Golden Triangle

Bordeaux`s monumental heart, the Golden Triangle, is considered the most elegant district where you will find the main sights of the city. This area is situated in the center of the city bounded by three of the major boulevards (Cours Clemenceau, Cours de l`Intendance, Allées de Tourny). Here is where you`ll find the luxury shops, between the Place des Quinconces and the Place de la Comedie, and the Historic District just a few minutes away from here. Walking along the streets here you`ll discover beautiful champagne-colored stone buildings, 5-star hotels and quaint boutique guest houses, Neoclassical Monument aux Girondins and its incredible fountain, and top-end shops and restaurants.

Saint-Michel

Situated just south of the Historic district, Saint-Michel is in an ideal location offering a flavor of multicultural Bordeux. This area, once considered unpopular and a bit unsafe, has in recent years, transformed into a popular neighborhood. Saint-Michel is a great location just between the Saint Jean train station and the Place des Quincones. Here is where you`ll find Marche des Capucins (a trendy food market) and the Basilique Saint-Michel, a highly decorative gothic cathedral with a free-standing spire. The Saint-Michel area offers a vibrant Latin and North African culture which has a large influence on the cuisine and nightlife here.This is a lively and energetic area to stay and offers budget accommodations.

Chartron

Chartron is situated between the Bassins a Flot and the Quinconces, very close to the city center. This area offers a cool and creative `village vibe` ambiance that could be described as the Soho of Bordeaux. Chartron is the center for the wine trade, so this area offers a great introduction to the Bordeaux wines with many wine bars and restaurants. This is also an ideal location for contemporary art lovers as it houses Bordeaux`s premier modern art museum, the CAPC. The Jardin Public is just a short walk away.

Lac

Lac is located just north of the city and borders the Bois de Bordeaux, a forest full of nature trails and clear streams. This is a much quieter area of town with a lovely lake set in a lush landscape. Here you can enjoy nature trails, clear streams, boating and woodland activities. It is still convenient to the center (about a 10 minute tram ride), but you`ll feel miles away from the city bustle.

Vieux Bordeaux

The Vieux Bordeaux is the historical area of Bordeaux and is one of France`s most preserved sectors. This area is diverse offering something for everyone. Here you`ll find the old Eglise Saint-Pierre, the impressive Porte Cailhau, and the Musee des Douanes at Place de la Bourse. The historic center also houses numerous trendy boutiques, cozy cafes, wine bars and great restaurants.

La Bastide

La Bastide is located on the right bank of the Garonne River and just a ten-minute walk across the Pont de Pierre. This area was overlooked for a long time, but after a recent urban development, it is now a thriving quarter of Bordeaux with plenty to see and do. As you exit the Stalingrad tramway stop one of the first things you`ll see is a giant blue lion, the symbol of the neighborhood. There are a couple spots that you`ll want to make sure to visit while here, such as the Darwin ecosystem that`s ideal for a coffee stop or a bite to eat. Visit the lovely Jardin Botanique, stroll along the Quai des Quayries, a stretch that boasts spectacular views of the river, dine in one of the numerous cafes and restaurants on the banks of the Garrone, catch some live music at Le Caillou, along with some other neat sites you`ll discover along the way. This is a wonderful place to enjoy a lovely natural setting in the city while admiring the splendid 18th century buildings on the other side of the river!