Let's Go Europe 2019. Harvard Student Agencies

DARWIN ECO-SYSTÈME

      87 Quai des Queyries; 05 56 77 52 06; open M-F 8:30am-6pm

      The Rive Droite of Bordeaux seems to always live in the shadow of its left-leaning sibling. But to ignore this side of the Garonne would be a huge mistake, especially when Darwin Eco-système dwells just across from the Chartrons District. Darwin, a repurposed military barrack, is part of Bordeaux’s rejuvenation as a modern city. Come here to enjoy drinks on the banks of the river, complemented with a filling meal surrounded by vintage décor. This is the hub of urban culture in Bordeaux, complete with co-working spaces, an art gallery, and a skate park called the Hangar (we swear it was inspired by Avril Lavigne’s 2002 hit “Sk8ter Boi,” but that’s just our opinion. Who knew the French were into angsty teen pop?).

       i Free, hangar €5; limited wheelchair accessibility

       BASE SOUS-MARINE

      Bd. Alfred Daney; 05 56 11 11 50

      If World War II history is your thing, then you came to the right place. Venture to the outskirts of Bordeaux to see the submarine base tucked away just steps from the Cité du Vin tram stop. Base sous-marine was one of five bases built on the Atlantic coast for fleets of German and Italian U-boats during the German occupation. The 42,000-meter structure, which was built between 1941 and 1943, looks like a huge hunk of rock from afar, but portions of it are open to the public. When we last visited, the submarine base was undergoing renovations and therefore closed to visitors, but will be open in 2019.

       i Admission €5, reduced €3, free first Su of the month when open to the public; tours €3 with ticket, tours on W 5pm-6pm, Sa 4pm-5pm; limited wheelchair accessibility

       FOOD

       L’AGNEAU À LA BRAISE ($$$)

      13 Rue du Pas-Saint Georges; 05 56 52 24 89; www.lagneaualabraise.com; open M-Sa 7pm-11pm

      Don’t get us wrong: we’re all for solo travel and solo eating. After all, taking yourself out for a meal is on every single one of those “Ten Steps to Your ‘Eat, Pray, Love’ Experience” Buzzfeed lists. But L’Agneau à la Braise probably isn’t the place to do it. It is, however, the place to treat yourself to a nice dinner. Serving typical French fare, this restaurant in the Saint Pierre neighborhood of Bordeaux provides an intimate setting for you and your backpacker friends. We recommend trying their rib-eye steak or their leg of lamb, both cooked perfectly to make your dinner delicious and flavorful (and you’ll get to watch the chefs cook your meat from the dining room). Pair your meat with wine straight from the famous Bordelaise châteaus you’ve been hearing about to round out a meal you’ll reminisce about forever.

       i Entrées from €20, wine from €10; vegetarian options available; wheelchair accessible

       FUFU BORDEAUX ($$)

      37 Rue Saint-Rémi; 5 56 52 10 29; www.restaurantfufu.com; open M-F 11:30am-3pm and 6:30pm-11pm

      Locals and tourists alike have heard of FuFu, and the crowds lining up at its door are living proof that this small, Japanese noodle bar has a cult following. With a wide selection of everything from ramen to stir fry to dumplings, FuFu’s specialty is delicious noodles with perfectly salted broth and eggs. Choose from a basic ramen with pork or spice it up with a miso flavor. If noodles aren’t your cup of tea, go for a spicy, flavorful wok dish and watch the skilled chefs prepare them right before your eyes as you wait eagerly at the counter for your lunch. FuFu has a second location not too far off from the first, where you can stop by for your second noodle dish (trust us, you’ll want it)

       i Entrées from €9, side dishes from €4, sake from €4, soft drinks from €3; vegetarian options available; wheelchair accessible

       CAFÉ NAPOLEON ($)

      6 bis Cours du 30 Juillet; 05 56 81 52 26; open daily 7am-9pm

      Located steps away from the grand opera, Café Napoleon is the place to stop for your morning coffee. The seats spill onto the sidewalk. The café’s interior, however, is a grand, mint-green wallpapered space featuring life-sized mirrors with ornate frames—perhaps a testament to its namesake: Napoleon. Like all its counterparts, this café boasts a delicious, flavorful espresso (paired with a biscuit) for just €2, but you’ll find yourself coughing up at least €5 for a cup of tea (along with some coughs thanks to the lady chain-smoking next to you).

       i Espresso from €2, other drinks from €3; vegetarian options available; wheelchair accessible

       NOM D’UNE CRÊPE ($)

      32 rue Saint Remi; 05 56 06 46 81; open daily noon-2:30pm and 7pm-10:30pm

      Just a few blocks away from Place de la Bourse lies the perfect destination to satisfy your craving for a French crêpe. Nom d’Une Crêpe offers a series of deals on both savory and sweet crêpes, ranging from your classic fraise to oeufs avec jambon. (That’s strawberries and eggs with ham, respectively, for those of you who haven’t picked up on French yet.) The interior of the restaurant resembles that of a wine cellar, which seems to be a common theme in Bordeaux. Order a cup of tea for a midday refresher and leave enough room in your stomach for at least two delectable crêpes: you won’t want to miss out.

       i Menu classique €11.90, crêpes from €9, coffee and tea from €2

       LE REGENT ($)

      6 Cours Georges Clemenceau; 05 56 44 90 00; open 11:45am

      If we wanted to pretend that we were Blair Waldorf and Serena Van Der Woodsen prancing around France for an entire month (when they should have been prepping for their SATs), we would probably go to Le Regent. A café situated just steps away from the regal Bordeaux Opéra, Le Regent is the perfect place to grab an espresso in a posh chair while listening to pumping beats that belong in the background of Gossip Girl. Be warned that the chairs are strangely small, probably designed for skinny French people or those under 5’5”. But the rich flavor of the coffee, whether you choose a classic espresso or a café noisette, is worth the tight squeeze.

       i Espresso from €2, other coffee drinks from €4, entrées from €11; vegetarian options available; wheelchair accessible

       NIGHTLIFE

       BAD MOTHER FUCKER ($)

      16 Cours de l’Argonne; 09 86 50 94 68; open daily 5pm-2am

      If you’re looking to meet some strange characters that won’t have their nose stuck in a glass of wine that smells “oaky,” swing by this bar to say enchanté to some bad motherfuckers. We’re not quite sure what word to use to encapsulate the atmosphere of this pub: Grungy? Alternative? Punk? Whatever it is, you’re bound to enjoy a wild night consisting of Rolling Stones’ hits, a wide selection of beers, billiards, and—if you’re lucky—live music. So drop your wine glass and pick up a pint. Embrace the intensely red walls of this joint and grow a mullet: it’s time to be a bad motherfucker (but even better to be one during happy hour from 5pm-8pm).

       i Beer and wine from €5, shots from €3; wheelchair accessible

       LA CONSERVERIE-CONSERVERIE ($)

      18 Rue Notre Dame; 05 56 81 49 17; www.laconserverie-bordeaux.fr;