Experience in Bordeaux, France by Patrick

How did you find living in the city of Bordeaux? Do you recommend it? How is the city?

I arrived in Bordeaux to finish my degree 5 years ago. I only had to stay for a year but then finally... I let myself go to the Bordelaise sweetness!

Even once I'd finished with my studies, I stayed there. I travel a lot and I spend most of the year all around France or the world but Bordeaux remains and will always remain my home port. It is there I know I can return to; there where I am at home.

When abroad, you're often asked 'where is home? '. I often have difficulty in responding, having never really been fixed anywhere... Over the course of the years spent in Bordeaux, I found where my home was! :)

So if you're hesitant to come and study, do an Erasmus year or an internship, hesitate no more! Bordeaux is the city you need! Stroll around the docks, eat in its restaurants, spend Thursday nights (and not just Thursday! ) all over the streets and bars! Bordeaux is a student city for sure but above all a human sized city... There is a neighbourhood life. It's pleasant to find your place there and to be able to very quickly feel Bordelais at heart!

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How is student life in Bordeaux?

The student ambiance in Bordeaux is very lively with several bars at Place de la Victoire or those in the Saint Pierre neighbourhood! Whatever your tastes are, you will quickly find the bar for you, which will become your headquarters very quickly.

Bordeaux's cultural life is very present and lots of the city's plans facilitate students access to the culture; whether it be the project 'Bordeaux ma ville' which allows you to obtain discounts for numerous concerts, cinema tickets at a discounted price or else, the possibility of going to the Opera or Auditorium, buying a pass allowing you to get tickets for a minuscule price!

How are living costs in Bordeaux?

Bordeaux certainly is not the most expensive city in France but all the same, it has a cost!

For accommodation, you will quickly find your fortune, regardless of neighbourhood or size. From a fairly inexpensive studio around Victoire to a more experience one in Gambetta or Chartrons! The best thing to do remains to flat share and you won't have any difficulty in finding your fortune in Bordeaux! I did it for 2 years and it really is a great experience at a smaller cost while you're a student!

The general living cost is similar to in other cities! It's the same price for cinema tickets unless you take advantage of the 'Bordeaux ma ville' services or go to watch your films at Utopia!

For food shopping, it's the same concept even though the Capucin's market will very quickly become your best friend!

Is it difficult to find accommodation in Bordeaux? Have you got advice to give?

I confess, I did not have any difficulty when my flatmate and I arrived in 2010. At the same time, we had planned 3 days in Bordeaux in June to find it! June was one of the periods when the apartments free up before summer. No worries for us! In 3 days, everything was finalised and we had our keys to go back to the apartment on the 1st August!

A piece of advice I can give you is to not live too far away from the university! Even if you are at Bordeaux Montaigne or Montesquieu, prioritise not being further than a 20 minute tram journey away... I assure you; you will become discouraged very quickly when you have to make a longer than a half hour journey at 8am to go to uni!

Also avoid going through Direct Location or these sorts of 'agencies' who sell apartment lists... We almost had... Also look at websites like Airbnb or Roomlala who originally, are for short term lets but they can be very attractive if you're coming for just a semester!

How is the city's food? What are your favourite dishes?

Can one really be disappointed by the food in Bordeaux?

Wine + duck breast fillet + cheese + canelé (small French pastry) for dessert at the same time... What more can you ask for?

There are so many restaurants in Bordeaux that you are obliged to find your fortune! From Italian to Chinese to Indian passing through the good cuisine of the South West, you can't do anything but eat until you burst (and put on several kilograms along the way but well... you have to enjoy it, don't you? ).

Currently travelling, I would do anything for a good duck breast fillet in one of Place Saint Pierre's restaurants, accompanied with a good glass of Bordeaux and a shallot sauce... ah... The joys of French cuisine!

Canelé

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Then if you don't like wine, come to terms with it: you will have to start, learn to enjoy this marvellous beverage and you will leave Bordeaux with a new quality: that of being a hearty eater!

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Which places do you recommend to see in Bordeaux?

There is plenty to choose from in Bordeaux! If you are a museum person, the Aquitaine museum provides a good vision of Bordeaux's history but I have a weakness for the CAPC (the museum of Contemporary Art). First of all, the building is magnificent and then, there are always enjoyable expositions and some more atypical than others!

Visit the docks at night; leaving from the Stone Bridge and coming back towards Place de la Bourse and the Quinconces... That for me, remains the most beautiful view of Bordeaux. The docks are pleasant to stroll around on Sundays, just like the Jardin Public!

Pierre Bridge at night

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Being a Chartrons inhabitant, I can't do anything but advertise it! Yes, it's boho. Yes, it's a bit more expensive than the other places but it's that it's beautiful. It's that the neighbourhood life is great! The Rue Notre Dame is full of antique and flea markets and you're two steps away from the docks! :)

And to eat in Bordeaux? Can you tell us your favourite places?

Well, I have 3 restaurants there that come to mind, that I always do with great pleasure because I'm never ever disappointed!

My favourite remains the Elvis Restaurant on Rue des Piliers de Tutelle! Some very, very good French cuisine in a magnificent setting and decoration (all those photos of travelling on the walls always make me want to travel! ). The boss will not hesitate to advise you on the wine and he's incredibly kind.

For a good restaurant amongst friends, hurry to Fuxia, an Italian restaurant on Place des Quinconces! You can't miss it. It's huge! The dishes are really good, both their decoration and playlist are top and the waiters are always really pleasant! All that for a far from salty bill!

Finally, the ultimate but it's more of a 'take away': Sushis Set's sushis. It's on Place Picard, two steps (literally) from my house! They make the best sushi I've ever eaten and lord knows that I've eaten them! Basically, it's my personal supplier at least once a week! Then what's more, stay calm: it delivers! :)

Which places do you recommend to go out in Bordeaux?

I've never been a fan of clubs so I wouldn't be able to advice you on which of the places to choose to spend your night on the Quais de Paludate!

On the contrary, if you want to spend a good night out in a bar, there is the Café Brin on Rue Saint Rémi which always plays great music in an extremely comfortable environment.

If you are more of a pub person, hurry to House of Parliament where there is no lack of beer or again, Black Velvet on Rue du Chai des Farines, kept by a true Irish man as we like them! It's really small but the atmosphere is super. However well, that remains sentimental because we spent a fair amount of time there during the 2 years of my masters!

What advice do you want to give to future Erasmus students in Bordeaux?

You are bound to like Bordeaux so come without fear! :)

Bordeaux is a great city and you'll very quickly find your bearings and very quickly enjoy the sweetness of living a la Bordelaise!

The only advice I can give you is to enjoy and you will very quickly feel at home... Your only fear: of leaving!