Bordeaux, located in western France, is one of the most important wine-growing regions in the world. It is famous for its vineyards, which produce primarily merlot grapes and red wines. Bordeaux is also known for its beautiful architecture, including the Esplanade des Quinconces square and the Grand Theatre built in the late 1700s. The city also contains the Cathédrale Saint-André cathedral consecrated in 1096 and the Museum of Fine Arts housing works by famous artists.

2. Bordeaux, located in western France, is one of the most important wine-growing areas in
the world. It’s also a place rich in history, culture, and sights that any world traveler or
Europe lover will want to see at least once in their lifetime.
W H Y V I S I T B O R D E A U X ?

3. One of the most important places to visit is, of course, Bordeaux’s famous vineyards.
Bordeaux’s wine industry is such an important part of world culture, it’s been declared a
UNESCO World Heritage Site. Even if you don’t drink wine yourself, you’ll want to see the
area’s splendid vineyards just for their importance to history.
B O R D E A U X ’ S F A M O U S V I N E Y A R D S

4. • Bordeaux is the largest wine-
growing area in France.
• Almost all of Bordeaux’s famous
wines are blends, meaning they’re
created by combining more than
one type of grape.
• The primary type of wine grape
grown in Bordeaux is merlot. In
fact, Bordeaux grows the most
merlot grapes in the world.
• Today, Bordeaux is most famous for
its red wines. But until the 1970s,
it mostly produced white wines.
S O M E F A C T S A B O U T B O R D E A U X W I N E

5. Bordeaux is also famous
for its beautiful
architecture—some of it
hundreds or thousands of
years old. For example,
the Esplanade des
Quinconces is one of the
largest city squares in
Europe. Across its more
than 30 acres, visitors can
see many splendid
sculptures, fountains, and
other stunning sights.
E S P L A N A D E D E S Q U I N C O N C E S

6. G R A N D T H É Â T R E D E B O R D E A U X
Another of Bordeaux’s architectural wonders is the Grand Theatre, a neoclassical structure
built in the late 1700s. It is the place where famed ballet dancer and choreographer
Marius Petipa debuted some of his most famous pieces, and today serves as home to the
Opéra National de Bordeaux and the Ballet National de Bordeaux.

7. There are many ancient
cathedrals throughout
Europe, and one of the
most impressive is
Bordeaux’s Cathédrale
Saint-André, which was
consecrated in 1096 by
Pope Urban II. It was
also the place where
Eleanor of Aquitaine
married Louis VII, and
is the current seat for
the Archbishop of
Bordeaux-Bazas.
C A T H É D R A L E S A I N T - A N D R É D E B O R D E A U X

8. Bordeaux is also home to one
of the greatest art galleries
in all of France, the Museum
of Fine Arts. Pieces on
display include paintings by
Picasso, Renoir, Seurat,
Matisse, Rubens, Delcroix,
and more. Some of the
museums most famous
paintings have been in its
possession since the French
Revolution, when they were
taken from their original
aristocratic owners.
M U S É E D E S B E A U X - A R T S

9. If you’re more interested in
nature than in architecture or
art, Bordeaux is also home to
the Gironde Estuary, the
largest estuary in Europe. For
military buffs, Gironde was
also the site of Operation
Frankton, a daring commando
mission by 12 British special
forces troops during World War
II to destroy the ships docked
in the estuary.
G I R O N D E E S T U A R Y

10. AmaWaterways takes people from around the world on one-of-a-kind river cruises through
Europe, Asia, Africa, and more. Our river cruises are designed to let our passengers see the
sights of their chosen destinations while traveling in comfort and style. Visit
www.amawaterways.com for more information.
C O N T A C T U S

11. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sponsored/foodanddrink/bordeaux-food-wine-
culture/11211610/facts-about-bordeaux.html
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S O U R C E S A N D I M A G E A T T R I B U T I O N S