Last October, our Instagram followers had the privilege of joining us on a remarkable journey to Bordeaux, a city of unparalleled beauty in southwestern France.

Senay GOKCEN Editor-in-Chief
Mutti PORTO | Editor-at-Large

Here, we present our travel notes, a glimpse into the enchanting experiences and captivating moments we encountered during our visit.

Bordeaux is a port city on the Garonne River and you can view this beautiful river while landing at the Bordeaux Airport.

Our team members are actively engaged in a wide range of fields, spanning from fashion to automotive design, architecture to the fresh food industry. We make it a priority to travel extensively, seeking inspiration from the diverse cultures found in cities and countries across the globe.

During our business to Bordeaux, we seized the opportunity to embark on a brief city tour. Our journey commenced with a visit to the stylish Grand Hommes and Quinconces District, located in the heart of Bordeaux.

In this area, we discovered an abundance of premier French fashion boutiques, delectable patisseries, skilled chocolatiers, charming bistro cafes, and enticing charcuteries. However, when traveling with pregnant team members, we encountered a unique challenge. The sight of hanging meats and sausages from the ceilings, while artistically intriguing, didn’t align with the comfort of someone on our team experiencing ‘morning sickness.’ Instead, it was the shops offering high-quality artisan chocolates that not only warmed our hearts but also provided the sustenance we needed to move from one meeting to the next.

Determining the standout collection in French Fashion this season is no easy task, as it seems nearly impossible for them to go wrong. However, Anne Fontaine’s Fall 2015 Collection at Galeries Lafayette particularly captured our hearts. It featured exquisite white blouses elegantly matched with black trousers and adorned with tasteful gold accents – undeniably the must-haves of the season.

Among our favorites were Swarovski’s enchanting ‘Stardust Collection,’ which sparkled brilliantly, and Hermès’ store displays, which boasted striking and vibrant color palettes. These choices truly epitomize the essence of this season’s fashion allure.

On day two, we dedicated our entire free time to exploring Rue Sainte-Catherine, Bordeaux’s primary shopping street. The weather couldn’t have been more perfect, allowing us to thoroughly enjoy our leisurely stroll along this 1.2-kilometer-long pedestrian avenue. We delighted in observing the captivating trends showcased in the storefront displays along the way.

Bordeaux unquestionably reaffirms its status as the global epicenter of the wine industry when you explore its renowned wineries and vineyards. The city’s commitment to viticulture is so profound that they even cultivate grapes at the airport, a testament to Bordeaux’s wine-loving heritage. It’s hardly surprising when you consider that ‘Bordeaux wine’ has been crafted in this region since the 8th century, showcasing its enduring and storied connection to the world of wine.

On the third day of our visit to Bordeaux, we ventured south of the city into the charming commune of Martillac, nestled in the Aquitaine region. Here, amid the picturesque vineyards, we discovered the exquisite Château Smith Haut Lafitte.

Our day was filled with immersive experiences as we explored the white and red wine cellars of the château. The evening was adorned with an exceptional dinner shared with our esteemed business partners. The wines that graced our palates were nothing short of extraordinary, offering a symphony of flavors enriched with smoky undertones. Among them, some were remarkably sweet, reminiscent of the lusciousness of sherbet, making for a memorable and indulgent evening.

Bordeaux, a city renowned for its wine, gastronomy, art, and fashion, has earned its place on our ‘Double the Visit’ city list. This means we look forward to returning to this splendid destination in the near future.

For a visual journey through our Bordeaux experiences, we invite you to explore our photo collections on Flickr.

Stay tuned for more captivating tales and visuals from Bordeaux as we continue to uncover the city’s unique charm and allure.

BORDEAUX: The Art of Living ///Fashion///

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BORDEAUX: The Art of Living ///Architecture///

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BORDEAUX: The Art of Living ///Decoration///

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BORDEAUX: The Art of Living ///Gastronomy & Food///

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BORDEAUX: The Art of Living ///Vineyards & Nature///

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All images copyright by Senay GOKCEN & Mutti PORTO.
All rights reserved.

Tags: architecture, art, Bordeaux, culture, fashion, Fashion Stores, food, France, history, interior, interior design, Mutti PORTO, Senay GOKCEN, style, Top, travel