This museum relates the storied history of Bordeaux's
wine trade as well as displaying a variety of labels, bottles, and agricultural
techniques along with the history of their development. The museum is located
in an 18th century home in the section of the city that was the home of Bordeaux'
wine merchants, called Chartrons.
Saint-Seurin Basilica
The basilica's style is predominantly Romanesque, but many Gothic elements
are also present, the result of successive additions to the structure over the
centuries. Its history goes back as far as the beginning of Christendom in the
6th Century. On the western façade of the building, superb columns
form two archways allowing access to the nave, whose beautiful Romanesque
capitals date from the 12th-century. The southern portal displays the Last
Judgment. Inside the basilica, the massive pillars in the nave make a striking
sight. To the left of the choir, the 15th-century Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-la-Rose is a superb example of flamboyant
Gothic ornamentation. Of particular note are the fine sculptures and keystones.
The crypt is the oldest part of
the basilica, where one can admire some very beautiful Merovingian sarcophagi
in marble. Charlemagne is said to have lain down Roland’s ivory horn here after
the defeat of Ronceveaux.
Visiting Bordeaux
Bordeaux, which is in the
southwest of France,
is accessible by high speed train from Paris,
about a three and a half hour trip. Bordeaux
is also serviced by a local air port and there is bus and train service
available from throughout France.
Bordeaux has a tram and bus system
for getting around.
Bordeaux is an excellent jumping
off point for wine tasting tours of the surrounding vineyards and chateaux.
This can be done either in a rented car or by a prearranged organized tour.