4 sights to see in bordeaux, france
TRANSCRIPT
4 Sights To SeeIn Bordeaux,
Franceby Mickael Marsali
With its history and its beauty,Bordeaux, France is one of the bestplaces to travel this year. In a 2013
survey, Bordeaux was rankedFrance’s second-favorite city, after
Paris of course.
Bordeaux has recently experienceda restaurant boom, adding to the
charm of this lovely city. Here are afew things to do in Bordeaux,
France:
Place de laBourse
The Place de la Bourse (BoursePlaza), or the Place Royale, is one of
the most beautiful squares inBordeaux, and is an incredibleexample of late 18th-century
Bordeaux architecture.
In addition to the beauty of itsarchitecture, another aspect thatattracts tourists to the Place de la
Bourse is the Miroir des Quais (TheQuay Mirror) right across the
street.
This incredible water mirror isbound to leave you in awe. The best
time to visit the Place de la Bourse isduring the time when the sky is
dark.
The stunning contrast between thenight sky and the illuminated
buildings has made the Place de laBourse one fo the most
photographed places in Bordeaux.
Grand Theatre
The Grand Theatre is at the centerof the Place de la Comédie, the
ancient site of the Roman Forumand a hub of metropolitan life. Builtin 1780, this theatre has become an
icon of Bordeaux Classicalarchitecture, attracting tourists
from far and wide.
Its lavish exterior has 12 colossalCorinthian columns as well as
statues representing the muses.
There are also statues of thegoddesses Venus, Juno and Minerva.The interior is just as breathtaking,
with stunning foyers and grandstaircases.
Some of the best performances tosee at the Grand Theatre are those
put on by the National Ballet ofBordeaux or by the National
Orchestra.
BasiliqueSaint-Michel
Located on the Route of Santiagopilgrimage trail, the Basilique Saint-
Michel is a perfect example of the“Rayonnant Gothic” style of
architecture. It is a designatedUNESCO World Heritage Site,
alongside the Cathedral of SaintAndrew and the Basilica of Saint
Seurin.
The Basilique Saint Michel took 200years to build between the 14th and
the 16th centuries. When you visit thismagnificent structure, you can go to
the top of the freestanding belfry andtake in amazing panoramic views of
the city. The quarter of Saint Michaelthat surrounds the Basilique is also a
lovely place to take a stroll.
Museed’Aquitaine
If the architecture hasn’t providedyou with enough slices of history, youcan visit the Musee d’Aquitaine to see
a number of artifacts, such as theLaussel Venus, a 3rd-century statue of
Hercules and Gallic gold coins fromabout the 2nd century BC.
After visiting the Musee d’Aquitaine,you will have seen a number of objects
from Bordeaux and the region ofAquitaine, some of which date back toprehistoric times. You can also see the
16th-century Montaigne’s tomb andthe 13th-century figure of a knight of
Curton.
Bordeaux is a charming city withhistory at every turn. While Paris is a
must-visit, a trip to France is notcomplete without checking out the
ancient beauty of Bordeaux.