Yesterday I returned from spending five nights in Bordeaux. I’ve been a few times before, but not for so long. [Here’s a report on my last stay here back in March.]

We stayed at the Quality Hotel Bordeaux Centre, which impressed. It’s really affordable but nice, and it’s perfectly situated in the centre of town.

You can walk around Bordeaux easily. It’s low rise and quite compact, and there are loads of really nice bars and restaurants. The whole place has quite a buzz about it. I really like the limestone that most of the buildings are made from.

If you are planning to visit the wine regions (the Médoc, the left bank, Entre Deux Mers and Blaye/Bourg are all spread out quite a bit) then the city centre is a good place to stay, but you will have to do some driving, and watch out for the traffic. Were it not for the terrible rush hour traffic, Bordeaux might just be the perfect city.

It makes sense to stay in the city for dining and night life, too, because there’s not much happening in the main vineyard areas in the evening.

I’ll be back again before long.