BORDEAUX - European Capital of Smart Tourism 2022

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Bordeaux is a cosmopolitan city with over 257,000 inhabitants where people and cultures meet. It is a place of creativity and a gateway to the South-West of France. Here, where multiple environments intertwine, the river that runs through the greatest vineyards in the world, all the way to the Gironde Estuary, is found - close to the Atlantic Ocean and Arcachon Bay. Bordeaux may well be an 18^th century city, but it is proudly eco-friendly and innovative. While the Gironde capital constitutes the largest UNESCO-listed area in the world with 347 monuments, it is also a pioneer for urban regeneration. The city is fully committed to welcoming refugees.

Bordeaux is home to the largest wine growing region in the world with 7000 chateaux and is at the forefront of the creation of the “wine tourism” concept: 2 million “wine tourists” visited the Bordeaux vineyards in 2018. Highlights include La Cité du Vin and the Bordeaux Wine Festival - now exported to Brussels and Hong Kong. More than 65% of the surface area for Bordeaux vineyards has received certification for their environmental efforts and €1.2 million has been invested in research, notably into the reduction of the use of pesticides. Since 2003, the city has laid down tracks for four different tram lines, culminating in a metropolitan network that stretches over 66 km. The trams are 100% accessible thanks to large sliding doors and step-free access. The river shuttle and buses are also completely accessible and each one has specially reserved seats for wheelchair users. A special guide has been created by the Bordeaux Tourist Office for those with disabilities, containing a list of all services and activities available to persons with reduced mobility. 

Bordeaux is making use of its existing resources and repurposing them to propel their smart tourism practices to the top. A further example of this is The Darwin Ecosystem, which is a collective geared towards a green economy - now one of the most visited sites in Bordeaux. This former military barracks is home to an urban farm and the largest organic restaurant in France, all showing a way of “consuming differently”. It’s a place of diversity and innovation where you can find skateparks, an open-air gallery for graffiti artists, as well as co-working spaces and entrepreneurs working in the green economy. The guide is regularly updated in light of feedback from handicapped visitors. The tourist office has also placed an emphasis on e-platforms to promote its content. The creation of the CityPass in 2014 gives visitors free access to over thirty culture and leisure-focused establishments. A tour of the city is also included, as well as unlimited use of public transport. Bordeaux’s port committed to an environmental cruise ship charter in 2019, pledging to reduce emissions, eliminate waste and limit sound pollution. Additionally, the four cruise ship landing stages are being made electric-ready, plus waste and sewage are collected from ships.

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