There are many amazing places to visit in France. So here are a few reasons why you should come to Bordeaux first :0)
- The wines are legendary: Petrus, Margaux, Belair, Cheval Blanc, Latour, Yquem… With literally thousands of châteaux and vineyards, you could participate in several tastings every day for the rest of your natural life
- The food is simple, light and tasty. Next to Provence, certainly the healthiest culinary traditions in France
- The Bordeaux region is nested between the Dordogne and the Atlantic Ocean (Arcachon Bay and Cap Ferret). Easy day trips to completely different worlds
- The region hasn’t known war in over a thousand years. Strange statement to make here I know. But this means that all the original villages, castles, churches and other architectural treasures were never bombarded and still stand tall. Hitler liked Bordeaux wines so much that he actually ordered that the soldiers based in the area would tend the vineyards to keep the production going
- There are countless Farmers’ Markets you can visit. They are traditional markets with local producers who present the best organic foods you’ve ever tasted
- The village of Saint Emilion is incredibly beautiful and authentic
- The city of bordeaux itself is a jewel of French architecture (mostly 17th and 18th century). Bordeaux is great for shopping and full of traditional bistros and cafés
- Incredible bakeries and pastry shops are everywhere. You can buy warm baguettes and mouth watering pastries any time you want
- Some of the best brocantes in France are located in the area. I know all the best ones and will be happy to share my secret list with you
- I live here and my house has many bedrooms and a really cool kitchen, which means that you already have a friend to stay with :0) Oh, and I make a mean French onion soup!
Château Figeac
Market in Ste Foy
Bordeaux from the roof
Fresh seafood every day
Best organic produce
My favorite lamb dish :0)
Churches everywhere
Local fruits and vegetables
Ahh France and garlic…
Friendly market in Libourne
Château Soutard
Cap Ferret
Saint Emilion Cloister
Château Yquem
Cheeeeese!!!
Duck is a local specialty
Flower market in Libourne
Château Cheval Blanc
Saint Emilion
Pomerol
Fresh fish from the market
The harvest
At the brocante
At the brocante
In the vineyard
Sweet sweet grapes
Blessed
Bordeau opera
Limestone art
Bordeaux cafés
Cognac
Château des tours
Ahhh Petrus…
Warm bread all day
Foie gras delight
Fairytale land
Morning dew
Château Margaux
Château Latour
Oysters from Arcachon
Yquem sweeeet!
Bordeaux Bistros
Bordeaux opera house
Château St Georges
Saint Emilion
In the cellar
Old Stéphane
My French onion soup :0)
My “secret” chocolate cake
Château Lusseau
MY FRENCH HEAVEN 
Tu es “La” joie de vivre.
😉 comment vas-tu? J’allais t’appeler…
Olala! I agree with you! The one of the best place in France – was for me Saint-Emilion…haha, I wrote even post before month…Fabulous set of photos! Thanks for taking me there again. 🙂 Bye. Kamila
I am so glad you enjoyed St Emilion dear Kamila! I hope we’ll get to meet in person on your next visit over here 😉
Cheese! Fresh bread! Wine! Churches! Okay, well you can’t eat churches but still! I’m coming to France!
They make churches out of eclairs and petits choux for special occasions you know? So technically you could eat churches too 😉
I spent an absolutely ‘magnifique’ 5 days in and around Bordeaux so I relate to all that you say. I’ve always wanted to revisit the place, and now more reason as that French Onion soup beckons 😉 Lovely post, ça m’a donné trop de nostalgie!
I hope you get to come back soon!
Another reason: there’s a direct flight from Dublin. Food for thought!
That’s a good one!
I haven’t been to Bordeaux in 20 years but following your blog has really made me want to revisit!
I hope you do!!!
damn, i really craving foraging in the fresh market there….
worth to visit at least once in a life time…
Absolutely! And you are welcome at my house anytime!!
It will be the first place I visit when I finally have an opportunity to come to France!
YOU’RE BACK!! YEAHHHHHH. I felt like I had lost my sister for a few days. I’m sure you are very busy with the grand kids 😉 You know you are welcome here anytime! And you will stay at my house as family!!!!
You are so sweet. Like a brother from a different mother! 🙂 Been out straight getting the gardens and yard ready for the summer season! And babysitting the grandkids! I am absolutely exhausted! But like my mother I will plug on! Keeps us young!
😉
your reasons and photos are tempting me to fly there right now 🙂 i’m planning a trip to Provence. Looks like i’ll need to include Bordeaux for sure. 🙂 …….danny
I hope you do come Danny! There’s always a room for you here! If I don’t see you, enjoy Provence!!,)
I don’t need 10 reasons. 🙂
🙂 See you soon then 😉
Love your stunning photos. I have always wanted to go to Bordeaux – the closest I have been is La Rochelle which was lovely. I find the history of Bordeaux very interesting because of the links with the English kings and how those links were important for the wine trade in the 14th century.
