This is a visual explainer based on the Wikipedia article on Bordeaux. Read the full source article here. (opens in new tab)

Bordeaux: A Tapestry of Time and Terroir

A scholarly journey through France's illustrious wine capital, exploring its profound history, economic prowess, and cultural grandeur.

Explore Bordeaux 👇 Discover Heritage 🏛️

Dive in with Flashcard Learning!


When you are ready...
🎮 Play the Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge Game🎮

The City

French Identity

Bordeaux, a prominent port city situated on the Garonne river in southwestern France, serves as the capital of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region and the prefecture of the Gironde department. Its inhabitants are known as "Bordelais" (masculine) or "Bordelaises" (feminine), a term that also encompasses the city and its surrounding region.

Urban Landscape

In 2020, the city of Bordeaux proper, within its compact municipal territory of 49 square kilometers (19 sq mi), recorded a population of 259,809. When considering its suburbs and exurbs, the Bordeaux metropolitan area reached a population of 1,376,375 in the same year, making it the sixth-most populated metropolitan area in France, following Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Lille, and Toulouse.

Global Recognition

Bordeaux holds the esteemed title of a world capital of wine, with numerous châteaux and vineyards gracing the hillsides of the Gironde. It is also home to Vinexpo, the world's leading wine fair, and is recognized as a significant center for gastronomy and business tourism, hosting international congresses. Its historic "Port of the Moon" was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2007, celebrated for its exceptional urban and architectural ensemble and its enduring international significance over two millennia. Bordeaux is further classified as a Sufficiency city by the Globalization and World Cities Research Network.

Historical Epochs

Ancient Roots (5th Century BC - 11th Century AD)

The region around Bordeaux was initially settled by the Bituriges Vivisci, a Celtic tribe, who named the town Burdigala around 300 BC. The city came under Roman rule around 60 BC, evolving into a crucial commercial center for tin and lead. Notable Roman structures from this era include an amphitheater and the Piliers de Tutelle. However, the city faced repeated sacks by various tribes, including the Vandals (276 AD, 409 AD), Visigoths (414 AD), and Franks (498 AD), leading to a period of decline.

In the late 6th century AD, Bordeaux re-emerged as a county seat and archdiocese within the Merovingian Frankish kingdom, though royal power remained tenuous. It became a regional urban center on the periphery of the newly formed Duchy of Vasconia. The city was plundered by Abd er Rahman's troops in 732, leading to the Battle of the River Garonne. Subsequent Frankish expeditions under Charles Martel and Pepin the Short aimed to consolidate control over Aquitaine, with Bordeaux serving as a key stronghold. Viking and Norman incursions in the 9th century threatened the city's stability, but the restoration of the Ramnulfid Dukes of Aquitaine brought governmental continuity.

The English Era (12th - 15th Century)

Bordeaux experienced a significant resurgence from the 12th to the 15th century, largely due to the marriage of Eleanor of Aquitaine to Henry II Plantagenêt, who later became King of England. This union integrated Aquitaine into the vast Angevin Empire. Henry II's grant of tax-free trade status with England greatly boosted Bordeaux's wine trade, its primary economic driver, and facilitated imports of cloth and wheat. Architectural marvels like the belfry (Grosse Cloche) and the city's Saint-André Cathedral were constructed during this prosperous period. The city briefly served as the capital of an independent state (1362–1372) under Edward, the Black Prince, before being annexed by France after the Battle of Castillon in 1453.

French Integration & Golden Age (15th - 18th Century)

In 1462, Bordeaux established its local parliament. The city's full integration into the Kingdom of France occurred in 1653, following the entry of Louis XIV's army. The 18th century marked another "golden age" for Bordeaux, as its "Port of the Moon" became France's busiest and the world's second busiest port after London. It supplied Europe with commodities such as coffee, cocoa, sugar, cotton, and indigo. This era saw the construction of approximately 5,000 downtown buildings, including those along the quays, which define much of the city's historic core today.

Despite its prosperity, Bordeaux was also a major hub for the transatlantic slave trade. Bordeaux shipowners conducted around 500 expeditions, leading to the deportation of an estimated 150,000 Africans. While the "Triangular trade" constituted only 5% of Bordeaux's wealth, the remaining 95% came from direct trade with the Caribbean, heavily reliant on goods produced by enslaved labor (sugar, coffee, cocoa). A significant migration of Aquitanians to Caribbean colonies, particularly Saint-Domingue (present-day Haiti), occurred during this period, with 40% of the island's white population originating from Aquitaine. These individuals prospered from plantation incomes until the slave revolts and the eventual abolition of slavery in France in 1848. The city now features memorials, including a statue of Modeste Testas, an enslaved Ethiopian woman, and the Museum of Aquitaine has dedicated spaces to this aspect of Bordeaux's history.

