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Bordeaux and Lyon Compared
Lyon and Bordeaux are iconic destinations in France, visited by millions of tourists every year. Both cities have an authentic French feel, many cultural sites, a fascinating history, and exquisite cuisine and wines. So, deciding whether to visit Bordeaux or Lyon might be difficult.
So Lyon or Bordeaux – which is better to visit? To help you make up your mind, I wrote this Bordeaux vs. Lyon comparative article analyzing the two cities on different topics. After reading it, you will be able to decide which of the two cities to visit.

Table of Contents:
Tourist Attractions in Lyon vs. Bordeaux
If you love sightseeing, you will definitely enjoy both cities. Lyon and Bordeaux boast many interesting sites: visit them to learn more about the city’s past.
Lyon

The list of the best things to do in Lyon is long. With two days in Lyon, you will have time to visit Lyon’s main attractions and get a good idea of what Lyon has to offer.
Must-visits are the Vieux Lyon with its unique traboules, the Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourvière, perched on top of a hill overlooking Lyon’s center, and Place Bellecour, one of Europe’s largest squares.
Not tired yet? Then stop by Saint-Jean Cathedral, Lyon’s stunning Cathedral on the banks of the Saône River, and the Ancient Theatre of Fourvière, an old Roman amphitheater.
Bordeaux
Spend two days in Bordeaux to cover the best places to visit in Bordeaux and get a good taste of what the city has to offer. The list of best things to do in Bordeaux includes incredible spots like the iconic Place de la Bourse, surrounded by beautiful buildings with classic and neoclassic French architecture, the Grand Théâtre de Bordeaux, and the historical Porte Cailhau, one of the medieval entrance gates to the city.
Bordeaux also houses unique museums like La Cité du Vin, which is entirely dedicated to wine, and Les Bassins des Lumières, a cutting-edge digital art center.
Bordeaux vs. Lyon – Which is Better for Sightseeing?
If you love history and art, you won’t go wrong with vacationing in Lyon or Bordeaux.
However, Lyon’s historical sites offer more variety, from Roman amphitheaters to contemporary buildings, while Bordeaux’s main buildings are (with some exceptions) Classical and Neoclassical.
Because of Lyon’s historical importance since Roman times and variety, I vote for Lyon.
Food & Drinks in Bordeaux vs. Lyon

Tasting the local cuisine is a fundamental part of any travel experience, and both Lyon and Bordeaux are known worldwide for delicious dishes and exquisite locally-produced wines.
Lyon
The undisputed “world capital of gastronomy,” Lyon has so many dishes to try that you won’t know where to start!
From quenelles to the delicious Saint-Marcelin cheese, food in Lyon perfectly matches local wines produced in the Beaujolais and the Côte du Rhône wine regions.
To explore Lyon’s exciting cuisine, I suggest you take this excellent food tour through Old Lyon that combines history with delicious tastings.
If you want to have a sneak peek of what Lyon’s cuisine has to offer, check out my Lyon food guide.
Bordeaux
Primarily renowned for its wine, Bordeaux has a varied cuisine that will delight your palate. Bordeaux is also the city with the highest rate of restaurants per capita in France.
The main characteristic of the local cuisine is that it pairs heavenly with the red Bordeaux wines – and sometimes the local dishes have the wine as a main ingredient, like in the classic Entrecôte à la Bordelaise.
A fantastic way to discover Bordeaux’s traditional dishes is by joining this ultimate Bordeaux food tour. Trust an expert guide and let them guide you all around town to taste delicious food (and wines).
To get ready to explore Bordeaux’s culinary scene, take a look at my Bordeaux food guide.
Lyon vs. Bordeaux – Where is the Best Food Scene?
When it comes to food and drinks, Lyon and Bordeaux are hands-down two of the best cities to visit in France. In each city, you will find delicious dishes that are a match in heaven with the locally-produced top-quality wines, but personally, I prefer the food scene in Lyon.
Parks and Green Spaces in Lyon vs. Bordeaux

