Bordeaux
This morning the Endeavour made its way up the tidally influenced Gironde estuary to just past the confluence of the Dordogne and Garonne Rivers to downtown Bordeaux. This is one of the most famous wine producing areas in the world. Along the way up the river we had time for some presentations on Napoleon Bonaparte by David Barnes and an interesting talk by our guest lecturer, Robin MacNeil concerning truth and fiction.
During lunch we arrived at our dock site just a few steps from the Place Des Quinconces which had a bustling flea market at the foot of a large fountain that commemorates the French people and the people of Bordeaux. Guides met us once we had departed the ship for a walking tour of the city that included spending time at the stock exchange buildings, Notre Dame cathedral, a few of the shopping streets and finally the grand Saint Andre cathedral that is being refurbished.
There was some free time in town after the tours to do some shopping at the flea market or just stroll along the rues and boulevards of this ancient city marveling at the many stages of architecture dating back to the 15 th century. Some of us continued our strolling into the evening and even had dinner downtown Bordeaux style.
This morning the Endeavour made its way up the tidally influenced Gironde estuary to just past the confluence of the Dordogne and Garonne Rivers to downtown Bordeaux. This is one of the most famous wine producing areas in the world. Along the way up the river we had time for some presentations on Napoleon Bonaparte by David Barnes and an interesting talk by our guest lecturer, Robin MacNeil concerning truth and fiction.
During lunch we arrived at our dock site just a few steps from the Place Des Quinconces which had a bustling flea market at the foot of a large fountain that commemorates the French people and the people of Bordeaux. Guides met us once we had departed the ship for a walking tour of the city that included spending time at the stock exchange buildings, Notre Dame cathedral, a few of the shopping streets and finally the grand Saint Andre cathedral that is being refurbished.
There was some free time in town after the tours to do some shopping at the flea market or just stroll along the rues and boulevards of this ancient city marveling at the many stages of architecture dating back to the 15 th century. Some of us continued our strolling into the evening and even had dinner downtown Bordeaux style.
