This city is the beating heart of the region; sitting at the end of the Gironde estuary, all the main roads will eventually lead here, and with good reason! Sainte Catherine Street is the longest shopping street in Europe, there’s bars and restaurants aplenty, wonderful architecture and great museums. What’s not to love?

These popular seaside resorts are just 20 minutes apart, so you can easily visit both in the same day. From Royan you can catch the little car ferry across to the other side of the Gironde estuary, bypassing the road to Bordeaux. Alternatively visit La Coubre lighthouse, the Baie de Bonne Anse and La Palmyre Zoo.

This medieval town is without doubt one of the most attractive of the Bordeaux wine villages. Steeped in history its ochre coloured building are simply charming. There are gastronomic restaurants, craft shops and of course, famous wine cellars.

A great place to just wander and see where you end up, with a pretty harbour, arcaded streets, an attractive cathedral and an impressive Natural History Museum.