If you're looking for a grand welcome, the Bordelais (inhabitants of Bordeaux) can greet you in style. From the city's culture and gorgeous architecture to the region's world-famous wines and beautiful surroundings, Bordeaux is a feast for the senses. It is more than that, however, with an ethnically diverse population and a significant student presence, it's also the perfect place to study abroad.
Study Abroad Programs in Bordeaux
Bordeaux is the capital of France's Aquitaine region. The city was built on an arc of the Garrone River, which gives the Port de la Lune its unique shape and identity. The city is located just a short distance from the ocean, which makes for easy access to great beaches. You can also experience the beautiful mountains and forests of the area.
Most picturesque of all, perhaps are the region's numerous vineyards. There are somewhere between 4000 to 5000 chateaux in the Bordeaux area. Chateaux are the places where grapes are grown and fermented, and Bordeaux is famous for producing excellent wine and plenty of it at a rate of approximately 750 million bottles per year. Bordeaux is one of seven key wine regions in the country and is particularly well-known for its red wines. Bordeaux's wine is intimately related to the regions culture and each year, the city hosts a wine festival that features the regional cuisine, music, and more.
Wandering the streets of Bordeaux, you will quickly be struck by the beauty of the city's 18th century architecture. In amidst the lovely buildings, you will find neatly manicured parks and charming avenues. The city's beautiful Jardin Botanique is perhaps the best example of the meticulously planned public gardens. Three of the city's historic buildings recently became World Heritage Sites: the Saint-Andre Cathedral, the Saint-Seurin Basilica, and the Saint-Michel Basilica.
The city has a number of fascinating museums to further explore the country's history and art. One of the city's famous museums is the Musee des Beaux-Arts, which features paintings, particularly 17th century Flemish, Dutch, and Italian paintings, as well as a seminal work by Delacroix. Bordeaux likes to display its museums in its historic buildings, and a great example of that is the Musee des Arts Decoratifs, which is located in a beautiful private mansion. The Museum of Decorative Arts contains an extensive collection, mainly from the 18th and 19th centuries, of porcelain, silver, furniture, glass, weapons, and more.
In addition to all the sights, Bordeaux is an excellent location to meet people and interact in an ethnically diverse city. As a student, you will join over 60,000 other students in the city, attending Bordeaux's excellent universities such as Universite Bordeaux 1 or Universite Victor Segalen Bordeaux 2 . The city also offers the lively nightlife and exciting activities you would expect from one of France's most dynamic cities.
Bordeaux is built on a long history that began in 300 BC. The city's Roman name was Burdigala. It was an English fiefdom from the 12th to the 18th centuries, and reached its highest point during the 18th century when it was a center of trade with the West Indies.
Today, the city offers unparalleled opportunities for the study abroad student looking for a modern French city with a proud history, beautiful setting, and unique opportunities to live, study, and experience life.
