Bordeaux

Bordeaux is France's 5th city (257,000 inner inhabitants, 1.2 million metropolitan area) and the world capital of wine. The city has undergone a spectacular renaissance since 1995 under Alain Juppé: rehabilitation of all 18th-century façades (5 km along the Garonne regained their original whiteness), creation of the tramway (France's longest network, 80 km), pedestrianisation of the centre. The Port of the Moon (historic centre in the shape of a lunar crescent) has been UNESCO-listed since 2007.

Essentials: Place de la Bourse (18th century, perfect Baroque ensemble) and its Water Mirror (3,450 m², the world's largest, alternating between mirror and mist every 15 min), the Grand-Théâtre by Victor Louis (1780, one of Europe's most beautiful), the Saint-André Cathedral (UNESCO, flamboyant Gothic), the Pey-Berland Tower (15th-century campanile), rue Sainte-Catherine (1.2 km, Europe's longest pedestrian shopping street). The Chartrons district for antique dealers, brasseries and wine cellars; the Marché des Capucins (Tuesday-Sunday) for oyster lunch in authentic atmosphere.

The Cité du Vin (2016, spectacular XTU architecture shaped like a double decanter) is the world wine museum — 3,000 m² of immersive exhibitions, panoramic tasting at the top with view over Bordeaux. 30-40 min by car: Saint-Émilion (UNESCO, medieval wine city), the Médoc (Châteaux Route Margaux-Pauillac-Saint-Estèphe), Sauternes. 1h away, the Arcachon Bay and the Pilat Dune (Europe's highest, 110 m).