The Bordeaux and Cognac areas of France have multiple historical business ties to Ireland, from Hennessy brandy to vineyards with names including Lynch and Kirwan. The city of Bordeaux, known as the Port of the Moon due to its crescent shape on a bend of the Garonne River, is also close enough by plane to mix business with pleasure while on a short trip.
Capital of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, it is exceptionally pretty; brimming with stylish restaurants, bars and outdoor terraces, it also has a thriving cultural and artistic scene. Of its many not-to-be missed attractions, two that stand out are La Cité du Vin and Les Bassins Des Lumierès. The latter was opened in 2020 in a former submarine base and second World War bunker and is said to be the largest digital art centre in the world. Until January 2024 it is hosting an immersive light show featuring works by Salvador Dalí and Antoni Gaudí, soundtracked by Pink Floyd.
La Cité Du Vin is dedicated to all things vinous. On a well laid out route, visitors are guided through a sensory experience – you will smell, taste, watch and feel anything and everything to do with grapes and wine making – in a building whose design takes inspiration from swirling wine in a decanter or glass. You can watch high-energy clips from movies where wine features prominently; take in aromas from glass bells emitting different bouquets and indulge clients on the tasting trail – an ideal opportunity for some fun bonding or team building. Then you can take the elevator to the rooftop restaurant for some delicious food while enjoying breathtaking views of the city.
Afterwards, take to the streets below to drink in the historical wonders that the city, a Unesco Word Heritage Site, has to offer. These include the Gothic Cathedral of St Andrew, with its imposing facade featuring gargoyles and sculptures of the Last Supper and the Ascension, and, standing opposite, the beautiful 18th-century neoclassical Hôtel de Ville.
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Or you could just people watch and catch some evening rays at Place de la Comédie, which is overlooked by the Grand-Théâtre, one of the city’s most emblematic buildings. Built in 1780, the exterior features 12 Corinthian columns along with statues representing the goddesses Juno, Venus and Minerva.
On the banks of the sweeping Garonne, between the Quai de la Douane and the Quai Louis XVIII, is a new installation called the Miroir d’eau or water mirror, a decorative pool that reflects the Place de la Bourse building facades. A fountain system alternates between mirror and mist effects and the reflections change with the time of day and the weather. This is a big meeting spot for friends, family, and tourists.
For wine tasting, the Château Kirwan vineyard is 40 minutes by car from the city, in the heart of the Haut-Médoc area – also home to such well-known appellations as Saint-Julien, Pauillac, and Margaux – and is well worth the drive.
Further still and also well worth the trip is the city of Cognac. Most of its inhabitants are employed either directly or indirectly by the famous eau-de-vie distillation houses. Hennessy was founded in the Charente region by Irishman Richard Hennessy in 1765 after he left Cork and settled in the west of France and it is still the biggest Cognac distillery in the area. Learn the history of Hennessy while sampling a wide variety of cognac in the Hennessy XO Club, another great place to impress clients.
To see how a smaller distiller does it, accept the cellar master’s challenge at Maison Bache-Gabrielsen, where you will be immersed in some fun sensory games before getting creative and blending your own mix of Cognac, leaving with a unique 20cl brandy. Later, stroll around the sleepy streets of Cognac or peruse the indoor market on the Place d’Armes. End the trip by making your own cocktail at the elegant Bar Luciole.
Stay:
In Cognac, stay at Hôtel Chais Monnet & Spa, a beautiful five-star property with 92 rooms and suites. Eat at Michelin-starred restaurant Les Foudres or chill out at the spacious spa that includes indoor and outdoor pools.
In Bordeaux, stay at Le Palais Gallien Hotel and Spa, a boutique five-star hotel located in the heart of the city and within easy walking distance of many of the landmark sites. La Table de Montaigne offers a gastronomic feast, with tasting menu and wine pairings bringing to life much of the region’s delicious produce.
Eat:
Le Bordeaux is a large restaurant in the centre of the city, opposite the Grand Théâtre of Bordeaux and offers typical food from the Gironde region, while Le 1925 brasserie is a busy spot frequented by locals. Dine in an atmosphere reminiscent of the 1920s and sample the steak tartare and chips or devilled eggs. Ganache is a less formal restaurant where the baked Saint Marcellin is a must.
Fly:
There are regular flights to Bordeaux with Aer Lingus and Ryanair.
For more information on the region see nouvelle-aquitaine-tourisme.com
