Best Things to Do in Bordeaux, France

What to Do in Bordeaux, France

Bordeaux is one of the best weekend getaways from Paris by train and a must-stop for wine lovers. So, what to do in Bordeaux? This Bordeaux things-to-do list includes the best places to visit in Bordeaux, tourist attractions, and some of France’s most famous vineyards. If you are in a hurry, here’s a quick summary:

1. Cité du Vin
2. Old Bordeaux
3. Water Mirror at Place de la Bourse
4. Saint-André Cathedral and Tour Pey Berland
5. Musée d’Aquitaine
6. Chartrons Neighborhood and the Wine and Trade Museum
7. Port de la Lune
8. Bassins des Lumières
9. Taste the Local Cuisine
10. Bordeaux Wine Tour with Tastings
11. Bassin d’Arcachon and Dune du Pilat

How Many Days in Bordeaux? Although a day trip from Paris to Bordeaux is possible, you’ll leave the city wanting for more. Spend two days in Bordeaux to cover the top things to do in Bordeaux and get a good taste of what the city has to offer. Spend more time if you want to explore the city’s surroundings on day trips from Bordeaux.

1. Cité du Vin

A must-see in Bordeaux, this intriguingly shaped museum is one of the most iconic buildings in Bordeaux and sits near the Garonne River. La Cité du Vin is one of the newest Bordeaux attractions and celebrates all things wine.

Step inside, and you’ll learn about the history of wine as well as where and how it is made. The museum is suitable for a couple of hours of visit or, if there are any oenophiles in your group, you can probably leave them here all day. For the record, I spent four hours inside, and it was hard to leave!

La Cité du Vin also offers a bunch of workshops on wine, tasting experiences, a restaurant, and a brasserie. Its wine shop is incredibly well-provided and contains labels from all around the world. The ticket includes one wine tasting on the rooftop bar – Click here to buy your tickets to La Cité du Vin

Address: 134 Quai de Bacalan. Opens from Monday to Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

3. Play with the Water Mirror at Place de la Bourse

The Place de la Bourse is another Bordeaux must-see. It was built between 1730 and 1775 in the Neoclassical style and is one of the most recognizable landmarks in Bordeaux.

Facing the Port de la Lune and the Garonne River, the square was the center of Bordeaux’s trading activity and was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2007. Now, the square is home to the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Bordeaux, as well as the Customs Museum.

This rectangular square has great similarities with Place Vendôme in Paris. Indeed, the architect would have been inspired by the plans of the famous Parisian square.

A veritable architectural showcase of the 18th century, we find all the decorative elements characteristic of Bordeaux facades: sculpted mascarons on the keystones of the windows, wrought iron balustrades, gilding, cornices, partition lines, semi-circular arches, and Corinthian columns.

The square’s surrounding architecture is enhanced by the Water Mirror, on the other side of the road. Bordeaux’s Water Mirror is believed to be the world’s largest reflective pool, spanning a whopping 3,450 square meters!

Photographers will love this attraction as they experiment with the reflections (if there’s no wind!). Visit at night when the surrounding buildings are lit up, and you won’t be disappointed.

4. Visit Saint-André Cathedral and Climb up to the Tour Pey Berland

What to see in Bordeaux from Medieval times? You can start by visiting the Saint-André Cathedral, one of the most iconic religious buildings in the city. The Cathedral was built in the 11th century and boasts a rich history with notable visitors. King Louis VII and Eleanor of Aquitaine were married in Saint-André Cathedral.

Saint-André is another must-see in Bordeaux. Its heterogeneous style is nevertheless unexpected and endearing. If the nave was originally Romanesque, the choir, for its part, is resolutely Gothic (14th century). If you are lucky, you may be able to hear the organ practice of the symphony orchestra while you’re there.

If you are searching for a place to get great views of Bordeaux, you’ve got to head up the Tour Pey Berland, the Cathedral’s separate bell tower.

This 66-meter bell tower, constructed between 1440 and 1500, has remained isolated from the rest of the Cathedral to protect it from the vibrations of the bells. After climbing its 229 steps, you’ll undoubtedly be rewarded for your efforts as you look out across this beautiful city.

Address: Place Pey Berland. The Cathedral opens on Monday from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.; Tuesday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.; Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

The Tour Pey Berland opens daily from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

5. Musée d’Aquitaine

If you’re interested in learning about the history of the places you visit, be sure to check out the Musée d’Aquitaine. This museum showcases the history of Bordeaux and the local region from prehistory up to the 20th century.

The museum features numerous historical artifacts, art pieces, and sculptures on display. In fact, there are more than 1.3 million pieces inside!

One of the best things to do in Bordeaux city center for history lovers, here you will learn about everything from the growth of the wine industry to the harrowing tales of the slave trade.

Address: 20 Cr. Pasteur. Opens from Tuesday to Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

6. Visit the Chartrons Neighborhood and the Wine and Trade Museum

The Chartrons neighborhood is one of my favorite places to visit in Bordeaux. This bohemian neighborhood is not very central, but it is worth the detour as it is full of antique shops, casual eateries and wine bars, and hidden gems.

The Chartrons was originally a swamp that gradually turned into a village outside the city limits. Its name comes from the Carthusian order, which founded a monastery around which the suburb developed.

Around the 17th century, many foreign wine merchants settled here, and warehouses were built to store the wine they brought. Today, these wine houses and their cellars have been rehabilitated into museums, art galleries, or quite simply, into homes.

While visiting the Chartrons, be sure to visit the Musée de Vin et du Négoce (Wine and Trade Museum), which is another of the main Bordeaux attractions. This museum is amazingly located in a typical 17th-century wine merchant house, and it is an ode to the old-school museums that I love so much. Stop off at the museum to learn more about wine trading in Bordeaux and, of course, partake in a little wine tasting.