Both Lyon and Bordeaux have plenty of parks and green spaces where you can relax and do picnics on a sunny day. The cities’ green areas are also ideal for staying active during your holiday and just taking leisurely walks.
Lyon
Lyon’s green areas are perfect oases to get a break from the hustle and bustle of the city. Unmissable is the Parc de la Tête d’Or, one of France’s largest parks, which boasts a beautiful lake, a botanical garden, and a zoo.
The list of Lyon’s best parks also includes the Parc de Gerland, along the River Rhône, which features a botanical garden, the Parc de la Cerisarie, the Parc du Vallon, and the Parc de Parilly, which offers a hippodrome and other sports facilities. I also like the rose garden on the slopes of the Fourbière Hill.
Bordeaux
Bordeaux has many parks and gardens that make for peaceful moments away from the urban traffic.
Right in the city’s heart is the 300-year-old Public Gardens, an irresistibly charming garden. The largest green area in the city is Bordeaux Park, featuring a little forest and a large lake.
The list of popular Bordeaux parks also includes Bourran Park, with the stunning Bourran Château, Rivière Park, and Ermitage Park, offering a unique view of Bordeaux.
Bordeaux vs. Lyon – Where are the Best Green Spaces?
If you love spending time in nature, relaxing or playing sports, and mingling with locals while picnicking, both Lyon and Bordeaux are great destinations to travel to. But if you love spending time in nature doing lots of activities while also checking out interesting attractions, then Bordeaux is the right travel choice!
Day Trips from Bordeaux vs. Lyon

Have you finished visiting Lyon or Bordeaux but still have some days left on your holiday? Then there is nothing better than taking a day trip!
There are many great trips from Bordeaux and Lyon, and you will be spoilt for choice in both cities.
Lyon
There are splendid day trips from Lyon. One of these is Grenoble, a charming town at the foot of the French Alps. Another must-see is the lovely Annecy, which is the perfect place for a romantic escape. The town of Avignon will instead be the joy of art and architecture lovers.
With just two hours by train or car from Lyon, you can also make a day trip to Switzerland and visit the beautiful town of Geneva.
Bordeaux
There are many magical places to visit on Bordeaux day trips, from lovely villages to captivating seaside towns. A must-see spot is Saint-Emilion, a medieval town in the wine hills near Bordeaux. For a history-filled getaway, get to Périgueux, known for the gorgeous Cathedrale Saint-Front.
If you fancy being in the ocean, go to Arcachon, a seaside resort town famous for its delicious oysters, or Biarritz, which boasts stunning Art Déco buildings and is great for surfing.
Lyon or Bordeaux – Where to Go for the Best Day Trips?
It’s impossible to choose which city you should go to for the best day trips. Overall, Lyon is an ideal base to explore the French Alps, while Bordeaux is great for exploring France’s oceanic coast.
However, from Lyon, you can easily reach other countries like Switzerland or Italy on day trips, so Lyon is my winner here!
Wine Tours Lyon vs. Bordeaux

Lyon and Bordeaux are incredible wine destinations in France. Both cities are surrounded by lush vineyards with beautiful estates where you can do excellent tastings.
Lyon
Lyon is a perfect base for doing wine tours during your holiday. Lyon is surrounded by three different wine areas, all with peculiar characteristics, so there are many possible wine tours from Lyon.
The Mâconnais and the Beaujolais are north of Lyon. The Mâconnais is part of the Burgundy wine region and is reputed for its white wines made of Chardonnay. The Beaujolais wine area, instead, is known for its fruit-driven red wines produced from Gamay grapes.
South of Lyon, the Northern Rhône Valley wine region produces red wines made from Syrah grape variety. There are also white wines made of Viognier or a blend of Marsanne and Roussanne grape varieties.
Bordeaux
Bordeaux is France’s wine capital, and wine lovers will have a wonderful time exploring all the area’s amazing châteaux to do tastings, as there are many great wine tours from Bordeaux.
The vast Bordeaux wine region has vineyards on both the Left and Right Garonne River banks. On Bordeaux’s Left Bank, you will find the Médoc, Graves and Pésac-Leognan, and Sauternais wine areas. The reds produced here are mostly based on Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, while the whites (in Graves – Pessac-Léognan and Sauternais) are a blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon, and Muscadelle grape varieties.
The Right Bank includes the Saint-Emilion and Pomerol wine areas, where the main grape used to make the red wine is Merlot.
Bordeaux or Lyon – Where to Go for Wine Tasting?
When it comes to wine, you can’t go wrong with either Lyon or Bordeaux! I vote for Bordeaux because its wines are more prestigious, and the area is better organized to welcome wine tourists.
But in the end, it will depend on your preferences when it comes to wines: Chardonnay or Cabernet Sauvignon? Syrah or Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot?
Nightlife in Bordeaux vs. Lyon

