Bordeaux

Bordeaux stands on a curve of the Garonne in southwest France, the elegant capital of the world’s most famous wine region and a city whose eighteenth-century centre, one of the largest protected urban areas in the country, is recognised by UNESCO. Grand pale-stone facades line the quays and squares, among them the Place de la Bourse with its celebrated reflecting water mirror, while the modern Cite du Vin museum marks the city’s identity out on the riverside.

Beyond the city, the great vineyards begin almost at once, from the Medoc and Graves to Saint-Emilion and Pomerol, making Bordeaux the natural base for wine touring. The city is at its best in late spring and early autumn, when the weather is mild and the harvest approaches, though its restaurants, markets and river walks reward a visit in any season. For families and groups who want space and a base for the vineyards, luxury villa rentals in Bordeaux range from the city itself to the wine estates of the surrounding countryside.