On a large part of the trail, the tracks are grassed.  In curves the lateral side of the rail is automatically lubricated so as to limit the screech of wheels. The maximum noise is limited to 74 decibels.

The trains run from 5 am to midnight (1am on weekends). The frequency at peak hours is 4 minutes, otherwise it is 8 minutes. In Bordeauxitself, which has 230,000 inhabitants or nearly one third of the population of the metropolitan area, 37% of the population, 50% of assets and 64% of schools and students are within 500 meters of a line.

The price for a single ticket is 1.40 euros. A book of 10 trips costs 10.10 euros, a weekly ticket 9.70 euros, a monthly pass 38.20 euros, and an annual ticket 376 euros (per the rates in effect in 2009). There are also group rates and discounts for students, seniors and families. Tickets and passes can be used for travel by tram or bus. Tickets can be purchased at machines present in most stations.  One ticket allows unlimited validations throughout the TBC network for 1 hour, at most, between the first and last validation.

The trams and buses in Bordeauxoperate under the Metropolitan Bordeaux (CPC) delegation, and are managed by the company Keolis, a subsidiary of SNCF.  Keolis succeeds Veolia Transport, which had the market eight years until the end of 2008.  The new contract started on May 1, 2009, and should lead to a restructuring of the bus network with the creation of suburb-suburb lines and suburban-downtown lines, and installation of a network for bikes.  Restructuring is to begin in February 2010.

The network
Line A of the Tramway of Bordeaux.
This is the longest of the three lines and the only one to have a branch in the end.  Line A runs through the town from west to north-east, crossing the Garonne on the stone bridge.  With the second phase completed in 2008, the line is 19.9 kilometers long and has 41 stations.  The stations are separated by 447 meters on average. The line meets with two other lines in the city center, but in separate locations.

The line starts at Merignac, common in the suburbs west of Bordeaux, runs through the new neighborhood shopping center in Bordeaux Meriadeck, connects with Line B in the City Hall station and Line C in Porte de Bourgogne, then crosses the Garonne on the stone bridge towards Buttiniere in the town of Cenon. On the right bank, it splits into two branches at the Buttiniere station; one branch serves the northern section of the city and Lormont Bassens/Carbon- Blanc, while the other branch serves Floirac Cenon and south.

The coverage of the right bank of the Garonneis intentionally oversized compared to the current need: the authorities’ objective is to stimulate the development of these neighborhoods that have always been handicapped by weak links to the city center.  This is because there is only one bridge, and it was built in the early nineteenth century.  Studio La Bastide is located on the right bank between the Thiers Benauge and Galin stations.

Line B of the Tramway of Bordeaux.

Line B runs north-east to south-west.  It has a length of 15.2 km and includes 31 stations. It serves the Bordeaux communes of Talence and Pessac. The Deposit-Achard workshop is located near the northern terminus of this line.  Line B also allows connecting with the two other lines in the city center.

Line C of the Tramway of Bordeaux.
Line C is the shortest of the lines.  It has, since February 27, 2008, 8.3 kilometers of line and 17 stations. It is normally served by shorter trains that can be replaced, if necessary, by longer ones.  Line C meets with the other two lines in the center of the city.

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In 1995, the Urban Community of Bordeaux (CUB), which includes Bordeaux and suburban districts, decided to opt for the tram, foregoing the solution of an automated metro (VAL), whose cost would have been much higher. The creation of tramlines was accompanied by a heavy planning operation in central Bordeaux, which included renovation of the main buildings, and reorganization and beautification of the roads.

By the end of 2007, the trams averaged 165,000 passengers per day.  The second phase of the extension, in 2008, brought the length of the network to 43.9 km and 89 stations. The CUB has already initiated studies for a third phase of work, which could begin by 2012 if costs are adequately controlled.  This would add 17 km of new lines with the beginnings of a fourth line (Line D).

The cars used are low-floor Citadis with a length of 44 meters (Lines A and B) and 33 meters (Line C).  In implementing the network, the historic APS technique is used to capture ground power.  Thus, the need for an overhead line is avoided, and the urban landscape is not disfigured.

