We'll be attending the Bordeaux Language School for two weeks in October. Lessons are in the mornings so we'll have afternoons free to explore both the city and the wider region.

Does anyone have any recommendations for excursions that can be enjoyed in half a day? We'll have our own car with us.

We'll also have one weekend there and would like advice about which destinations that are a little further afield might best be left for that weekend.

We're interested in history, architecture, great views, good food, people... all sorts.

We'd like to take in some wine tastings though not interested in proper tours that teach you how they make it etc. My husband is keen on red wines only. (I don't drink wines so I'll be the designated driver for those trips!)

Recommendations on places to have great meals would also be useful, especially places that are good value. I adore foie gras (yes I know how it's made, thanks) and your tips for restaurants specialising in this ingredient would be particularly welcome.

Thanks in advance for your help!

Hi Kavey,

In addition to winery tours, you might want to visit the Arcachon Bay area

http://www.littoral33.com/index2.htm

St Emilion,
http://www.saint-emilion.org/

You might want to consider a weekend to the Dordogne region.

PS,

You could take the TGV to Paris for a weekend.

Kavey - for the weekend, I suggest the Basque region. You are 2 hours from Boarritz and 2.5 from St. Jean de Luz. You could also stay in the hills (Ainhoa, Saar). Hopefully I will have completed my trip report before you leave!

regards Ger

Thanks Ira & Ger!

Have you visited Dordogne area yet? There are many lovely old towns,great food,and interesting weekly markets.

Bergerac is good for an afternoon outing;Sarlat and Domme(beautiful hilltown)for weekend stay.

Or along the coast to La Rochelle-one of the most interesting sea ports in France.

No we haven't been there before, apart from an aborted trip to Bordeaux to attend the school last summer. We were there just one night.

So we're new to the entire region...

Our favorite spot in the Bordeaux area is St. Emilion, which is a charming hill village famous for its wine. We stayed 2 times at Hostellerie de la Plaisance which is at the summit of the village with nice views and a gourmet restaurant. There are several other less expensive restaurants, shops and wine co-ops.

I also agree with stopping in St. Emilion. and while there, make time for a wine tour. The medieval, wall enclosed village is charming. From there, it's about an hour to the west coast beaches, which are beautiful. We received directions from our hotel, but it was very simple.

Have you been to Futuroscope outside of Poitiers? It is a huge theme park about moving images and communications,with many ultra-modern buildings. Normally I am not interested in theme parks, but this is trully eye-opening,worth a whole day touring.

Poitiers,IMO,a really underrated city, beyond the boring modern part, the old town full of beautiful medieval architecture, fine restaurants and lovely 18th century park.

BTW,in Bordeaux,the pretty rooftop cafe in Musee de Art Contemporain(an interesting converted warehouse,near your school)is a nice place for coffee/tea/snack.

Hi laidback,

What are the rates at Hostellerie de la Plaisance?

Hi
We really enjoyed a trip out to the coast to the Dune de Pilat just west of the city - the biggest sand dune in Europe apparently. You can ascend it by steps (I wouldn't attempt climbing it, people were getting half way and then flooping down exhausted!!) and then you can hold hands and run down the beautiful soft sand to the bottom. Don't worry about looking daft - everyone does it! The views from the top are stunning.
Also Bratome is a lovely town to visit - lunch along by the river and then wandering around the Abbey etc.
M

Ira, we stayed at Hostellerie de Plaisance in May of this year. We had their standard double for 125 Euro per night. Our adult daughters had a much larger twin room for 175 Euro/night. We enjoyed our stay there and had a wonderful meal in their restaurant.

I would recommend the "underground" tour of the village offered by the Office of Tourism.

Thanks everyone, I really appreciate all the ideas for places to visit, places to eat etc.

More are always welcome!

Ira, there is an enormous size and view difference from room to room so the prices are all over the place. Our cheapest was in 1994, about $100. A few years later we had a much larger,more luxurious room with a cost of about $200. I just checked the 2004 Michelin and the rates are now listed as €120 to €336.