French Property Hotspot: Bordeaux

Like a fine vintage and a bold new cocktail, France’s wine capital Bordeaux mixes the best of new and old, writes Karen Tait…

The southwest city of Bordeaux offers a surprising mix of modernity and history. France’s wine capital has been known for centuries across the globe for its wine, especially the reds, but it has a contemporary wine museum too, the Cité du Vin, at the heart of the revitalised Bacalan district. Its streets and boulevards are lined by elegant stone buildings but it also has more recent attractions such as the Miroir d’Eau – the world’s largest reflecting pool – and a modern tram system.

The city suits different budgets and lifestyles. Michelin-starred restaurants abound but there are many more affordable bistros too. You can enjoy a glass of wine watching the world go by on one of its pretty squares or party into the early hours at a nightclub. There are shops and markets galore as well. If you love the city vibe but prefer a more rural setting, Bordeaux is surrounded by beautiful countryside and rolling vineyards, as well as charming towns like Libourne and St-Emilion, and pretty villages – all with the culture, retail and work opportunities of Bordeaux on your doorstep. The sandy beaches of the Atlantic coast are also close by, ideal for weekends.

The city offers a diverse choice of districts in which to buy a property. Alongside the River Garonne, Chartrons is known for its artistic vibe and lively atmosphere. Once a busy harbour for the wine trade, it is now a trendy quartier full of art galleries, boutiques, antique shops and 18th-century townhouses. St-Michel is a melting pot of cultures with the Gothic St-Michel Basilica at its heart, as well as the popular Capucins market, a hub for Bordeaux’s culinary scene. St-Pierre’s medieval streets and squares come alive after dark, with bars, restaurants and music venues. Equally vibrant, the student district Victoire is home to affordable cafés and lively bars, and with the iconic Victory Arch at its centre. In contrast, Bastide on the Right Bank is the place for riverside tranquillity and gardens, an escape from the bustling city centre. Caudéran, to the northwest, is known for its upmarket residential areas, beautiful villas and Parc Bordelais with its leisure lake. Average property prices range from €4,896/m² in the Capucins-St-Michel area rising to €5,604/m² in the historic heart of the city. This compares to amn average €3,781/m² in the wider Gironde department.

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