Today I take you to visit Bordeaux. Elected as the "most trendy" city for 2017 by Lonely Planet, the city of Bordeaux owes its first place in the world to its cultural richness, its wine-growing heritage and its avant-garde role. This large city in the South West of France is made up of a very dynamic town center with plenty of things to see and do.
In this article I present to you the essentials of a stay in Bordeaux, the main things to see and do in the city. A part will also be devoted to housing in Bordeaux.
Summary:
- Practical advice for visiting Bordeaux
- What to see and what to do in Bordeaux?
- Where to sleep in Bordeaux? Neighborhoods and good addresses
Practical advice for visiting Bordeaux
Let's start this guide of a visit to Bordeaux with some advice that will help you make a success of your stay in the city.
Getting to Bordeaux
Bordeaux is one of those big French cities with easy access. Bordeaux has a TGV station and an airport.
- Reaching Bordeaux by train:
If you opt for access by train, you will certainly arrive at Saint-Jean station located in the heart of the city of Bordeaux. In this case, don't worry about getting around, you will have easy access to the city's metro / bus lines. You can book your trip to Bordeaux online via the Trainline website or app, which I highly recommend. - Reach Bordeaux by plane:
Regarding the plane, Bordeaux airport, Mérignac, is located about ten kilometers from the city center. To reach Bordeaux from its airport, several solutions are available to you: opt for a private transfer, about 25 minutes; or take the bus. The “Lianes 1+” line connects Bordeaux airport – Saint-Jean station. The journey time is 45 to 50 minutes. During busy periods, rotations are every 7 to 10 minutes. The bus runs from 5 a.m. to 00:20 a.m. from the airport. You can consult the timetables on the “Transports Bordeaux Metropole” website.
For the purchase of your plane tickets, I advise you to compare before booking your flight. Personally, I use the Skyscanner flight comparator.
Visit Bordeaux: Don't forget your city pass
Second tip for your visit to Bordeaux, the city pass! For a few years now, more and more cities have been equipped with a city pass: this is a pass that allows you to group visits and include, in a single card, different activities as well as the transport you saving money.
The city pass offered by the city of Bordeaux is particularly interesting. Valid for a choice of 48 or 72 hours, this pass gives you free entry to no less than 15 museums in the city as well as access to public transport, buses and trams in the metropolis.
In addition, this pass includes access (before 12 p.m.) to the city of wines. A supplement of €5 will be requested if you wish to access it after 12 noon.
This city pass also gives you the choice between a ride on the tourist train or on the hop-on hop-off bus.
Accommodation in Bordeaux
Bordeaux has many accommodations to offer for those who want to visit the city in a few days.
You can, of course, opt for a hotel but also for an AirBnb, many in the city.
We will detail the “housing” part a little further down in this article.
Book a visit to a domain
Just like in Burgundy, the Bordeaux region is famous for its many wine estates. So if you are passing through Bordeaux, it is almost essential to plan a stop in a cellar. In order to prepare your visit to the region, I recommend that you take a look at this website: Ruedesvignerons.com
You will find many cellar visits to do all over France, including Bordeaux. The reservation is made directly online. It's simple, fast and secure!
What to see and what to do in Bordeaux?
What to see and what to do in Bordeaux?- Saint Catherine Street
- The city of wine
- Visit Saint-Emilion and its vineyards
- The Grand Theater of Bordeaux
- The water mirror
- The public Garden
- Bordeaux Park
- Museum of Contemporary Art of Bordeaux
- Saint-André cathedral
- The Esplanade of quincunxes
- The big bell
- Victory Square
- The Quays
- Bordeaux, UNESCO World Heritage
- The dune of Pilat
Saint Catherine Street
Don't be so sure that Paris is the best place to spend all your hard-earned money, shopping in Bordeaux is also very popular. If you need a shopping spree, Rue Sainte-Catherine is definitely one of the best things to do in Bordeaux and could be an all-day activity. It is the longest pedestrian shopping street in Europe, 1200 meters long and 10 meters wide. So there is something for everyone, from fashionable souvenirs, to beautiful products and health and beauty products. For more upscale French fashion, you can't miss the Golden Triangle. It's bordered by three boulevards and home to the best shops, restaurants and bars – think classic French fashion houses nestled amid impossibly chic eateries. Of course, if you're more looking for an edible-type shopping experience and the wineries haven't satisfied your craving (or your suitcase), the Marché des Capucins is a one-stop-shop for fresh produce, endless local cheeses and also, you guessed it, LOTS of wine.
