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TGV4

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TGV high speed train Paris to Bordeaux + sightseeing walking tour of Bordeaux

9 am Black Cab taxi from Paris apartment to Gare Montparnasse train station go
The train station is on the left bank of Paris within minutes of our apartment location but it’s drizzly, we are on a tight schedule, so we decide on a cab to insure a timely arrival –  but it takes longer to get there by taxi due to construction and one way traffic. We stress, but do make it in time.

10:46 am TGV high speed train Paris to Bordeaux go
Along with other ticket holders, we sit in a glass front waiting room until boarding is announced 15 minutes before departure. There is a moment of panic as we can’t find our train car, people are rushing, assistance is negligible. We find the car and struggle to find luggage space before settling in for the ride. Once under way we are very quickly in the country side. Meadows, fields of yellow, small villages rush by. Ride is smooth, fast, a bit boring. Picture taking impossible.

ParisBordeaux2  309 miles/497 km in 3.5 hours

2:32 pm arrive Gare de Bordeaux-Saint-Jean train station go
We grab a cab to the hotel only to find out we could have taken the tram (excellent system in Bordeaux). Cheaper, faster, easier, only 6 short stops and would have dropped us at the hotel door. Live and learn.

4 pm check into Hotel Hotel de Normandie go
Location, location, location! Great travellers hotel. Right in the heart of 18th century Bordeaux – near tourist bureau, trams, waterfront, main square, everything. Staff very helpful. Our room on second floor has high ceilings with big windows facing the Alles de Tourney. Although built in the 18th century, the hotel has been renovated: bath has latest innovations, there’s WiFi, a comfortable working area, lots of closet space. We make ourselves at home.

5 pm walk around downtown and gawk at everything
Bordeaux is very walkable. We explore the Esplanade des Quinconces, the Grand Theatre, the Grand Hotel, weaving through the side streets before deciding it is time to eat.

7 pm dinner Aflo Restaurant, 20 Allée de Tourny go
The desk clerk recommends a place for dinner – we try but can’t get in without a reservation. We amble down a few doors, read the menu at the Aflo and decide to dine there. Still early for dinner but we’ve had no lunch. We share two plates, a marvelous vegetable salad and a fish entrée – both delicious. A good decision.

stay Hotel de Normandie go
Fall asleep immediately – been a full day.

 

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Savor the magic of Aquitaine and Bordeaux – its culture, history, wine, waterways and chateaux – best revealed on a barge cruise. Float on gentle rivers in an intimate setting with mates who become friends while sharing the experience. Unpack one time only, enjoy French country cooking and regional wines, interesting itineraries and all details handled for you – this is relaxed vacationing. Here is our experience – a guide to fun things to see and do on your visit.

Day 1 Jun30

Day 1

TGV high speed train Paris to Bordeaux + sightseeing walking tour of Bordeaux 9 am Black Cab taxi from Paris apartment to Gare Montparnasse train station go The train station is on the left bank of Paris within minutes of our apartment location but it’s drizzly, we are on...

Day 2 Jun29

Day 2

Explore Bordeaux City Brilliant morning. From our 2nd floor window we see a rush of people, autos, bicycles and tram traffic bustling through the city. 8 am buffet breakfast Hotel de Normandie go dining room Hotel’s breakfast buffet riches: scrambled eggs, local sausage, yogurt, croissants, bread, fresh and dried fruit,  a variety of cereals, juices, cold meats, cheeses, and best of all, good coffee – but no lingering over a second cup.    9 am ride Bordeaux tram lines go Turns out the tram is literally right in front of the hotel. We ride the tram to discover different parts of the city....

Day 3 Jun27

Day 3

Bordeaux – Médoc wine tour 8 am buffet breakfast Hotel de Normandie dining room We fuel up from the abundance of excellent choices to prepare ourselves for the full wine day ahead.    42 miles/68 km 9 am Guided panoramic bus tour along the mythic Route des...

Day 4 Jun27

Day 4

Bordeaux – Libourne – barge 8 am buffet breakfast Hotel de Normandie dining room During our full but brief breakfast we decide to visit the Sunday market Marché des Chartrons.   17 miles/28 km 9 am – 12:30 pm visit and tour Bordeaux waterfront We tram...

Day 5 Jun26

Day 5

Libourne-St. Emilion-Blaye 7:30 am breakfast dining room Mirabelle Barge Libourne is sunny and bright today and the river is sparkling. We’ve all slept well. The mood is anticipatory. Breakfast is buffet style with no set time but everyone is anxious to find out what the...

Day 6 Jun25

Day 6

Blaye -Ile de Patiras -Bourg 7:30 – 9 am breakfast Comes this morning with a view of the peaceful village of Blaye. The town is small – one kilometer long: a collection of mostly one story stone buildings, it has a small population keeping it alive while...

Day 7 Jun24

Day 7

Bourg – Pauillac – Bordeaux 7:30 am visit another island today – Ile de Margaux The buffet choices change each day and there is always a surprise. Of course some things never change – great specialty coffee, good breads and cheeses, yogurt and fruit – always there. How is it that we are always so ravenous every morning? We’ve start to cruise toward Ile de Margaux to visit the vineyard and taste the wines of the Domaine de Margaux. Margaux island, part of an archipelago Gironde – 8 islands located in the heart of the estuary –  with an area of 25 hectares, is one of the...

Day 8 Jun23

Day 8

Bio-Market, Bordeux history tour – Cadillac 7:30 – 9:30 am breakfast One by one couples emerge from their cabins and head for the breakfast buffet, choose their foods, and join an open table. Its at table exchanges we get to know people who days ago were...

Day 9 Jun22

Day 9

Cadillac – Castets-en Dorthe 7:30-9 am breakfast It’s our last day and we’ve a full agenda. Breakfast mingling is animated with laughter and chatter. Coffee tastes really good this morning and the cheeses are superb. The local yogurt is very tasty – we try...

Jun21

Thanks to all who helped create this fine experience Fun of Travel  Joseph Cillo Publisher & Editor in Chief  Mary Buttaro Creative & Photo Editor Bordeaux Tourist Office  Gwenaëlle Towse-Vallet Press Attaché France Cruises  Jean-Francois Dabrowski President Mirabelle...

About Jun20

About

Bordeaux One of the most famous cities in France Located on the west Atlantic coast, the city is marvelous, small and not overwhelming to the visitor. It is a key destination for anyone interested in French culture, lifestyle and wine. With a charming 18th century old town, a fabulous...

Mirabelle Jan21

Mirabelle

Mirabelle An elegant Dutch-built boat converted into a superbly appointed hotel-barge accommodating 24 guests in comfort. Main deck has a large sundeck wreathed in flowers, a lounge with a bar area and a dining room decorated with warm wood-paneling and panoramic windows. Lower deck has 12 twin-bedded cabins, each with its own bathroom.                     Cruise Itinerary...