Bordeaux is the capital of the Aquitaine region of south western France with a population of almost one million (greater metropolitan area). Located on the banks of the Garonne River inland from the Atlantic Coast, the Bordeaux region has been continuously settled for millennia and was an important Roman outpost for several centuries. The city has strong historical links with England and was for a time during the middle ages under English rule as a result of royal marriage alliances. Bordeaux, like most European cities, has endured its share of war and pestilence through the ages, but escaped most of the ravages of the two World Wars that so devastated other parts of France. Bordeaux is a World Heritage Site due to the quantity and quality of the city's architectural treasures. Bordeaux has more protected buildings than any other French city except Paris. The city was literally built on the wine industry and is the centre of arguably the most important wine region in the world. Billions of litres of mainly red wine have been shipped from the river port of Bordeaux over the centuries to an appreciative world. The wine industry has also spawned tourism which has added to the city’s prosperity. New high tech aeronautics, defence and research industries have also gravitated towards Bordeaux allowing for strong future growth. Official visitor site for Bordeaux |