Modern Eras (19th - 21st Century)

The 19th century saw an economic rebirth for Bordeaux, driven by traders and shipowners who invested in infrastructure like the first bridge and customs warehouses. Shipping traffic expanded through new African colonies. Georges-Eugène Haussmann, a former prefect of Bordeaux, later used the city's 18th-century rebuilding as a model for his transformation of Paris. Bordeaux served as a temporary seat for the French government during the Franco-Prussian War, World War I, and briefly in World War II. During WWII, it was under German occupation, and notably, Portuguese consul-general Aristides de Sousa Mendes saved thousands of refugees by issuing visas. The former BETASOM submarine base from this period now functions as a cultural center. In 2007, 40% of Bordeaux's urban area, including the "Port of the Moon," was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognized as an "outstanding urban and architectural ensemble" reflecting Enlightenment values.

The Land

Geographic Setting

Bordeaux is strategically located near the European Atlantic coast, in the southwest of France and the northern part of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, approximately 500 kilometers (310 mi) southwest of Paris. The city is built on a significant bend of the Garonne river, which divides it into two distinct parts: the right bank to the east and the left bank to the west. Historically, the left bank developed more extensively due to the river's natural depth in that area, which facilitated the docking and unloading of merchant ships. The Garonne river in Bordeaux is accessible to ocean liners via the Gironde estuary, highlighting its continued importance as a port city. The right bank of the Garonne is characterized by a low-lying, often marshy plain, which is now undergoing new urban development projects.

Climate Profile

Bordeaux experiences an oceanic climate (Köppen climate classification Cfb), bordering on a humid subtropical climate (Cfa). The Trewartha climate classification system, however, categorizes the city as solely humid subtropical, a shift partly attributed to recent temperature increases linked to climate change and the urban heat island effect. The city enjoys cool to mild, wet winters, influenced by its relatively southerly latitude and the prevailing mild, westerly winds from the Atlantic. Summers are generally warm and somewhat drier, though sufficiently moist to prevent a Mediterranean climate classification. While frosts occur annually, snowfall is infrequent, typically occurring only 3–4 days per year. The summer of 2003 set a record with an average temperature of 23.3 °C (73.9 °F), while February 1956 remains the coldest month on record, with an average temperature of −2.00 °C at Bordeaux–Mérignac Airport.

Climate data for Bordeaux (BOD), elevation: 47 m (154 ft), 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1920–present

Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 20.8
(69.4)		 26.2
(79.2)		 27.7
(81.9)		 31.1
(88.0)		 35.4
(95.7)		 40.5
(104.9)		 41.2
(106.2)		 41.6
(106.9)		 37.0
(98.6)		 32.2
(90.0)		 26.7
(80.1)		 22.5
(72.5)		 41.6
(106.9)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 10.5
(50.9)		 12.0
(53.6)		 15.5
(59.9)		 18.0
(64.4)		 21.7
(71.1)		 25.0
(77.0)		 27.1
(80.8)		 27.6
(81.7)		 24.2
(75.6)		 19.6
(67.3)		 14.1
(57.4)		 11.0
(51.8)		 18.9
(66.0)
Daily mean °C (°F) 7.1
(44.8)		 7.8
(46.0)		 10.7
(51.3)		 13.0
(55.4)		 16.6
(61.9)		 19.8
(67.6)		 21.7
(71.1)		 21.9
(71.4)		 18.8
(65.8)		 15.2
(59.4)		 10.4
(50.7)		 7.7
(45.9)		 14.2
(57.6)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 3.7
(38.7)		 3.6
(38.5)		 5.8
(42.4)		 8.0
(46.4)		 11.4
(52.5)		 14.6
(58.3)		 16.2
(61.2)		 16.3
(61.3)		 13.3
(55.9)		 10.7
(51.3)		 6.7
(44.1)		 4.4
(39.9)		 9.6
(49.3)
Record low °C (°F) −16.4
(2.5)		 −14.8
(5.4)		 −9.9
(14.2)		 −5.3
(22.5)		 −1.8
(28.8)		 2.5
(36.5)		 5.2
(41.4)		 4.7
(40.5)		 −1.8
(28.8)		 −5.3
(22.5)		 −7.3
(18.9)		 −13.4
(7.9)		 −16.4
(2.5)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 86.9
(3.42)		 66.9
(2.63)		 63.3
(2.49)		 75.6
(2.98)		 71.1
(2.80)		 70.4
(2.77)		 48.6
(1.91)		 56.7
(2.23)		 81.2
(3.20)		 83.3
(3.28)		 114.5
(4.51)		 106.4
(4.19)		 924.9
(36.41)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) 12.2 10.1 10.7 11.2 10.0 8.3 7.1 7.0 9.3 10.7 13.3 12.7 122.5
Mean monthly sunshine hours 89.8 117.4 170.2 186.0 220.8 237.7 256.0 248.8 208.8 150.3 100.0 84.1 2,069.8