Beginning in the 1970s, it became clear that saturation of the roadways required the creation of a heavy transport system.  In 1975, the city of Bordeaux was approached within the context of a national study on the definition of a system of public transport.

The costs and capacities between buses and subways were compared, and an underground solution based heavily on the VAL automatic metro, the image of what had been developed at the time in Lille, was preferred.

After an abortive first draft in 1986, a less ambitious but more realistic plan in terms of financial capacity of the town was frozen in 1991.  This project saw a great deal of opposition and was finally abandoned in 1995.  This was largely because only a small fraction of the town was served despite the large investment; the new mode of transport could not serve the heights of the right bank.

The unfriendly nature of the basement tunnels, because the city is located on former wetlands, and the low density of the urban area contributed to disqualify the underground solution for Bordeaux. Moreover, this solution did not serve the campus located in Bordeaux, or the great majority of municipalities in Talence and Pessac (left bank). The same debate gave different results in towns of similar size, such as Toulouse, and those significantly smaller, such as Rennes.  At the time, both chose the VAL.

The launch of the tramway project

In 1995, a mayor particularly favourable of the tram, Alain Juppe, replaced Jacques Chaban-Delmas, who was deeply hostile, as the mayor of Bordeaux.  The new mayor immediately initiated the tramway project. It combined a heavy planning operation in the downtown including the restoration of major monuments, the redevelopment of the quays, and the complete overhaul of the roads for the benefit of pedestrians and cyclists.

Car parks were created on the outskirts of downtown to discourage cars from entering. The mayor was willing to return the city to pedestrians. The prohibition of traffic in the historic center was planned.

After two years of discussion, the Urban Community of Bordeaux (CUB) adopted the tramway project in 1997.  The project was declared a public utility in 2000.  The budget that had been adopted for achieving 10 km VAL achieved 44 km of tramlines in two phases (the second ending in 2008).

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However, over the last decade, plans to renovate this part of the city have emerged. New residential buildings are in phased construction. A university building was begun in September 2007 and would eventually accommodate 3,000 students. The arrival of the tram on the right bank has also renovated some of these neighbourhoods.

Today the district of La Bastide is significantly oriented towards the future with the conversion of the old Gare d’Orleans Cinema. A proposed new bridge between the neighbourhood and La Bastide Bacalan is planned for completion in 2011. A draft of a new BIA Bastide is on the cards. This project involves the creation of 2,500 to 3,000 homes of which 40% are social housing. In the medium term, a draft of a new BIA Bastide north envisages the creation of 4,000 homes.

On the left bank, north of the town are the districts of Bordeaux-Lac and Bacalan.
The construction of the district of Bordeaux-Lac was undertaken by the municipality, after the draining of swamps and the creation of an artificial lake.

This area welcomes tours of homes, some offices and shopping centers. The Parc des Expositions de Bordeaux has also been built. The balance of the construction of this new neighborhood is mixed.  This area is unattractive and too eccentric.

The arrival of the tramway in 2008 revitalized this neighborhood. The Bacalan neighborhood is near the river and the old port area of Bordeaux. This neighborhood was once the home of the Dockers and still has a small population. Again, the arrival of trams and restructuring the district of former warehouses should change the area for ever.

To the west lies Cauderan. This ancient town merged with Bordeaux in 1965 and is now a neighbourhood in the city. The former suburban chic of Bordeaux is one of the quieter areas of the city. Its merger has allowed the extension of Bordeaux to the west.

The Park Bordeaux, the largest green space in the city, is located in this area. To the southwest, St. Augustine hosts a population of upper middle class residents. It contains the Stade Chaban-Delmas (or Lescure), Pellegrin Hospital (CHU Bordeaux) and the Faculty of Medicine (University Bordeaux ).

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However, the vast array of things there are to see means choosing where to go first can be a tricky task.

But one great way to get your bearings is to take an open-top bus ride that showcases the city’s main attractions. Not only will you get a whistle-stop guided tour of the city, but you will also be able to hop off and explore the places that most appeal to you in greater detail.

