Bordeaux Tourist Attractions

The hub of the city's life is the busy Place de la Comédie, on the site of the Roman forum. In this square is the Grand Théatre, one of the finest theaters in France, built by Victor Louis in 1773-1780. It has a colonnaded front with 12 Corinthian columns topped by a balustraded gallery bearing 12 statues of Muses and goddesses. The main house, the staircases, foyers and smaller halls are splendidly decorated.

The Grand Théâtre was completed in 1780 by the architect Victor Louis. Victor is also known for designing the Chartres Cathedral, the Palais Royal, and the Théâtre Français in Paris. The neocalssical exterior includes 12 Corinthian style colossal columns with 12 statues that represent the nine muses and three goddesses (Juno, Venus, and Minerva). The the National Orchestra of Bordeaux perform at the Grand Théâtre as well as Ballet National de Bordeaux.The interior was renovated from 1990 to 1991 to return it to the original blue and gold color scheme.

In Bordeaux, north of the theater is the Esplanade des Quinconces, the largest square in Europe (12 hectares/30 acres), laid out in 1818-1828. In the square are a monument to the Girondists (1895) and statues of Montaigne and Montesquieu. To the northwest is the Jardin Public, with the Botanical Garden and Natural History Museum.

In Bordeaux, on the far side of Rue Fondaudège is the only relic of ancient Burdigala, the "Palais Gallien", the entrance to an amphitheater of the A.D. third C which could accommodate 15,000 spectators.

In Bordeaux, some 500m/550yd south of the Palais Gallien is the church of St-Seurin (12th-15th C; facade 19th C). On the south side, under a protective porch, is a doorway (13th-14th C) richly decorated with statues. The entrance to the church is on the west front, which has an 11th C porch preserved from an earlier building. In the choir are a stone abbot's throne and fine stalls, both dating from the 14th and 15th centuries. The left-hand choir chapel has a large Late Gothic reredos with 12 alabaster reliefs and a 14th century Virgin. In the 11th C crypt are reliquaries and sarcophagi of the sixth and seventh centuries.

In Bordeaux, on the banks of the Garonne, is the Place de la Bourse, built between 1730 and 1755 by members of the Gabriel family of architects. The square is flanked by two pavilion-like buildings, the Bourse (Stock Exchange) and the Musée des Douanes (Customs Museum: history of the port of Bordeaux, with ship models and nautical instruments, etc. In the center of the square is the Fountain of the Three Graces.

In the south of the old town is the Cathedral of St André, which is comparable in size with Notre-Dame in Paris. The nave, built in the 12th C, was altered in the 13th and 15th centuries; the choir and transepts date from the 14th century. The west front is plain, since it was too close to the town walls. The finest feature of the exterior is the north doorway, richly decorated with sculpture (Last Supper, Ascension, Christ in Majesty) and flanked by two tall towers.Also on the north side is the Porte Royale, with fine 13th century sculptural decoration (five figures of Apostles on each side of the doorway, Resurrection of the Dead on the lintel, Last Judgment in the tympanum).Opposite the west front of the cathedral is the former Archbishop's Palace (18th C), now the Hôtel de Ville (Town Hall), with a handsome staircase hall and finely appointed rooms.

Beside the St Andre Cathedral is a richly decorated free-standing tower, the Tour Pey Berland, built by the archbishop of that name in the 15th century. On the top of the tower (extensive views) is a 19th century statue of Notre-Dame d'Aquitaine.

The Musée des Beaux-Arts, in the Jardin de la Mairie (behind the Town Hall) in Bordeaux, has a collection ranging in date from the 15th to the 20th C, including pictures by Titian, Perugino, Veronese, Van Dyck, Brueghel, Rubens, La Tour, Delacroix, Renoir, Corot, Kokoschka, Rouault, Vlaminck, Bissière and Masson and sculpture by Rodin, Barye and Zadkine. The adjoining Galerie des Beaux-Arts puts on exhibitions of contemporary art.

The Museum of Decorative Art, in the Hôtel de Lalande (by Etienne Laclotte, 1779), displays furniture, ceramics, glass, jewellery, everyday objects and luxury articles from the 16th to the 18th century.

The 486m/530yd long Pont de Pierre (1813-1821) spans the Garonne with its 17 arches. At its west end is the 18th C Porte de Bourgogne or Porte des Salinières. Still farther west is the Grosse Cloche, a gate tower of the 13th and 15th centuries.

The Museum of Aquitaine in Bordeaux vividly illustrates the history of the city and the region from prehistoric times to the present day.The museum was originally opened in 1783 to display gemstones. In 1862, the museum took its current name and became a depository of local history, archaeology and ethnography. There are 4 levels in the Museum of Aquitaine with permanent and temporary exhibitions.

In Bordeaux, to the south of Pont Pierre is the Gothic church of St-Michel (14th-16th C), with a free-standing belfry (1472-1492) 109m/358ft high, from the top of which there are fine views of the city. The Center Jean-Moulin is a small museum telling the story of the Resistance movement in Bordeaux during World War II.

The Christmas market begins every year in late November when wooden stalls are set up. The stalls feature a plethora of goods from over 100 merchants, with many great Christmas gift ideas. Displays include sweets, gourmet food, decorations, jewelry, crafts and toys. Each year a different country sets up the nativity display.

The Colbert Cruiser is a floating museum that began its life as one of France's biggest warships. The cruiser was built in 1953 and served until 1990 during the Gulf War. Visitors can tour the 75 rooms including the kitchen, engine room, Captain's footbridge and the Admiral's flat to better understand life for the 600 sailors.

Rue Ste-Catherine is the busiest shopping street in Bordeaux. It continues as the town's oldest thoroughfare, originally a major road during Roman times. There is a mix of shops and architecture to be enjoyed at the heart of the city!

Stade nautique de Pessac has several municipal swimming pool. There is a large indoor pool for more serious swimmers, a small indoor pool for children with a bridge that goes overhead, and an outdoor pool with a wave machine. Visitors can visit the Turkish baths or the sauna, or sunbathe on the grass.

Annual festivals in Bordeaux include Music Weeks in May, and a Historical pageant in August.