Social program
Touristic attractions in and around Bordeaux:
- Bordeaux is world-renowned for its wine and vinyards but it is also a big city on the Garonne river. The restored historical centre of Bordeaux has been recently added to the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Some places of particular interest in Bordeaux:
- UNESCO World Heritage Monuments: Cathédrale Saint André ( St. Peter's Cathedral) and Basilique Saint Michel (St. Michel's Basilica);
- Les Quais (the Docks);
- Quartier Saint-Pierre (St. Peter's district);
- Miroir d'eau (Water mirror fountain);
- Some illustrative examples of Bordeaux's 18th century architecture can be found at the Grand Théâtre and the Place de La Bourse.
- Rue Sainte-Catherine (St. Catherine's Street) -- a pedestrian street and the main shopping street in Bordeaux;
- Pallais Gallien: Roman ruins;
- Possible cruises on the Garonne river: guided tour of the Bordeaux harbour, ticket reservations possible at the tourist office;
- Arcachon is a popular seaside resort, easily accessible from Bordeaux by train. In addition to fine sand beaches it offers:
- fresh oysters all year long
- boat trips in the bay area
- Dune de Pyla, the highest sand dune in Europe
- regular ferry across the bay to Cap Ferret (information in English)
- various water activities
- Saint-Emilion is probably most famous for its red wine (one of the main red wine domains of Bordeaux) but it is also a charming medieval town celebrating this year its 10th anniversary as a World Heritage site. Saint-Emilion is 35km from Bordeaux and can be reached by train for about 8 euros (one way) at the Bordeaux train station (Gare St Jean). To check the timetable, type "ST EMILION" on the SNCF website.
Nearby beaches:
Bordeaux is only about 50km away from the Atlantic ocean. Regular bus lines operate from Bordeaux train station (Gare St Jean) directly to several beaches on the Atlantic coast: Ticket prices and timetables of the Keolis-operated buses. A return ticket (aller et retour) is 20% cheaper. Reduced fares (tarif réduit) are available only for children (5 to 12 years) and seniors (over 60 years).Another bus company, Citram, provides a bus service from the city centre (Quinconces) to the coast as well as to various other destinations in the region, especially in Medoc.
Arcachon beaches are easily accessible from Bordeaux by train. Trains depart every hour, the trip takes about one hour. One-way tickets cost around 10 euros.
Wine tasting in vineyards
We offer wine tasting in three vineyards of Saint-Emilion appelation, one of the most famous wine regions in France:
- La Couspaude
- La Gaffelière
- Franc Mayne, about 2km from Saint-Emilion
Visits will take place over the weekend of 25th (Saturday) and 26th July (Sunday). Each group will have a possibility to visit Saint Emilion as well.
| Visits Schedule | Saturday 25 July |
| 10:00 | Departure from Bordeaux |
| 11:00--12:00 | Visit of La Couspaude |
| 12:00-13:00 | Free time, visit of St Emilion |
| 13:00 | Departure for Bordeaux |
| 14:00 | Arrival at Bordeaux |
| 14:30 | Departure from Bordeaux |
| 15:30--16:30 | 2 parallel visits: La Gaffelière and La Couspaude |
| 16:30--17:30 | Free time, visit of St Emilion |
| 17:30 | Departure for Bordeaux |
| 18:30 | Arrival at Bordeaux |
| Sunday 26th July | |
| 9:00 | Departure from Bordeaux |
| 10:00--11:00 | Visit of La Couspaude (1st group) |
| Free time, visit of St-Emilion (2nd and 3rd group) | |
| 11:00--12:00 | Visit of La Couspaude (2nd group) |
| Visit of La Gaffelière (3rd group) | |
| Free time, visit of St-Emilion (1st group) | |
| 12:00 | Departure for Bordeaux |
| 13:00 | Arrival at Bordeaux |
| 13:30 | Departure from Bordeaux |
| 14:30--15:30 | Visit of Franc Mayne |
| 15:00--16:00 | 2 parallel visits: La Couspaude and La Gaffelière |
| 16:00--17:00 | 2 parallel visits: Free time, visit of StEmilion |
| 17:00 | Departure from StEmilion |
| 18:00 | Arrival at Bordeaux |
Other vineyards nearby Bordeaux:
- Château Bouscaut
- Château Malartic-Lagravière
- Château Haut Bailly
- Château Olivier (site in French only!)
- Château Pape Clément
Student parties:
- Friday, 24 July 2009
- Friday, 31 July 2009
Both student parties will be held in Cap Sciences, which promotes scientific activities towards the general public in Bordeaux and the area; the building also offers a nice view of Bordeaux and the Garonne. The building has a small capacity, around 250 people; we will try our best, so that every ESSLLI attendee and lecturer should be able to attend at least one of the two student parties. From 10 pm to 1 am, we will have live music and people selling soft drinks, beers, alcoholic beverages and local wines...
(More details forthcoming.)