And one building you may wish to take your family to see is the historic Grand Theatre de Bordeaux. This 18th century performing arts venue is a fantastic example of neoclassical architecture and it is possible to go on a guided tour on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

This is also the place where the famous La Fille Mal Gardee ballet premiered and was briefly the national assembly for the French parliament.

No matter if you’ve been planning a family holiday to Bordeaux for a while or found the perfect package while searching for last minute deals, make sure that you take the time to visit the Bordeaux Cathedral.

Although the building dates back to the 11th century, where it was consecrated by Pope Urban II, the only element left from this time is a wall in the nave. The majority of the cathedral you see today was built in the gothic style in the 12th to 16th centuries.

A French national monument, stopping by here could ensure your children not only have fun but that they also get to learn something.

But the Bordeaux Cathedral is by no means the only church that you and your loved ones ought to visit over the course of your holiday in the city. You should also take the time to explore the Eglise Sainte-Croix – which translates as Church of the Holy Cross in English – that was built in the 11th and 12th centuries.

Annexed on to a seventh century Benedictine abbey, the Eglise Sainte-Croix has a Romanesque-style facade.

Nature lovers in your group, regardless of their age, are bound to enjoy taking a trip to the Bordeaux Zoo.

Situated south of the city centre, the attraction can be a great place for a family day out and there are hundreds of captivating creatures that can be seen.

Zebras, monkeys, pelicans and giraffes are just some of the animals that call the Bordeaux Zoo home, while kids can also go fossil hunting and water tobogganing.

This part of France is famous the world over for producing high-quality wines so grown-ups may want to make the time to go on a tour of the numerous vineyards that can be found in Bordeaux as well as in nearby towns and villages, such as Saint-Emilion, Graves and Medoc.

Not only can you gain an insight into how the likes of cabernet sauvignon and merlot are made, but you will also be able to purchase some bottles to enjoy when you return home.

However, if you cannot tell the difference between the various types of wine that are available a visit to the Bordeaux Wine School could soon see you become a connoisseur in the art of tasting the beverage.

Bordeaux offers so many different things to see and do that taking a holiday or even short breaks here means that there is bound to be something for everyone.

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The first permanent theatres, home of the Italian rooms, appeared in most cities in the eighteenth century, often at the initiative of the intendant of the province. At Bordeaux, the aldermen had a theatre built in the gardens of the old city hall in 1738, which was located near the Grosse Cloche according to the plans of the architect of the city, Montegut. This theatre had a capacity of 1,500 seats; it was destroyed by fire during the night of December 28 to 29, 1755.

Pending the necessary reconstruction of a hypothetical city hall that would incorporate a new auditorium, a theatre was built in 1760 at the street entrance of the rope factory near the Place Dauphine. Performers included not only the permanent troupe founded in 1761 by Marshal de Richelieu, but also passing troupes.  They presented comedies, tragedies and operas. The famous actor Le Kain came to play several times in the hall of the Corderie, where he had great success.

Theatre-loving Bordelais, however, wished to see a theatre built that was worthy of the greatness of their new city, like the theatres in Lyon and Montpellier.

The Grand Theatre was eventually built between 1773 and 1780 on the glacis of the Trumpet Castle, at the site of the Gallo-Roman forum where the temple of the Pillars of Guardianship (named after the goddess Tutela, protector of the city) stood.  At one point, the construction stopped under the will of the King, however Louis managed to convince him resume the work.

After more than 200 years of various uses and successive transformations of the environment of its rooms, at its last restoration in 1991 the interior is found to be its original blue and gold with white marble.   The view of the statues of the muses was enhanced with the development of the Place de la Comedie.

The Grand Theatre is now the headquarters of the Opera National de Bordeaux, who program the opera season and the performances of the Ballet de l’Opera. The theatre also hosts symphony concerts by the Orchestra National Bordeaux Aquitaine, pending the future delivery of the Bordeaux Auditorium, which was planned for 2008.

