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.