Thanks for visiting my blog.
Reblogged this on Haute Mom Living and commented:
beautiful!
Would love to go! The photos are stunning!
Thanks! You are always welcome here!!
sounds great.
I’d like to pack my suitcase and my camera bag at once.
Life is short! Start packing! 🙂 😉
I guess, my employer has something against vanishing employees 😦
But – Do you rent apartments?
I don’t but I can find one for you 😉
It looks so great! I wish I could go!
Thanks! Someday maybe… 😉
Ca me donne envie de visiter! Debut Aout , c’est deja fully booked? 🙂
Great! August typically fills up late. I still have a few rooms available. Let me know if you’re interested. I looooove to meet fellow bloggers and share my French heaven in real life 🙂
Great I will get back to you asap if we have the date 🙂
How wonderful! Very excited here 🙂
You had me convinced with #1, but #10 would make the trip worth it on its own, too!
I hope you come someday!! You have a home here in my French heaven 😉
What a beautiful place and what a warm welcome ! If ever I come there, you’ll see me on your doorstep 🙂
Can’t wait!!
I’ve had a long lay-off from posting, and reading, but as there wasn’t a single notification from myfrenchheaven when I sorted through around 500 email notification I typed in the URL and up you came. For some reason clicking the WordPress ‘follow’ button doesn’t do the trick for you – no idea why. I’ve just clicked the other one within your blog and hope that works. Anyway, that you posted this on 15 May made a great birthday present. I don’t need persuading about Bordeaux and I had intended to come this summer, but a serious drop in our disposable income has forced a change of plan, so it won’t be this year unless I (or my wife) win the lottery! Bt your blog will keep me going.
So glad you’re back. I’m afraid WordPress has messed everything up. You’ll need to sign-up with a different e-mail for the updates to come to you again. Now go buy a lottery ticket 😉
OK. As I think I’ve said before, I never could decide whether I should follow you from ‘grumpytyke’ for the food and miscellaneous, or from my photo blog for the pictures. So now I’ll go and follow you from ‘grumpytykepix’ and hope that works. (I have a permanent lottery ticket!!!).
I hope it works!! (both the follow AND the ticket) 🙂
My reply to this didn’t appear. However, I’ve ‘followed’ you from my other (photo) blog – grumpytykepix – so I’ll hope to get notifications there.
Stupid responsibilities. Stupid adulthood. I want to be in Bordeaux, not New Jersey!
We’re all the same 😉 I miss New York!
2h-drive from Tolosa, so see you soon, Chef! 🙂 Maybe with a couple of Japanese friends who’ll visit us next week… Bon après-midi et amitiés “hivernales”(9C°!), Mélanie 🙂
I would so love to meet you in person Mel! IT IS cold for the season, isn’t it?! See you soon!
Stephan, who wouldn’t want to come to Bordeaux after reading this post and seeing your gorgeous photos? And now that I see what your beautiful chateau looks like as well…so wonderful. I am so thrilled for you that after all of your work in the States you were able to come home and follow your heart.
I have visited a fair amount of la Hexagone (et pas mal des Dom-Tom aussi) but never Bordeaux…don’t tell anyone I said this but it just might be more beautiful than Provence!
I don’t know if it is, but if it’s not, I’m sure it’s pretty close. I love the Dordogne and I am dying to see Provence again… Thanks for your lovely comment Heather!!
I’m sold! 😉 When we finally get a chance to go to France, we will make sure that the Bordeaux region is part of our trip — as well as a stop by your place! 🙂
Kenley
You are always welcome here Kenley! I love to meet my fellow bloggers in real life 😉
You are blessed to be living the life, the place is so dreamy and as for your works of art? just excellent. Your photograph is exceptional and you cook with finesse…Love it! One of the destinations in my bucket list for sure 😉
You always write the most touching comments my darling! They always make me smile and feel good. Thank you so much for your continued readership and support!!
We’ve visited the region in 2011. Unfortunately I discovered your blog later in time – otherwise I would have made a trip to your beautiful house for sure. 🙂
Bourdeaux is magnificent – and I have to add, it is not too big. Just the right size to have the spirit of a city without getting into too much bustle.
I hope you come visit with us again soon!!