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The building consists of a nave of five bays with aisles, a transept with a large apse on each arm, and a polygonal apse.  The length of the nave is 39 meters.  The apse is 15.3 meters high. The abbey was restored by Paul Abadie in the nineteenth century, when a belfry, symmetrical to the original, was added to the left of the facade. The monk Dom Bedos de Celles built its organ in 1750, which is currently regarded as a masterpiece. The organ was restored by factor Pascal Quoirin in 1995.

Founded in Merovingian times, the abbey is south of Bordeaux, on elevated ground.  It is surrounded by a swamp that is traversed by a small stream called l’Eau Bourde (Foolish Water).  The stream flows into the Garonne a few hundred meters from the present church.  The exact date of its foundation is not known. According to an inscription dating from the seventh century, Saint-Mommolin, abbot of Fleury sur Loire (now Saint-Benoit-sur-Loire), died there around the year 679.
The original abbey was destroyed by the Saracens around 730, and then probably rebuilt at the end of the century. It was again completely destroyed by the terrible Norman raids during the ninth century; the raids left the country devastated.
The rebuilding of the abbey is attributed to William the Good, Count of Bordeaux, on the site of the oratory dedicated to Saint-Mommolin, perhaps in 970.  The abbey acquired the towns of Saint-Hilaire du Taillan and Soulac. Later, it expanded its holdings to include St. Macarius and Macau. Therefore, due to donations for acquisitions, the parish gradually spread. The Dukes of Aquitaine confirmed successive privileges.

The abbey church was built in the late eleventh century or early twelfth century, along with the church of Soulac and that of Macau.  The kitchens, dormitories, dining halls, etc., gradually deteriorated as the abbots left. In 1664, the monks of the Congregation of St. Maur obtained permission to build a new monastery.  It was completed in 1672.
The abbey was assigned to a hospice in 1793. In 1890, it installed the Ecole des Beaux-Arts

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The recently renovated north portal shows a Royal Portal with rich, sculptural decoration from the thirteenth century standing next to the nave.  It is dominated by two 81-meter high towers with pointed, Gothic tower essays.

The transept and the choir, completed in 1360, are influenced by the northern French Gothic style, which is also especially evident at the high windows. The ambulatory is encircled by bands.

During the French Revolution, the interior of the cathedral was destroyed and converted into a barn. Since 1972, Saint-Andre has a new organ, after the famous 1748 organ by Dom Bedos de Celles returned to its rightful place in the church of Sainte-Croix.

The choir on the south side precedes the Tour Pey-Berland isolation bell tower, which is from the year 1440 and is named after Bishop Pey-Berland. In 1863, the 50-meter high tower with the statue of Notre-Dame d’Aquitaine was built.

The cathedral stands, since 1998, as part of the “Camino de Santiago”  on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

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Here are a few happenings taking place in Bordeaux between April and June 2009:

April

Photography Festival (1st-30th April 2009)

Travel photographers exhibit at various venues open to the public around Bordeaux city, from galleries to bars. Ten photographers have travelled across the world to create these ‘works of art’. The festival exhibitions are free.

(t) 00 33 5 56 92 65 30 (w) www.itiphoto.com

May

La Nuit des Musées (16th May 2009)

All Bordeaux’s museums will be open until 1am for one night only and entrance is free. La Nuit des Musées offers a chance to whizz round the city’s finest temporary and permanent collections, as part of a European-wide cultural initiative. Many museums also mark the night with concerts.
(a) Tourist Office, 12 cours XXX Juillet (t) 00 33 5 56 00 66 00 (w) www.nuitdesmusees.culture.fr/

Union des Grands Crus Wine Weekend (16th-17th May 2009)

This is the fourth annual ‘Weekend des Grands Amateurs’ with over 100 Grand Cru châteaux owners getting together to offer wine lovers from all over the world the opportunity to sample an outstanding range of Grands Crus wines. It is a great way of unlocking the secrets of the great wines of Bordeaux, meeting the people who make them, and spending a weekend tasting Grands Crus wines like a professional, in the world capital of wine.

