France’s best new bars, spas, and shops aren’t only in Paris—they’re also popping up in the wine capital of Bordeaux, where hot spots cater to the modern manly sophisticate.
10 a.m. Spa Time
The men of Bordeaux are fastidious groomers, and they go to the new, sleekly designed men’s spa 1 C-Men for haircuts and meticulous facials (61 Cours Georges Clemenceau; 33-5-56-06-60-00; facials from $40).
Noon Cultural Interlude
Art aficionados like 2 Eponyme because it shows works by the likes of Pascal Grandmaison—whose cold, close-up photos will give you goose bumps—and by young artists focused on edgy video installations (3 rue Cornac;
33-9-81-74-24-00).
1 p.m. Lunch
3 La Tupina is perfect for the man who likes his meat. Go for chicken with thick frites and lamb cooked for eight hours (6 rue Porte de la Monnaie; 33-5-56-91-56-37; entrées from $30).
3 p.m. Shopping
French monsieurs are self-assured enough to partake in lotions and potions at 4Asmara, which also has beautiful wood-handled shaving kits (17 rue du Temple; 33-5-56-81-14-56). For clothes by Christian Lacroix et al, 5 Lothaire is
the favorite (56 Cours de l’Intendance; 33-5-56-81-77-21).
5 p.m. Drinks
Sample the world’s best vintages at the minimalist wine shop 6 Max Bordeaux. Buy highly rated bottles and try 48 crus by the glass (14 Cours de l’Intendance; 33-5-57-29-23-81).
7 p.m. Dinner
The brainchild of Bordeaux soccer star David Bellion, 7 Manifesto is part restaurant, part gentlemen’s club. Begin with a close shave and a glass
of single-malt scotch in the leather-walled library. Then head downstairs for pumpkin ravioli with saffrony sage pesto (34 Allées de Tourny; 33-5-56-44-60-66; entrées from $20).
10 p.m. Dancing
The city’s stylish crowd let down their hair with Dom and dancing on 8 La Villa Tourny’s terrace (20 Allées de Tourny).
Midnight Bed
Book a suite at 9 Le Grand Hôtel de Bordeaux, recently redone by Jacques Garcia in Empire style—heavy silk curtains, a wine-based palette. The next day, head to its just-opened Nuxe spa to jump-start another indulgent French day (33-5-57-30-44-44; doubles from $288).
