Sightseeing in Bordeaux

 29/11/2025

After all of yesterday’s excitement, e had a bit of a sleep in this morning heading out into the neighbourhood for breakfast at around 8.30 am. Our hotel is opposite Bordeaux St Jean Railway station so there are plenty of options around us.



Our hotel, Mercure Bordeaux Centre Gare Atlantic
 


Bordeaux St Jean Station



Inside the Station

We quickly discovered that we were a bit early for breakfast, as a number of the outlets near us didn’t open till 9am, unless your standard breakfast was an espresso coffee and a few sweet pastries.

A suitable place was found and breakfast was quite good and reasonably priced. 

Having been seated or standing waiting for all of yesterday, we felt like stretching our legs and walking into the city centre, exploring whatever there was to see along the way. It wasn’t

Ong before we were diverted by the sight of a fresh food market, Marche des Capucins, which spent some time in admiring the amazing produce they have here, specially the seafood.






The scallops here are incredible, and cheap !




Fresh sardines for 5 Euro per kg !

If it weren’t so expensive army we could easily have settled in here for lunch as they had ready made seafood platters made up including oysters, crab claws, prawns etc that looked very tempting, and of course, wine was available to aid digestion.

Instead we hit the footpath again in the hope of finding something equally enticing at around lunch time.

In the distance we could see the spire of a cathedral and it wasn’t long before we found ourselves in Place
Pey Berland where the impressive Cathedrale Saint -Andre Bordeaux has a commanding presence.




Front of the Cathedral with side view below

Located in the same square is the town hall (below)


Our walk continued in the direction of Place des Quinconces where we are supposed to meet a guide tomorrow to take us to St Emillion. Along the way we saw a number of landmarks 


Porte Dijeaux, one of the old city gates



 Place de la Bourse


Desperately in need of a coffee and somewhere to sit down, we came across this cafe whilst walking along the road fronting the Garonne River. The decor was interesting.


Eglise St Michel

In the backstreets we discovered the Church of St Michael, and another historic city gate, Porte Cailhue.


Porte Cailhue

After walking around 10 km, we found ourselves back at Gare St Jean and were both thirsty and hungry. Fortunately in France, both of these needs are easily met. I sat down to an excellent meal of Moule Frittes, whilst Carole had a Niscoise salad. 


With every full stomachs we went back to our room for a rest, venturing out late afternoon for a pre dinner drink and a light meal.

Tomorrow we have a half day tour with wine tasting organised to visit St Emillion, which we are looking forward to.





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