Bordeaux
If you have heard of wine, you've probably heard of Bordeaux! The Bordeaux region is home to some of the most famous wines in the world including Petrus, Chateau Mouton-Rothschild. Chateau Margaux, Chateau Lafite- Rothschild, Chateau La Tour and Chateau Haut-Brion.
Whilst the name Bordeaux is synonymous with red wine, there are also high quality white wines and of course, the famous Sauternes region which is home to Chateau d'Yquem, the most famous of dessert wines.
Aside from the vineyards only half an hour from Bordeaux, this river city itself is quite beautiful.
This UNESCO 18th Century city overlooking the Garonne is a delight for those who love archictecture, with the highest number of preserved historical buildings of any city in France other than Paris. It boasts the largest square in France, Place des Quinconces and the beautiful Grand Theatre.
The fabulous modern Cite du Vin offers an immersive experience into wine in a spectacular building.
Those seeking a little exercise will enjoy the pedestrian boardwalk along the river.
Bordeaux has something to delight everyone.
Getting there and getting around
Thanks to the TGV, Bordeaux is only a 2 hour train trip from Paris.
Getting around the city is easy. It is flat and walkable, but also has a modern, quiet, cableless light rail system (developed for the Rugby World Cup).
Dining
Bordeaux has a huge range of restaurants ranging from those of celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay, to the famous L'Entrecote -which serves only one dish: steak frites, but has people queuing for both dinner and lunch for the melt in your mouth entrecote steak, secret sauce and unlimited fries.
The Conference dinner will be at Le Bordeaux (Gordon Ramsay) inside the magnificent Intercontinental Bordeaux Le Grand Hotel (pictured below)
As well as many patisserie, Bordeaux is also home to the canale - developed by the nuns from the egg yolks left over when the priests used the egg whites to filter the wine, and the famous St Emilion macaron - a single version, not to be confused with the double version developed and found in Paris
Accommodation
Like Paris, Bordeaux has a huge range of accommodation options from the beautiful Intercontinental Bordeaux Le Grand Hotel overlooking the opera house housing not one but two Gordon Ramsay restaurants (and valet parked Lambourghini and Ferrari out the front) to more budget conscious options
