By Garance Hacker
Bordeaux, a port city located in the South West of France, is 50 km away from the Atlantic coast. Considered as the wine capital of the world, this city is also famous for its classical and neoclassical architectural unity, which earned it a place on the UNESCO World Heritage List in June 2007. In this blog, we will show the best places in Bordeaux and explain how to get there by private jet.
If you are very interested in wine, you can also read our blog about the most beautiful wine regions in Europe.
Place de la Bourse and the water mirror
We start our visit with the Place de la Bourse and the famous water mirror. On this square the Palais de la Bourse and the Hôtel des Douanes are located. In the centre the magnificent fountain of the Three Graces can be found. Opposite to this square, along the quays of the Garonne river, you can find the water mirror covering an area of 3,450 m². The 2 cm of water on a granite slab reflect the square and the quays.
The fountain does operate every day from 10 am to 10 pm, except in winter. It operates according to a precise cycle: 3 minutes of filling, 15 minutes of mirroring, 5 minutes of emptying and 3 minutes of fog that can reach a height of 2 metres.
Furthermore, it is quite possible to visit the basement of the water mirror, allowing to discover the techniques used for such a realization.
Le bassin des lumières
Le bassin des lumières is the largest digital art centre in the world. During the exhibitions, there are no paintings hanging on the walls, but projections of digitized images on the walls and floors. The works come alive to the rhythm of the music, letting the spectators immerse themselves in the art.
Here are the opening times to visit Le bassin des lumières:
- From April to September, it is opened daily from 10 am to 7 pm and until 9 pm on Fridays and Saturdays.
- From October to March, it is opened every day from 10 am to 6 pm and until 8 pm on Fridays and Saturdays.
Darwin Ecosystem
The Darwin Ecosystem is an atypical 10,000 square metre space where you can work, eat, play sports, shop, read, have a drink and discover street art exhibitions. This space, designed as a village square in the middle of Bordeaux’s right bank, is a dynamic place. Skateboarders and street art enthusiasts mix with start-up creators, electronic music lovers and those who come to enjoy a family brunch. The food is organic, you can even enjoy a good coffee roasted on the spot at the alchemist’s and the wine cellar to taste the regional wines.
This place is open every day, but the different shops have their own opening hours, so before you go there we advise you to check the opening hours on the Darwin Ecosystem website.
UNESCO perimeter
In Bordeaux, an area of 1,810 hectares is listed as an UNESCO World Heritage Site. Located in the centre of Bordeaux, this area is featured as a walking tour in many guides of the city. You will discover wonderful private mansions, the Grand Théâtre, the Porte Cailhau, the big bell, the Tour Pey-Berland and end up with the Palais Rohan.
You can also take a cruise on the Garonne river to enjoy the view of the centre of Bordeaux from the river.
La cité du vin
In this space, wine is honoured in all its possible dimensions: cultural, patrimonial… This unique place proposes temporary exhibitions, tasting workshops, a permanent course around the history of wine, a restaurant and a wine cellar.
La Cité du Vin is open every day from 10 am to 6 pm.
Some addresses were to taste good wine during your trip to Bordeaux by private jet
Famous above all for its wine, the city of Bordeaux is full of wine bars and cellars. It is impossible not to stop here to taste good local wines. We recommend the following addresses:
- Le Métropolitain, in addition to the delicious wine, you can share dishes made with local products. Open Wednesday to Saturday from 6 pm to midnight.
- Chez le Pépère, a wide selection of wine and beers accompanied by tapas. This place also offers jazz evenings and rugby evenings, which is a very popular sport in the region. Open Tuesday to Friday, from 11 am to 10 pm for the cellar side and from 5 pm to 1.45 am for the bar side.
- Tutiac, Le Bistro Vignerons, organic wine with no added sulphur direct from the producer. Open Tuesday to Saturday from noon to 2.30 pm and then from 6.30 pm to midnight and on Sundays from 12.30 pm to 3 pm.
- Aux 4 coins du vin, a wine cellar with over 500 references, where real sommeliers will advise you on the choice of a wine. Open from Monday to Saturday from 6 pm to 2 am.
- Les 3 pinardiers, this place offers a vast selection of wines, beers, ciders, and spirits. Every month new bottles are added to the menu so that you can constantly discover new wines. Open every day from 5 pm to midnight and until 1 am on Fridays and Saturdays.
Getting to Bordeaux by private jet
To get to Bordeaux by air taxi, you will need to go to Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport.
The airport was created in 1910 following a major aviation week and served as a base for American medical repatriation during the First World War. The first air links took place in 1920, initially to Toulouse and Montpellier. From 1928 onwards, the Paris-Bordeaux-Biarritz route was set up. The transport of civilians from this airport did not start until 1930. After the Second World War, the airport was almost destroyed by bombing. To keep it functional, a wooden terminal, restaurant, and control tower were built very quickly. They were replaced many years later. The control tower was designed by the famous designer and architect Philippe Starck and was not inaugurated until 1995.
The airport is 10 km west of Bordeaux. It takes 15 minutes to get to the airport by car from Bordeaux city centre.
The airport has a private terminal (FBO), especially dedicated to business travel and private aviation. By using this terminal, you can avoid the long queues at the airport for check-in. It also allows you to get away from the crowds and to enjoy the quiet waiting lounge. This private jet terminal is open every day from 7 am to 9 pm.
Book your private jet for your trip to Bordeaux
If you are tempted by a trip to Bordeaux, you can read our blog discussing the 5 reasons to take a private jet. Our fleet exists our of two single engine aircraft types, the Cirrus SR22 and the Piper PA46. Do you want to know which airports are close to your origin or destination, than check out the 1600 destinations we serve in Europe. If you want to know our fares, you can use the price calculator.
For further information, you can consult our list of frequently asked questions. Or you can contact us by e-mail at info@flyaeolus.com or by telephone at +32 (0)3 500 9082.