What’s new in Bordeaux – A luxury travel blog

As authentic as it is dynamic, urban and natural, historic and yet alternative, Bordeaux has plenty to offer! Famous for its vineyards, architecture and good food, the destination also impresses with its cool attitude, cultural excitement and laid-back way of life. Between land and ocean, Bordeaux is influenced from all directions and reveals a lifestyle that reflects the authenticity of the South West, friendly and uncomplicated. Liberated and inspiring, Bordeaux charms and attracts visitors all year round with its seductive energy, with a calendar full of exciting events. Fun seekers, heritage and culture lovers, sports enthusiasts, people looking for new hotels: every traveler will find his own Bordeaux in 2024!

Wine tourism

Enjoy a wine tasting workshop in a typical Bordeaux apartment or historic cellar, have a glass in one of the city’s many wine bars: you can discover and taste the nectars of Bordeaux in all their forms! And to understand how wine culture and trade have set the pace and shaped the city for centuries: the walking tour ‘In the footsteps of wine in the city’ invites visitors to open their eyes to the artworks, statues and architectural details with wine connection. Every summer, the Bordeaux Fête le Vin wine festival really brings the banks of the Garonne to life. See you from June 27 to 30 for the latest edition of this convivial event, which brings together wine growers and traders of the region and the general public with its tastings and activities.

And for those who want to extend the experience: from the city to the vineyard, sometimes it’s just a short ride on public transport! The Bordeaux metropolis has about ten wineries that can be reached by tram, bus or bicycle. And a little further afield, there are hundreds of wineries that open their doors wide to visitors, who come to discover a profession, a passion, in the heart of a responsible, hospitable vineyard.

Gastronomy

From luxury gastronomic venues to new, trendy restaurants, including places that focus on local produce, food courts and vibrant markets, the art of appreciating the good things in life is taken seriously in Bordeaux. A quick overview of what’s new: Ganache, a mecca of good food, is launching festive dinner evenings at the end of the week with the concept “Ganache lets its hair down”! In the city center, Epicenter is a little gem that offers a complete menu at lunch for €26. There is a new name and new position for the Cromagnon restaurant: Inima takes its place, still led by the talented, creative chef Oxana Cretu. At Vivants, Bordeaux chefs Tanguy Laviale and Maxime Rosselin offer an informal gastronomic dinner with approximately forty seats, highlighting the best of local produce. At Souquo the cuisine is homemade, vegetarian and incredibly colorful! All this to enjoy in a warm, cozy room. A unique location will open its doors in the station district in the first half of the year: Atelier des Citernes will bring together 900m² of food counters, community spaces linked to art and gastronomy, and a stage.

Culture

All year round, Bordeaux satisfies cultural appetites with a rich program of museums and a host of galleries celebrating art in all its forms. The city is also home to some unique cultural spots. The XXL digital art center Bassins des Lumières has been open in the submarine base since 2020 and hosts several immersive exhibitions. From February 16, the exhibition ‘From Vermeer to Van Gogh, the Dutch masters’ invites the public to follow in the footsteps of the painters from the North. The short country program pays tribute to Piet Mondriaan, the architect of color.

An essential stop on any visit to Bordeaux, the Cité du Vin is a unique cultural destination. The permanent exhibition, which was renovated last year, uses digital interactive technologies to highlight vineyards from around the world through their cultural, civilizational, heritage and universal dimensions. For the second year, a sensory journey called Through Sensoria is available from March 26 to November 3: visitors are invited to experience a unique tasting moment, accompanied by a sommelier, as they stroll through four immersive spaces.

Accommodation

Atmosphere, budget, location: the range of accommodations meets everyone’s expectations! New hotels are flourishing on the streets of Bordeaux, promising unforgettable experiences, such as First Name, a beautiful four-star hotel in the heart of the Mériadeck district, with a real feel-good spirit, or the Marty Hotel, with its colorful, vintage decoration and gallery feel thanks the works of art displayed in the common areas, all for sale. In Les Chartrons, the 5-star Mondrian Hôtel des Carmes, designed by Philippe Starck, opened on the site of old wine cellars from the 19th century, with 97 rooms and suites, a restaurant and a bar that combine Japanese culinary art and Western flavors. a spa and a large outdoor terrace. On the quays, the boutique hotel Indigo Bordeaux transports its guests to a bohemian world reminiscent of Arcachon Bay. As for the planned reopenings, the five-star Burdigala hotel has made its comeback in the Bordeaux hotel world, while the Majestic, located in the heart of the city, will open its big curtain in the first quarter of 2024. Located in Talence, the leafy Domaine de Raba is currently undergoing a transformation and will this year offer new rooms in the heart of the forest and rooftop lodges, as well as a new spa. As for the vineyards, Château de Léognan has a range of additional accommodation that celebrates the French lifestyle, and three lodges in the middle of nature, promising a rustic, intimate stay.

The Olympic and Paralympic Games

Every year, numerous events really bring Bordeaux and its metropolitan area to life. Following last year’s Rugby World Cup, the destination will move to the rhythm of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, with the Olympic flame burning on May 23 and seven matches of the women’s and men’s football tournament taking place between July 24 and August 2. On June 21 and 22, the TOP 14 semi-finals will brighten up the sports calendar.

Embracing responsible tourism

As a destination, Bordeaux is taking action to promote tourism with a positive impact for its residents, visitors and environment. Concerned about the ecological and social impact, the capital of the Gironde is ethical and permanently profiles itself as a responsible tourist destination. In recent years, the country has stood out for its growing commitment to environmental responsibility, ranking 9th in the world in the Global Destination Sustainability Index 2022 (GDS Index), an international barometer that analyzes the responsible performance of destinations.

Welcome to a metropolis where every stay can be sustainable in terms of travel, accommodation, leisure… A city that enriches every journey and thus allows future generations to live a similar experience!

Paul Johnson

Paul Johnson is editor of A Luxury Travel Blog and has worked in the travel industry for over 30 years. He is a winner of WIRED magazine’s Innovations in Travel ‘Best Travel Influencer’ Award. Among other awards, the blog has also been named ‘one of the best travel blogs in the world’ and ‘best in luxury’ by The Daily Telegraph.