Bordeaux

Le Verdon

We docked at Le Verdon at a dock seemingly in the middle of nowhere at the mouth of the Garonne River and an hour from Bordeaux. This was supposed to be a major cruise port but union squabbling killed the project leaving the dock desolated.

Within a few minutes from the dock we begin to see the vineyards of the Medoc region of Bordeaux.

Georgie (left) along with Liz (behind Georgie) taking cat naps while Jane and Dick consult their maps.

Along the river is an endless row of these bland buildings with the doors presenting the only bit of color.

We were impressed with the modern light rail system throughout the city.

Port de Bourgogne

The gate joining the left and right banks of the city.

A lovely park leading to the river from one of the light rail stations. Strange thing was the parks did not have any benches for people to rest.

Bordeaux Light Rail

The main drive along the La Garonne river.

A government building along the river

Place del la Bourse

A sculpture of a woman made up of welded letters and open inside inviting people to climb in. The placque at the base did not expand on why the sculpture was there or what it might commemorate.

A mist of water emanating from the ground is both a piece of art as providing a method to cool people off.

Port Calihau

A medieval gate to the old city.

Peppers drying in the window.

Port Calihau

Lookiing back on the gate toward the river.

Rue des Trois Conils

Artwork in the square. These drops have a fine film of water flowing over them.

We were heading toward the Cathedral

As we got closer what we thought was the Cathedral turned out to be a Library! Although it looks like it might have been part of the cathedral at one time but sold off. Pure conjecture on my part.

Saint Andrew's Cathedral

The cathedral was consecrated in 1096 by Pope Urbane II

St. Andrews Cathedral

The Opera House

The Grand Hotel across the street from the Opera House

A wedge shaped building across from the Opera House

Monument aux Girondins

The Girondists were originally part of France’s Legislative Assembly, becoming one of the groups which supported the French Revolution as it began. In October 1793, the Girondists were executed under the orders of one of the leaders of the Revolution, Maximilien Robespierre after they began opposing the movement. Monument aux Girondins was built in the early twentieth century as a memorial to the Girondists, now considered to be political martyrs. Depicting the Statue of Liberty standing atop a large pillar and flanked by two pools containing spectacular statues, Monument aux Girondins is a striking memorial to the Reign of Terror.

Notre Dame school of Bordeaux

Chaban-Delmas Bridge

This bridge is a vertical-lift bridge over the Garonne in Bordeaux. It was inaugurated on 16 March 2013 by President François Hollande and Alain Juppé, mayor of Bordeaux. Its main span is 110 m (361 ft.) long. As of 2013, it is the longest vertical-lift bridge in Europe] It is named in honour of Jacques Chaban-Delmas, a former Prime Minister of France and a former mayor of Bordeaux

Nazi Submarine Pens

These are submarine pens in Bordeaux, built during the war in 1942 by the Nazis. They occupy over 570,000 square feet measuring 810 feet long, 530 feet wide and 63 feet high. The roof was 30 feet thick. The entire structure was built with reinforced concrete rendering the complex indestructible. Problem now what do you do with it.

On our way back to the ship we stopped at the Chateau LaGrange vineyard.

Chateau LaGrange Winery

The major crop is Cabernet

Chateau LaGrange Winery

As you can see they bottle all sizes

For some reason they don't stack the wine barrels

Another rather ornate winery in the region

Georgie, back on the ship and ready for a drink