Monday, April 7, 2025 – Photo of the Day – Bordeaux, France

Where in the World Are We?

We are in Bordeaux, France.

BORDEAUX, FRANCE
Les petits Cannelés
“Les petits Cannelés”, as French people call them, are a traditional pastry from Bordeaux. They are small, cylindrical cakes with a caramelized crust and a soft, custard-like center. They were created by nuns in the 18th century, who used leftover egg yolks from wine-making to make the batter (egg white was used to precipitate the suspended matter in the wine and clarify it). Traditionally, they are cooked in copper molds, giving them a distinctive shape and crispy exterior. The name “cannelé” comes from the French word for “fluted,” which describes the shape of the pastry.

Cannelés are traditionally served as a dessert or as a snack with coffee, but they can also be served with savory dishes like foie gras or cheese.

A well-kept secret, there are as many recipes as there are bakers in Bordeaux, even though in 1985, a group of Bordeaux bakers formed the “Brotherhood of the Cannelé,” which promotes and preserves the traditional recipe and method of making cannelés. In 2013, “les petits cannelés” were awarded protected geographical indication (PGI) status by the European Union, recognizing them as a traditional and authentic product of the Bordeaux region.

Of course, the best way to discover it is to taste it. Many bakers even sell them in gift boxes for home use.

SIGHTS
• Place de la Bourse
• Cathédrale Saint-André de Bordeaux
• National Opera of Bordeaux Grosse Cloche
• Monument aux Girondins
• La Cité du Vin
• Porte Cailhau
• Musée d’Aquitaine
• Basilique Saint-Michel
• Pey Berland Tower
• The Bordeaux Museum of Fine Arts

SHOPPING AND CUISINE
The shops in the pedestrian streets of downtown Bordeaux have the longest pedestrianized shopping street in Europe, rue Sainte Catherine! It is a good address in Bordeaux, with all the major brands, luxury and designer boutiques with vintage or modern decoration, and independent cultural spaces. It is a temple of fashion, design, and gastronomy! North of the street, do not miss its typical mall 19th century. Rue Porte Dijeaux is another commercial institution in Bordeaux, and Place Fernand Lafargue has a more bohemian atmosphere.

Today’s Excursion – Scenic Bordeaux & Wine Museum
Indulge your senses with the exquisite beauty and flavours of Bordeaux during this half-day sightseeing excursion, and a visit to
the splendid new La Cité du Vin Museum.

Bordeaux City
Depart the pier for the scenic, approximately one-hour orientation drive through the city of Bordeaux, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Along the way, take in the exquisite beauty of Bordeaux’s architectural heritage, which has developed harmoniously over the centuries and remains remarkably well-preserved.

Bordeaux Landmarks
See the Chartrons Riverfront, where the city’s wine trade began, and L’Esplanade des Quinconces. With an area of
approximately 30 acres (about 12 hectares), this esplanade is one of Europe’s largest squares and features a column
commemorating the French Revolution. Continue past the 18th-century Place de la Bourse, 15th-century Cailhau Gate, 14th-century Big Bell, 18th-century Palais Rohan, now the City Hall, 13th-century St. Andrew Cathedral, where Alienor d’Aquitaine
married Louis VII, and the 18th-century Grand Theatre, the opera house built by Victor Louis.

La Cité du Vin Museum
Next, a visit is made to the La Cité du Vin Museum. Bordeaux’s newest highlight is a unique facility set within an evocative
architectural design, and it offers a unique view of wine that transcends the world and its history, cultures, and civilizations. Your
self-guided tour of this expansive museum’s 10 levels is punctuated by 20 themed spaces explaining the culture of wine in an
immersive, interactive, and sensorial setting. Afterward, proceed for a wine tasting in the approximately 115-foot-high (about
35-metre-high) Belvedere of La Cité du Vin offers a spectacular, 360° view of the city.