Bordeaux City for Foodies & Wine-Knows

                 The city has pulled out all stops over the last 10 yrs to attract food & wine lovers
 

Bordeaux, in the not too distant past, was a culinary wasteland.   But, the city is now worthy of being the gateway to one of the most famous wine districts of the world.  Bordeaux has become a food lover’s paradise with a plethora of Michelin star restaurants, food-trucks, a cooking school for professional gourmet chefs, organic food stores, wine bars, craft beer pubs, and fusion foods.

Below are my suggestions for what not to miss:

Capuchin Market---Best Farmer's Market

                       If you're here at lunch-time, there are several spots to snag a bite to eat.

Conveniently located near the center of the city, Bordeaux’s biggest daily market is something every visiting foodie should visit.  You could spend hours strolling through the aisles of just-plucked-from-the-sea oysters, the splendor of Southwest France’s gastronomic produce, or a plethora of duck products from the nearby Dordogne Valley. 

 

L’Intendant Grands Vins de Bordeaux---Best Wine Shop

                                   As one proceeds up the stairs prices escalate with each floor

Located near the Opera House, this is nothing short of mind-blowing.  Looking for hard to find vintages or special bottles?  Look no further.

Canelé---Best Sweet Bite

                                          Every pastry shop in the city makes canelé

One simply cannot leave Bordeaux without at least one of the city’s hallmark sweets.  Canelé are carmelized treats like no other you’ll ever find.  They come in small sizes (about the size of a wine cork) so that you can have a taste without feeling guilty.  Or, if you’ve walked 10,000 steps you might want to consider the larger size of this culinary piece of Bordeaux’s history.  Developed 500 years ago by the Catholic nuns, these are a near religious experience.    Consider purchasing  one at either Baillardran or La Toque Cuivree, both known as among the best in the city.

Au Petrin Mossagais---Best Historical Spot for Foodies

               Baking bread since the mid 18th century, this is truly a step back in gastronomic time

This boulangerie’s ovens were first fired up during the reign of Louis XV and the same recipes are used today.    Located between the Opera House and the Cite du Vin, Bordeaux’s oldest boulangerie is an historical institution worth a visit for the smells alone coming from their wood-fired ovens.   (Check with your Concierge to see if the boulangerie is still open....I've heard it may have closed.)

Cite du Vin---Best for Modern Architecture

    There are inside exhibitions, a cafeteria & a wonderful view of Bordeaux from its top floor

It’s a very long walk from the downtown along the waterfront, so one of Bordeaux’s snazzy trams are suggested.  "The City of Wine” is the Guggenheim of wine.  Built by Frank Gehry, it’s worth going if nothing more than viewing its architecture up close.  Wine tasting was lame when I visited, but go and enjoy the architecture.

The Wine-Knows' tour to Bordeaux this September is sold out with a waiting list but we still have 2-3 openings next year for the Truffle Festival & Lake Como. 

Truffle Itinerary – Wine-Knows Travel