Commerce

Wine Industry

Bordeaux is globally recognized as a paramount center for the wine industry. The region's viticultural heritage dates back to the Romans, who introduced vines in the mid-first century. Today, the Bordeaux wine-growing area encompasses approximately 116,160 hectares (287,000 acres) of vineyards, featuring 57 appellations, 10,000 wine-producing estates (châteaux), and 13,000 grape growers. Annually, the region produces around 960 million bottles, ranging from everyday wines to some of the world's most exclusive and expensive vintages, including the five premier cru red wines established by the 1855 classification.

Red Bordeaux wines, often referred to as "claret" in the United Kingdom, are typically blends of grapes such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec, and occasionally Carménère. White Bordeaux wines are crafted from Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon, and Muscadelle grapes. The Sauternes sub-region, part of Graves, is particularly celebrated for its intensely sweet dessert wines, exemplified by Château d'Yquem. Recent trends indicate a decline in the number of growers and vineyard area due to a wine glut and international competition, while demand and prices for premier cru and renowned labels have significantly increased. The Cité du Vin, a museum and cultural center dedicated to wine, opened in 2016, further cementing Bordeaux's status as a wine capital.

Aeronautics & Space

Bordeaux is a central and strategic hub for the aeronautics, military, and space sectors, employing approximately 15,000 individuals in this industry. The city hosts major companies such as Dassault Aviation, ArianeGroup, Safran, and Thales. Key productions in Bordeaux include Dassault Falcon private jets, military aircraft like the Rafale and Mirage 2000, the cockpit for the Airbus A380, boosters for the Ariane 5 rocket, and components for the M51 SLBM missile. This strong link with aviation dates back to 1910, when the first airplane flew over the city.

Port & Tourism

The Port of Bordeaux, accessible from the Atlantic via the Gironde estuary, handles nearly nine million tonnes of goods annually, underscoring its continued importance in trade. Beyond its industrial and agricultural strengths, tourism is a significant industry, with wine tourism being a major draw. Bordeaux was recognized as the best tourist destination in Europe in a 2015 online poll, highlighting its appeal to international visitors. The city's blend of historical charm, culinary excellence, and viticultural renown makes it a compelling destination.

Major Companies

Bordeaux is home to a diverse array of major companies, both indigenous and those with significant regional presence. These enterprises contribute to the city's robust and varied economy.

  • Arena (swimwear)
  • Groupe Bernard
  • Groupe Castel
  • Cdiscount
  • Dassault Group
  • Jock
  • Marie Brizard
  • McKesson Corporation
  • Oxbow
  • Ricard
  • Sanofi Aventis
  • Smurfit Kappa
  • Snecma
  • Solectron
  • Thales Group

Population

Demographic Overview

As of January 2020, the city proper (commune) of Bordeaux had a population of 259,809. The commune, which includes Caudéran (annexed in 1965), reached its peak population of 284,494 in the 1954 census. Due to its relatively small municipal territory (49 km²) and urban sprawl, the built-up area of Bordeaux has expanded significantly beyond its administrative borders. The broader metropolitan area (aire d'attraction) of Bordeaux, covering 6,316 km² (2,439 sq mi), housed 1,376,375 people in January 2020, with only about a fifth residing within the city proper.

