Bordeaux queen of Aquitaine

For several years, Bordeaux has been undergoing a complete makeover and has attracted an increasing number of curious visitors. A thousand-year-old port open to the world, the city is full of little-known treasures that take you on a journey through history to the delight of the eyes and palate. Hamaji Magazine shares the authors’ address book and introduces you to an unusual Bordeaux.

THE BUNKER OF THE MOON HARBOUR DISTILLERY
It is in a 4 million-litre tank built during the Second World War, and intended for submarine fuel, that Jean-Philippe Balanger and Yves Médina established their distillery for Bordeaux’s popular Moon Harbour whisky.

COLD SOAKING AT THE CHATEAU DE BLISSA
When one says Bordeaux, others hear wine, it is understood. But are you familiar with cold maceration? Very popular with some sommeliers, it preserves the taste of the fruit, and gives a supple and fruity wine, with coated and silky tannins.

HIGH RELIEF OF A COUPLE AND A WATER JUG
A couple of stones surround a jug pouring water. It symbolizes two tributaries of the Garonne that are now covered: the Devèze and the Peugue. It was in the delta formed by these rivers that the Romans dug the first port of the 1st century, at the site of what is now Saint Peter’s Square.

THE ‘UGUGU’ WORDING OF THE COLUMN OF THE MONUMENT DES GIRONDINS
Crescent moons and homage to the Girondins or even an alphanumeric formula to the glory of human perfection, there is no shortage of interpretations to explain the presence of these enigmatic letters on the Monument des Girondins.

AFRICAN MASCARON
At the corner of the Place de la Bourse, a masquerade depicting an African woman reminds passers-by of the role of the Port of Bordeaux in the slave trade period. It is estimated that the Bordeaux slave trade displaced between 130,000 and 150,000 Africans to the West Indies colonies.

CHURCH OF SAINT JOSEPH OF BORDEAUX
The small church of Saint Joseph is undoubtedly the most unknown of the Bordeaux area. Built according to the Romanian Orthodox rite, it is nevertheless full of charm. In particular, one can admire a magnificent iconostasis (separation of the nave and altar) in painted wood, and many canvases.

ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE OF THE BASILICA OF SAINT SEURIN
The Basilica of Saint Seurin houses the remains of the first Christian cemetery, dating from the 4th century. The graves tell us the story of Christian communities, and are among the oldest remains of the city.

DOLL CLINIC
Time is cruel for teddy bears, dolls and other cuddly toys. It is to protect them from its ravages that Fabienne Mogue set up her dolls clinic. Talent and imagination are essential for this work in the “surgery room”, where every detail counts!