Category: Bordeaux

Bordeaux Day

The next day it was time to leave and move to Bordeaux where we’d be getting our river cruise two days later. It was a chance to see a little of Bordeaux and get our laundry done!

St Cyprien – not sure what this was for

Stopped in Bergerac for lunch – along the river 

Now vineyards are everywhere

Got to the train station, turned in the car and found the tram to our apartment.

Living room of our Bordeaux apartment



Kitchen
Some of the stairs to our apartment
Another view of the stairs
It was not hard to find a place to eat – this was taken right outside our door.
St Pierre
French love monuments – this one was mostly dismantled during WWII to be melted down for war production but somehow the Resistance hid them and they were later brought back to Bordeaux
Our chosen restaurant was full so we decided on this one – right on our street. The two tables next to us were locals who told us this was a very good restaurant and after eating, we agreed.
House soup was so good!
Lamb was excellent
Dinner with Ophelia and Gabriel
We also met three engineering student studying in Bordeaux – they were very interested in talking to Bill and might check on the 3M plants in France for jobs or internships.
The long climb back home

A day of planes and trains

Packing got done with the help of/in spite of a little visitor.

So off to the airport where the Delta Club was packed with people – barely a seat available – surprising on a Tuesday afternoon. 

First “French” meal – on Air France so its French, right? the tuna appetizer was really good!

Arrived right on time at Charles de Gaulle airport – and set off for the train station at the airport, following signs for Paris by Train to the RER B train. 

Almost empty when we boarded
But very full for most of the 45 minute ride to Denfort-Rochereau stop where we caught a quick metro 6 ride to Gare Montparness and our “grand ligne” train to Bordeaux
What a difference with beautiful reserved seats
Each with a little power hookup and tray. This one is mine.
Bill does not travel as light….
The train was slowing a little at this point – max speed was about 350 km/hour (not mph)
At first it was as flat as Kansas or the eastern Dakotas
Coming into Bordeaux – a little over two hour trip – I slept about half of it…
Passing trains

I really love train travel, especially on the long distance fast trains. So much nicer than having to drive and almost always right on time. 

Crossing the Dordogne River
View of the city of Bordeaux
Gare St Jean 

Next adventure was finding the rental car desk – evidently not a big thing in Bordeaux as it was tucked away in a hard to find area with few signs leading the way. It helps to know international sign pictures – it was a drawing of a car with a key on it for rental cars.

So next entry will be driving two hours to Sarlat-la-Canéda, our apartment and dinner.