Bordeaux traces its origins to Roman times, when a settlement was founded on the Rive Gauche (left bank) of the River Garonne. The site chosen was on a bend of the river, which formed a crescent-shaped harbour, known as Port de la Lune.

The city grew rich from a surge in international commerce in the 18th century. Inspired by their new-found wealth, the city's burghers decided to redesign their city. Its winding medieval streets were cleared to make way for grand squares and elegant tree-lined avenues, lined with monumental buildings.

Bordeaux is famous for wine, not surprising as it sits at the heart of one of the world's
best wine regions, but the wine trade was not enough to prevent a slump in the 19th century, during which much of the city centre deteriorated.

Happily, things have improved dramatically and, after years of neglect and stagnation, Bordeaux is coming back to life. The 18th-century centre has been restored to its former glory, the quaysides have been landscaped, colonial-era warehouses are filled with trendy bars and restaurants, and new parks allow the city to breathe again.

A new network of trams makes the city easily accessible and has had a major effect on the volume of traffic. But Bordeaux's spirit, as ever, is that of a city that knows about joie de vivre and pleasures: strolling along the Garonne or in the pedestrian streets, sitting on a café terrace and enjoying the mild year-round climate, admiring magnificent architecture and art collections, and sampling some of the finest wines together with the excellent local cuisine.