Bordeaux Attractions

Venue: Bordeaux    When: Daily

As well as its vast array of markets, Bordeaux also boasts commercial centres that feature the best of French high street labels for both the budget traveller and those yearning for a little plastic indulgence.

The pedestrianised rue St Catherine is one of the main commercial hubs of the city, particularly at the top end which leads down from the Place de la Comedie. France's most popular department store, Galeries Lafayette, can be found here, with its exhaustive range of clothing, accessories, household goods and anything else under the sun.

The other popular street is the glitzy Cours de l'Intendance, lined with chic designer boutiques including Hermes, Cacharel and Kenzo. Meanwhile Tati, the emporium dedicated to all that's cheap and cheerful, is on the corner of Rue St James and Cours Victor Hugo, a stone's throw from the Grosse Cloche (Big Clock).

There are two main indoor shopping centres, both relatively recent developments. Although perhaps lacking the buzz of the high streets, they are very popular with locals. The ground floor of Le Marche des Grands Hommes (Place des Grands Hommes, Mon-Sat 7am-8pm) has a fantastic food hall where fresh produce can be bought each morning. Upmarket boutiques such as Agatha Paris jewellery, Jeff de Bruges chocolates and the Duc de Gascode (for fine wines and foie gras) are on the first floor. The biggest centre however, is the Meriadeck (rue Claude Bonnier, Mon-Sat 10am-8pm). As well as numerous sandwich and coffee bars, there is a large range of inexpensive high street labels for women.

Bordeaux's two fortes are wine and antiques, and for both there are dozens of specialist shops. The friendly Cousin and Compagnie (36 rue du Parlement St Pierre) have an excellent selection of grand crus, offer advice and tastings and deliver throughout Europe. For antiques, hit the Rue Notre-Dame, where there is a cluster of 80 shops encompassing everything from African art to 17th-century carpets.