Flying North to travel South.

[OZDUCK]

Next we moved onto Bordeaux. Our final stop except for one night at a CDG Hotel

Again we were on a pretty uninspiring INTERCITÉS train

Its arrival in Toulouse



Dated interior - First Class





It is certainly not an 'express' train. Which is probably for the best as we passed over several level crossings.





The first part of the trip was pretty rainy but there were some nice views







We spent a fair bit of time passing alongside the Garonne Canal



The weather got better as we approached Bordeaux



Bordeaux Saint Jean-Station



Nice Historic wall map/mural in the station

 

[OZDUCK]

I had spent a lot of time working out how to get to our accommodation. It involved catching a tram right outside the station and then transferring to another tram.

The tram stop - funny they don't look like trams!

It turned out that Bordeaux had decided to shut down half its tram system over the summer in order to build two new lines. There was minimal, to no, signage explaining what was going on. Eventually we caught an, overcrowded, replacement bus further up the road to link up with the next tram.



We eventually got to our apartment at Residhome Bordeaux. This was an excellent spot to stay. A short tram ride or a scenic 25 minute stroll along the riverfront to the centre of town. The Cité du Vin was just across the road and the WW2 Submarine pens another short walk away. They are very well equipped except for a washing machine but there is a paid laundry in the basement. When we went to buy some tokens the receptionist gave us some for free. A small supermarket is right next door







The view from near the entrance - the Pont Jacques Chaban Dennis lift bridge



Cité du Vin - a wine museum that we would later visit. About 200 metres from us.



About 300 metres from us was Les Halles De Bacalan. A incredibly trendy food hall - not at all a traditional French market - with lots of delicious looking food. We had a snack there on the first afternoon and intended to go back. However, the first time we tried to I had the opening hours wrong. We then planned a visit for our last night but my wife took a bait so we missed out.

Les Halles de Bacalan | Bordeaux Tourism & Conventions

Since 2015, the Basque company Biltoki (the place that brings people together) has been rehabilitating and modernising the concept of the halles of yesteryear. In 2017, it set up the Halles de Bacalan in Bordeaux, right next to the Cité du Vin. A place to live and events. Covering more than...

www.bordeaux-tourism.co.uk

A little snack plate

 

[ellen10]

We loved our stay in Bordeaux last year. And the trams were very good and cheap.

 

[OZDUCK]

We loved our stay in Bordeaux last year. And the trams were very good and cheap.

We also loved our stay. And the trams were good and cheap - those that were running. Basically anything from Gare St Jean along the river to the interchange at Quinconces was dug up. Lines A, C and D were affected.

The works will result in a major improvement for the tram system but it was bad timing for us.

The tram stops this summer in Bordeaux, our solutions for you - Guide Bordeaux Gironde

Major works on the Pont de Pierre and arrival of new lines: everything that changes for your travel from June 2 to August 31 This summer, prepare to adjust your journeys in Bordeaux! From Monday, ...

www.guide-bordeaux-gironde.com

 

[OZDUCK]

One must see for us in Bordeaux was the U-Boat pens but more specifically the Son et lumière show therein. We were staying only about a 20 minute walk to the pens.

As usual with most of the grandiose projects undertaken by the naz_'s this was mostly a waste of money and resources. Never fully completed and built up a river with access by locks which the Allies could destroy. It was only in service for a short time before the Normandy landings cut it off.

History of the place | Bassins des Lumières

Travel back in time and discover the origins of your Digital Art Center in Bordeaux. A place steeped in history.

www.bassins-lumieres.com

uboat.net - Boats - Flotillas - Bases - Bordeaux, France

The U-boat War in World War Two (Kriegsmarine, 1939-1945) and World War One (Kaiserliche Marine, 1914-1918) and the Allied efforts to counter the threat. Over 40.000 pages on the officers, the boats, technology and the Allied efforts to counter the U-boat threat.

uboat.net

Minimal damage caused by bombing raids








Back view





Our destination

 

[OZDUCK]

We went see a joint presentation on the Egyptian Pharaohs ( Cheops to Ramses 2) and paintings by the French 'Orientalists'

Bassins des Lumières | Digital & immersive museum in Bordeaux

Discover the Bassins des Lumières, a digital art centre offering immersive and digital exhibitions in Bordeaux. A unique artistic experience.

www.bassins-lumieres.com

Four pens are utilised for this purpose. The furthest pen from the entrance has had a floor placed over half of it and a viewing stand created.



