Bordeaux...

A lovely visit in Bordeaux.  A much bigger city than Rennes and with architecture reminiscent of Paris.  We stumbled upon a cute neighbourhood close to the centre that would be a dream to live in, but the campus for our language school was way the hell out in the suburbs of Bordeaux.  Upon first impressions, a suburb in France is just like a suburb in BC.  Minus points for the campus out in the suburbs, but we both felt that we could put up with the commute if we lived in the city centre - that is, if we didn't like the next cities on the list.  So, the search continues.  Meanwhile, I'm trying to cut down my duck and butter intake.  It's an uphill battle and one that I foresee losing.  What a way to go down, casting arms to the ground and surrendering oneself to duck and butter.

Not a mini bundt cake, but a canelé - a bordelaise specialty.  Custard batter is poured into little moulds and baked until the outside is caramelized and crusty.  Fancy canelé shops dot Bordeaux's streets, we bought this more affordable version at a market from a simple baker.

  
Well look-ey here, another botanical garden.  Not the season for many varieties, but the grounds are kept and beautiful nonetheless.

Taken on a footbridge at the other end of the garden, pretty carousels, like this one, are characteristically found in many large public parks and squares.  It's even sweeter up close with little kids yelling, "mom, look at me!" in french.

Just another monsieur on his way to work at city hall.  Haven't seen such a great shape on a man since Danny DeVito as "the Penguin"...but really, he who wears the Burberry scarf laughs last.