Discover the best top things to do in Gironde, France including St. Andre Cathedral, Place de la Bourse, La Grande Dune du Pilat, Pont de Pierre, Winter Town (Ville d’Hiver), Eglise Monolithe de Saint-Emilion, Phare de Cordouan, Grosse Cloche de Bordeaux, Parc de la Coccinelle, Office de Tourisme du Grand Saint-Emilionnais.
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4.5 based on 2,362 reviews
This beautiful 17th century church is one of Bordeaux's main attractions.
Bordeaux's cathedral is massive Gothic pile, very reminiscent to us of many other Gothic churches we visited around France and Spain. But there was also plenty more about St Andre's to ensure we did not succumb to 'cathedral overload' here. Its towering spires, highly decorated doorways and flying buttresses all catch your eye from the square outside, while from the inside the ribbed vaults of the soaring ceiling and the light shining through the stained-glass windows are awe-inspiring. Best of all though were the cathedral's magnificently decorative rose windows. Also of note is that Eleonor of Aquitaine married here in 1137.
4.5 based on 6,857 reviews
The square is really marvelous, we can be breathless at night thanks to a spectacular lighting and to the Miroir d'Eau just in front of the palaces that perfectly reflect on it. You can take fabulous pictures there!
4.5 based on 5,264 reviews
The highest dune in Europe, a unique landscape with an incredible panoramic view over the ocean, forest and Arcachon Bay but also and more importantly, a living, natural space that needs to be looked after and protected. Since December 2007, the Syndicat Mixte de la Grande Dune du Pilat has been working to protect and preserve this national piece of heritage that belongs to us all. From the top of this giant (109 meters high, 2,7 kilometers long, 500 meters wide), you can see many remarkable sites of the region.
Visited while cycling through France and Spain. Parked up our bikes and walked up the dune and along the crest for magnificent panoramic views over the Gulf of Acheron, absolutely breathtaking,like something from a David Attenborough programme.The colours were startling,a real wow experience and worth the effort to climb up.
4.5 based on 1,367 reviews
Bordeaux has two iconic images: the Place de la Bourse city square and the old stone bridge. For history and beauty, we prefer the 200 year-old Ponte de Pierre because, like the Statue of Liberty in New York, it must have been the first image of Bordeaux to weary travelers who crossed the Garonne River and passed into the safety of the city through the Bourgogne Arch. Until 1965, it was the only bridge across the river. The 17 small regular arches are characteristic of old stone bridges (steel construction allows longer spans), and today the repeating arches exhibit a graceful image of their former glory, especially just before nightfall when the details of the bridge including the Napoleon seals, are still visible among lights on the arches reflecting off the river. The lovely evenly-spaced 19th century overhead lamps made us pause just a bit longer to contemplate the bridge and its history, despite the rush of evening commuters. We suspect the old bridge should be reinforced or replaced, but it has been preserved more for aesthetic reasons, like the Charles Bridge in Prague, because nowadays only pedestrians and lighter public transport pass over it.
4.5 based on 1,784 reviews
A HIDDEN HERITAGE, UNIQUE IN EUROPE In this 45 minutes long tour, your guide makes you discover Saint-Emilion’s underground heritage. From the monk Emilion’s story, between truth and legend, to the carving of the surprising monolithic church, walk through several centuries of history. Your guide, only holder of the keys, opens the monuments’ doors and shares their secrets ! Observe the details of the Trinity Chapel’s paintings and discover the mysterious catacombs and the Hermitage… A historical summary within four essential monuments.
I recommend you take the time to take the one-hour tour around this ancient and historical church with it’s 53m high bell tower constructed in the early 12th century), whilst in St. Émilion. Led by our knowledgeable Lydie, we explored the catacombs beneath and then through to the huge Church. It was listed as a world heritage site in 1999 by UNESCO.
4.5 based on 328 reviews
A unique monument in the world, located right in the middle of the sea, at 4.350 miles to French coasts. Every year, it opens its doors to 25 000 enthusiast visitors keen on discovering lighthouse’s history. Get on board in a boat from Gironde or Charente coasts and you will land 4.350 miles in a sandbank surrounded by the ocean: it’s down the lighthouse that adventure begins. Cordouan is like no others: it remains the oldest French lighthouse still in use, while still hosting lighthouse keepers. They are four, taking turns in pairs all year, to provide the site maintenance, but also welcome visitors, showing around the monument. Cordouan lighthouse is a military art structure, classified monument since 1862. During the visit, you could admire a room of great rarity: the chapel of “Notre Dame de Cordouan” situated in the second floor, which is certainly the most majestic part of the structure.
4.5 based on 1,051 reviews
This is one of the most famous landmarks in town and needs to be on your walking tour. It's a castle-like town with a clock, quite old and impressive.
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The Jurisdiction of Saint-Emilion (including the town and the territory of the 8 villages united under the authority of the medieval Jurade) was listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage in 1999 to preserve, restore and share this outstanding heritage! Covered in vines and bordered with rivers, along woody slopes and picturesque roads, the Jurisdiction of Saint-Emilion stretches out over 75 km² around a particularly well-preserved medieval town and is the ideal place to stay. Only 30 minutes from Bordeaux and 1h from Bergerac or Périgueux, Saint-Emilion is the perfect starting point to tour around the vineyards of Bordeaux and the Perigord district. Legend has it that the town bears the name of a Breton monk that performed miracles while living an exemplary life. In order to retire from social life, he settled in 750 in a natural grotto, which can still be visited nowadays in the heart of the town!
If you go to Saint Emilion you need to go to the tourist information, very informative and helpful, we hired bikes booked tours and got all the information we needed for our stay.
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