About Bordeaux
Discerning gourmands will revel at fine dining available in Bordeaux. Classy Michelin star establishments meet charming, back-street, family recipe food from friendly bars. If you’d prefer to dine al fresco at your luxury Bordeaux villa, this can also be arranged. We can book a private chef to cook up some fine French cuisine in your very own kitchen.
And then there’s the wine. The viticultural excellence of the region means you shouldn’t miss a tipple or two on a vineyard tour. Offering boutique wine cellars and prestigious large-scale producers, the wines of the region are surprisingly diverse. The views aren’t too bad either. Many of these vineyards have been established for centuries, irrevocably shaping the beauty of the landscape.
In addition to vineyards, Bordeaux is also rich with striking ancient architecture. The grand buildings on the clanking quayside of St Pierre will transport you back to medieval times. Majestic public gardens and generous wide-open spaces provide ample opportunity to sit back and soak up the ambient surroundings.
After browsing boutiques, quirky shops and cobbled village markets it’s time to return to your villa for sunset o’clock. There are few more enjoyable ways to watch the sun slowly sink over the undulating Bordeaux hills than with a fine wine beside your own private pool.
Time Zone
GMT +1 hour
Language
French
Currency
The official currency is the Euro (€). Coins are available in 1 cent, 2 cent, 5 cent, 10 cent, 20 cent, 50, cent , €1 & €2 denominations. Notes are available in €5, €10, €20, €50, €100, €200, €500 denominations.
Money Matters
Travellers cheques are widely accepted for exchange or purchase in major cities, but in more rural areas, visit a bank to exchange them for Euros. Major credit cards are widely accepted here (though a limited number of merchants have American Express accounts) and ATM access is widespread. Exchange currency only at authorized outlets such as banks and hotels, and exchange only what you think you will spend in-country. Coins cannot be reconverted on departure. Save all receipts from any currency exchange transaction. You may be asked to produce them when you exit the country, and they are required if you intend to reconvert local currency.
Weather
The South West is in a temperate zone that is far enough in the north to experience all four seasons. The region has pleasant and warm spring weather. There are hot summers with an average temperature around 30°C. Daylight in the summer averages between 8 and 9 hours. Autumn in the South West is also pleasant, with warm daytime temperatures and cool evenings. The days can be quite short during the winter months, with an average number of sunlight hours between 2 and 3 in December and January and temperatures below the freezing mark.
