From football to La Cité du Vin opening to the Bordeaux Fête du Vin, there's plenty of reasons to visit Bordeaux this summer...
Bordeaux always has plenty to offer; it is the largest urban area recognised by UNESCO, it was voted the best European destination 2015, and, of course, it is home to some of the world’s most prestigious vineyards and châteaux.
There are more reasons that usual to visit Bordeaux in 2016, with football, museum openings, wine courses and more on offer…
Five reasons to visit Bordeaux this summer:
Euros 2016 10 June – 10 July
In June, five matches of the Euro 2016 football tournament will be in Bordeaux’s new stadium, including the quarter-final. The Nouveau Stade de Bordeaux will hold 42,000 people and is easily accessible by the electric tram, according to officials.
Those who don’t have tickets to the matches can still enjoy the football in the ‘fan zone’ near the river, where matches will be screened for free, there will be a selection of restaurants and bars, and spaces to practise sports in too.
Credit: Thomas Sanson
La Cité du Vin
On 1 June, wine cultural museum La Cité du Vin – which was rebranded last year – opens its doors to the public. It’s not just about Bordeaux wines; the 30,000 square foot museum includes an international wine boutique with wines to try from 80 different countries. There will also be tours on wine history and cultures, temporary exhibitions on art and specific wine regions, an auditorium space and a ‘multi-sensory’ tasting space, as well as more traditional tastings.
Light show for the Fête du Vin. Credit: Gilles Arroyo
Bordeaux Fête du Vin 23-26 June
2016 will be the 10th edition of the bi-annual Bordeaux Fête du Vin, which started in 1998, and celebrates bringing together both Bordeaux city and Bordeaux wine. This year will have 10 ‘guest cities’, which are part of the Great Wine Capitals network. According to the Bordeaux wine council (CIVB), it will be the ‘biggest wine event of Europe this year’, with an expected 700,000 people attending over four days, to taste and discover wine.
Bordeaux wine festival. Credit: Gilles Arroyo
Michelin starred dining
Bordeaux has just been awarded a total of three new Michelin stars in the 2016 guide; Joël Robuchon at La Grande Maison and two for Gordon Ramsay at Le Pressoir d’Argent – where English sparkling wines feature on the wine list. Head out to the vineyards, and you could dine at La Grand’Vigne at Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte’s hotel, which retained its two stars, or at Château Troplong Mondot’s Les Belles Perdrix, which gained one star.
L’École du Vin
Over the summer, the Bordeaux L’École du Vin will be offering a series of intense two hour workshops every day (apart from Sundays and bank holidays), in the basics of Bordeaux – as well as its usual programme of courses. Beginners can learn about Bordeaux vineyards, grapes, winemaking and tastings in one morning.
Planning to visit Bordeaux? Check out the best bars, restaurants and hotels:
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