We got there right on opening time so we could wander around with very few other people and only the somewhat eerie red lights in operation









There were large gaps in the walls between the pens







Before the shows began there was a reminder of the original purpose of this building.

 

[OZDUCK]

The first production was -:



It was projected onto each end of the pens and the walls. It was also reflected by the water. There was musical accompaniment as well - including the theme from "Lawrence of Arabia".

Some of the colours were almost overwhelming.

 

[OZDUCK]

The two displays are on a continuous loop. When it is uncrowded like the day we went you can stay as longs as you like. It think that the Pharaoh one was about 35 minutes and the other a little shorter.

The second presentation

 

[OZDUCK]

A few more movies

 

[OZDUCK]

My last post seems to be playing up.

Inside "The Cube"

A couple more videos

 

[OZDUCK]

I am afraid that I will have to leave this TR in limbo for a little over a month. In a couple of hours we will be departing on a Scoot flight on the first leg of our trip to Germany and Poland.

Just to, hopefully, wet your appetite for the completion of this project -:

Bordeaux waterfront at night.



And the true reason we visited France.

 

[Flyfrequently]

Thanks @OZDUCK for your diligence in putting this TR together- all for cakes or the person behind the counter?
A spectacular photo of Bordeaux !
Happy and safe travels

 

[VPS]

Happy travels and nice pictures to leave us with

 

[Seat0B]

We had originally booked to stay there but our booking at an AirBnB was cancelled by the owner close to our trip and most other accommodation was booked out or extremely expensive.

I used to love AirBnB, but have had this happen a couple of times too, and it has really put me off it. That plus the Salzburg host who pouted and hassled us because we only awarded 4 stars for a misleading description - a kettle, and a microwave do not equate to a full kitchen, in my version of English. And the time the host in Tokyo told us not to enter the building any way other than the fire stairs, not to use the shared laundry and it anyone asked us, we are friends of his from his time at university in Melbourne! I've kind of gone back to hotels after those experiences. I'm glad you managed to find somewhere to extend your stay in Arles, which looks absolutely beautiful, BTW.

 

[Seat0B]

These last 2 weeks have been very hectic with appointments and babysitting of three grandkids- sometimes two at a time, sometimes one and sometimes all three - and a granddog. So I am falling even further behind with this TR.

Makes me feel a bit better about falling so far behind with reading it. Not a lack of interest, just time pressures!

I've never really strongly wanted to visit this region of France, but it looks just delightful. Another region to add to my ever growing list of places to go!

 

[OZDUCK]

We got back from Poland/Germany a few days ago. I seem to have almost caught up on my sleep deficit so it is time to finish this TR off.

After our visit to the submarine pens we head to the nearby Cité du Vin. "The Cité du Vin is a museum located in Bordeaux, France that also hosts exhibitions, shows, movie projections and academic seminars, generally centered around wine-related themes." Tickets to here, the submarine pens, and local transport are included if you purchase the Bordeaux City Pass from the local tourist office.

https://www.laciteduvin.com/en

The building is said to be inspired by wine decanter



A model of the building



The exhibition starts off with a history of wine and then moves on to wine producing areas, grape varieties, changes in production processes etc. It not only covers the history of wine production in France, although this is obviously strongly featured, but covers international production.

Short films are shown about the various wine production areas of the world. The Barossa Valley was included and mention was made that Australia has pre-phylloxera root stock.



Just part of a huge display of grape varieties





A chance to test your senses





This area was devoted to wine varieties - both white and red.



There were lots of audio visual displays. Some were interactive.

Here you could attempt to 'tread' on grapes and see how successful you had been.



A table setting with a display screen underneath.

 

[OZDUCK]

A list of the international organisations involved



You work your way up the building and end up with a chance to have an included glass of wine high up with a good view over Bordeaux and the Garonne.



That days choice





What we had





There were some nice views from up there

The submarine pens







Interpretive signs abounded





Basically it is just a bit of fun combined with the chance to learn a lot about wine. We enjoyed it.