Renowned for its world-famous wines, Bordeaux sits on the flat banks of the Garonne River in southwest France's Gironde region. Offering a treasure trove of historic sights, the city is well worth exploring on foot, or by cycling along one of its many bike lanes.
Bordeaux's tourism thrives on its wine production, with vineyard tours and tasting sessions one of the best things to do while you're on your holidays. As the second-largest wine-growing region on the planet, it produces over 800 million bottles per year. Guided tours of major vineyards like Canon Fronsac, The Médoc, Graves and Sauternes are offered daily and wine festivals are held every summer.
To the west, you'll find over 250 km of golden-sand beaches lined with picturesque pine forests primed for hiking. Another point of interest close to the city is Saint-Émilion – a UNESCO World Heritage Site that’s home to the famous castles of Château Ausone and Château Cheval Blanc, as well as a notable vineyard. Several train services make the 35-minute trip between Bordeaux and Saint-Émilion every day.
Regular shuttle buses run between Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport and the centre around every 45 minutes, but those with early morning or late evening flights will need to take a taxi to get around.