Exploring Abroad: Tom Cruise, Submarines, and a Sand Dune?

Cynthia:  Since Bordeaux was a late addition to our European travel itinerary, we arrived not knowing much about the place beyond the fact that a lot of great wine is produced there.

Edd:  And as reported in our last blog, we did extensive “field research” on that subject with numerous tours and tastings. During our 2-week visit we discovered some really cool, non-wine related things to do in Bordeaux as well.

C:  Including one of the most astonishing things we’ve ever seen or done. “Cool” is the appropriate word for something we stumbled upon when the temps unexpectedly rose to over 100℉.

E:  Wow, during those few days it was brutal to be outside. Looking for an air-conditioned, indoor activity we saw that Top Gun: Maverick was playing at a local cinema. We were delighted that our Airbnb host told us U.S. movies in France are always in English with French subtitles. So…

C:  Off to the movies we went!

E:  The cinema looked like ones we were used to in the States, but we were wondering where all those screens could be because the downtown building didn’t look that big. Another surprise. Turns out, in addition to the main level, some were upstairs and others were in the basement!

C:  Despite enduring at least 20 minutes of previews and commercials before the actual movie started, we enjoyed the experience so much that we returned on another scorching day to see Downton Abbey: A New Era.

E:  Another indoor attraction we discovered was a Nazi submarine base abandoned after World War II. That may sound as boring as the exterior of the massive structure looks. But inside, WOW!

C:  Similar to the immersive sound and light show we experienced at the open air cathedral in Lisbon, the entire cavernous interior of the base has been transformed into a spectacle currently showcasing the city of Venice.

E:  These photos can’t convey the wonder of being surrounded with beautiful music and continually changing images in every direction you look. Or the sheer vastness of the space. The base once held up to 30 submarines, so this image shows only a fraction of the interior.

C:  In a smaller room two other shows were presented. One was “Recoding Entropia,” a constantly revolving and transforming computer animation with weird techno music that’s kind of impossible to describe.

E:  The other one was called “Cell Immersion,” a trippy up-close-and-personal view of magnified human cells with equally trippy music that also defies description.

C:  We spent hours there and left almost speechless. Who knew this concrete eyesore could house such a remarkable experience?

E:  Speaking of remarkable, we’ve saved the best for last. Less than an hour’s drive from Bordeaux is Arcachon, a lovely seaside town. Yes, Bordeaux is that close to the Atlantic Ocean. We had no idea.

C:  And a short bus ride from there is Grande Dune du Pilat, the tallest sand dune in all of Europe. How tall? Try over 360 feet. Those tiny dots you see at the top left are people!

E:  Plus, it’s almost 3 miles long.

C:  A thick forest comes right up to its eastern edge, and the ocean is on the other side. Sitting on top of this natural wonder was absolutely surreal.

E:  What a fabulous day. We didn’t want to leave. Who would have thought that our best memory from Bordeaux would have nothing to do with wine. Well, time to head to our next destination.

C:  Audrey Hepburn famously said, “Paris is always a good idea.” Let’s go find out!