Bordeaux Essentials & Tourist Information
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Currency
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Euro
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Flight Time
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UK 1 Hour approx |
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Time Zone
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GMT = +1 hour |
| Language |
French |
| Voltage |
240 V (European two-pin plugs) |
Bordeaux Tourist Attractions
For many visitors a vineyard tour is what a short break in Bordeaux is all about. Visits to St Emillion and Sauternes are incredibly popular year round and can be enjoyed for either a half or full day. Prices start at around €20 and include a wine tasting session. In the city centre, Ler Tour Pey Berland is one of Bordeaux's most notable landmarks. Visitors can climb up this 15th century bell tower for fabulous views of the city and a close up of the inspiring statue of Notre-Dame de Aquitaine. It is open until 6.30pm daily and costs €3.
French Phrases For Tourists
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Hello
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Bonjour
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Do you speak English? |
Parlez vous Anglais?
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Goodbye
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Au revoir |
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Excuse me |
Excusez moi |
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Good Evening
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Bonsoir
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How much is it?
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Ça coûte combien?
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Yes
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Oui
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Where is...? |
Ou est …?
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| No |
Non |
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Hotel
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L'hotel
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| Please |
S'il vous plait |
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The bill pease |
L’addition s’il vous plait |
| Thank you very much |
Merci beaucoup |
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Beer |
Une Biere |
| How are you? |
Comment allez vous? |
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Coffee |
Un café |
Bordeaux Opening Hours
Many of the city's smaller businesses close for a 2 hour lunch break daily but tend to stay open later in the evening. Chain stores, supermarkets and shopping centres will remain open all day Monday-Saturday until 8pm. Beware that virtually all shops will close all day on Sundays.
Bordeaux Tipping & Etiquette
Tipping is entirely discretionary as restaurants and hotels add a charge of 10% for service. However, most diners leave a small gratuity for pleasant service. For a taxi ride simply round up to the next one or two Euros and hotel porters should be rewarded with a few coins. Student and senior citizen discounts are common in Bordeaux so always ask before committing to a price in shops and on transport.
Food & Drink in Bordeaux
Bordeaux has one of the most recognisable cuisines in the world and any city break simply must include some traditional dishes. Sauce Bordelaise is one of its most renowned flavours and really enhances grilled steak or lamb. Lamproie a la Bordelaise - eel cooked in red wine is a favourite with connoisseurs and Gironde oysters are valued for their exquisite taste and texture. However for most people Bordeaux is all about its celebrated wines. St Emillion, Rothschild Lafitte and Chateau Latour are just three of the most famous and wine buffs will be astounded with the choice and quality.
Bordeaux Useful Numbers
• Calling the UK from Paris – 0044 + area code minus zero + number
• Police – 112
• Ambulance – 112
• Fire – 112
Disabled Access In Bordeaux
Bordeaux is not the most wheelchair friendly city in France where kerb ramps are few and far between and the prevalence of cobblestone streets make sightseeing difficult. A number of Bordeaux's most popular attractions do have facilities such as disabled toilets, induction loops, tactile surfaces and ramps. There are many mid-range hotels that provide adapted accommodation for wheelchair users.
French Embassies
• GB Embassy - 35, rue du Faubourg St Honoré 75383 Paris Cedex 08 Telephone +33 (0)1 44 51 31 00
• France Embassy - 58 Knightsbridge London SW1X 7JT Tel. (44) 207 073 1000
Bordeaux City Breaks
