Well where to start... I suppose the beginning of this experience is the best.
Firstly the apartment. It took us about a 30 min taxi ride from Bordeaux Airport which cost roughly 30 euros via Uber. Upon arrival we were met by a lovely french gent called Louis-Antoine who welcomed us with open arms.
What a spacious apartment for a one bedroom residence. It was not cramped had a massive modern open plan kitchen, dinning room (seats 6) & living room. The bedroom held a king size bed which had a en-suite shower/toilet.
The outside space is all decked out and enclosed so you are not looked onto at all. The sun shines in the courtyard at certain times of the day so is a sun trap but to be honest at the height of the summer you need shade, which this also offers.
After showing us around the apartment Louis-Antoine spent extra time drawing on a map certain places of interest that we enquired about. Now I am not about to share some of his secrets as it would spoil his welcome routine but if you like food and drink then he has some great ideas (ask him about roof top bars, markets where you can eat fresh sea food and soon to be Michelin star restaurants.... Louis-Antoine Je ne vais pas gâcher votre tonnerre)
This perfect apartment, that really does feel like home is literally 30 seconds from the amazing public park. Now yes you can get a tram or taxi but to be honest why would you as walking allows you to see so much more.
From the apartment it took us the following times to walk to;
Artisan bakery 3mins - amazing bread cakes and sandwiches (head towards the park and follow the road round which leads you into Rue Duplesey. At the end turn left and it’s about 1 min on the left)
Fromagerie - 4mins - OMG amazing cheeses and amazing guy who runs it. He has eaten a little too much of the cheese ;) this guy is so friendly and you get to try the true cheeses that we don’t get in the UK. Same direction as the bakery but on the opposite side of the road.
Supermarket 5 mins - same side as the Fromagerie but turn right out of Rue Duplesey instead of left.
Main shopping street Rue Sainte-Catherine 15mins
River 15 mins
Market 35 mins
Warehouse district Chartrons 15mins
Wine museum 25mins
A couple of highlights for us -
architecture everywhere
Amazing food and bars
Wine tour - run by Ophorus (booked through viator) Saint-Emilion! Lea was our tour guide and she was fantastic. The village itself was picturesque and you have to try the Canelé’s. Egg yolks were put into wine to attract all the bits so the nuns made cakes from the remaining whites. Laced with rum I love them.
Roof top bar which Louis-Antoine will run through. Got to get there at 6pm when it opens to get a seat as it’s busy. Great vibe and a live dj who also played the saxophone. Staff friendly and it’s open plan so if at night it may be a little chilly. Not one to go to if looking for a quiet relaxing drink - very much vibrant. Walking along the river there are a number of bars which are all generally good.
Another vibrant bar (which is more like a traditionally English pub) is cafe Brun. Again another place to go to if you want to be in a good friendly bar.
Atelier Desfaures - run by a husband and wife team who quite frankly will shortly be gaining a Michelin star. Now this not one that Louis-Antoine recommended ( I leave that one to him). It’s about a 35 min walk - all the way down the main shopping road (and then some) but is so worth it. Now the further you walk south the less desirable the shops and area is BUT don’t be put off. Looks can be deceiving and this restaurant is a must... so much so that we went twice. It is highly recommended that you book as their reputation is growing fast. Gastronomic food at its best HOWEVER at prices that you cannot believe. This is not a stuffy place - it’s amazing food run by a great team - well done guys ‘parfait’
So overall if you are looking to go to a place that has culture food and wine in abundance then Bordeaux is your place.
If you are looking for a place that is at the heart of everything but in a quiet residential area that is modern, spacious, chic and run by great hosts then look no further as this is one of the best apartments we have stayed in for 2 people.
Darren & Denise (late 40’s couple who appreciate great things to see, drink and eat who use Air BnB quite a lot)
Louis-Antoine & Marc - merci beaucoup, votre maison est incroyable