Why use the services of a tour guide?
The profession of guide is one of the oldest professions in the world. But make no mistake! Being a guide is not something you invent. Until 2011, there were 4 distinct titles (national lecturer, national guide-interpreter, regional guide-interpreter, and guide-lecturer of cities and countries of art and history). Now, there is only one status. The same official card, that of national guide-lecturer, which represents a guarantee of quality for the visitor.
In addition to in-depth research, mastered reception and guiding techniques and safety, the tour guide is the only one qualified to take you on tours of national museums and monuments.
What would be the perfect stay?
Often, our visitors put down their suitcases in Bordeaux for a short stay. What we call "short stay" in tourism is two or three nights. A long weekend, at most. The lack of knowledge of the territory and what the Gironde has to offer explains this choice, and it is quite normal! Sometimes, we even try to condense our program to see as much as possible. We have all already realized, during a trip, that we could have stayed one more day here, or planned this particular walk... In short! We will have to come back.
In my opinion, and for a complete approach to the destination, you should plan a stay of 5 days / 4 nights.
So here is what I advise people who want to visit us:
Day 1 : Time to disembark and drop off your bags at the hotel as the day has progressed. This is the ideal timing to take a city tour, and soak up the history and local life. A dinner at the restaurant will only enrich your experience.
Day 2 : coming to Bordeaux without visiting the vineyards is a bit of a shame. Whether you are a novice or a wine expert, a multitude of options exist, and at all prices. Discovery of the terroir, visit of villages, stop in the castles and tastings, lunch at the restaurant, ... Full-day or half-day programs are offered.
Day 3 : In Gironde, there are different types of landscapes! Why not go on an excursion to the Arcachon Bay? Oyster farming, ocean beaches, Second Empire villas, not to mention the climb of the exceptional Pilat dune...
Day 4 : on the thousands of hectares that Bordeaux represents, there are necessarily several types of wines to discover... It is often said that it is interesting to compare the "left bank" to the "right bank". So, what will you choose? Médoc, Graves, Saint-Emilion, Pessac-Léognan or Sauternes?
Day 5 : It's almost time to leave... Luckily for you, the train station is only 15 minutes from the historic center. Just enough time to visit a museum, and do some shopping... before saying goodbye to the Sleeping Beauty!
What does a guide do in winter?
This is the question that comes up most frequently! Because very often in France, most of our activity takes place outside, in the field, from the beginning of spring until the arrival of autumn. In any case, this is what happens in Gironde, even if the requests have increased in recent years in winter (milder days, business trips and holidays).
The seasoned knowledge of the tour guide comes from significant research work. And the more years go by - logically - the more we know. Obviously, this research is above all a source of pleasure. Libraries, bookstores, book markets, the internet... the sources of information are multiple! Also, we must think about how we are going to transmit it.
The work of scouting on the ground is also inseparable from our preparation. Access to coaches, cars, passable or not paths, access for people with reduced mobility, points of interest, these are the questions that a guide must ask himself before leading a group there.
The transmission of knowledge is also an important point. In New Aquitaine, guides come together and learn, share their favorite subjects, which is only an added value to future visits, whatever the theme.
Finally, and because once on the ground you can't really stop, there is a long work of planning, quotes and reservations, setting up and designing excursions, either in partnership with agencies or to respond to the request of an individual directly. Attention: for a successful stay, it is advisable to take several weeks (or even months) in advance!
A guide in another language? A specific theme?
Very often, the guide speaks several languages. He even sometimes guides in two languages, simultaneously. In order to find THE guide that suits you, I invite you to consult the internet pages (or "directories") grouping the mapped guides of our country. As for New Aquitaine, you will find them here . If your request concerns another region, go to the federation website .
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