France is the most visited country in the world, hosting over 100 million tourists annually, and needless to say, a majority of those will be touching down in Paris, drawn to its sparkling Eiffel Tower, romantic Montmartre backstreets, and high culture.
With all the reputation it has to live up to as the French capital, you’d think Paris would be the country’s most beautiful city; after all, it’s the birthplace of Haussmann architecture, which inspired the Belle époque movement worldwide, not to mention it’s one of Europe’s Grand Cities.
As it turns out, a different city a whole 362 miles southwest of Paris has been voted the most beautiful in France, and it’s not often on a first-time visitor’s radar:
Bordeaux Is The Prettiest City In France
Based on a recent scientific report published by Online Mortgage Advisor, which ranked the top 25 most beautiful cities in the world, Bordeaux is the highest-charting French entry, placing at number 9, ahead of Paris, Lyon, Nice, Strasbourg and other much-larger hubs.
In order to establish the ranking, researchers looked at Google Street View to catalog millions of heritage buildings and historic streets worldwide, and from the available images, they calculated proportions for each monument, as well as the length of any such streets.
Based on these proportions and the concentration of historical sites across different cities, they were then ranked for ‘beauty’, which is, of course, always subjective, but for the purpose of this study, refers to the cultural wealth a particular city has accumulated over the centuries.
So how beautiful is Bordeaux, and how does it compare to the other pepites de France?
What Makes Bordeaux Special?
Bordeaux is the unofficial capital of the namesake wine country, and a port city on the banks of the Garonne famous for its fascinating history, incredible cuisine, and well-preserved 18th and 19th-century architecture.
Though most of what you see today dates back to the Belle époque, a movement that sought to deliberately embellish and modernize the medieval shambles that were European cities, Bordeaux is, in fact, much, much older than that.
It was founded as early as the year 300 BC, according to most scholars, so it’s no wonder the concentration of monuments is high: to be precise, there are as many as 350 historical buildings within city perimeters, countless art museums and galleries, and a host of medieval landmarks.
Wonders Lurking At Every Corner
The most famous of them, the Cathédrale Saint-André, is a 14th-century masterpiece that rivals Paris’ Notre-Dame and Strasbourg’s Gothic cathedral in beauty, with its spearing twin towers, colorful displays of rose-stained glass and delicately-sculpted portals.
Alongside the equally ancient Basilica of St Severinus and the minor Basilica of St Michael, all built in Bordeaux in the Middle Ages, the cathedral is a meeting point for pilgrims taking the UNESCO-designated long route to Santiago de Compostela, starting as far north as Paris.
Besides the triad of Flamboyant Gothic churches, Bordeaux has a series of architectural gems most visitors to France are yet to discover, including one of the oldest-surviving medieval houses in France, at number 4 Impasse Rue Neuve, and the monumental Pey Berland Tower.
In the heart of the Old City, Saint-James Street is another popular spot for photographers and culture buffs alike, as the narrow pedestrianized lane, lined by traditional shops and eateries, leads to the iconic Grosse-Cloche of Bordeaux, a perfectly-preserved medieval clock tower.
Is This The Prettiest Public Square In France?
Bordeaux’s beauty is truly immeasurable, and we could surely try and take our sweet time trying our best to convey it into words, possibly to no avail, but a good place to start if you’re expecting to let out a silent ‘wow’ sigh is Place de la Bourse:
The most easily-recognized square in town, it dates back to 1730, and it’s a semi-arched complex of buildings facing a reflective pool, popularly called Miroir d’eau––it’s pictures of this square you’re likely to find looking up Bordeaux on Google
Bordeaux Food Is As Delectable As The Wine
France is as sought-after for its gastronomy as it is for its material heritage, and though Bordeaux did not feature on our yearly list of Top 5 Destinations In France For Food––it’s more often remembered for its wine instead––it doesn’t mean local delicacies are inferior in quality:
Quite the contrary.
Due to the proximity with Spain, Bordelaise cuisine is heavily influenced by France’s Iberian neighbor, and it’s the lamprey fish with red wine and uncooked ham that’s often considered Bordeaux’s greatest triumph: typically served with garlic-coated croutons, it’s mwah! Chef’s kiss.
Aquitaine caviar, oysters, and a wide range of duck-based products are equally-popular orders in local restaurants, and if you’re paying the round-the-corner boulangerie a visit, make sure you try their canelé, a local pastry with a soft, custard center and a crusty, rum-and-caramel-coated exterior.
Is Bordeaux Cheaper To Visit Than Paris?
France is a very expensive country to be a tourist, in general, and whether it’s consumer prices, groceries or the cost of food, there’s not a truly significant difference between Paris and other provincial cities; on the other hand, accommodation can be cheaper outside tourism hotspots.
This year, hotels in France––and in Paris in particular––have all jacked up prices: in the heart of the capital, in the 7th arrondissement, room rates range from $180 to $284 this season, and the closer you get to popular sites like the Eiffel Tower and Champs-Élysées, the pricier they get.
Bordeaux is far from being a particularly-cheap city break, with tourists spending $49 on meals on average per day, and around $890 for a one-week séjour, all according to Budget Your Trip estimates, but there are far more affordable hotels than Paris:
For example, the central Ibis Budget, within walking distance of Gare Saint Jean, costs an acceptable $70 to book––in southern France, right at the peak summer? Talk about a steal of a deal.
We know Bordeaux is the only French city to make it to the top 10, but where have other French cities charted?
Paris is a sneak at number 12, and let’s face it, love it or hate it, its cultural significance is hard to rival; further down at number 20, there’s the staunchly-Germanic Strasbourg, with its imposing cathedral and half-timbered houses.
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