Things to Do in France

The name Bordeaux most commonly passes our lips when we are talking about French wine, but the city of Bordeaux has more to offer than just its famous grapevines. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site, known as Port of the Moon, filled with stunning historic architecture largely unchanged for over two centuries.

There are over 350 buildings and monuments listed as Historic in the city and in the past decades a major project has been undertaken to clean the facades and put in a tram-service with no overhead wires to mar the beauty of the city.

Greeting arriving ships to the port is a one kilometer stretch of gracious historic palaces which line the quay built in the 17th and 18th century - even back then Bordeaux was keen to make a good first impression on visitors and it continues to do so today.

How to Get to Bordeaux

This is a river port which lies 60 miles (90 km) inland from the Bay of Biscay. Ships travel up the Gironde Estuary and the Garonne River for about six hours before heading under a suspension bridge and round a bend to reveal the city of Bordeaux in all its 18th century magnificence. Ships dock alongside the quay, right in the heart of the city. To reach the historic city all you need to do is cross the road.

One Day in Bordeaux

If you have only one day in Bordeaux you will need to choose between wine and architecture. If you choose wine there are many excursions outside town to respected vineyards such as Medoc and Chateau Mouton Rothschild and pretty wine towns such as Saint-Emilion. If your preference is for architecture - and perhaps shopping and dining - Bordeaux is a wonderful city to explore on foot, or on the new improved tram system.

The opera house Opera National de Bordeaux is the cultural heart of the city and an elaborate building in itself as well as host to world-class music. Place Parlement is filled with outdoor cafes for people watching, and St Andre Cathedral is a lovely 17th-century church. Place de la Bourse (Place Royale) is a pinnacle of the style of the city and is wonderfully lit up at night. And of course there are many places you can taste, learn about and buy wine from the local region.

Port Information

The language spoken is French but Bordeaux has many visitors so English is spoken in many shops and restaurants, although the French may be reluctant to use it. The currency is the Euro. Be aware that the river is tidal so the gangway may change angle quite dramatically over the hours as the waters rise and fall with the tide. These tides are also the reason the river is murky.

As Europe's only protected park to contain land, water, and semi-urban areas, Calanques National Park (Parc National des Calanques) is a mecca for outdoor adventurers. Whether you want to snorkel and sail, kayak and climb, or hike and watch out for wildlife, France's answer to the Garden of Eden has it all.

The Basics
The Calanques — known separately as Calanque de Sormiou, Calanque de Morgiou, Calanque d'En-Vau, Calanque de Port-Pin, and Calanque de Sugiton — are the park's main attraction. These brilliant rocky promontories are best discovered on a long hike or by kayak — you might even spot daredevils abseiling or cliff diving from the colossal cliffs. Snorkelers and scuba divers are rewarded with a kaleidoscope of marine life during underwater excursions to Monte Cristo, home of the prison that inspired Alexander Dumas' work of classic literature. Travelers without the desire to go underwater can explore the park with ease on an electric bike tour or fishing trip.

If you're short on time in the treasured French Riviera, consider combining sightseeing tours of Marseille and Cassis with a visit to Calanques National Park. Alternatively, opt to spend more time in the park's crystal-clear waters with a two-day scuba diving course.

• Most tours provide round-trip transport from your accommodation in Marseille, Cassis, or the Aix-en-Provence area.
• Be sure to bring plenty of water and sunscreen to the park.
• It's best to wear comfortable shoes fit for outdoor exploration.
• Note that camping and motorized water sports are not allowed in the protected area.

How To Get to Calanques National Park
Although nestled between popular Marseille and Cassis, Calanques National Park is not easy to access by public transport or without a guide. The best way to visit the national park is by boat from Port de Cassis (cruises depart every 90 minutes daily) or on a day trip from central Marseille. If arriving by car, be aware that the closest beach is about a one-hour hike from available parking lots.

When To Get There
The most popular time to visit the French Riviera is during the summer months of June to September, when temperatures sit comfortably in the 70s F (20s C) and rain is nowhere to be found. However, if you prefer cooler climates and want to miss the crowds, May and June are the ideal months to head to the park.

The peaceful Bayeux War Cemetery is the largest of the 18 Commonwealth military cemeteries in Normandy. It contains 4,868 graves of soldiers from the UK and 10 other countries (including Germany, in contrast to the American cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer). Many of the soldiers buried here were never identified, and the headstones are simply marked 'A Soldier Known Unto God'. The bodies of 1,807 other Commonwealth soldiers were never found, and are commemorated on the memorial across the main road.

Bayeux was liberated by the Allies in June 1944 and became the seat of government for France until Paris was liberated. In this time the British built the ring road to enable military vehicles to move around the city and established many military hospitals. Many of those buried in the cemetery are from those hospitals.

Les Baux-de-Provence is a charming town in the Provence region, and whose name refers to its location: in Provençal, a baou is a rocky spur. Baux-de-Provence has a fantastic position amidst the Alpilles mountains, and is considered to be one of the most beautiful villages in France.

The stunning location is set atop a rocky formation complete with a ruined vast fortress. Baux-de-Provence has a rich history: in the middle ages, Cardinal Richelieu ordered the demolition of the castle because the village housed protestant rebels. The village is also the site where the aluminium ore Bauxite which was first discovered in 1821 by geologist Pierre Berthier, and as such the ore bears its name.

Opened in 2008 in the historic Chatrons district of Bordeaux, the Bordeaux Wine and Trade Museum is a must for anyone interested in learning more about the history of the wine trade in France from the Middles Ages to the present day.

Spread over an incredible 2,400 acres (that's around 3 times the size of New York's famous Central Park), the public park of Bois de Vincennes (Vicennes Wood) has been offering Parisians welcome respite from the urban bustle since the 12th century. Originally designed by Baron Haussman as a royal hunting ground for Louis VII, the collection of lakes and woodlands also form part of the grounds of the 14th-century Chateau de Vincennes.

Earning the nickname of the 'Lungs of Paris,' the park offers a seemingly endless stretch of greenery on the cusp of the city, with a vast network of walking, cycling and horseback riding trails spanning over 32km, as well as a number of attractions. Popular highlights include the Daumesnil Lake, where you can take a scenic boat trip out to the two islets; the Bois de Vicennes Buddist Temple, with its pretty wooden pavilion and towering Buddha statue; and the Lac des Minimes, where a footbridge leads out to the island restaurant. At the East End of the park, the idyllic Parc Floral is home to an impressive array of flowers and botanical gardens, with its central stage hosting summer plays and concerts; and the Parc Zoologique de Paris (Zoo de Vincennes) is a 38-acre enclosed zoo housing giraffes, giant pandas and monkeys among its sizable collection and featuring a large artificial hill that offers great views over the park.