Bordeaux (original) (raw)

Bordeaux (Bord�u in Gascon) is a port city in the south-west of France, and is the pr�fecture (administrative capital) of the Gironde d�partement and the Aquitaine r�gion. Its inhabitants are called Bordelais.

Geography

The city is built on an arc of the river Garonne, and is thus divided into two parts: the right bank to the East and left bank in the West.

History

• Bordeaux was founded around 300 BC under the Roman name Burdigala
• The city was plundered by the troops of Abd er Rahman in 732, after he had defeated Duke Eudes and before he was killed during the Battle of Tours on October 10.
• From the 12th to the 15th century, Bordeaux was an English King's fief
• The 18th century was its gold age, because of the trades with the West Indies. Hotels on the quays are from this period.
• During WWI, the French government withdrew to the city.

Economy

The surrounding region is famous for the style of red wine that also bears the name, though it is frequently called claret; it may contain up to five different grapes, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Malbec. The wine called white Bordeaux is made primarily from Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon.

Miscellaneous

The philosopher Michel de Montaigne was born in Bordeaux as was Nobel laureate, Francois Mauriac.

Girondins de Bordeaux is the local football team.

External link

• Official Bordeaux website: http://www.mairie-bordeaux.fr