The good plan: There is a huge sale there twice a year, in February for the winter sale and in July for the summer sale, it's the perfect time to do good business!
Opt for a guided tour of BordeauxWhat better way to visit Bordeaux than to opt for a city tour with a guide from the Bordeaux tourist office?
A 2-hour walking tour to discover the main places and activities to do in Bordeaux. Book the guided tour
The city of wine
La Cité du Vin is Bordeaux's love letter to wine. It's only fitting that one of the best wine regions in the world is home to one of the best museums in the world, not just wine museums, but museums, period.
The Cité du Vin is totally interactive. All you have to do is wave your audio guide in front of a panel, and you'll find yourself in the middle of the exhibition. It can be sipping wine with medieval winemakers or identifying aromas commonly found in fruity white grape varieties. There is something to scratch, sniff and see. In a room, you are almost lying down while the vineyards of the whole world surround you.
The museum goes well beyond the wines of Bordeaux. It covers the history and process of making wine from its origins millennia ago, and it sheds light on what makes the different wines of the world special. All the education is put to good use at the end of the tour, when you can taste several wines of your choice in the bar with a magnificent view of Bordeaux. Visiting Bordeaux is inevitably visiting its city of wine!
The good plan: In addition to the museum, the Cité du Vin hosts courses and special events. There are wine tasting workshops, often with cheese, chocolate or other delicious bites, happy hours and even shows.
Buy your tickets for the city of wine online
Visit Saint-Emilion and its vineyards
Although the small village of Saint-Emilion is world famous for its vineyards, it is nonetheless a charming little medieval village that deserves to be visited.
The visit of Saint-Emilion begins with its underground. Indeed, under this small village hides a real treasure. Hermitage of Saint-Emilion, catacombs, chapel of the Trinity and even a church can be found under the streets of Saint-Emilion.
After the underground passages, the city can be visited on the surface, with its old houses, its gates, its cloister and its great wall. A particularly rich city from an architectural and historical point of view.
Opt for a guided tour of the vineyards of Saint-EmilionGo on a guided tour in French of the vineyards of Saint-Emilion. A visit that includes the discovery of two castles with wine tasting.
A half-day excursion to the prestigious vineyards of Saint-Emilion, departing from Bordeaux. Learn more
If you simply prefer to make one or more cellar visits freely, for your part, you can find all the areas to visit in Bordeaux right here: Ruedesvignerons.com
Grand Theater of Bordeaux
The Grand Théâtre de Bordeaux is a neo-classical building which now houses the National Opera. Attending a show is the best way to discover this magnificent place and enjoy a high quality ballet, opera or concert in a unique place. There's nothing to see in July and August, which means summer visitors won't be able to take advantage of this opportunity, but for everyone else, it shouldn't be missed. In 1991, the interior was restored to its 200th-century luster, meaning visitors can get a glimpse of what performing the opera might have been like XNUMX years ago.
The water mirror
The Water Mirror, which occupies a large square in front of the Place de la Bourse in Bordeaux, is a one-of-a-kind reflection pool on which you can walk. Built in 2006, this swimming pool, also called "Mirror of the quays", is in fact made up of a field of granite slabs covered with two centimeters of water, thus creating a kind of giant mirror (Miroir d'eau). This gigantic public element covers more than 3450 square meters, making it less of a swimming pool and more of a small lake.
During the summer months, the shallow bottom of the water can be turned into a foggy mist by a mechanism hidden under the slabs. In a way, it is never deeper than when the square is covered with a few meters of mist. Apart from this feature, the pool generally presents itself as a calm, albeit giant, puddle.
The good plan: If you are looking for a slightly damp walk, or even to cool off in the summer heat, this is the place!
