The UNESCO Port of the Moon (historic centre in crescent shape) deploys 5 km of perfectly restored 18th-century façades. Essentials: Place de la Bourse + Water Mirror (3,450 m², world's largest, mirror/mist alternation every 15 min — Bordeaux's iconic photo spot), Grand-Théâtre by Victor Louis (1780), Saint-André Cathedral + Pey-Berland Tower, Place du Parlement, Place du Palais, rue Sainte-Catherine (Europe's longest pedestrian street, 1.2 km). The Chartrons district for authenticity (antique dealers, wine bars, 19th-century brasseries). The Marché des Capucins (Tuesday-Sunday) for oysters at the counter on Sunday morning.
The Cité du Vin (2h-2h30 visit, €22): world wine museum in spectacular double-decanter architecture (XTU, 2016). 3,000 m² of immersive multisensory exhibitions, panoramic tasting at the Belvédère (8th floor). Essential.
The vineyards: Saint-Émilion (UNESCO, 40 min from Bordeaux) — medieval wine city with monolithic church carved in rock, panoramic king's tower, classified château visits (Cheval Blanc, Pavie, Ausone). Médoc (D2 Châteaux route, 40 min-1h): Margaux, Pauillac (Latour, Lafite-Rothschild, Mouton-Rothschild), Saint-Estèphe. Sauternes (1h): sweet wines (Yquem). Pomerol (35 min): great red wines (Pétrus).
1h away, the Arcachon Bay and the Pilat Dune (110 m high, Europe's highest, exceptional view over the Bay and Landes forest).
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- Biarritz — The pearl of the Basque Coast 1h50 by TGV south.
- Nouvelle-Aquitaine — Bordeaux area, Basque Country, Périgord, Pilat Dune.
- France — Complete country guide.
- Carcassonne — UNESCO medieval city 2h30 east.