When did Bordeaux get so fancy?...

When I was here, Bordeaux was fun and beautiful in a gritty, urban way. Now it's all been cleaned up. Half the streets are now pedestrian boulevards filled with people at all times... and there's even an elegant light-rail system that glides silently around town.

If you've never been to Bordeaux, I guess now is the time to come visit. Ira has been absolutely enchanted by the beauty and efficiency. He compares it to the Paris that he remembers from his youth. I can't believe it's the same city. When we arrived we took the rail to Quinconces, which I remember as the place where cars rushed by, all going in opposing directions. Now there's just the whoosh of the electric train and rows of elegant trees. The Monument aux Girondins was restored when I was in Bx, but now it really stands out in its elegant and modern new setting.

The dark picture is from the contemporary art museum, in an old wool factory, the Entrepot Laine. I attended the opening party, so it was great fun to go back, even though there were no exhibits in the main hall. (And it did make for some great moody shots.)

We ate at the same cafe I frequented lo these many decades, Le Regent, though I have to admit the chairs and tables have been upgraded!

Today we walked around town. You can almost cover the entire old section on cobbled pedestrian streets, though there is still a flurry of construction to convert yet more streets to the tourist-friendly sort.

It's been a real adventure to see what I remember, what has stayed the same, and what has been improved beyond all measure. If you come to Bordeaux, you will be rewarded!

And to reward you, here are some gratuitous shots of Bordeaux.