Bordeaux

Bordeaux, is a relaxed and elegant city, somewhere to stroll along the riverside quays and to peel back many layers of history in the old town: Roman remains, medieval turrets, elegant 18th century mansions, a wartime submarine base, stunning 21st century features like the Miroir d’eau. It’s also a city of wine, the place to tour a vineyard or two, visit a wine shop stocking several million bottles or the world’s biggest wine museum. Or just linger over a glass in any number of pretty squares and side streets.

The 10 episodes in our City Break Bordeaux series bring you all the background history and culture you need to fully understand this beautiful city. In short, here is all the research you’d do yourself if only you had the time.

Each episode centres around a podcast, available here or on all the usual providers. The blog posts here on the website include a summary of the main information, plus pictures, useful links and ideas for further reading. So, let’s go, or as the French say ‘On y va!’

BORDEAUX : HISTORY & CULTURE

BOrdeaux: links and reading

Two useful websites for tourists
Bordeaux Tourist Office
Visit Bordeaux

2 Guide Books
Lonely Planet Pocket Bordeaux
Bordeaux France by P G Preston

4 History Books
Eleanor of Aquitaine by Sara Cockerill
Eleanor of Aquitaine by Alison Weir
Histoire de Bordeaux by Madeleine Lassière (in French)
Petite Histoire de Bordeaux by Marion Philip and Xavier Lacarce (in French)

True Stories and Memoirs
Game of Spies by Paddy Ashdown
The Last of the Cockleshell Heroes by William Sparks
The Billionaire’s Vinegar by Benjamin Wallace

Novels set in Bordeaux
The Summer Queen by Elizabeth Chadwick
Dark Summer in Bordeaux by Allan Massie
The Frontenac Mystery by François Mauriac
Thérèse Desqueyroux by François Mauriac