katsby

Dear Fodorites,

A gaggle of women (we'll be 6, mid 40s, and hyperactive) will be arriving in Bordeaux at 1030am, renting a car, and driving to Chateau Siran where we were invited to stay. Since we're expected at Chateau Siran (1 hour away) about 4pm, we have between 11am-3pm to spend in Bordeaux. I know, too short, but that's really all the time we have. Next trip will be longer, I promise!

My questions:
1. Should we get the car immediately upon arriving? I'm not clear where the train station is. I've read that Bordeaux is a walking town, but I presume you have to drive to the city center (or the historic part) first before walking around. The other option is, if the train station is within walking distance from the city center, is to walk around first, then get the car before we leave for Chateau Siran. Are there lockers in the train station for us to park our bags?
2. If we do get the car as soon as we arrive, and drive to the city center, is it hard to park? Would anyone have any suggestions on where to park?
3. Any suggestions where to eat lunch? Then what to do until 3pm?
4. Is Bordeaux easy to navigate? I suppose we'll be renting a gps system.

Thanks all for your time.

katsby

sssteve

Katsby,

Bordeaux is indeed a walking town, and parking in the center is at a premium. There are probably parking facilities.

You didn't write how you will be arriving - by train or air. If you are arriving by air, you won't be "on the road" by 11. At best, you will be out of the airport by 11:30, and maybe later. You still have to have lunch and drive to Siran.

There are wonderful restaurants outside of the city of Bordeaux. I suggest you have a nice lunch in one of them and forget about a whirlwind hyperactive 2 hours in Bordeaux City at an hour when most things are closed (except the restaurants).
That's my suggestion - Have a nice leisurely French lunch in the Bordeaux countryside.

sssteve

Katsby,

I reread my post and decided that I wanted to add something.

Bordeaux is not exactly Paris. It sounds romantic, but it's not a particularly beautiful city. If you do get out of the airport (my assumption) with time to spare, just drive through the city, preferably along the riverfront. If you get lucky and find a place to stop, do it.

On the other hand, I still think a leisurely lunch in the countryside will be a great way to start the trip.

katsby

Hi sssteve! We'll be coming in by train. Does that change your recommendations?

Any suggestion for a restaurant in the countryside?

Thanks very much for your input!

traveller1959

Staying at Chateau Siran sounds very exciting.

You can store your luggage at the train station (yes, there is baggage consignment), you can stroll through downtown a bit, have lunch in a restaurant (reservation is needed, especially with 6 people), take the rental car and drive. But, to be honest, Bordeaux is not that spectacular.

Maybe another option could work for you:

You take your car directly and leave the city to drive a bit through the countryside and have lunch in a restaurant in the countryside.

North of Bordeaux, in the direction of Chateau Siran, there is the historic town Blanquefort. Hostellerie des Criquets offers good food (I have eaten there, and it has three pairs of cutlery in the Guide Michelin). http://en.lescriquets.com/235-restaurant-hc

katsby

Thank you traveller1959! I like that idea! As you said, Bordeaux didn't sound very exciting.

Pvoyageuse

"It sounds romantic, but it's not a particularly beautiful city."

Bordeaux Port of the Moon, is on the UNesco World Heritage list.
http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1256

Micheline

Do not count on storing your luggage. When we arrived at 11a.m on a Friday it was closed. Returned at noon - still closed. Asked if it would open soon and reply was "mebbie yes mebbie no".

Michael

There is a street car connection from the train station to the center of Bordeaux. I would go to the end stop of the street car and walk around from there on the rue Ste Catherine and the surrounding old town which has many restaurants to choose from for lunch.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/mksfca...394481445/show

sssteve

Hi Katsby,

Sorry I didn't get back quicker with an answer.

Arriving by train does give you the chance to walk around the city, but only if you find a place to store your luggage (or to park the car). Maybe you can rent the car, stow the luggage in the car, and then leave the car there for a couple of hours at the rental place. Are you renting one car or two?

As for a restaurant, I can only recommend restaurants where I have eaten, and when we were stayed in Bordeaux city, we ate only inside the city. We ate at La Tupina, a famous and excellent restaurant, although I don't know if it's open for lunch. If you post the specific question here on the forum, I am sure you will get lots of recommendations.

For Pvoyageuse - being a Unesco world heritage site doesn't make it a beautiful city. It does have a lot of history, and culture and protected buildings. Most people visit it because they are into wine, not because it is beautiful. However, I apologize if I have offended the city.

katsby

Thank you everyone for your suggestions! We spent a day in Bordeaux city, and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. We parked our car in the centre ville (one of the many underground parking areas) and walked around. It's a beautiful city, and the boardwalk was gorgeous! Had lunch in Noaille, which had fantastic bistro food.