A day trip to Beautiful Bordeaux

An all year round city

There is something special about a day in Bordeaux. Effortlessly elegant yet wonderfully relaxed, it is a city that shines in every season — and from Fontalbe, it makes the perfect day trip.

A quick 15-minute drive to the quiet Lalinde station. Parking is easy, and from the moment you step onto the platform, the pace begins to slow. The journey to Bordeaux takes around an hour and a half and is an experience in itself. French trains run on time, are comfortable and the countryside views — vineyards, river valleys and honey-coloured stone villages — unfold quietly as you pass through.

In summer

Arriving at Bordeaux feels like stepping into a film set. Wide boulevards, elegant 18th-century façades and that distinctive golden stone create a sense of grandeur, softened by the hum of café life and the easy rhythm of the Garonne flowing through the city.

Bordeaux offers wonderfully contrasting experiences whether you visit in the heat of summer or the cosy charm of winter. On a summer’s day you can stroll along the sun-drenched Garonne riverfront, relax in leafy gardens, take a wine-tasting tour to nearby vineyards, or enjoy long lunches on buzzing café terraces before an evening cruise or rooftop cocktail at sunset.

In winter

In winter, Bordeaux becomes beautifully atmospheric, with warm wine bars and bistros inviting you in for rich local dishes, fascinating museums and galleries to explore, and historic wine cellars offering intimate tastings away from the crowds — perfect for a slower, more indulgent way to experience this great wine capital.

A recent visit with some friends during winter began with a beautiful sunrise and views on the train of glistening frosty rows of vines. When we arrived, we had to grab a coffee in one of the city’s beautiful art deco arcades. Of course, a cake was needed too. Then on to some shopping, meandering around the squares and cobbled streets, and popping in and out of the lovely artisan and terroir shops. Having worked up an appetite it was time for lunch – a long lunch.

With so much to do…

Bordeaux is a great city to visit. Beyond the historic centre, there is so much to discover. Wine lovers will enjoy visiting La Cité du Vin for an immersive journey through global wine culture, or simply sampling local vintages in one of the many intimate bars tucked away in Saint-Pierre. Art and history enthusiasts can explore the Musée des Beaux-Arts, while those seeking something more contemporary might wander the Darwin Eco-Système on the right bank — a creative, alternative space filled with street art, cafés and independent shops.

For a breath of fresh air, walk across the Pont de Pierre and follow the river path, or take the tram to the Jardin Public for a peaceful pause beneath grand old trees.

And much to remember

Sadly, our lunch conversation lingered and we were no sooner settling the bill than it was time to head back on the tram to the station. Watching the early evening light fall over the beautiful countryside on the journey home is calming and relaxing. But the day is not quite over yet as we take a detour to Lalinde’s square, Aperol in hand, reflecting on our day.

The beauty of staying at Fontalbe is knowing that such a wonderful city is within easy reach, yet at the end of the day you return to the peace and quiet charm of the Dordogne countryside.