Article written by Elisa - Travel Writer & Local in France
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Introducing Bordeaux, France
All about Bordeaux travel: how to travel to Bordeaux, where to stay, the best things to do in the city, and the best places to visit near Bordeaux on day trips.
Where is Bordeaux, France? What is Bordeaux famous for? Bordeaux, in Western France, is the capital of the region Nouvelle-Aquitaine and one of the most elegant French cities to visit. Most of all, Bordeaux is the capital of one of the best wine regions in France and worldwide!
With superb architecture inherited from the 18th century, its great wines, as well as a successful urban and cultural renewal, it’s no wonder Bordeaux is one of the favorite weekend getaways from Paris.
Nestled around the Garonne River, Bordeaux has retained its theater décor from the golden days. The Old Town reveals itself as a jewel of chiseled, armorial, and serrated stones in the grand style of the 18th century. But there are also narrow streets with a medieval layout where it is a pleasure to get lost.
Bordeaux is an excellent city for a cultural weekend and also for a gastronomic weekend. With more time available, there are lovely places to visit around Bordeaux on day trips.
Bordeaux is one of the host cities of the Rugby World Cup 2023 and the Summer Olympics 2024, so it’s the perfect excuse to discover or re-discover the city.
Bordeaux France in a Nutshell
Population: 250,809 (2020)
Department: Gironde
Region: Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Western France
Average temperatures (max /min): January – 10,5 C /3,7 C; April – 18 C / 8 C; July – 27,1 C / 16,2 C; October – 19,6 C / 10,7 C.
Main attractions: Port de la Lune, La Cité du Vin, Théâtre du Capitole, Porte Cailhau, Cathédrale Saint-André.
Bordeaux Main Train Stations: Gare Bordeaux Saint-Jean. Find the latest deals on train tickets
Bordeaux Airport: Bordeaux-Mérignac (BOD). Find the latest deals on flight tickets
Check out how to get to Bordeaux from Paris, France, and abroad
What to Do in Bordeaux, France
Bordeaux is a history and food lovers paradise. Learn more about its wines at the wine museums or on day trips, visit the city’s museums and galleries, or simply wander around the Old Town, and soon you’ll fall in love with this beautiful city.
Don’t miss The Cité du Vin, a unique cultural facility dedicated to wine as a universal and living cultural heritage. It offers a spectacular journey around the world and its cultures through the wines.
More Bordeaux Day Trips and Tours
Bordeaux City Pass for 1 to 2 days
Bordeaux Guided Tour with the City Must-Sees
Bordeaux Nightime Highlights Tour
River Garonne Cruise with a Glass of Wine
Arcachon Bay + Dune of Pilate with Wine Tasting
Bordeaux, Paradise for Food and Wine Lovers
World-renowned for its prestigious wine production and with centuries-old recipes and products you won’t find almost anywhere else, Bordeaux is also a gastronomic paradise. Check out what to eat in Bordeaux – famous Bordeaux dishes, appetizers, cheeses, and desserts.
A Bordeaux food tour with a local guide is a great culinary introduction to the city and an excellent way to learn about the local specialties.
You will certainly know that Bordeaux is the epicenter for wine in France, if not Europe. And unless you have absolutely zero interest in wine, then a wine tour with tastings is a must of Bordeaux. As the Médoc and Saint-Emilion vineyards are located close to Bordeaux, you must spend some time in a winery to meet local winemakers. Before exploring the Bordeaux wine regions, you can start with this introduction to the Bordeaux wines workshop.
Bordeaux Food & Wine Tours and Articles
How to Visit the Châteaux of Medoc
How to Visit Saint-Emilion: Wine Tour vs. Self-Guided Tour
Full-day Saint-Emilion Wine Tour
Bordeaux’s Best Boulangeries + History Tour
Bordeaux Apéritif Cruise on the River Garonne
Bordeaux & the Summer Olympics 2024
Bordeaux will be one of the host cities of the Paris Summer Olympics 2024. In particular, Bordeaux will host some of the football matches at the Bordeaux Stadium.
Here are the dates of the football matches in Bordeaux – Bordeaux Stadium for the Summer Olympics 2024. For all the Summer Olympics dates and competitions, check out the Paris 2024 schedule.
- Wednesday 24 July 2024, 7 pm (men)
- Thursday 25 July 2024, 7 pm (women)
- Saturday 27 July 2024, 3 pm and 9 pm (men)
- Tuesday 30 July 2024, 3 pm (men)
- Wednesday 31 July 2024, 5 pm (women)
- Friday 2 August 2024, 9 pm (men)
The teams that will play these matches are not known yet; keep clicking for the latest updates!
Where to Stay in Bordeaux
For your trip to Bordeaux, you will want to find a lovely place to sleep. Whether you use Bordeaux as your base for exploring the wine region or are visiting for a holiday, check out our suggestions for your stay in Bordeaux.
A Great Stop on Your French Road Trip
The beautiful city of Bordeaux is the starting point or one of the stops of some of our favorite French road trips. If this is your first time in France by car, check out our quick guide to driving in France. If you don’t have a car in France, click here for the best car rentals in Bordeaux and check out our best tips for renting a car in France.