Bordeaux holidays

Its city status and wine-growing reputation often distract from the fact that Bordeaux isn’t all that far from a bevy of seaside beaches – around an hour if you hire a car. The area of Arcachon is a popular destination in the summer months, but you’ve also got a handful of riverside beaches in the city if you’d rather stay central.

Le Moulleau’s part of Arcachon, and its sofa-soft sands and clear waters are a huge draw for families. You’ve got bars and restaurants close by, so you can easily spend a whole day here. You can reach this beach by car from Bordeaux, or by bus from the Arcachon station if you get the train in from the city.

Plage de la Hume, also near Arcachon, is a bit more low-key. It’s technically part of the town Gujan Mestras, which is a hub for oyster farming. Take a dip in the sea, flake out on the sand, then go on the search for fresh oysters – the port is teeming with little seafood places for you to try them.

With canelés being the go-to dessert around here – and exclusive to Bordeaux, too – it’s worth trying to create your own version at home. In souvenir shops, you’ll often be able to pick up a canelés mould. These little tins look a bit like jelly moulds and are perfect for recreating this French pastry treat in your own kitchen.

If anything shouts Bordeaux as a gift, it’s wine. Pick up a bottle of red – or white – in wine merchants, souvenir shops or supermarkets. Or, take home a wine-themed souvenir, like a bottle stopper, pretty coasters and hand-made glassware.

Meet Bordeaux’s trendy side in Chartrons, the fanciest neighbourhood in the city. The Rue Notre Dame is the queen street for shopping, premium coffees, patisseries, and people-watching. You’ll stumble upon boutique shops selling all sorts of local artwork, which can cost a pretty penny but makes for a great reminder of a visit to Bordeaux.

There’s no doubt about it, wine bars are the way to go if you like your evenings packed with cosy chats and local drinks. Pick a bar or restaurant along the Garonne River and get familiar with Bordeaux’s wines against a waterside backdrop of city lights.

Head to Bordeaux’s most popular – and most unique – music venue for a night to remember. IBoat serves up a restaurant, a nightclub and a concert hall, all inside a disused ferry. Events range from electro DJs to indie-rock concerts, and there’s even an outdoor terrace where you can dance under the stars.

You’ve got your croissants, your crepes, your eclairs, and your pain au chocolates – but Bordeaux has more than its fair share of specialities when it comes to the pastry game. Make sure you try a Puits d’Amour – or ‘well of love’ – which is a bite-sized pastry you’ll only find here. It’s made from choux dough and topped with cream and meringue.

There’s no skipping out on the wine when you holiday in Bordeaux – the region’s world famous for its red tipples. Saying that, you can get a white Bordeaux wine, too. Try pairing a glass of Chateau Tour Saint Bonnet red wine with a serving of foie gras, or a bottle of white Château Dudon with a tray of oysters.

Duck is a menu staple in the south-west of French, and there are all kinds of dishes that it features on. Try grilled duck breast with seasonal vegetables. Or go down the more expensive route and try foie gras, a traditional French delicacy that’s often paired with fruit chutneys.

This boozy dessert is a rum-filled, oblong-shaped pastry that comes with a crunchy caramelised outer shell. It’s got a nice squidgy centre filled with a tangy kick from the rum, and you’ll find it in most Bordeaux restaurants. There are also specialist canelés bakeries on every other street corner due to the popularity of this sweet treat.

The lamprey is a fish – and not a very attractive-looking one at that, thanks to a lack of jaws and vertebra. But cook it up with fresh leeks, red wine and ham, then leave it to simmer for a few hours, and voila… a tasty fish dish that’s guaranteed to have you going back for seconds.