Dat Trips from Bordeaux

We will be staying in Bordeaux for almost one week, and intend to take several day trips.

We would like to go by train, and would like suggestions for a long beautiful day.

Thanks.

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There are many possibilities for day trips around Bordeaux and further afield. All of the following start with a departure from the Gare St.-Jean train station.

If you want to head west, you can take the train to the resort town of Arcachon, and go on a boat trip through the tidal basin to see such sights as the oyster beds, the bird sanctuary, and the Dune du Pyla from the sea.

A bus from the town will take you to the dune, the largest sand dune in Europe and extraordinarily impressive. If you have the stamina, you can climb the steps to the top (over 100 meters high) from where you have a breathtaking view of the blue ocean on one side and the green pine forest on the other.

A day trip to the north will take you up to the Pointe du Médoc at the northern end of the Médoc peninsula. From there you can take a boat out to the Cordouan lighthouse or the ferry across the Gironde estuary to Royan in the Charente-Maritime, the neighboring region where Cognac is made. (In theory, you could go on to the town of Cognac itself, but you%26#39;d probably have to spend the night there--it%26#39;s too long for a round trip in one day.)

To the east the train will take you to the Dordogne valley, and the great attraction there is the medieval town of Sarlat, the area%26#39;s gastronomic capital.

There are other, shorter day trips possible, like Saint-Emilion, for example. The Bordeaux region is a lot more than just wine and vineyards, and the train is ideal to get you around to see what%26#39;s available.

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I have just returned from a three week stay in the region and can certainly agree with the suggestions above. Just a couple of things though.

Summer train schedules finish on August 30th on the Medoc line and the little station at Pointe de Grave (from where the boat to the lighthouse leaves) will no longer be served. A possible alternative destination on the same line is the popular resort town of Soulac sur Mer. That%26#39;s a two hour trip from Bordeaux Gare St Jean (the main station) but those in the know (now myself included) use the trams to get to/from Bordeaux%26#39;s Ravezies station from where Soulac is a 90 minute journey. Check the timetable carefully however, as in the winter schedule the last weekday train back to Bordeaux on that route is at 346pm and there are no buses. There%26#39;s later train at weekends. It%26#39;s a nice ride past many classic vineyards and chateaux.

Arcachon is probably the most easily reached destination. A pleasant sea-side resort and yes the dune at Pyla. I read in the local newspaper while there that a tourist had a heart-attack while climbing it, so you need to be fit.

The line along the Dordogne valley to Bergerac and Sarlat suffers from some rather eccentric timetables; an out and back journey on a weekday is a problem. It is one of the more scenic rides as the line hugs or criss-crosses the river for much of its distance.

You might look at a visit to the town of Perigueux, which is full of history and a little over an hour%26#39;s journey from Bordeaux by the faster trains.

You can download all the regional timetables from

ter-sncf.com/aquitaine/…

but make sure you are looking at the correct times for the date of your intended visit.

Hope that helps and enjoy your trip.