Unfortunately due to available train schedules we were unable to join a tour to visit the wine country, instead we stopped in the city of Bordeaux.
A side note, read the euro rail pass carefully, although the tickets are covered the reservation fees for seats or beds onboard the trains are not. Make sure to inquire about necessary reservations as you may be fined for incomplete boarding payments. We were very confused when the train operators asked us in French for an extra 30 euros, we initially thought there was a misunderstanding for the tickets, turns out we still needed to pay for reservations. It took a lot of actions and body language from both parties to understand each other!
If you have ever seen travel shows of Bordeaux, often they only visit the vineyards and estates, which is a dramatic difference to the city.
We entered the city of Bordeaux in fine misting rain, if any thinner, it would have been a thick fog instead of rain.
Our hotel is right next to the train station, Hotel Faisan.
We took the tram into town once we dropped off our luggage. Like most cities we have visited so far, Bordeaux is situated right next to a river, the tram we took follows the rivers edge so we were on the outskirts of the city centre.
I found that the older part of Bordeaux has a majesty comparative to Paris. Looming sand coloured buildings lines the streets, interestingly, I found that the city was built in a very symmetrical way, mirror images everywhere, it gave a man made aesthetic beauty to this city.
This is the monument to the Girondins in Place des Quinconces. In tribute to the Girondins revolutionaries and to the Republic.
Here is the description.
Since we were unable to visit the vineyards, instead we visited some wine cellars in the city.
I admit that I'm clueless when it comes to this topic, but i did find some impressively priced wine available.
Our wine lover, Martin, could not resist taking a trophy home!
The last one on the right!
What is wine without good food? The receptionist recommended us the famous Restaurant Fernand.
Check out the set menu we ordered.
La soupe de poisson maison
La terrine bordelaise au canard at au fois gras
L'emince de magret d'Oie nature ou jus aux cepes
Le duo de filets de bar et dorade
Mousse lactee sur croquant au praline et glacage chocolate miroir
For the observant viewer, yes, it's not the same bottle. We did not get to open Martin's vintage, which he plans on taking home.
However the 2008 bottle he selected for dinner was still terrific.
It was an overall beautiful meal and a very pleasant way to experience Bordeaux. A day to slow down from sightseeing and instead to enjoy a lovely gastronomical trip through French cuisine. What more can this pilgrim traveller ask for?
Something of interest I wanted to mention.
See the blue Sheets over the bathroom door? The door was in fact glass! Not completely see through, but enough to cause some embarrassment! It's a three person room, it baffles me the logic of such a door selection for the bathroom!
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Location:Hotel St Roch, Lourdes
Were the foods taste good as their present? One bottle of wine cost over 3,000 Euro!! I think touching any bottles in that wine cellar made me scare in losing thousands. So, Martin had bought one, and he is thinking about carrying it for the rest of his journey in his pack. I think more guys will come to share one or two mouthful with him later. Better have it now!
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