main shopping street in Bordeaux. Right in the city centre, it has lots of restaurants.
Palais Gallien - Large 2nd century Roman amphitheatre, just outside the city centre. From €3. Open 13.00 - 18.00
CAPC Museum of Contemporary Art - Modern art in a 19th century warehouse. €7, Tuesday to Sunday 11.00 to 18.00
Cité du Vin - Interesting museum dedicated to wine, its incredible modern architecture alone is worth seeing. €20 including a glass of wine. Open 10.00 - 18.00
Musée d'Aquitaine - Large collection of historical objects from Bordeaux’s history. €5, Tuesday to Sunday 11.00 - 18.00
Bordeaux
The sixth largest in France, Bordeaux is among the country’s most exciting, vibrant and dynamic cities. There are plenty of spots for shopping, eating and drinking. If you plan to go to a restaurant in the evening, making a reservation is nearly always a must.
A modern tram system makes getting around easy, allowing you to explore the beautiful lanes and boulevards that make literally half the city a Unesco World Heritage site. There is lots to see, but walking around taking in the architecture has to be one of the best ways to spend an afternoon.
Things to see in Bordeaux
Place de la Bourse - Impressive public square, where the Palais de la Bourse is reflected by the largest water-mirror in the world.
Jardin Public - Beautiful public park in the centre of the city. 07.00 - 21.00
Bordeaux Cathedral - Different parts of the building range from 11th to 15th centuries. Open from 15.00 - 19.30
Passage Sarget & Galerie Bordelaise - 19th century covered shopping arcades with shops and cafés. Open from 09.00 - 19.30
Porte Cailhau & La Grosse Cloche - 15th century city gates. La Grosse Cloche has a large bell that is only rung six times a year. The towers of Porte Cailhau are accessible for €5. Open 10.00 - 13.00, 14.00 - 18.00.
Musée des Beaux-Arts de Bordeaux - one of the largest fine art galleries in France, outside of Paris. Featuring works by Titian, Rubens and Picasso. €4, open 11.00 - 18.00. Closed Tuesdays
Rue Sainte Catherine - The longest pedestrian street in Europe, and the main shopping street in Bordeaux. Right in the city centre, it has lots of restaurants.
Palais Gallien - Large 2nd century Roman amphitheatre, just outside the city centre. From €3. Open 13.00 - 18.00
CAPC Museum of Contemporary Art - Modern art in a 19th century warehouse. €7, Tuesday to Sunday 11.00 to 18.00
Cité du Vin - Interesting museum dedicated to wine, its incredible modern architecture alone is worth seeing. €20 including a glass of wine. Open 10.00 - 18.00
Musée d'Aquitaine - Large collection of historical objects from Bordeaux’s history. €5, Tuesday to Sunday 11.00 - 18.00
La Rochelle
One of France's foremost seaports from the 14th to 17th centuries, the city has arcaded walkways, half-timbered houses (protected from the salt air by slate tiles), ghoulish gargoyles and plenty of towers and lighthouses.
Things to see
Vieux Port- The Old Port esplanade is the heart of the city. Little boats, a lighthouse, restaurants and old buildings.
The Three Towers of La Rochelle - 14th century towers with great views from the top. €9 for all three, 10.00 - 13.00, 14.15 - 18.30
Rue de Palais - Main shopping street in the heart of the old town
Museum La Rochelle - A mix of natural history, archaeology and artifacts from native cultures across the world. €6, Tuesday to Friday 09.00 - 18.00, Saturday, Sunday 14.00 - 18.00
The Museums of Models and Automata - Two museums, one featuring model trains, planes and automobiles, the other featuring the creepiest automated dolls you’ll ever see. €12, 10.00 - 12.30, 14.00 - 19.00
La Rochelle
One of France's foremost seaports from the 14th to 17th centuries, the city has arcaded walkways, half-timbered houses (protected from the salt air by slate tiles), ghoulish gargoyles and plenty of towers and lighthouses.
Things to see in La Rochelle
Vieux Port- The Old Port esplanade is the heart of the city. Little boats, a lighthouse, restaurants and old buildings.
