St. Andrew's Cathedral in Bordeaux, night tours, Eleanor of Aquitane's wedding ...

Posted by avirosemail (northern CA) on 07/25/19 07:44 PM

The cathedral in Bordeaux offers an occasional 9pm tour of the chapel and organ loft
https://www.weezevent.com/visite-nocturne-4

and today, July 25, is the anniversary of the wedding in 1137 between Eleanor of Aquitaine and the future King Louis VII, when he was still a prince and she was 13 years old. The archbishop of Bordeaux performed the wedding here, which was quite a complicated political arrangement among the contesting French and English nobility to consolidate control over western Europe. When that fell apart, her next marriage was to Henry II.

The cathedral has a lot going for it, although it's been re-done a few times since those days. It's on the pilgrimage route to Compostela, too. (Eleanor's dad actually died en-route on Good Friday of that previous spring)

Also interesting to note that Eleanor's first language was the Poitevin dialect of French, which is rarer today but still found in several parts of northern California, like Plumas and Siskiyou counties!
(This according to wikipedia...)

Posted by wayner

stevens point, wi, usa

07/27/19 07:41 PM

1194 posts

Hello from Wisconsin,

Let me give a thumbs up for visiting Bordeaux. Seems Rick isn't so fond of it. But Paris was modeled on its design. We found the college area in particular fun and real. South and a bit west of the big fountain. Dark narrow streets filled with bars and restaurants. Wait this is France, filled with bistros.

The cathedral in 1137 was about 12 bricks mortared together. I exaggerate, but it ain't what you see now. There is nice diagram in the cathedral showing when various parts of the cathedral were completed.

And if there are any Eleanor of Aquitaine fans out there, a book by Amy Kelly born 1876, is THE best book written about Eleanor and her time. The book is, Eleanor of Aquitaine and the Four Kings. Yeah, she was married to the King of France and then the King of England, and two of her sons, Richard and John, became kings. Read the first five pages and if you aren't hooked, then put it down. Little did we know that so much hung in the balance of a pig in mud.

Bordeaux, is great. Get off the big shopping street. Wonder at the block long book store. Who knew there were that may books in French, just kidding.

wayne iNWI

Posted by bcgirl55

07/28/19 06:06 PM

95 posts

I too love Bordeaux! I would love to attend an event like that! I will check next time I go! We spent 3 weeks in the Chartrons district last fall and it was wonderful. Close to the river and promenade. We borrowed bikes and rode over the stone bridge to La Bastide and explored the Botanical Gardens. We did a couple wine tours which were both great. We drank lots of wine! and ate some great meals. I can't wait to go back!

Posted by Elizabeth

L'Occitanie, France

07/28/19 06:26 PM

10629 posts

We've been there during the evening when the Cathedral was beautifully lit. It was an unforgettable experience.

Posted by Travel Boss

Myrtle Beach, USA

07/29/19 03:14 PM

12313 posts

I was in Bordeaux last June and the cathedral was closed for repairs :-( I guess it should be open now.

If you're interested in Alienor d'Aquitaine (that's how it's spelled on her grave). You can visit her grave at Fontevraud Abbey, next to her husband Henry II and son Richard the Lion Heart.