Car Hire Bordeaux

Bordeaux thinks itself the equal of the nation’s capital, Paris and the rivalry is intense. The city was in English hands for many years and this has left an indelible mark on the character of the people who are more laid back that the rest of France. The region is of course almost synonymous with wine and there are many grand vineyards around the city with world famous names like St Emilion and Chateau Lafite.

Wine is the region’s lifeblood and contributed more to the economy than any other form of economic activity. In addition, the Vinexpo held in the city each year is the largest wine fair in the world. The whole city has been declared a UNESCO Heritage Site and it has over 350 buildings which are listed including three UNESCO sites which form part of the Way of St James.

What’s the easiest way to get Into Bordeaux?

Fortunately for wine lovers, Bordeaux Airport, seven miles west of the city, has regular flights from several UK destinations with budget airlines easyJet and Ryanair. From there you can pay seven euros to get the bus into the city or take a much more expensive taxi. The best option, certainly if you want to see a bit of the region, is to hire a car from the airport for your travels. Expect the same great service in Bordeaux and range of car hire companies as you would anywhere when you hire a car in France.
 

The obvious one for non-teetotallers is to take a tour around the vineyards. Some are by appointment only whilst others organise regular tours where you’ll get to see the vines, be shown around the winery and then get to sample the delicious wine before being able to stock up at wholesale prices.

The city’s docks, Les Quais, used to be a run down, crime ridden part of the city but a huge overhaul has left it as a high quality entertainment area with bars, cafes and other forms of entertainment. It’s also the location of the marvellous piece of engineering, the Aquitaine Bridge.