Aw… You make me homesick!! I’m originally from Provence but my sister lives in Bordeaux. I now live in Cape Town, South Africa but how I miss the richness of french history…. Beautiful pics 🙂
I’m glad you liked it Ingrid. Sorry I made you homesick! I bet South Africa is magnificent… In fact I know it is 🙂 I hope I get to meet you when you visit your sister 😉
That would be so awesome!!!!! Travelling with 3 kids limit our voyages (Finances oblige…)!!!! So not sure when next we’ll be able to go!!! 🙂
Beautiful pictures! This really made me want to visit Bordeaux (even more than before).
My door is always open Anna! 😉
I haven’t traveled in over 4 years and I’m craving to get on a plane. I think I just might book flights there. Sounds just what I look for on a holiday.
My door is wide open!! After 4 years, you do deserve to escape a little bit 😉
Wonderful. Dreamy. Heaven. What a fabulous post.
Thanks so much!! I was worried there were too many pictures, but people seem to like my posts that way… I hope you come visit someday!
Wow!!! You stay in paradise. Visiting France was on my list and now I know where in France I need to visit. I promise, see you soon.
You’re always welcome and you know I’m dying to learn Indian cooking from a master!! 😉
Anytime… Should you happen to visit Mumbai, India. Do let me know
I sure will! Make sure you do the same when you visit France!!!
Would love to visit. Long way from Colorado, but who knows???
It’s just a plane ride away 😉 See you next week 🙂
It would be lovely. We still travel back to Europe so maybe….
🙂
Gorgeous and beautiful photos as always! My husband and I plan to visit Bordeaux on our next trip to France. We have fallen in love with Bordeaux wines. We may be able to stop by and say hello in August! 🙂
Let me know. I would love to meet you guys!!
The photo montage makes me heartsick I’m not there, and I’m in Hawaii! Well done.
I’ve always dreamed of visiting Hawaii ever since Magnum PI when I was a kid… One day 😉
House swap!
🙂
My suitcase is packed! And I’m bringing a spare for all the treasures I find at the brocantes. Are you near Medoc? I have friends who regularly participate in the Marathon du Medoc. What a crazy event. I of course have no interest in running the event just soaking up the atmosphere.
I’m on the other side of the river (40 minutes). St Emilion is much more romantic and low key than Medoc. I think you’d love it! 😉
Can your French Heaven really be as gorgeous as your photos. Guess I’ll just have to see for myself!
Any time! 😉
Post was great, but the comments were fantastic. You are a joy. People should be booked through 2025.
You are so kind dear Janet!
Someday!
😉
How charming and beautiful. This looks straight from a fairy tale movie. But it’s all real! Aww … one day soon …
Can’t wait! 🙂
Number 10 is very convincing 🙂 I must try and stop by next time I’m driving to my house in the Aude. As always lovely photo’s.
Well number 10 is always here! See you soon 😉
Magnificent. Sold!
🙂
Did you really have to go and do that?! You are living in Paradise. I was already convinced… now I’m definitely going to look at dates to book a trip! I’m just afraid when I get there, I may accidentally lose my return ticket home! 🙂
That’s fine! I have a big house and a room with your name on it 🙂 I liked your kiwi pie post! You know that if you drive South of here, as soon as the vineyards end there are kiwi plantations everywhere.. 🙂
That sounds perfect…I’d love to see all of it! What I’m really coming over for is to get a taste of that secret chocolate cake though. 🙂
🙂 I’ll make one just for you 😉
Sounds perfect…I’d love to see all of it! 🙂 I may need to sample some of your “secret” chocolate cake though, for energy of course!
Tres belle. I definitely want to go. Would mid-June be a good time to visit the region?
End of June is better. There is a big wine fair (the lagest in the world) here mid June and the area will be crowded with business people. Also, most of the châteaux will be closed to the general public, focusing their attention to visitors working in the wine industry… So yes, late June is better 🙂
Superb post.L was in France couple in Paris.l hope will visit Bordaux the next time.Amazing pictures.jalal
Thanks Jalal! You are always welcome here!!!
Okay! Book me! Thanks for the Like and an opportunity to see your beautiful blog! 🙂
Thanks! Glad you like the blog. I will be following yours!
Glad to have you! 🙂 Thank you
The pictures are exquisite. I would love to visit!
I dare you 😉 🙂 🙂
I’M SOLD! How does one get to Bordeaux from London? What airport do we fly into or do we take the Eurostar and then another train? When my husband and I visit London in 2014, we will totally make a trip there if at all possible. 🙂 🙂
I’m so glad Leilani!! You can fly in from Stanstead into Bergerac or from Heathrow directly to Bordeaux. A return ticket from here to London is often less than 70€!! See you soon I hope!!
A French Heaven! Lol.
You said it my friend! Now you know why I gave this name to my little blog 🙂