Saturday, November 2, 2013

Autumn in Bordeaux

Last week, we spent a wonderful few days in Bordeaux. I've never been before (although very fond of the wines of the region) and instantly fell in love with this beautiful town.

In the centre, elegant baroque buildings surround wide pedestrian streets and boulevards, and squares with fountains


The streets are lined with cafés, shops and restaurants,



and countless merchants of fine wines..



Le Bistrot Des Grands Hommes is located in the heart of Bordeaux's 'Golden Triangle' shopping area, (defined by the Allées de Tourny, Cours de l'Intendance and Cours Clemenceau), and a lovely little place for lunch. Surrounded by beautiful patisseries, cheese and chocolate shops, it is facing a pretty square with a glass-domed shopping complex, where you find a food market in the basement and further shops in the galerie..

Bistrot des Grands Hommes, 10 Place des Grands Hommes, Tel: +33 (5) 57 83 60 26
 


Bordeaux's street lanterns are as elegant and beautiful  as its buildings



The local Hermès boutique is located at the Place Gambetta, right where the Cours de l'Intendance and Cours Clemenceau meet
 
Hermès, 2 Place Gambetta, 33000 Bordeaux, Tel: + 33 (05) 56 52 22 07 



Further down by the next corner of the triangle, facing the Grand Theatre on the Place de la Comédie is the Grand Hôtel de Bordeaux. Behind the 18th century fassade it is sumptuously decorated in warm and vibrant colors, rich fabrics, chandeliers and tasselled drapes, and yet it has a very fresh and modern feel to it.
The plush and beautiful Victor Bar (in honour of the hotel's architect, Victor Louis, and one of the hotel's illustrious guests of the past, Victor Hugo) is a perfect stop for a drink before dinner



Grand Hôtel de Bordeaux and Spa, 2-5 Place de la Comédie, 33000 Bordeaux, Tel 05 57 30 44 44



Since Roman times, Bordeaux has been famous for its wines, and within a short drive you'll find yourself in the most beautiful wine-growing countryside, where châteaux nestle in meticulously clipped wine fields, surrounded by ancient trees and woods, producing some of the world's finest wines.



The leaves just started to change their colour, from green to yellow and gold to red



Although most grapes have been long harvested, some seem to have escaped



Looking forward to a warm cup of tea after a long walk in the vines



The love for wine is taken one step further at the Source de Caudalie country hotel and spa, located in the fields of the Château Smith Haut Lafitte. It started when Mathilde Thomas developed a skincare range based on grape wine and seed extracts, and a few years later she and her husband built the retreat just 20 minutes outside the centre of Bordeaux.

Caudalie skin care has been one of my favourite french pharmacy skincare ranges for years, and it has been wonderful to visit its origins. Vinotherapie spas can now be found around the world, and their first Paris boutique opened recently in the Marais (8 rue des Francs-Bourgeois, 75003 Paris).


view to the neighbouring Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte



The La Grande Vigne restaurant, also part of the retreat




Les Sources de Caudalie, Chemin du Bourran  33650 Martillac, Tel +33 (0)5 57 83 83 83



Have a most wonderful weekend xx

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49 comments:

  1. Good to have you back and read about the wonderful time you had, plus enjoy the beautiful pics of Bordeaux, nature, you and some obviously delicious food! Cheers, dear MaiTai - have a great weekend, Macs

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    1. Thank you my dear Macs, happy you enjoyed coming along! xx

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  2. Oh, how lovely,dear friend! The region,grapes,wine and venues all sound too good to be true!
    So happy you were able to visit this idyllic area and very happy and thankful that you have shared with us! Hope you were able to carry the relaxed vibe home with you;-) Bordeaux hugs, T xx

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    1. The relaxed vibe evaporated all too quickly, my dear friend! Life has been unbelievably busy since we came back, but I am slowly getting on top of it! It was a magical trip, and I really hope to be visiting one day soon again. Bordeaux hugs right back xx

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  3. That looks like my kind of weekend getaway! Is there any part of France that is not so magnificent! My aunt and family own a vineyard in Bordeaux and we have been invited a few times....on our next trip we are determined to make it! I love what you are wearing, crisp and classic.

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    1. Oh how wonderful to have a Bordeaux vineyard in the family! Hope you can make the trip someday soon, perhaps next year during the harvest time!

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  4. What a wonderful post! I just love the shot of you from the back. Your hair looks fabulous and has so much movement. I'm guessing your DH took the shot--great eye! And I love the picture of what seems to be a giant glowing hare. xoxo

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    1. Yes, DH took the pic (I did not even notice)! The hare is part of the Haut Smith Lafitte sculpture park, and to my joy quite a bit more impressive than the one we saw a couple of years ago in front of the Plaza in NYC! ;-) xx

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  5. Ooolala! I see a big black shopping bag on the bench next to you and the Birken! Hope you'll let us know what's inside!

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    1. Well spotted! The start of Christmas shopping inside...