The public Garden
The Jardin Public is a 10 hectare park located in the center of Bordeaux. It was inspired by the gardens of Versailles, which give an idea of the splendor of the place. It is the ideal setting for a picnic on a hot summer day thanks to a large lake in the middle, which brings a much appreciated freshness. Many remarkable elements attract visitors: an artificial waterfall, a natural history museum and an original iron ramp large enough to have earned the label of historical monument.
The good plan: visit this garden equipped with a smartphone with a QR code application to enjoy a lot of botanical information and even listen to birdsong
Bordeaux Park
After a good meal, take the time to discover this park near the public garden. This 3000th century park began as a public promenade, now covered with XNUMX trees. It's a beautiful place where you'll see many locals (and visitors) wandering around on weekends. Don't miss the traditional Guignol puppet shows that take place here most weekends and public holidays.
The good plan: You can admire a few statues in this park, including the Abduction of Iphigenia by Diane de Félix Soules belonging to the Musée d'Orsay in Paris and the bust of Camille Godart inaugurated in 1889.
Museum of Contemporary Art of Bordeaux
Bordeaux is not only a city of history and wine, it is also a modern and dynamic city which offers an exciting cultural offer. The CAPC, the contemporary art museum of Bordeaux, is an example. It has a permanent collection, with 7 site-specific works by artists like Keith Haring, Max Neuhaus and Niele Toroni, among others, but the focus is on large and bold temporary exhibitions, which often feature artists working in the region from Bordeaux. It is also a place of creation for various activities
Saint-André cathedral
Saint-André Cathedral, perched on Place Pey Berland, is one of the most famous cathedrals in Bordeaux. It's one of the most amazing things to see and do in Bordeaux, not only because of its scale, but also its magnificent architecture and heritage that dates back centuries. Built in the XNUMXth century, the cathedral's long history includes the marriage of Eleanor of Aquitaine to Louis VII (which you will discover in detail during your visit). The cathedral itself houses a collection of precious religious objects such as paintings and illuminations.
The good plan: If you time your visit well, you might be lucky enough to catch a free organ recital or symphony orchestra concert. Do not hesitate to ask.
The Esplanade of quincunxes
It is a very popular and pleasant place where you can come to relax, but also to have a taste of history, especially with regard to the French Revolution. It is in fact the largest public square in France where you can see the Monument aux Girondins, a historic column dating back to 1902 and one of the landmarks of this city. It is 54 meters high and here you can find the magnificent Fontaine des Girondins with majestic bronze horses at its base. The entire monument was built to celebrate the influence that the Gironde political group had during the French Revolution. You can go to the Esplanade des Quinconces for a nice walk and take pictures!
Want to know more about Bordeaux?
You know the platform welink ? A small purely French novelty, it offers guided tours and excursions in French in different cities in France, Europe and around the world! In Bordeaux, about twenty guided tours and excursions in French on various themes to discover Bordeaux and its surroundings are offered to you. Take a look here to find out more. See all tours
The big bell
Probably one of the oldest belfries in the region, the Grosse Cloche de Bordeaux is one of the many things to see in Bordeaux and it's totally free and easy to spot too!
Magnificent and erected in 1775, this guardhouse was designed with two clocks and a bell tower; it replaced a previous building that had been damaged by fire long ago in the XNUMXth century. A nearby plaque bears the following inscription: “The bell carried all the good and bad news for the people of Bordeaux”. Oh, and don't forget to check out both sides of the tower as there are two different clocks to admire.
Victory Square
Victory Square is a beautiful place to visit. In the center of this square is a particular piece of modern public art designed by Czech sculptor Ivan Theimer, based in France. The work is made with blocks of marble from Languedoc, forming a column 16 meters high. It was installed in 2005 and, despite the city's long winemaking heritage, was the first monument built to recognize viticulture in Bordeaux. At the foot of the column, there are also two turtles drawn by Theimer, very popular with children. Surrounding the square are two-storey 1700th-century mansions, and the triumphal arch, also built in the XNUMXs, stands on the site of a former city gate.
