Bordeaux

Bordeaux is a port city in the south-west of France, and is the préfecture (administrative capital) of the Gironde département and the Aquitaine région. Its inhabitants are called Bordelais.

The city is built on an arc of the river Garonne, and is thus divided into two parts: the right bank to the East and left bank in the West.

The philosopher Michel de Montaigne was born in Bordeaux as was Nobel laureate, Francois Mauriac.

The surrounding region is famous for the style of red wine that also bears the name, and which may contain up to five different grapes, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot[?], and Malbec. The wine called white Bordeaux is made primarily from Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon[?].

The Girondins de Bordeaux[?] is the local soccer team.

History

• Bordeaux was founded around 300 BC under the Roman name Burdigala
• From the 12th to the 15th century an English Kings fief
• 18th century is its gold age, because of the trades with the West Indies. Hotels on the quays are from this period.
• During WWI French government withdraw to the city.