BORDEAUX

For a long weekend with a real sense of joie de vivre, you can’t beat the world’s wine capital. Plan a summer break and you can get there on the new LGV Sud-Ouest line, which takes just two hours from Paris. If you travel to France on the Eurostar, there are no 100ml limits or fears of discovering broken bottles in the hold. Once you’re in situ, check out Cité du Vin. Oenophiles will love the wine museum for the expert-led tasting sessions and exhibitions. Its fine-dining scene continues to grow, too, with the likes of Joël Robuchon and Gordon Ramsay launching, alongside long-standing bistro favourites like Chez Pompon.