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France is the most visited country in the world, which hosts more than 100 million tourists every year, and needless to say, a majority of them will reach Paris, attracted by the sparkling Eiffel Tower, the romantic backstreets of Montmartre and the high culture.
With all the reputation it has as the French capital, you’d think Paris would be the most beautiful city in the country; after all, it is the birthplace of Haussmannian architecture, which inspired the Belle époque movement worldwide, not to mention the fact that it is one of the largest cities in Europe.
It turns out that A different town a whole 362 miles southwest of Paris has been voted the most beautiful in Franceand it’s not often on the radar of a first-time visitor:
Bordeaux is the most beautiful city in France
Based on a recent scientific report published by Online Mortgage Advisorwhich ranked the top 25 most beautiful cities in the world, Bordeaux is the French entry with the highest chartsat number 9, ahead of Paris, Lyon, Nice, Strasbourg and other much larger hubs.
To determine the rankings, researchers looked to Google Street View to catalog millions of heritage buildings and historic streets around the world, and based on the available images, they calculated the proportions for each monument, as well as the length of such streets.
Based on these proportions and the concentration of historical sites in different cities, they were then ranked by ‘beauty’, which is of course always subjective, but for the purpose of this study refers to the cultural wealth that a given city has amassed. through the ages.
So how beautiful is Bordeaux, and how does it compare to the other Pepites de France?
What makes Bordeaux special?
Bordeaux is the unofficial capital of the wine country of the same name, and a port city on the banks of the Garonne, famous for its fascinating history, incredible cuisine and well-preserved 18th and 19th century architecture.
Although most of what you see today dates back to the Belle époquea movement that deliberately sought to beautify and modernize the medieval mess that was European cities, Bordeaux is in fact much, much older than that.
It was founded already in the year 300 BCAccording to most scholars, it is therefore no wonder that the concentration of monuments is high: to be precise, there are no fewer than 1,000 monuments 350 historic buildings within the city limits, numerous art museums and galleries, and a host of medieval monuments.
Miracles lurk around every corner
The most famous of these, the Cathédrale Saint-André, is one 14th century masterpiece which rivals in beauty the Notre-Dame of Paris and the Gothic cathedral of Strasbourg, with its spear-pointed twin towers, colorful displays of pink stained glass and delicately sculpted portals.
Next to the equally ancient Basilica of Saint Severinus and the Minor Basilica of Saint Michael, all built in Bordeaux in the Middle Ages, the cathedral is a meeting point for pilgrims visiting the UNESCO designated long route to Santiago de Compostela, starting in the north of Paris.
In addition to its trio of Flamboyant Gothic churches, Bordeaux has a series of architectural gems that most visitors to France have yet to discover, including one of the oldest surviving medieval houses in France, at number 4 Impasse Rue Neuve, and the monumental Pey Berland Tower.
In the heart of the old town, Saint-James Street is another popular spot for photographers and culture vultures, as the narrow pedestrian street, lined with traditional shops and eateries, leads to Bordeaux’s iconic Grosse-Cloche, a perfectly preserved medieval bell tower.
Is this the most beautiful public square in France?
The beauty of Bordeaux is truly immeasurable, and we could certainly take our time and do our best to convey it in words, possibly to no avail, but a good place to start if you expect to let out a silent ‘wow’ sigh is Place de la Bourse:
The most recognizable square in the city, it dates from 1730and it is a semi-curved complex of buildings overlooking a reflecting pool, colloquially called Miroir d’eau––they are photos of this square that you will probably find if you look up Bordeaux on Google
Other lesser-known sights in Bordeaux that have undoubtedly contributed to its prestigious inclusion in this new ranking include Pallais Gallien, a partially ruined Roman-era amphitheater that has stood since the 3rd century, the lamplight-lined stone bridge and the stately National Opera.
Bordeaux food is as delicious as the wine
France is as sought after for its gastronomy as for its material heritage, and while Bordeaux doesn’t appear on our annual list of France’s top 5 destinations for food – it is more often remembered for its wine – it does not mean that local delicacies of inferior quality are:
On the contrary.
Due to its proximity to Spain, Bordelaise cuisine is popular heavily influenced by France’s Iberian neighbor, and it’s the lamprey fish with red wine and uncooked ham that is often considered Bordeaux’s greatest triumph: usually served with croutons with a layer of garlic, it’s meh! Kiss from the chef.
Aquitaine caviar, oysters and a wide range of duck-based products are equally popular orders in local restaurants, and if you pay around the corner Baker a visit, make sure you try their caneléa local pastry with a soft custard center and a crispy exterior with a layer of rum and caramel.
Is Bordeaux cheaper to visit than Paris?
France does a very expensive country to be a tourist in general, and whether it concerns consumer prices, groceries or the cost of food, there is no really significant difference between Paris and other provincial cities; on the other hand accommodation can are cheaper outside tourist hotspots.
This year, hotels in France – and Paris in particular – have all increased their prices: in the heart of the capital, in the 7th arrondissement, roommates range from $180 to $284 this season, and the closer you get to popular sights like the Eiffel Tower and the Champs-Élysées, the more expensive they become.
Bordeaux is far from a particularly cheap city tripwith tourists spending an average of $49 per day on meals, and around $890 for a week stayall according to Budget Your Trip’s estimates, but there are much cheaper hotels than Paris:
The central one, for example Ibis Budget, within walking distance of Gare Saint Jean, costs an acceptable $70 to book – in the south of France, in the middle of summer? Talk about a steal of a deal.
The charming Hotel de l’Operawith a privileged balcony view over the city center, costs $80 per night, and if you’re a backpacker on a budget, there are plenty of youth hostels to choose from, starting from $28 at HOSTEL20.
We know Bordeaux is the only French city to make the top 10, but where do other French cities rank in the charts?
Paris does a sneak at number 12, and let’s face it, love it or hate it, its cultural significance is hard to match; further on, at number 20, is the faithfully Germanic Strasbourg, with its imposing cathedral and half-timbered houses.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
