The Gentrification of Bacalan • Bordeaux (1,337 km)

(2024-05-09/11) Bordeaux is the World Capital of Wine, but has never been nominated as European Capital of Culture. Why not? Bordeaux applied for it in 2013, but was out-competed by Marseille. The gentrification of Bacalan was certainly not as advanced back then. Once a working-class district with a maritime and industrial heritage, it is now THE trendy district in Bordeaux with a multitude of cultural and gastronomic highlights.

The culinary journey through the south-west of France in the Halles de Bacalan can be continued in the fabulous art gardens of the Vivres de l'Art. If it gets too warm (today 28°C / 82 F), I highly recommend a visit to the Bassins des Lumières, which offer a magnificent show in five submarine bunkers formerly built by the Nazis. At the rear of the bunkers, virtually in their backyard, a wild caravan camp of Bulgarian Roma has sprung up; gentrification is still patchy. Bordeaux was the westernmost point of the tour, now it's time to head east!