Population of Bordeaux (commune) (incl. Caudéran annexed in 1965)

Year Pop. ±% p.a. Year Pop. ±% p.a.
1793 107,198 — 1901 268,186 +0.06%
1800 93,570 −1.92% 1906 264,835 −0.25%
1806 94,214 +0.11% 1911 275,468 +0.79%
1821 91,161 −0.22% 1921 283,394 +0.28%
1831 101,965 +1.13% 1926 273,840 −0.68%
1836 101,769 −0.04% 1931 283,374 +0.69%
1841 108,176 +1.23% 1936 281,338 −0.14%
1846 129,217 +3.56% 1946 279,128 −0.08%
1851 135,308 +0.93% 1954 284,494 +0.23%
1856 154,394 +2.81% 1962 278,403 −0.28%
1861 168,422 +1.73% 1968 266,662 −0.72%
1866 198,112 +3.30% 1975 223,131 −2.53%
1872 199,174 +0.09% 1982 208,159 −0.98%
1876 220,446 +2.28% 1990 210,336 +0.13%
1881 227,736 +0.63% 1999 215,363 +0.26%
1886 248,545 +1.94% 2009 236,725 +0.97%
1891 261,085 +1.02% 2014 246,586 +0.82%
1896 267,369 +0.48% 2020 259,809 +0.87%

Immigrant Communities

While the majority of Bordeaux's population is French, the metropolitan area is home to significant immigrant communities, contributing to its diverse cultural fabric. These groups originate from various countries, reflecting historical ties and contemporary migration patterns.

Largest groups of immigrants living in the Bordeaux metropolitan area

Country of birth Population (2019)
Portugal 15,551
Morocco 15,207
Algeria 10,006
Spain 7,756
Turkey 4,231
Tunisia 2,875
Italy 2,683
Senegal 2,373
Romania 2,197
Madagascar 1,784
Cameroon 1,759
China 1,724
United Kingdom 1,603
Côte d'Ivoire 1,589

Governance

Municipal Leadership

Bordeaux is governed by its municipal administration, currently led by the environmentalist Mayor Pierre Hurmic. The city serves as the capital of five cantons and holds the status of Prefecture for both the Gironde department and the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region. The city is divided into three districts, the first three of Gironde, and the headquarters of the Bordeaux Métropole Urban Community are located in the Mériadeck neighborhood. The city also heads the Chamber of Commerce and Industry bearing its name.

Given Bordeaux's population size (greater than 250,000 but less than 299,999), its municipal council comprises 65 councilors. The current composition reflects a shift in political alignment:

Party Political line President Seats Status
EELV – PS – PCF – PRG – G.s – ND – PP Ecologist and left Pierre Hurmic 48 majority
LR – MR – Modem – Agir – UDI – LREM Right and centre-right Nicolas Florian 14 opposition
NPA – LFI – PG – E ! Anticapitalist left Philippe Poutou 3 opposition

Mayoral Succession

Since the Liberation of France in 1944, Bordeaux has seen six individuals serve as mayor, each contributing to the city's development and political landscape. The transition of power has reflected broader national political shifts and local dynamics.

Mayor Term start Term end Party
Fernand Audeguil August 1944 19 October 1947 SFIO
Jacques Chaban-Delmas 19 October 1947 19 June 1995 RPR
Alain Juppé 19 June 1995 13 December 2004 RPR / UMP
Hugues Martin 13 December 2004 8 October 2006 UMP
Alain Juppé 8 October 2006 7 March 2019 UMP / LR
Nicolas Florian 7 March 2019 3 July 2020 LR
Pierre Hurmic 3 July 2020 Incumbent EELV

Note: RPR was renamed to UMP in 2002, which was later renamed to LR in 2015.

Electoral Dynamics

Bordeaux's electoral results often provide a microcosm of French political trends, with shifts in presidential, parliamentary, and municipal elections reflecting evolving voter preferences. The city has demonstrated a dynamic political landscape, sometimes diverging from national outcomes.

2007 Presidential Election

Candidate 1st round 2nd round
Bordeaux National Bordeaux National
Nicolas Sarkozy 30.84% 31.18% 47.56% 53.06%
Ségolène Royal 31.37% 25.87% 52.44% 46.94%
François Bayrou 22.01% 18.57%
Jean-Marie Le Pen 5.42% 10.44%
Total votes 85.48% 83.77% 84.10% 83.97%

2012 Presidential Election

Candidate 1st round 2nd round
Bordeaux National Bordeaux National
François Hollande 33.05% 28.63% 57.18% 51.64%
Nicolas Sarkozy 28.68% 27.18% 42.82% 48.36%
Jean-Luc Mélenchon 12.16% 11.10%
François Bayrou 10.91% 9.13%
Marine Le Pen 8.22% 17.90%
Total votes 79.25% 79.48% 80.44% 80.35%

In the 2017 presidential election, Bordeaux voted for Emmanuel Macron. In the 2017 parliamentary election, La République En Marche! secured most constituencies in Bordeaux. The 2019 European Parliament election also saw Bordeaux voters participate. A significant shift occurred in the 2020 municipal elections, ending 73 years of right-of-center rule, with the ecologist Pierre Hurmic (EELV) winning against Nicolas Florian (LR/LaREM).