The Three Towers of La Rochelle - 14th century towers with great views from the top. €9 for all three, 10.00 - 13.00, 14.15 - 18.30
Rue de Palais - Main shopping street in the heart of the old town
Museum La Rochelle - A mix of natural history, archaeology and artifacts from native cultures across the world. €6, Tuesday to Friday 09.00 - 18.00, Saturday, Sunday 14.00 - 18.00
The Museums of Models and Automata - Two museums, one featuring model trains, planes and automobiles, the other featuring the creepiest automated dolls you’ll ever see. €12, 10.00 - 12.30, 14.00 - 19.00
Saintes
This beautiful town built on the banks of the River Charente boasts several Roman ruins as well as beautiful medieval churches. It’s less than 30 minutes drive from the chateau and has plenty of places to eat and lovely riverside walks.
Things to see
Roman Amphitheatre - 1st century amphitheatre dug into the hillside. €4, Open 10.00 - 20.00
Germanicus Arch - 1st century Roman arch that marked the entrance to the town. Free.
Abbey of Sainte-Marie-des-Dames - 11th century convent that is now the musical heart of the town. Performances, 3D musical audio-tours and beautiful Romanesque architecture. €8 for the audio tour. Open 10.00 - 20.00
Basilica of St. Eutrope of Saintes - 11th century church with impressive crypt
Musée de l’Echevinage - Small gallery dedicated to 19th century fine art. Tuesday to Saturday 13.30 - 17.00, Sunday 14.00 - 18.00
Saintes
This beautiful town built on the banks of the River Charente boasts several Roman ruins as well as beautiful medieval churches. It’s less than 30 minutes drive from the chateau and has plenty of places to eat and lovely riverside walks.
Things to see in Saintes
Roman Amphitheatre - 1st century amphitheatre dug into the hillside. €4, Open 10.00 - 20.00
Germanicus Arch - 1st century Roman arch that marked the entrance to the town. Free.
Abbey of Sainte-Marie-des-Dames - 11th century convent that is now the musical heart of the town. Performances, 3D musical audio-tours and beautiful Romanesque architecture. €8 for the audio tour. Open 10.00 - 20.00
Basilica of St. Eutrope of Saintes - 11th century church with impressive crypt
Musée de l’Echevinage - Small gallery dedicated to 19th century fine art. Tuesday to Saturday 13.30 - 17.00, Sunday 14.00 - 18.00
Cognac
Cognac is known for the double-distilled spirit that bears its name, and on which the local economy revolves. Most visitors head here to visit the famous cognac houses; however, it's a picturesque stop even if you don't happen to be a huge fan of the local drink.
Things to see
Maison de la Lieutenance - Preserved Middles Ages house from the 12th century. Tuesday to Saturday 10.30 - 12.30, 14.00 - 19.00
Jardin Public de Cognac - Picturesque public park in the centre of town.
Eglise Saint-Leger - 12th century church
Cognac Museum of Art and History - Housed in a mansion at the heart of the town. €5, Open 14.00 - 18.00
Museum of Cognac Arts - Art museum dedicated to everything related to the drink; the bottles, the posters, etc. - €5, Open 14.00 - 18.00
Wonderwall - Street-art exhibition on various walls around the city.
Cognac
Cognac is known for the double-distilled spirit that bears its name, and on which the local economy revolves. Most visitors head here to visit the famous cognac houses; however, it's a picturesque stop even if you don't happen to be a huge fan of the local drink.
Things to see in Cognac
Maison de la Lieutenance - Preserved Middles Ages house from the 12th century. Tuesday to Saturday 10.30 - 12.30, 14.00 - 19.00
Jardin Public de Cognac - Picturesque public park in the centre of town.
Eglise Saint-Leger - 12th century church
Cognac Museum of Art and History - Housed in a mansion at the heart of the town. €5, Open 14.00 - 18.00
Museum of Cognac Arts - Art museum dedicated to everything related to the drink; the bottles, the posters, etc. - €5, Open 14.00 - 18.00
Wonderwall - Street-art exhibition on various walls around the city.
