Bordeaux is one of France's most beautiful regions and is well worth discovering with car hire. Renting a car in Bordeaux allows you to explore this region at a pace that suits you, meaning you can visit a range of locations all over the region. From the famously beautiful rolling fields of the wine growing region to the hidden gems amongst the quaint and charming villages, quite an adventure awaits you in Bordeaux.

Bordeaux Mini Guide:

The port city of Bordeaux is situated in southwest France and is capital of the Aquitane region. Situated near the Atlantic Coast, the city is popular for both short breaks summer vacations and offers plenty of scope for hire car touring.

Things To See/Do in Bordeaux:

A walking tour is one of the best ways to see what the city of Bordeaux has to offer in terms of visitor attractions and places of interest. Vieux Bordeaux is probably the best place to start. Here the city is at its prettiest. The stunning architecture of Grand Theatre and Place de la Bourse Square are guaranteed to catch your eye. Crossing the river Garonne, you'll come to Pont de Pierre with its stunning floodlit footbridge. The wonderfully medieval Cath?drale St-Andr? is also situated here, as is a selection of absorbing museums and galleries, including Mus'e de Beaux Arts, where the works of Matisse and Rubens can be seen for a low cost.

Eating Out in Bordeaux:

Eating out in Bordeaux offers the chance to sample some of the most sophisticated fare in the world. Whatever your budget extends to, it's worth treating yourself at least once to one of the rich local specialities. Being a port city, fish and seafood are definitely on the menu. Lobster, sea bream and sea bass are popular, as are traditional regional dishes like foie gras mi-cuit (salted duck liver pat?), Epaule d? agneau de Pauillac, (shoulder of lamb), pigeon, quail and P'rigord truffles. No meal would be complete without sampling some of Bordeaux's local wine.

Day Trips/Events in Bordeaux:

Bordeaux has an attractive location that offers plenty of scope for hire car touring. While in town, a visit to one of Bordeaux's enveloping vineyards is a must. The wine capital of the world produces 70 million gallons of wine every year and makes for a superb day-trip, whether you're sampling the local tipple or just drinking in the scenery.

A drive out to the pretty Arcachon Harbour also makes for a pleasant day's excursion, while surfers and water sports enthusiasts will find paradise at Lacanau-Oc'an.

Bordeaux has a lively events calendar which includes many vibrant festivals, worth seeing while in town. Perhaps unsurprisingly, much of the city's festivities centre on wine. If you've got the chance, don't miss out on September's Marathon des Ch?teaux du Medoc wine drinking contest and F'te du Vin river festival. Meanwhile, teetotallers and culture vultures will enjoy November's contemporary arts festival.

Rugby is big news in Bordeaux. The city's Chaban-Delmas Stadium was even chosen as a host venue for 2007's Rugby World Cup.