The secret is right there in the name: Bordeaux has been wine country since Roman times, in the first century. Known particularly for red blends, it actually produces a number of excellent white wines as well. Beyond the vineyard there’s a whole city of incredible architecture, enough to be recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Historical heavyweights Cathedral of St Andrew and Palais Rohan are just a couple of stunning examples. But your gateway to Bordeaux is the seaside town of La Rochelle with two millennia of history and the monuments to prove it, like La tour de la Chaîne, a medieval tower that’s watched over the harbor since the 14th century. Let’s not forget the town hall, actually built in 1298 and boasting the title of France’s oldest still in operation!