Grand riverside city
Bordeaux
About 1 hour 45 minutes by car from Carmagnac
Bordeaux is the grand day out: a UNESCO-listed centre of golden eighteenth-century façades, wide riverside promenades and the vast Place de la Bourse mirrored in its water feature.
The Cité du Vin tells the story of wine across the world, and the city's restaurants and markets are among the best in France. Trams make the centre effortless once you have parked.
Set out early and make a full day of it — it is the longest drive on this list, and worth every minute.
Worth your time
- UNESCO-listed eighteenth-century centre
- Place de la Bourse and the Miroir d'eau
- La Cité du Vin and the riverside quays
Stay nearby
Carmagnac is a five-star adults-only retreat for two in Vaux-Lavalette, with a private hot tub and panoramic views over the Charente countryside — about 1 hour 45 minutes from Bordeaux.