Both Lyon and Bordeaux offer exciting nightlife, with hang-out spots where you can go for a drink or dance the night away.
Lyon
Depending on which type of entertainment you are looking for, you should hang out in one city district rather than another.
Vieux Lyon and Presqu’Ile are perfect for a relaxed evening, enjoying drinks and chats. For upscale nightlife venues, head to the Presqu’Ile district. The Confluence and Guillotière neighborhoods are home to bars and clubs for every taste, while the bohemian district of Croix-Rousse boasts alternative venues.
Bordeaux
Night owls will love spending time in Bordeaux! This university city offers cheap and fun entertainment as well as more upscale venues.
The best area for clubbing is Quais de Paludate, in Bordeaux’s historic district. The Bacalan and the Bassins à Flot neighborhoods boast clubs that remain open after 2 am.
Partygoers will also adore the city’s Golden Triangle quarter, home to the trendier venues, with music for all tastes, from rock’ n’ roll to international DJ sets to nostalgic 80s nights.
Lyon or Bordeaux – Which Has Better Nightlight Options?
Both Lyon and Bordeaux boast great nightlife options, but Bordeaux has few options to choose from. I vote for Lyon, as you will find a scene that is great for everyone.
Transportation to and Around Lyon and Bordeaux

The two cities are well-connected with many other areas in France, first and foremost with Paris. It is also very easy to get around both Lyon and Bordeaux.
Lyon
Lyon lies 470 km from Paris. The two cities are well-connected by train, and you can travel between them in 2 hours and 20 minutes. Here’s how to get to Lyon from Paris, France, and abroad.
Lyon is a pedestrian-friendly city, and the best way to explore it is on foot or by bike. If you prefer to use public transport, the city metro consists of four lines covering all the central districts and major tourist sites. Buses are another great way to get around Lyon: they are cheap and easily accessible, and they take you almost anywhere in the city. Lastly, the city has two funicular lines to explore the hills of Fourbière and Croix-Rousse.
Bordeaux
Bordeaux is 584 km from Paris, and the train ride between the two cities is 2 hours and 15 minutes long. But in the south of Bordeaux, there are no TGV trains, so trains are slower. Here’s how to get to Bordeaux from Paris, France, and abroad.
Bordeaux is a compact city with a high density of landmarks, so the ideal way to get around is on foot. You can also opt to rent a bicycle as the city is flat and offers many bike lanes.
Bordeaux also has an efficient public transport system, with three tramway lines crisscrossing its center and electric buses that can access the pedestrian-only roads. There’s no metro in Bordeaux.
Bordeaux or Lyon – Which City is Better Connected?
You can easily get around both cities on foot and by public transport. However, Lyon offers more (and faster) options to get around, and its central location makes it ideal as a starting point for visiting many other places, from the Alps to Provence and the Mediterranean.
Bordeaux or Lyon – Where to Go?

Both cities are among the most beautiful cities in France. Lyon has a unique blend of history and culture, with stunning Renaissance buildings, Roman ruins, and a mouthwatering food scene. Bordeaux is home to countless well-preserved historic buildings and monuments and France’s wine capital. Both Lyon and Bordeaux are also easy to get around and offer fantastic day trips.
So, which is the best destination in France among the two? I would choose Lyon for the reasons described above, but it all comes down to personal preference, as both cities are great destinations for an unforgettable vacation.