Hi - We are looking for ideas on where to stay for a week in May to explore Bordeaux. Wondering if staying near the coast (Arcachon)is too far? Our group consists of 2 adults, 1 child and 1 senior and ideally would like to rent a house. Any suggestions on good base cites, places/wineries to visit and or avoid would much be appreciaed. Thanks.

See www.tourisme-aquitaine.fr
From Arcachon you can reach Bordeaux with the regional train within about 50 minutes. In Arcachon, Cap Ferret, Carcan Maubuisson and so on, you will find a lot of renting possibilities and typical houses.

Hi H,

Arcachon is a beach resort town.

You can get to/from Bordeaux fairly easily.

It is not convenient for touring wineries.

Bordeaux is the largest pedestrian shopping area in Europe with intermingled hotels/rental appartments. There is a tram service so it is possible to stay at the town edge and come in for night life.

Alternatively if you go east out of Bordeaux you enter the entre-deux -mer region. I think if you go south to the premier cote de bordeaux you will find lots of B&B chateau and houses to rent with vines all around you.

Next choice would Lalande small sleepy wine town or even St Emillion (unesco wine town) again with gites as they called for googling.

Wineries. Oh my god. so many so little time. I recommend surf on gite/vinyard (not winery) Bordeaux and start from there.

If you go west of Bordeaux there are lots of little villages with gite but not much else and slightly to the North are many of the great vineyards Haut Medoc. And yes there are more Gites.

Also set out bike rides now abound try the www at Bordeaux city will give you details.

Arachon is as Ira says a beach holiday though very french not really the sort of thing you logically want from a Bodeaux holiday. If water is a must you have 2 rivers and local swimming pools some in the river. The French like you to wear your hair in a cap and no baggy trousers (just tight skinny numbers) go figure.

Apart from the gite surf also Chambre d' hote. Basically it is B&B (surf this as well) and you can eat with the hosts. All fantastic but you eat what they eat. A little french goes a long way. Bordeaux is one of the biggest duck producing parts of france so prepare for Foie Gros and Duck.

I know it obvious but we found this very helpful

http://www.bordeaux-tourisme.com

They sent out loads of stuff but they may have stopped it. They found us some lodgings and all were as they described