Frankreichs Kultur erleben: Paris & Bordeaux

About the destination: Paris, situated on the river Seine, is the capital and largest city in France. It is one of the most iconic cities in the world and it is considered one of the most beautiful and romantic cities, so much so that is has been dubbed the City of Love. Paris offers historical sights, monuments, a pleasant atmosphere, lovely cafés, parks and museums to satisfy any traveler. A large part of this City of Light, including the River Seine, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city is home to some of the greatest old building in the world such as Le Tour Eiffel, Notre Dâme, Sacre Coeur, L´Arc de Triomphe, Palace of Versailles, the Moulin Rouge or the Hotel des Invalides. There is no ending of the list of things you have to see in this city, but Le Louvre, one of the finest museums in the world of art and culture, should not be missed. Paris remains vastly influential in the realms of art and design and is home to some of the most impressive modern buildings such as La Défense, the Centre Pompidou, the Institut du Monde Arabe or the Stade de France. Paris is a city of immense vitality and beauty and it is an amazing and fascinating destination. With its history and architectural patrimony, Paris is the city everyone wants to see.

About the destination: Bordeaux is an exhilarating and sprawling city where wine still flows and churches still stand. Attractive shopping arcades and handsome 18th century riverfront facades decorate its streets. This city is a paradise for wine lovers and it’s a perfect choice for a romantic gateway. Perhaps the most remarkable feature of the Cathédrale St-André is the wide variety of flying buttresses that encircle it. To the right of the main portico is a 16th century buttress composed off a string of slender columns. Adjacent to the Church of St-Michel is the equally beautiful, free-standing bell tower, an imposing and hollow shell. If you ever wondered what Flamboyant Gothic was all about, these edifices provide an unsurpassed definition of that style. Also not to be missed is Bordeaux’s Romanesque representative, the Church of Ste-Croix, with its richly ornamented façade. And of course you cannot leave Bordeaux without visiting the Maison du Vin that offers free tastings of regional wines. The city is also within striking distance of the sublime, immensely enjoyable Dune du Pilat, a gargantuan mountain of silken sand that seems to bring out the acrobat in everyone.