The third installment of a Summer in France (Bordeaux) begins as we leave Poitiers to visit the small village of Chauvigny. We visited on Good Friday, so many of the shops and restaurants were closed for the Easter holiday. We headed straight up to the medieval city and there were only a handful of people walking around. It was nice to explorer the village on our own.
The town has an upper ancient city with the remains of five fortified castles dating from the 12-13th centuries. The castle remains are perched on the same rocky hilltop while a more modern town is found below. This is our view as we approached the bridge into town.
As we walked to the top of the hill, there were great views over the rooftops and onto the landscape below.
The ancient streets were almost deserted when we explored the castle remains.
We strolled back down the hill toward the main square in the newer part of town to end our day with a meal. We just couldn’t resist the dessert of the day which was a poached pear in chocolate sauce!
Our arrival in Bordeaux gave us beautiful sunshine and 75 degree weather. This is so much better than the freezing 28 degree temperatures we had for a couple of days last week. We were so cold. We hadn’t packed winter clothes in the tight space of our carry on luggage. Thankfully, it warmed up quickly.
Summer in France: Bordeaux continues
We love the city of Bordeaux. When staying in town it’s a very walkable city, though there’s easy public transportation too. It’s also home to my favorite wine. Bordeaux is a port city with a history spanning over 2,000 years and is the 6th largest city in France. Known around the world for its wine, there are over 270,000 acres of vineyards that produce 57 different varieties of wine and over 900 million bottles each year. We can’t wait to get settled in.
OMG, really?
Ok, I’m very thankful I leased the small Peugeot, as everything is SO much smaller here— rooms, roads, parking, streets, etc. We arrived at our apartment that included private underground parking. So far, so good. We were greeted by the owner’s daughter at check in. She commented “oh, by the way, drive carefully into the garage as it’s a bit steep”. So she clicked open the gate and as we drove in I thought we’d tip the car head first into a pit. YIKES! Thank GOD for brand new brakes. This is nuts.
After our heart rate recovered from this amusement ride called a garage entrance, she pointed to our parking space. OMG, really, it’s a box. A very TIGHT box. After MULTIPLE back and forth maneuverings, Danny finally parked the car safely inside the box. Woohoo, success! We can finally check in and relax.
Oops, it was only then we realized that neither of us could open the door to get out the car! The walls were too close. OK, so we needed a plan B. Danny pulled the car out of the box again so I could get out and unload the luggage. Then he had to park really close on the passenger side wall so he could squeeze out on the driver’s side. I guess the alternative would have been to drive forward into the spot and climb out the trunk’s hatchback. Now that would’ve made a great picture. Honestly, the driving and parking situation here daily is CRAZY. As you can see, getting out of the garage was no picnic either. Welcome to France.
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Bordeaux sites
Walking around the city with its phenomenal architecture is like being inside a museum. Every corner you turn, there’s another beautiful building or monument to photograph. The stock exchange and square below was inaugurated in 1749. The water mirror, installed in 2006, is a gentle mist of water that sprays over the granite ground creating a mirror effect. It’s probably the most photographed spot in Bordeaux.
The large squares typically contain sculptures or fountains. Wandering around the narrow streets filled with shops and cafes are our new pastime.
We also have other pastimes to fill our days besides just walking around— eating and drinking (not necessarily in that order).
The city is especially beautiful at night when the buildings are all lit.
Another great thing to do in town is visit the Bar à Vin. It’s owned and managed by the Bordeaux Wine Council and is a training ground for young sommeliers in a beautiful 18th century building. They carry about 30 Bordeaux wines by the glass from 2-10 euros. Cheers.
There’s lots more to see and do here. If you’re planning a trip, check out Bordeaux’s official tourism site. Our adventures for Summer in France: Bordeaux are coming to an end, but I look forward to sharing more with you soon. Next up, Summer in France: (Vineyards).
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