I'm looking for a 2 night stopover between Lyon and San Sebastian. I think I've narrowed it down to either Toulouse or Bordeaux. This will be mid-September. Does anyone have a compelling hotel recommendation for either city in the Rick Steves $ or $$ range or a reason that I might enjoy one over the other at that time of year? The Rick Steves Guidebook France 2008 that I have doesnt cover either city. Thanks in advance!
Posted by
Boston
4132 posts
I've been to Toulouse and it's an interesting, lively place with lots of charm. Not a small town, though.
I've never been to Bordeaux, but Rick pans it.
No compelling hotels from me, I'm not wired that way.
Posted by
London, United Kingdom
4684 posts
I've been to both and I wouldn't say there's much to pick between them. They are both nice towns but nothing incredibly special.
Posted by
Lake Oswego, Oregon
1329 posts
I haven't been to Toulouse but I've been to Bordeaux and enjoyed a long weekend there. Stayed at the Hotel Tour Intendance which had a great location, small room, friendly staff. A single room is 78 euros. Bordeaux has a really nice market along the river, many pedestrian areas, beautiful 19th century buildings. Enjoy!
Posted by
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
8293 posts
I agree with Grier. I've been to Bordeaux a couple of times and quite like it. Both times we stayed at the Hotel du Faisan just across from the RR station.
Posted by
Northern California
118 posts
Hi Collin,
I'm so excited to see a helpline user throwing Rick's cautions to the wind and planning a day in this great part of France!
I studied in Bordeaux and visited Toulouse, and while I think Toulouse is a more lively university town (with great Romanesque architecture if you're into that), I'm biased in favor of Bordeaux.
I don't know any specifically great hotels, but here are some attractions you might consider:
enjoying the new riverfront area (the quais) that the city has poured lots of euros into
taking a tour of the opera hous
traipsing up and down Rue St. Catherine (purportedly the longest pedestrian-only street in France)
exploring the lovely tangle of pedestrian streets around Place Camille Jullian
A two-night stopover would allow you to do a daytrip into the wine country, which several agencies in town can arrange. You might also consider staying in the Bordeaux countryside. St. Emilion is an adorable town just west of Bordeaux that has lots of medieval charm and great wine. It's touristy but very scenic. (I believe Rick has a short entry on it in the France guidebook.)
Hope you enjoy this part of France!
Posted by
US Pacific Northwest
10344 posts
The wine region surrounding Bordeaux is one of the finest in France and the world, and a wine tour to this "Mt Olympus" of wine regions is a memorable experience for many travelers.
Posted by
Lake Oswego, Oregon
1329 posts
I was disappointed in St Emilion and found the whole Bordeaux area wine scene confusing but you should check it out for yourself. Maybe I was just having an off day.
Posted by
US Pacific Northwest
10344 posts
Bordeaux red wines are, aruably, among the best wines in the world. For those with more than a casual interest in wine appreciation, the Bordeaux wine region is a special place.
But, as has been mentioned, the way in which wine tasting is done in Bordeaux can be confusing to those not familiar with French wine terms and the French way of doing wine tasting. It's different than here.
Posted by
Madison, WI, USA
534 posts
Kent, can you elaborate on what makes it confusing and how it is different? The next time I go to France, I was tentatively hoping to spend a few nights in the Bordeaux region. I don't know much about it, but I sure like the wine.
We have taken a Chianti wine tour in Italy. A Cotes du Rhone in France. Soon will be a tour in Wachau. So I have done some touring in Europe specifically for wine.