Advice for cities of Bordeaux and Biarritz

In Bordeaux go see the cathedral and go to the Marche des Capucins (food Market) and Le Cite du Vin Museum.
People travel to Biarritz to go to the beaches. It is the resort town experience.

I believe Biarritz is covered is covered in the Spain RS guide with the rest of Basque Country (Spain and France)

Bordeaux is definitely worth a couple of days, even w/o the wine part. There's a good museum, flower gardens near the river (they were in bloom when we were there in mid-March), and just walking. And the food markets are great.

Thanks. I did find Biarritz in the Spain guide. Other suggestions are very much appreciated.

It's definitely NOT true that there isn't anything to do in Bordeaux. Anyone who espouses that hasn't been there or doesn't know how to research upcoming trips. Bordeaux is a beautiful and very walkable city.

I spent three days in Bordeaux in fall of 2017 and loved every minute. There's a tourist information center right at the heart of the city, stop by there. I purchased a "Bordeaux Pass" for 3 days, giving me unlimited travel on the city's great tram system and much more. There are several overview bus tours. There's a central pedestrians area that is wonderful for strolling, shopping, and cafes. You will find beautiful small squares all over this area, filled with sidewalk cafes. There is a very interesting French Resistance Museum. The quay next to the river is packed with beautiful architecture, don't miss the Water Mirror.

Bordeaux was a great center of trade for hundreds of years, see https://frenchmoments.eu/bordeaux-history/ The height of economic power was in the 18th century when the gorgeous architecture along the river sprang into life.

Here are my pre-trip notes about Bordeaux. I've visited many cities and towns in France and found Bordeaux to be second only to Paris on my favorites list.

Articles: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/15/travel/food-and-wine-in-bordeaux-france.html

Bordeaux Walks app for iPhone - see http://bordeauxwalks.blogspot.com/2012/07/introducing.html

http://invisiblebordeaux.blogspot.com

Bordovino Gourmet Tour around city, 3 rue d’Enghien, takes 3:30, 0930-1330, €70 [might cost more now] including bakery, chocolate, cheese, buffet lunch - book in advance, requires 2 people to go

Walking tour through tourism bureau €12 not on Wednesdays, 10am @ 12 cours du XXX Juillet
Visiotour 70-min. route http://www.bordeaux-visiotour.com/itineraire-VISIOTOUR.pdf

Walk: Porte Cailhau, Place de la Bourse, Water Mirror, Grand Theatre, St. Andre Cathedral, Monument aux Girondins, Grosse Cloche de Bordeaux, Quartier des Chartrons, walk along river

Tram: La Cite du Vin (museum open 10-6, tram B), Quartier St. Michel

Centre Jean Moulin (French Resistance Museum) OPEN Tues - Sunday 2pm to 6pm, free admission
Place Jean-Moulin

Markets: Marché des Capucins in St. Michel district

Thanks again.

Nantes, Lyon, Strasbourg, Lille, Montpellier, Nice, Toulouse, Marseille, and Nancy are all more interesting large cities in France.

I've been to most of those. Nantes - No. Montpellier - no/maybe. Strasbourg - maybe. Lyon - yes, but Lyon is more interesting than any city in France except Paris. Ditto for Marseille.

Thanks to all of you. I went to the Bordeaux city website and found multiple self-guided walks that are appealing. I am sure we will have a good time. Unfortunately, the second day, the ship leaves at around 10:00 AM to dock in Le Verdon a few hours later. So we get to start in Bordeaux, but must find out way back to a different port. Thought about getting off once we get to Le Verdon, but it appears to not be very touristy.