I used to live about an hour away from these areas, I love Bordeaux, great shopping, bars and restaurants, its quite a big city so plenty to do if thats what your after, parking is a nightmare but there is a new park and ride system which i would recomend using instead of driving in. I would also spend a lazy day driving around the vinyards of st emillion wine tasting, its great and if you take your own 5 litre barrels you can get them filled up for half the price of the pre bottled wine. Its not a very "happening area" but with Bordeaux close by you shouldn't be bored. Hope this helps!.

Thanks, good tip about the parking in bordeaux! Wine tasing sounds like a great idea!

Hope you like wine, because that is what this area is all about - but you will get more advice if you re-post your message in the Aquitaine/Bordeaux forum ... (currently in Cannes).

In the meantime, a couple recommended places to eat that should be more low key, fun and not to expensive in St-Emilion recommended by my local writer for the area are:

L’Envers du Décor (rue du Clocher) which regularly wines 'Best Bistrot Wine List in France".

L’Huitrier Pie (rue Porte Bouqueyre).

Thank you great advice!! I wil now visit the correct forum!

If you are there for wine, make sure that you go to Pomerol. Small and unassuming, but some of the best wines in the world are produced there.