At France Just For You, we work with B&B hosts, expert tour guides, and specialist activity guides all over the country. We've met them in person and we know they'll extend a warm welcome to you during your trip, and that you'll have a wonderful time with them!
Here we interview expert tour guide, Marylene, who offers guided tours of the city of Bordeaux. We're very grateful to her for taking the time to answer our questions!
You can do a tour with Marylene on any of our Bordeaux region tours
We would love to know a bit about your background! Where are you from and how did you become a tour guide in Bordeaux?
It's now been almost twenty years since I moved to beautiful Bordeaux. I was born in Orléans in the Loire Valley, but I'm very much a traveler at heart. Indeed, before I became a licensed tour guide I did a Master's degree in English at university. My passion for English led me to becoming an au pair in London, to study in Vancouver, and to teach in Milwaukee.
Deciding to train to become a tour guide was definitely a major turning point in my life. I truly love meeting my guests and telling them stories about Bordeaux.
As the tour is often meant to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience, I always do my very best to make it unique and personal. Walking my guests around the city is a mix of showing them the best sights, revealing its secrets to them, and entertaining them. I'll surely never get enough of my guests' smiles, the sparkles in their eyes, and their 'wow's!
Do you have any special interests or expertise?
I would say I have a special interest in the Middle Ages. That period brings back childhood memories of fascinating stories and historical tales. When my guests and I explore Bordeaux's Old Town we indulge in conjuring up queens, kings and castles, especially when we talk about medieval Bordeaux's three-century connection with royal England.
In parallel, I'm also passionate about all aspects of the city's history. I'm genuinely delighted to visit a variety of neighbourhoods when leading my "Bordeaux Highlights" tour.
Another special interest of mine is anything to do with technology. For instance, I relish sharing captivating secret technical devices related to iconic sites such as the Miroir d'Eau or the Pont de Pierre.
Whether it be in connection to heritage, technology, or any other facet of the city, I'm very much a storytelling person who loves delivering stories about Bordeaux's past and present!
In addition, as I like to make my tours as immersive as possible, I carry plenty of historical or more recent pictures in my tote bag, which I pop out whenever I want to surprise my guests, make a comparison, or put something into perspective with we're looking at.
My priority is to make the whole tour a very complete and lively experience that my guests will treasure when remembering their trip to Bordeaux.
If you have a special interest in history too, you may be interested in our France History Tours
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What’s your favorite hidden gem in Bordeaux?
Bordeaux is packed with hidden gems! I must say I have developed a special interest in its squares.
At the top of my list, I would mention the Place du Parlement, which is nestled behind majestic Place de la Bourse. This charming little 18th century's square is endowed with a unique neo-rocaille style fountain.
In the heart of picturesque and popular Saint-Pierre neighbourhood, it is very peaceful in the morning but gets much busier in the afternoon or in the evenings, when locals and tourists come and chill out on its café and restaurant terraces.
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Langladure, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
What’s your favorite restaurant in Bordeaux?
If you'd like to take a break in a lovely and cozy restaurant, I'd warmly recommend 'L'Epicentre' on the Rue des Piliers de Tutelle, a stone's throw away from iconic Place de la Comédie.
This tiny place is truly a gem of authentic French cuisine made with fresh produce and a lot of passion. Everything about this charming place is exquisite, whether it be the food, the decor, or the wonderful chef-and-waiter duo.
While Sébastien will be preparing beautiful "assiettes" (plates) in his lovely small open kitchen, Pierre will make sure you enjoy a very sweet and special experience. Reservations are recommended.
We recommend our Gourmet Food Tours in France if you're a foodie!
If a traveler wanted to do a day-trip to somewhere outside of Bordeaux, where would you recommend?
I'd recommend the Dune du Pilat and its surroundings to nature lovers (nearby Arcachon is also a must-see).
Alternatively, if you're more into old stone houses and wine (or both!), the charming and picturesque village of Saint-Emilion is definitely the best option for you.
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France Just For You
Is there a specific place, an interesting fact, or anything else about Bordeaux that surprises people?
When you walk around lively Bordeaux today, there's no way you might guess the city used to be nicknamed "la belle endormie" (literally "the sleeping beauty").
How has Bordeaux fully awakened and become a unique UNESCO World Heritage site? Well, this is what my tours are all about!
If you're thinking about visiting Bordeaux, we invite you to browse our self-drive tours in the Bordeaux region, or tap below to send us your France wishlist!