Education

University Heritage

Bordeaux boasts a rich academic history, with a first university established by the Romans in 286 AD to train administrators, focusing on rhetoric and grammar. Notable early teachers included Ausonius and Sulpicius Severus. In 1441, during Bordeaux's English era, Pope Eugene IV founded a university at the request of Archbishop Pey Berland. This institution was abolished during the French Revolution in 1793, replaced by Écoles centrales in 1796, before being re-established by Napoleon in 1808. Today, Bordeaux hosts approximately 70,000 students across one of Europe's largest campuses, spanning 235 hectares.

Specialized Schools

Beyond its comprehensive university, Bordeaux offers a wide array of public and private institutions providing specialized undergraduate and postgraduate programs across various disciplines.

Engineering Schools:

  • Arts et Métiers ParisTech (industrial and mechanical engineering)
  • ESME-Sudria (engineering)
  • École nationale supérieure d'électronique, informatique, télécommunications, mathématique et mécanique de Bordeaux (ENSEIRB-MATMECA)
  • École supérieure de technologie des biomolécules de Bordeaux
  • École nationale supérieure des sciences agronomiques de Bordeaux Aquitaine
  • École nationale supérieure de chimie et physique de Bordeaux
  • École pour l'informatique et les nouvelles technologies
  • Institut des sciences et techniques des aliments de Bordeaux
  • Institut de cognitique
  • École supérieure d'informatique
  • École privée des sciences informatiques (EPSI)

Business and Management Schools:

  • The Bordeaux MBA (International College of Bordeaux)
  • IUT Techniques de Commercialisation of Bordeaux (business school)
  • INSEEC Business School (Institut des hautes études économiques et commerciales)
  • KEDGE Business School (former BEM – Bordeaux Management School)
  • Vatel Bordeaux International Business School
  • E-Artsup
  • Institut supérieur européen de gestion group
  • Institut supérieur européen de formation par l'action

Other Institutions:

  • École nationale de la magistrature (National school for the judiciary)
  • École d'architecture et de paysage de Bordeaux
  • École des beaux-arts de Bordeaux
  • École française des attachés de presse et des professionnels de la communication (EFAP)
  • Conservatoire national des arts et métiers d'Aquitaine (CNAM)
  • École des Avocats ALIENOR de Bordeaux (law school)

Weekend Programs

Bordeaux also caters to specific educational needs through specialized programs, such as the École Complémentaire Japonaise de Bordeaux, a part-time Japanese supplementary school, which is held in the Salle de L'Athénée Municipal.

Attractions

Architectural Grandeur

Bordeaux is officially recognized as a "City of Art and History," boasting an impressive 362 national heritage sites (monuments historiques), some dating back to Roman times. Its "Port of the Moon" district is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, celebrated as an "outstanding urban and architectural ensemble." Bordeaux stands as one of the first French cities, after Nancy, to undertake large-scale urban planning projects, notably under the direction of the Gabriel father and son architects for King Louis XV, supervised by intendants Nicolas-François Dupré de Saint-Maur and the Marquis de Tourny. Several of its religious sites, including Saint-André Cathedral, Saint-Michel Basilica, and Saint-Seurin Basilica, are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of the Routes of Santiago de Compostela in France.