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  6. Thank you once again Mai Tai for bringing beauty and elegance into our lives.
    Linda C.

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    1. Thanks so much for the lovely comment, dear Linda <3

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  7. Yes everyone has described better your so nice pictures from Bordeaux than I could make it with my English...
    Majestous buildings, good restaurants, and YES what is this inside this big shopping bag next to you? The colour of paper is not Hermes but sometimes I ask for a normal shopping bag in order to be discrete... Your pictures and explanations of this town make one want to go there.
    Amities beautiful Mai Tai with so shinning hair...
    Monica

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    1. Monica, vous avez un oeil de lynx! Catherine

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    2. Oh my dear Monica, I always know exactly what you mean! You elegantly transcend any grammar and spelling obstacles through your vibrant personality. Re the black shopping bag, I started my Christmas shopping early! Amitiés

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    3. Monica, I truly enjoy reading your comments...you are so charming!
      Barbara A

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  8. Thanks for these beautiful vineyard colours…Bordeaux is a somptuous city. We were in the Grand Hotel last august and we really had a good time. Did you have a drink on the roof terrace overhanging Bordeaux? I remember a special dessert at the restaurant : a Tomato-Mozzarella soufflé, we had so much fun but our taste buds were not convinced ;) Catherine xx

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    1. How nice to know we have crossed paths, even when at different times! The evenings were already too cool and dark for the roof terrace (which reminded me of the Hotel de Rome in Berlin!), but hopefully we’ll be back in summer sometime!

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  9. So good to have you back, my dearest MaiTai! I can imagine how wonderful your days in Bordeaux must have been, specially at this time of year when the leaves have the most beautiful and the warmest colours.
    Thank you for sharing your pictures with us.
    I love the one of you taken from behind and your hair!!!!
    Your outfit is perfect, so classic and chic!
    Like Linda C. wrote "thank you for bringing beauty and elegance into our lives". Warm, silky hugs, Manuela*

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    1. My dearest Manuela, so nice to catch up, and happy you enjoyed the post! It has been a wonderful time away indeed... discovering new favorite things is always so magical and special. Have a most fabulous remaining week <3 Autumn hugs

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  10. So glad you are back MaiTai, we've missed you! Thank you for sharing such a lovely and beautiful post of Bordeaux. I must say, you are looking picture perfect in your photos.
    Have a lovely week ahead.
    Warmly, Simone

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    1. Many thanks, dear Simone! It is so lovely to catch up with you ladies, missed you too! Have a wonderful remaining week x

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  11. You have been missed, dearest Mai Tai! Bordeaux seems to be an idyllic location for a laid -back retreat. I've never been, but I'm putting it at the top of my list for the future, after seeing your gorgeous post. You look so lovely in classic jeans and blazer, and may I also say, "Yes" to that photo taken from behind! Very glam!
    On another note, I envy your easy to pack Holiday. I'm gathering my outfits for South America (3 wk long trip) and I'm trying "channel" your simple but elegant capsule piece styles. I'm limiting colours to black/white/grey/orange, changing the looks with my silks and jewelry. Can you please make a quick trip to the states to put me in good order??!! ;)
    Have a splendid week!
    Barbara A

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    1. Awh, missed you too! And soon we’ll all miss you, once you’ve headed off to South America! What a wonderful trip to look forward too. The weather must be great this time of year, which also makes packing a bit easier. Your travel capsule sounds perfect... the colors are beautiful, and can be mixed and matched easily. Would love to help you packing, what fun it would be!

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  12. Thanks for bringing all beauty to us: outfit, sightseeing, skincare, restaurants...
    After you announced that age of 50 is truly a milestone, it is sooo nice to see your photo from the back and dream there is at least a slim chance to get older like you, in a truly youthful way, like a reverse clock (frankly, I would say you are in your 30 - the photos cannot be misleading, therefore a logic conclusion...).
    Very envious about your visit to Caudalie heaven, I like and use that skincare as well.
    Love, Lea

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    1. So nice to know you love Caudalie too, my dearest Lea! I love how we enjoy so many things in common here <3 The hair obviously gets a little help (highlights) from the hairdresser...I don't dare to think how it would look without! Hugs

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  13. That picture of your beautiful hair (your back to the camera)! What hair products do you use? :-)

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    1. I use a mild shampoo (no particular brand,.. mostly from a bio/organic shop). My hair tangles easily after a wash, so I use a mask instead of conditioner and leave it in for a couple of minutes. It makes combing the hair afterwards very easy (the one that works best for me is by Jacques Dessange and comes from the supermarket). Every now and then I apply some coconut cream to the length, and leave in for an hour... but more often than not I forget!

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  14. Thank you for posting these, dear MaiTai! It's been 20 years since I've lived in Bordeaux, and I hear the city has gotten a lot nicer/cleaner. It's still nice to know H is where it always was, and the vineyards are still as beautiful. It makes me want to plan a trip back!

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    1. It must have been so lovely to live in Bordeaux, especially with the beautiful surroundings, and the sea being so close.The centre ville has been picture perfect, I hope you can revisit your beautiful home town one day soon!

