Bordeaux, France

Bonjour! We were looking for a trip for June and came across a cheap ticket to Bordeaux. Who doesn't love wine?! Bordeaux is a beautiful city. Many people say it is a mini Paris, however I did not think so. I really wanted a Nutella Crepe on the go and they didn't have it anywhere;(  Around 5 years ago, the mayor of the city decided to really clean it up and make it a place easy to walk around. If you love to shop, you would love Bordeaux. Once inside the City Centre you have small streets and you can get lost for hours walking through them. There are many squares throughout the City Centre that have tons of restaurants. It is a lived in City Centre, which makes it nice if you want that local culture. However that means on Sundays most things are closed:( We stayed at the Quality Inn Bordeaux City Centre. It was a great Hotel, located right in the middle of everything and was super clean.

This street is home to the nicest shops in Bordeaux

Biggest Splash pad

Grand Theatre, Opera

Inside the Grand Theatre, Opera

Around 5 years ago this would be filled with cars but now the city is closed off to cars unless you live there or want to pay

These go up and down when you pay or have a pass for your car

Bordeaux Arch

I know I always say this but we have the best kids. I think travelling is harder for us than them. They nap when they want and go with the flow. I feel like we are true European travellers and have learned to take public transit everywhere.

Built in 1500's It is the bell tower to the Cathedral 

Cathedral 

                                   This carousel was probably the best one I have ever seen.

Always need to find a park

Most local things are closed on Sundays in Bordeaux, so we decided to go to St. Emilion about 40 minutes away in the wine country. St. Emilion is a medieval town, up on a hill surrounded by vineyards. It was well worth the frustration to get there. We wanted to take the 10am train but we missed the tram to get there;( trams don't run a lot on Sundays! The next train out there wasn't until 2pm. So we went to the local Farmers Market, people say it is something amazing to see....I have seen better. John was very frustrated and we couldn't find much to eat so we had McDonalds. We need to go to France with someone who actually knows their food. We had good food but nothing to rave about. However, they do know how to make salad dressings because when you come from the land who doesn't put dressing on their salad; it is so nice to enjoy a salad.

                        Ava's first macaroon. These ones had a cold filling that were really good.

I think we have gotten accustomed to Scottish weather because it was 90 degrees and we were so hot! We made the 2pm train and met a really nice teenage boy Oscar. He is from Berkley and moved to Bordeaux when he was 5 with his family. He was incredibly nice and gave us so much information that it made missing the first train worth it.

St. Emilion is amazing. There is nothing at the train stop. Once you get off you have to walk over a mile up a hill to the town. We spent a couple hours touring the city. John and I had a discussion at 4:45 to see if we should make the 5:18 train back and decided we would go to the tourist centre and have dinner. Once we were at the tourist centre we thought lets run down the hill and make the train. With John Luke in the stroller sleeping and Ava in my Ergo on my back we ran, laughed then cried. As we were running up to the train...the train was just starting to move away. The train was early!!! We were sweating and there is literally nothing there, so we waited in the heat for the next train at 6:18, which came late:)

I love the look on John Luke's face

If anyone wants to steal this idea, go ahead. I thought it was the best idea. 

Train Station:)

Ava likes to tell everyone that she got to go to the Splash Pad twice!!


Since Monday was a bank holiday, we decided to take a wine tour with the kids. I don't think I am ever going to look at parents the same way now because we are those parents who do it all with the kids.

There was the biggest flea market and let me tell you it was a flea market.

Bordeaux wine is a blend of grapes. We visited two different wineries. The wines we tasted were sweet. John and I did a Napa trip and if you love wine, go to Napa. Its incredible. I thought the first place we visited was much like Modesto where my parents grew up. Nothing too fancy. The second winery Chateau Les Tours Seguy was a lot prettier with rolling hills. The owner told us the new thing to become Eco Friendly is to allow the grass to grow between the vines. I asked when they allow there kids to drink wine and our tour guide told us she let her kids at 7/8 once they could understand the importance of the taste and smell.

                                                      We had to wear these over our feet!

Tuesday was our time to go home, but not without a stop to a bakery I found on Saturday. It doesn't have a name but Oh MY GOSH, I was in heaven. I would have gone every day, but they were closed on Sunday and Monday. The Chocolate Croissants were amazing, the brioche bread...delicious. Great way to end a trip. (There actually is a great bakery near Ava's school here, so its not like I can't get a really good croissant)

John Luke loves Ice Cream even though he can't tolerate dairy

Maison Georges Larnicol is supposed to be the best chocolate shop in Bordeaux

They are known for their caneles and everyone knows I love my sweets but I did not like them.
If you do want to try them, go to Baillardran

Couple tips for travelling with kids

• Eat the breakfast at the hotel. Don't look around, most Europeans don't eat the breakfast us Americans do. 
• Take the double stroller, Take a baby carrier. They get tired.