  • Place de la Bourse (1735–1755), designed by Jacques Gabriel.
  • Grand Théâtre (1780), a large neoclassical theater.
  • Allées de Tourny
  • Cours de l'Intendance
  • Place du Chapelet
  • Place du Parlement
  • Place des Quinconces, the largest square in France.
  • Monument aux Girondins
  • Place Saint-Pierre
  • Pont de pierre (1822)
  • Bordeaux Cathedral (Saint André), consecrated in 1096.
  • Tour Pey-Berland (1440–1450), a massive Gothic tower annexed to the cathedral.
  • Sainte-Croix church, built in the late 11th and early 12th centuries.
  • The Gothic Saint Michel Basilica, constructed between the late 14th and 16th centuries.
  • Basilica of Saint Severinus, the oldest church in Bordeaux, dating to the early 6th century.
  • Église Saint-Pierre, Gothic church.
  • Église Saint-Éloi, Gothic church.
  • Église Saint-Bruno, baroque church with frescoes.
  • Église Notre-Dame, baroque church.
  • Église Saint-Paul-Saint-François-Xavier, baroque church.
  • Palais Rohan, formerly the archbishop's residence, now city hall.
  • Palais Gallien, remains of a late 2nd-century Roman amphitheater.
  • Porte Cailhau, a medieval gatehouse.
  • La Grosse Cloche (15th century), the second remaining gate in the medieval walls, serving as the belfry of the old Town Hall.
  • Grande Synagogue, completed 1882.
  • Rue Sainte-Catherine, the longest pedestrian street in France.
  • Darwin ecosystem, an alternative cultural space in former military barracks.
  • The BETASOM submarine base, now partly used as a cultural center.

Contemporary Landmarks

Bordeaux continues to evolve with striking contemporary architecture that complements its historic core, showcasing modern design and urban planning.

  • Cité Frugès, a district in Pessac designed by Le Corbusier (1924–1926), listed as a UNESCO heritage site.
  • Fire Station, la Benauge, by Claude Ferret/Adrien Courtois/Yves Salier (1951–1954).
  • Mériadeck district (1960s–1970s).
  • Court of first instance, by Richard Rogers (1998).
  • CTBA, wood and furniture research center, by A. Loisier (1998).
  • Hangar 14 on the Quai des Chartrons (1999).
  • The Management Science faculty on the Bastide, by Anne Lacaton/Jean-Philippe Vassal (2006).
  • The Jardin botanique de la Bastide, by Catherine Mosbach/Françoise Hélène Jourda/Pascal Convert (2007).
  • The Nuyens School complex on the Bastide, by Yves Ballot/Nathalie Franck (2007).
  • Seeko'o Hotel on the Quai de Bacalan, by King Kong architects (2007).
  • Matmut Atlantique stadium, by Herzog & de Meuron (2015).
  • Cité du Vin, by XTU architects, Anouk Legendre & Nicolas Desmazières (2016).
  • MECA (Maison de l'Économie Créative et de la culture de la Région Nouvelle-Aquitaine), by Bjarke Ingels (2019).

Museums & Galleries

Bordeaux offers a rich array of museums and cultural institutions, covering fine arts, history, design, and specialized topics like wine and customs, providing deep insights into its heritage and contemporary artistic expressions.

  • Musée des Beaux-Arts (Fine arts museum), featuring works by Tiziano, Veronese, Rubens, Van Dyck, Frans Hals, Claude, Chardin, Delacroix, Renoir, Seurat, Redon, Matisse, and Picasso.
  • Musée d'Aquitaine (archeological and history museum).
  • Musée du Vin et du Négoce (museum of the wine trade).
  • Musée des Arts Décoratifs et du Design (museum of decorative arts and design).
  • Musée d'Histoire Naturelle (natural history museum).
  • Musée Mer Marine (Sea and Navy museum).
  • Cité du Vin.
  • CAPC musée d'art contemporain de Bordeaux (modern art museum).
  • Musée national des douanes (history of French customs).
  • Bordeaux Patrimoine Mondial (architectural and heritage interpretation center).
  • Musée d'ethnologie (ethnology museum).
  • Institut culturel Bernard Magrez, a modern and street art museum housed in an 18th-century mansion.
  • Cervantez Institute (located in Goya's former house).
  • Cap Sciences.
  • Centre Jean Moulin.

Parks & Gardens

Bordeaux provides numerous green spaces and botanical gardens, offering tranquil retreats and opportunities to appreciate nature within the urban environment.

  • Jardin public de Bordeaux, which includes the Jardin botanique de Bordeaux.
  • Jardin botanique de la Bastide.
  • Parc bordelais.
  • Parc aux Angéliques.
  • Jardin des Lumières.
  • Parc Rivière.
  • Parc Floral.

Pont Jacques Chaban-Delmas

A modern engineering marvel, the Pont Jacques Chaban-Delmas, opened in 2013, is Europe's longest-span vertical-lift bridge. Spanning the Garonne River, its central lift span measures 117 meters (384 feet) and weighs 4,600 tons, capable of lifting vertically up to 53 meters (174 feet) to allow tall ships to pass. This 160 million euro bridge was named in honor of Jacques Chaban-Delmas, a former Prime Minister and long-serving Mayor of Bordeaux.

