The riverfront view
And the reverse view, as the tram approaches
The tram is state-of-the-art design, with no overhead wires
Bordeaux Gate
Bordeaux's history is interesting. It grew in size up to a point, then a gate and walls were built, and it retreated inside the walls for protection. I found this original structure quite interesting.
Old and the New
The architectural styles. By the way, the man inside this window tossed some crumbs out, and dozens of seagulls dove for them.
Vineyards
We're on the cheesy tour bus on our way to visit two vineyards and do some wine tasting.
Cold and wintry
My next home
I think I could live here
The Owner/Wine master
The man in the red jacket explains, and the woman interprets in heavily-accented English for us.
Rocky ground
They made a big deal about the fact that the distinctive taste of the wine from Bordeaux's east bank is due to its rocky, gravelly ground.
Mr. French explains it all
He loved to talk
Ecouté
Both Phyllis and Michelle could follow his explanations. John just waited for the translation. Sometimes it was just a summary. He loved to talk.
Inside the Cellar
Phyllis and Michelle daintily sip their wines. John's was gone in a gulp.
Lined up barrels
We are standing outside the wine 'cellar'.
Fine Sauternes
One must drink one's sauternes young and fresh. Aging does not improve them.
The neighbors can see us
More vineyards.
The second vineyard
The son of the vineyard owner
This man was animated and funny
Modern vats
He explains the blending process
100% Merlot
This vat has the pure stuff
Another row of barrels
Blended wines
70% cabernet sauvingon, 30% merlot
Sam
It's a long story
The wonderful french food
John had pork roast. Phyllis had veal chops
And Desserts
jardin public
The garden of Bordeaux
Our tour guide consults the map
We were never lost
The gardens are often beautiful
but not in winter
The petit marché
According to tour guide Michelle, this is a tiny fraction of the morning market (marché) that would be here on a warmer day (when it wasn't SNOWING).
Musee
Michelle enjoyed the Aquitane musee, which showed much of the history she studied in class over the past 8 years.
Hotel Bordeaux
On Rue Seze, the hotel was also very nice.
Nuclear Power in France
The interesting sights never end
Leaving Bordeaux for Mont Pellier