Beautiful Bordeaux: Explore the City's Highlights

If you are planning a holiday in France, barge holidays often provide the best way to see the different regions of this beautiful country. You could journey down the Burgundy Canal, the River Cher in the Loire Valley or discover the delights of the Champagne region. However, one of the most popular regions to see is Bordeaux. If you plan to see the region from its waterways, make sure you stop off in the city of Bordeaux at some point to see all of its attractions. The ninth-largest French city has plenty to see and do, and here are some of the highlights.

Cathédrale Saint-André de Bordeaux

This Roman Catholic cathedral is one of the most important buildings in Bordeaux. Consecrated in 1096, the cathedral has since been almost completely rebuilt over the centuries. However, some parts of the building are still the original ancient construction. For example, the Royal Gate dates back to the 13th century and much of the rest of the building dates from the 14th and 15th centuries. It is a national monument and well worth seeing.

Musée d’Aquitaine

When you go on holiday in France, barge holidays in the Bordeaux region will provide you with a great way to learn about the region as you travel through it. If you would like to find out more about its history, visit the Musée d’Aquitaine, in Bordeaux. This is an excellent museum where you can learn about the history of the region dating back to ancient times.

Tour Pey-Berland

This ancient bell tower is located next to the cathedral, and it is well worth a quick visit. It was completed in 1500, but despite being built separately to protect the cathedral from the vibrations of the bells, the bells were actually only installed in the 19th century - before that it was used for housing.

Grand Théâtre de Bordeaux

This theatre opened in 1780 and has played host to myriad excellent performances ever since. Designed by Victor Louis, it is one of the best places in the city to see the ballet or the opera – do try to see a performance while you are there.

Basilica of St. Michael

This Gothic church was built between the 14th and 16th centuries, and it is another very interesting religious building. One of the most interesting aspects is that a Roman cemetery was discovered underneath the tower in 1881, complete with mummified bodies! While in France, barge holidays here are a great way to discover plenty of interesting historical facts like this.

See Bordeaux for Yourself

If you plan to go on holiday in France, barge holidays in the Bordeaux region are a great option. Bordeaux is a fascinating city to visit, so keep all of the above attractions in mind and try to put aside some time to see them when you stop off.

Paul Newman is the Marketing and E-Systems Executive for European Waterways, a provider of luxury, all-inclusive barge holidays. If you're looking for a unique way to see France, barge holidays are an ideal opportunity. Cruises are also offered in Holland, Italy and the UK.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.