Shopping Districts

Bordeaux offers a diverse shopping experience, centered around Rue Sainte-Catherine, one of Europe's longest pedestrian shopping streets. This bustling thoroughfare, stretching 1.2 kilometers (0.75 mi), is lined with shops, restaurants, and cafés. As one moves towards Place de la Comédie and the Grand Théâtre, the shops become increasingly upscale. The nearby Cours de l'Intendance is home to more exclusive boutiques and high-end establishments.

Transport

Road Network

Bordeaux serves as a vital road and motorway junction, connecting to major French cities and Spain via key autoroutes (A10 to Paris, A89 to Lyon, A62 to Toulouse, A63 to Spain). The city is encircled by a 45-kilometer (28 mi) ring road known as the "Rocade," which frequently experiences heavy traffic. Plans for an additional ring road are under consideration. Bordeaux is traversed by five road bridges over the Garonne: the historic Pont de pierre (1820s), the modern Pont Saint Jean, the suspension Pont d'Aquitaine, the Pont François Mitterrand (part of the ring road), and the vertical-lift Pont Jacques-Chaban-Delmas (opened 2013). All five bridges are accessible to cyclists and pedestrians, and a new bridge, the Pont Jean-Jacques Bosc, is planned for future construction. The city's flat terrain makes it particularly cyclist-friendly, supported by dedicated cycle paths along the riverfront, on university campuses, and integrated into city boulevards, alongside a paid bicycle-sharing system established in 2010.

Rail Connections

Gare de Bordeaux Saint-Jean, the city's main railway station, serves 12 million passengers annually. It is a key hub for France's high-speed TGV trains, offering connections to Paris (in just over 2 hours since 2017), Lille, Brussels, Amsterdam, Cologne, Geneva, and London. The TGV also links Bordeaux to Toulouse and Irun (Spain). Regular train services connect to Nantes, Nice, Marseille, and Lyon. Regional trains (TER) operated by SNCF provide extensive local connections. Historically, trains terminated on the Garonne's right bank, requiring passengers to cross the Pont de Pierre. Gustave Eiffel later built a double-track steel railway bridge in the 1850s to bring trains directly to Gare Saint-Jean. While this old bridge became a bottleneck, a new four-track bridge opened in 2009, allowing faster train speeds. Efforts were made to preserve Eiffel's original bridge as a footbridge, though it remains unused without public access.

Air Travel

Bordeaux is served by Bordeaux–Mérignac Airport, conveniently located 8 kilometers (5.0 mi) from the city center in the suburban municipality of Mérignac. This airport provides essential air connectivity for both domestic and international travel.

Urban Transit

Bordeaux boasts a comprehensive public transport system, Transports Bordeaux Métropole (TBM), managed by the Keolis group. The network includes four tram lines (A, B, C, and D), 75 bus routes integrated with the tramway, 13 night bus routes, and an electric bus shuttle serving the city center. A unique feature of the tram system is its use of Alstom APS ground-level power supply technology in the historic city center, preserving the aesthetic environment by eliminating overhead cables. Conventional overhead cables are used outside the city. While initially controversial due to cost and technical issues, the system has expanded, with Line A reaching Mérignac airport in April 2023. The TBM network operates from 5 am to 2 am. Additionally, over 400 taxicabs serve the city.

Public transportation statistics in Bordeaux reveal typical commuting patterns:

  • The average weekday commute time using public transit is 51 minutes.
  • Approximately 12% of public transit riders spend more than 2 hours commuting daily.
  • The average waiting time at a stop or station is 13 minutes, with 15.5% of riders waiting over 20 minutes on average each day.
  • The average distance traveled in a single public transit trip is 7 kilometers (4.3 mi), with 8% traveling over 12 kilometers (7.5 mi) in one direction.

Sport

Stadiums & Teams

Bordeaux is home to the 41,458-capacity Nouveau Stade de Bordeaux, the city's largest stadium, which opened in 2015. It replaced the Stade Chaban-Delmas, a historic venue that hosted FIFA World Cup matches in 1938 and 1998, as well as the 2007 Rugby World Cup. The city's primary football team, Girondins de Bordeaux, currently plays in Championnat National 2, the fourth tier of French football, and is one of France's most successful clubs with six Division 1/Ligue 1 titles. Union Bordeaux Bègles represents the city in rugby, competing in the Top 14, France's premier rugby union league. Other notable sports clubs include the top-flight ice hockey team Boxers de Bordeaux and the third-tier basketball team JSA Bordeaux Basket. Bordeaux also boasts one of France's strongest cricket teams, champions of the South West League.