If you are unable to venture out to one of the vineyards, then checking out this museum is a good bet – Click here to buy your tickets to the Musée du Vin et du Négoce

Address: 41 Rue Borie, Bordeaux. Opens from Monday to Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

TIP: Book once and enhance your experience with this convenient combination of Cité du Vin + Musée du Vin et du Négoce, 2 must-see attractions in Bordeaux!

7. Take a Stroll through the Port de la Lune

If you are searching for lovely outdoor activities in Bordeaux, then check out the Port de la Lune, the harbor of Bordeaux, and the surrounding area, which dates back to the Middle Ages.

Port de la Lune means Port of the Moon, and it bears this name because it is organized around an arm of the Garonne River, which resembles a crescent moon. The district was classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its exceptional state of conservation.

Port de la Lune is a place you can’t miss, even for just an afternoon. You can head along the promenade in the late evening for a romantic walk. Alternatively, you can rent a bike and cycle along the river or enjoy it from the water on a Garonne River cruise with a glass of wine.

The Church of Saint-Michel and the tower of the same name are the most remarkable buildings in the district, part of which has experienced strong North African immigration. There are many museums here, including the Musée d’Aquitaine, where you can learn about the history of the Port.

8. Digital Art at Bassins des Lumières

What to do in Bordeaux, France, for art lovers? The Bassins des Lumières, or Ponds of Light in English, is another of the Bordeaux tourist attractions that I recommend. This is one of the world’s largest digital art museums, and it is located in a former submarine base nor far from La Cité du Vin.

The exhibit projects light onto the walls, ceilings, and a deep-water basin. Art by painters such as Renoir, Chagall, and Monet is creatively projected, allowing you to view art from a new perspective.

You can wander through eleven cells of the submarine base, viewing a variety of exhibitions. What’s better is the exhibits rotate, so if you find yourself in Bordeaux for the second time, there will be something new to see – Click here to buy your tickets to the Bassins des Lumières

Address: Impasse Brown de Colstoun, Bordeaux. Opens from Sunday to Thursday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and from Friday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

9. Taste the Local Cuisine

No matter where you eat, you’ll find that the food in Bordeaux is pretty amazing and distinct from other parts of France.

You may be surprised to hear that Bordeaux has the highest rate of restaurants per capita in France. Yes, there are more restaurants per person than there are in Paris!

The Marché des Capucins (Place des Capucins) is a top destination for food lovers. Nicknamed the “belly of Bordeaux,” this local market is a great place to buy fresh produce and taste local specialties. On its colorful stalls, you can find a jumble of flowers, fruits and vegetables, meat, fish, and sweets.

There are some scrumptious Bordeaux delicacies that you absolutely must try during your trip to Bordeaux. Calling all seafood lovers, you must taste Arcachon Bay oysters. These oysters are extremely fresh and are available in continuous supply throughout the year. Another seafood delight is Bordeaux lamprey, a fish without a vertebra or a jaw. You can enjoy lamprey with traditionally prepared leeks, Bordeaux red wine, and cured ham that has been left to simmer for hours.

Meat lovers will delight in the entrecôte à la Bordelaise, featuring beef from the Bazas region and Bordelaise sauce made with red wine and shallots.

The Canelés and Puits d’Amour are two unmissable sweet delicacies of Bordeaux, easily found in local bakeries and pastry shops. Canelés are made with egg yolks and flavored with rum and vanilla, while the Puits d’Amour is a pastry with a hollow center, typically stuffed with red currant jelly or raspberry jam.

To learn more about what Bordeaux has to offer from a culinary point of view, try this Gourmet City Tour of Bordeaux with a local guide, which combines history and local flavors.

Things to Do Near Bordeaux

There are many beautiful places to visit near Bordeaux. Below are my favorite options for a day out. For more options, check out this list of the best day trips from Bordeaux.

10. Take a Bordeaux Wine Tour with Tastings

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 couple of Bordeaux wine tours with tastings is one of the best things to do in Bordeaux.

You can start training your nose and palate with this top-rated wine masterclass on Bordeaux wines. Learn about the Bordeaux wine vocabulary, and develop sensory evaluation skills in a relaxed and convivial atmosphere.

Then, the two most popular destinations for a wine tour near Bordeaux are Médoc and Saint-Émilion.

The Médoc sits on the left bank of the Gironde estuary and is home to several renowned wines. This appellation is famous for Margaux, Pauillac, Saint-Julien, and Saint-Estèphe wines made from Cabernet Sauvignon.

The best way to explore the Châteaux of Médoc is to take this Médoc half-day tour. On this tour, you’ll get to visit two different wineries and learn to distinguish between the different blends.

11. Take a Day tour to Arcachon and Dune du Pilat

While many head straight to the wineries, remember that this area of France also boasts many other beautiful sights to explore.

The Basin of Arcachon and Dune du Pilat are situated on the Bay of Biscay, facing the North Atlantic. Visiting these two places is one of the best day trips from Bordeaux.

Dune du Pilat is just a 50-minute drive from Bordeaux and is the highest sand dune in Europe. Once you’ve climbed to the top, you will experience breathtakingly expansive views of the Bassin d’Arcachon, the sand Banc d’Arguin, the Cap-Ferret lighthouse, and the Landes forest.

If you want to sample some of the freshest oysters around, the Bassin of Arcachon is the place to be. Taking this fun tour from Bordeaux is one of the best ways to see these places. Enjoy an oyster tasting with a glass of regional wine (of course) and relax at this beautiful ocean location.

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