Two hours southwest of Paris by high-speed rail, Bordeaux has long been a weekend jaunt for Parisians pining for fresher air, beaches and surfing (an hour away), local cuisine and one of the largest concentrations of wineries in a viniculture-obsessed nation. When the pandemic made big-city density dangerous, younger Parisians, seeking more room and cheaper housing, landed at this UNESCO World Heritage city with a tenth of the capital’s population and all its marvels, from gastronomy to stunning 18th- and 19th-century architecture, kinetic nightlife and spectacular Seine-like promenades along the Garonne River. The recent arrivals enjoy historic streets – home to Europe’s #9-ranked Biking and #7 Internet Infrastructure (ideal for remote working) and all the advantages of a city ranking #37 for Livability. Bordeaux’s economic and cultural renaissance includes city-wide investments in sustainable mobility, energy transition, along with kilometres of promenades along the river. Canopia, a 600-metre-long green axis, will connect the Garonne to the train station, complete with shops, hotels, restaurants, and housing. Conference days inch up (the Conference Centre ranks #36) and new hotels like Hyatt’s FirstName Bordeaux, a conversion of a tired 1970s building, spread out the welcome mat.