Cycling & Motorsports

The Vélodrome du Lac in Bordeaux features a 250-meter (820 ft) wooden track, hosting international cycling competitions, including UCI Track Cycling World Cup events. From 1951 to 1955, Bordeaux's city center, specifically a 2.5-kilometer circuit looping around the Esplanade des Quinconces and along the waterfront, was the site of an annual Formula 1 motor race, attracting legendary drivers such as Juan Manuel Fangio, Stirling Moss, Jean Behra, and Maurice Trintignant.

Urban Sports

Skateboarding, rollerblading, and BMX biking are popular activities among Bordeaux's youth. The city features a well-maintained skate-park along the Garonne river quay, divided into sections for vert tricks, street style, and a beginner-friendly area with easier features and softer materials, catering to a wide range of action sports enthusiasts.

Culture

Artistic Hub

Bordeaux has long been a vibrant cultural center. In the 1980s, it became the first French city to establish a dedicated architecture exhibition and research center, Arc en rêve. The city boasts a significant number of cinemas and theaters, and is home to the Opéra national de Bordeaux, a prestigious institution for opera and ballet. Throughout the year, Bordeaux hosts various festivals, enriching its cultural calendar.

Film Festivals

Bordeaux has a history of hosting film events. The Bordeaux International Festival of Women in Cinema (Festival international du cinéma au féminin de Bordeaux) was held from 2002 to 2005. More recently, the Festival international du film indépendant de Bordeaux (Fifib or FIFIB), or Bordeaux International Independent Film Festival, was established in 2012, showcasing independent cinema.

Global

Twin Cities

Bordeaux maintains numerous twin town and sister city relationships across the globe, fostering international cooperation and cultural exchange. These partnerships reflect Bordeaux's historical connections and its commitment to global engagement.

  • Ashdod, Israel (since 1984)
  • Bilbao, Spain
  • Baku, Azerbaijan (since 1985)
  • Bristol, United Kingdom (since 1947)
  • Casablanca, Morocco (since 1988)
  • Fukuoka, Japan (since 1982)
  • Kraków, Poland (since 1993)
  • Lima, Peru (since 1957)
  • Los Angeles, California, United States (since 1968)
  • Madrid, Spain (since 1984)
  • Munich, Germany (since 1964)
  • Oran, Algeria (since 2003)
  • Porto, Portugal (since 1978)
  • Quebec City, Quebec, Canada (since 1962)
  • Ramallah, Palestine
  • Riga, Latvia
  • Saint Petersburg, Russia (since 1993)
  • Wuhan, China (since 1998)

International Partnerships

In addition to its twin city agreements, Bordeaux engages in various international partnerships to promote collaboration in specific sectors or areas of mutual interest.

  • Samsun, Turkey (since 2010)

Teacher's Corner

Edit and Print this course in the Wiki2Web Teacher Studio

Edit and Print Materials from this study in the wiki2web studio
Click here to open the "Bordeaux" Wiki2Web Studio curriculum kit

Use the free Wiki2web Studio to generate printable flashcards, worksheets, exams, and export your materials as a web page or an interactive game.

True or False?

Test Your Knowledge!

Gamer's Corner

Are you ready for the Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge?

Learn about bordeaux while playing the wiki2web Clarity Challenge game.
Unlock the mystery image and prove your knowledge by earning trophies. This simple game is addictively fun and is a great way to learn!

Play now

Explore More Topics

Discover other topics to study!

radiogenic nuclide
    
1874 united kingdom general election
    
alaska
    
territory of the saar basin
    
ukrainians
    
sessai ch ōr ō
    
double baseball
    
mixe people
    
theodore j. hoover natural preserve
    
akron beacon journal
    

References

References

A full list of references for this article are available at the Bordeaux Wikipedia page

Feedback & Support

To report an issue with this page, or to find out ways to support the mission, please click here.

Disclaimer

Important Notice

This page was generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is based on a snapshot of publicly available data from Wikipedia and may not be entirely accurate, complete, or up-to-date.

This is not professional advice. The information provided on this website is not a substitute for professional historical, geographical, economic, political, or educational consultation. Always refer to official sources and consult with qualified professionals for specific needs. Never disregard professional advice because of something you have read on this website.

The creators of this page are not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for any actions taken based on the information provided herein.