(t) 00 33 5 56 51 91 91 (e) ugc@ugcb.net (w) www.ugcb.net (h) 9.00-12.30, 14.00-18.00

VTV (Velo Tout Vigne) Le Médocain (30th May 2009)

This bicycle race is held around Margaux and competitors cycle through châteaux properties that lay on tastings and festivities. This event is the southern Médoc’s version of Pauillac’s Marathon, which is run through the vines. The race has three circuits between 25km and 75km, all departing from the town of Arsac.
(w) www.Médocainevtt.com/

June

Bordeaux Danse Musique (20th-21st June 2009)

A new event for 2009 baptised ‘Bordeaux Danse Musique’ – will take place just before the world’s largest wine fair Vinexpo at the Salon International. On the first day there will be dancing on the quays of Bordeaux and on the second day music will be celebrated with the ‘Fête de la Musique’.

Les Epicuriales (late June – July 2009)

This annual food fair provides something for the ears and the eyes as well as the palate. Approximately 30 restaurants offer dishes from around the world from stalls along the Allées de Tourny to the sounds of free concerts and street entertainment.
(t) 05 56 00 66 00

Guided Day Vineyard Excursions with the Bordeaux Office de Tourisme

These are just two tours (there are many more). They leave at 9.30am from the Office de Tourisme and returning at 6.30pm. Prices include guide, transport, visits, lunch and wine tastings.

Bordeaux, revealing the secrets of its great wines (Every Wednesday and Saturday 1st April to 15th November)

A day discovering Bordeaux’s vineyards starting with a visit to the historic ‘Les Chartrons’ area from where wines were originally sold and then on to see two châteaux in the prestigious wine growing areas of Saint-Emilion (Wednesdays) or the Médoc (Saturdays). 55 Euros.

Art & wine for enthusiasts in Médoc (Every Friday 15th May to 30th October)

A visit of three châteaux in the Médoc (Arsac, Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande and Lynch-Bages), with lunch at Café Lavinal in Pauillac and a tour around an art gallery. 75 Euros.

Portes Ouvertes (Open Door Weekends)

On these weekends the châteaux of different Bordeaux appellations literally open their doors and welcome visitors wishing to tour their properties and taste their wines.
• (4th-5th April) Printemps des Vins de Blaye: Each year, more than 10,000 visitors discover the Citadelle of Blaye and taste the wines of some 80 winemakers.
• (4th-5th April) Portes Ouvertes en Médoc: Along the road from Bordeaux to the Pointe de Grave, the traditional Médoc area opens to visitors and presents its wines and cuisine.
• (19th April) Portes Ouvertes à Pomerol: Pomerol produces plummy, generous, long lived red wines considered the equal of the classified first growths of the Médoc and Saint-Emilion.
• (25th-26th April) Portes Ouvertes à Lalande-de-Pomerol: Over 20 participating châteaux organise entertainment to encourage visitors.
• (1st-3rd May) Saint-Emilion – Les Châteaux ouvrent leurs portes: Over 50 properties open and offer winery tours, free tastings, amusements and exhibitions.
• (9th May) Marathon des 1ères Côtes de Blaye: This will be the sixth annual marathon where participants run through the châteaux grounds and taste wines with traditional macaroons.
• (9th-10th May) Portes Ouvertes en Côtes de Bourg: There is a programme of vineyard visits (on foot, on horseback, by car.) and wine tastings with exhibitions and picnics.
• (16th-17th May) Vayres la Vie! Vayres le Vin!: This region is situated on the left bank of the Dordogne, between Bordeaux and Libourne.
• (16th-17th May) Portes Ouvertes en Côtes de St Macaire: St-Macaire is a town across the River Garonne from Langon (in Graves). The appellation is known for sweet white wines.
• (13th-14th June) Sainte-Croix-du-Mont en 4 saisons: A fun tasting of food and wine matching at which the winemakers are divided into four groups, each representing a season.
• (19th-21st June) Fêtons Saint-Emilion!: Saint-Emilion is a World Heritage site, with fascinating Romanesque churches and ruins stretching all along steep and narrow streets.

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