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  15. Dearest Mai Tai,
    Would you be so kind as to play a game of Q and A for us? I know that we'd all love to know more about you..(within reasonable measures!)

    1: Favourite fragrance?
    2: Modern or traditional decor?
    3: Red or white wine?
    4: Favourite desert?
    5: What era in time intrigues you most?
    6: What is your country of origin?
    7: What did you want to be when you grew up (at age 10)?
    8: Winter, Summer, Spring or Autumn?
    9: Favourite flower?
    10:What is your most used French expression?
    11: Classic, rock, jazz or swing?
    12: Which country would you like to explore most?
    13: Favourite all- time movie?
    14: What was your profession (pre-blog fabulosity)?
    15: What was the best gift you ever received, and why?

    I hope you'll play along! You've been a huge influence to all of your followers!

    Barbara A




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    1. This is fun!

      1: Favourite fragrance? Never the same. Currently it is Eau d’Hermès
      2: Modern or traditional decor? A mix of both
      3: Red or white wine? Red
      4: Favourite desert? Pavlova
      5: What era in time intrigues you most? Today
      6: What is your country of origin? Finland and Germany (I grew up bi-lingual)
      7: What did you want to be when you grew up (at age 10)? Horse rider/ diplomat
      8: Winter, Summer, Spring or Autumn? Autumn and Spring
      9: Favourite flower? Peonies
      10:What is your most used French expression? C’est pas vrai!
      11: Classic, rock, jazz or swing? Rock and Classic
      12: Which country would you like to explore most? India
      13: Favourite all- time movie? Out of Africa
      14: What was your profession (pre-blog fabulosity)? Producer in advertising
      15: What was the best gift you ever received, and why? Our son. He and my husband are everything to me!

      xox

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    2. A fellow horse rider! Who knew! <3! Thank you dearest MT for being such a good sport!
      Barbara A

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  16. Hello dear MT,
    lovely pics from Bordeaux and a perfect styling as always... Unfortunately I' ve never been there (an H-Boutique is certainly a good reason too :-) . I also want to see the surrounding countryside with the great vineyards and Chateaus some day. A great week for you!
    Bine

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    1. Hope you can make the visit one day soon, dear Bine. I have never been before either, but so glad that I did now! Have a great week too :-)

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  17. Your Pinterest photos are great. Of course, I particularly love markets with their colourful displays breathing with a spirit which celebrates food and partly some past times when we had more time to spend time paying attention to relaxing details and life...
    Hope we'll enjoy some future posts with markets and vegetable stalls, although some of them already exist on your site...never enough of them for me :)
    Love, Lea

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    1. Thank you my dear Lea! Pinterest is such fun, I love the way it allows you to organize photos. New market pics are long overdue, thank you for reminding me!

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  18. Très chére MAITAI me voici enfin revenue Votre escapade dans cette très belle ville donne envie .Très joile tenue decontractée .
    Temps maussade a paris et de retour temps maussade ici J ai trouvé chez Vuitton une autre façon de porter votre col de fourrure en bandeau sur les cheveux Dés qu il fera assez froid je vais m empresser de le faire J ai essayée avec un twilly j adore
    Bonne fin de semaine bises

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    1. Le temps n’était pas trop beau ici non plus, on va rester devant la cheminée pour l'instant! Je hâte de savoir votre methode 'bandeau cheveux' avec le cols de fourrure, bravo pour cette adaption si créative! Une belle fin de semaine à vous aussi. Bises

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  19. Sorry MT it has left. Did you spend few days at Source of Caudalie also?
    I would need that right now......
    Amities
    Minca

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    1. Only the night of our dinner...could go right back!

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  20. Okay, I'm cutting myself some slack after learning this was your first trip to Bordeaux. ;-) I, too, have always wanted to go. It's on 'The List', hopefully in the somewhat near future. After seeing your lovely photos, I think that Bordeaux should move up the list to a spot of more soon than later. Thanks for sharing.

    Love the photo of your windblown hair. Do you use moroccan oil?

    Warm orange hugs, dear.
    CS

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    1. Glad Bordeaux moved up your list, my dear CS! It’s not the easiest place to get to, but a new high speed train line is under construction, and will cut the journey to Paris down to a little over two hours (expected to open in 2016). I’ve never used moroccan oil, but sometimes apply crème de coco (coconut cream). Will have to give the moroccan oil a try! Hugs right back.

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  21. Last comment Monica ! Sorry... This I pad makes me some little surprised
    Monica

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  22. A warmest welcome back, dearest MaiTai! Must have been incredible amidst all the surrounding beauty - thank you for always sharing so generously. Vivid autumn colors, deep blue night sky, and glimpses of you are all so breathtaking. Wherever you go, whatever you do, you find only the most beautiful. And thank you, dear MaiTai, for sharing your many interests, favorites and loves in Barbara's Q & A. The last answer melted my heart <3 Much love and big autumn hugs to you xox

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