Opt for a guided tour of BordeauxWhat better way to visit Bordeaux than to opt for a city tour with a guide from the Bordeaux tourist office?
A 2-hour walking tour to discover the main places and activities to do in Bordeaux. Book the guided tour
The Quays
The left bank of the Garonne is undoubtedly one of the most splendid seafronts in the world. It is also part of this 80th century World Heritage ensemble, where the majestic facades of grand neo-classical buildings line an XNUMX-metre-wide river promenade. On the banks of the Garonne, crossed by the many arches of the Pont de Pierre, the spaces are wide open and give your walk or bike ride an additional finesse. Benches, flower beds and lawns under the plane trees will allow you to appreciate everything.
Bordeaux, UNESCO World Heritage
This is not a place but you should know that after Paris, Bordeaux has the largest number of protected buildings in all of France. About half of the total area of the city of Bordeaux is under the protection of UNESCO, making it the largest urban area in the world with this distinction, received in 2007. The jurisdiction of Saint-Emilion is the place great to explore if you love wine. In 1999, the region was granted UNESCO World Heritage Site status and became the first wine-growing land to receive this designation.
The dune of Pilat
Finally, this place is not quite in Bordeaux but if you are ready to drive for an hour, don't miss it. It's not every day that you see the highest sand dune in Europe. Take your courage in both hands and launch yourself into its ascent. At a hundred meters high, you will feel like you are on top of the world. This huge sand dune is about 500 meters wide, stretches almost three kilometers. It is 107 meters high, making it the highest sand dune in Europe. It lies between the ocean and the pine forest, a common feature in this region and on the peninsula.
If you just want to go to the nearest beach, opt for Lacanau-Océan, a surfer's paradise!
Where to sleep in Bordeaux?
In this part we will discuss the neighborhoods where to stay in Bordeaux, but also the best places to stay at a lower cost, youth hostels as well as high-end accommodation where to sleep in Bordeaux.
Where to sleep in Bordeaux?- In which neighborhood to sleep in Bordeaux?
- Hostels in Bordeaux
- Air Bnb in Bordeaux: For small budgets
- Air Bnb in Bordeaux: Accommodation for 4 people
- Upscale hotels to stay in Bordeaux
In which neighborhood to sleep in Bordeaux?
Let's start our part devoted to accommodation in Bordeaux with a short review of the main districts of the city.
- Historical Center :
This is THE central district of Bordeaux where historical monuments, bars, restaurants and shops are concentrated. There is the famous Golden Triangle and its luxury boutiques as well as the largest pedestrian street in Europe. Not far from Place des Quinconces, also the largest in Europe, you will find most of the city's luxury hotels.
See accommodations in this neighborhood - Chartrons district:
The Chartrons district is the bobo district of Bordeaux, with its trendy bars and restaurants. You will find many hotels and apartments where you can sleep during your stay in Bordeaux. - Capuchin district – Victory:
Adjacent to the historic center of Bordeaux, this district is located between the station district and the hyper center of Bordeaux. It is a lively district, there is for example the Capucins market. A wide choice of AirBnbs will be available to you in this area. - The Bastide :
This district is located on the left bank of the Garonne, opposite the historic center of Bordeaux. The Bastide district is popular for its large Angéliques park along the Garonne as well as its Botanical garden. This district can be a good choice of accommodation in Bordeaux.
Hostels in Bordeaux
Much less widespread than in some countries, youth hostels are relatively few in France and especially in Bordeaux. Two youth hostels nevertheless offer ideal services for staying at a lower cost in Bordeaux while keeping a friendly and cozy side.
Hostel 20 Bordeaux
Ideally located in the Chartrons district, Hostel 20 Bordeaux is a friendly youth hostel with neat decoration, housed in an 18th century building. The hostel offers dormitories for 4 to 10 people as well as private rooms for 2 or 3 people. Location, Decoration, Wifi Check rates
Central Hostel Bordeaux
Located in the heart of the city of Bordeaux, the Central Hostel is one of the best youth hostels to sleep in Bordeaux. A family atmosphere in a cozy decor with first-class service, that's what the Central Hostel offers you. You will have the choice between dormitories for 6 or 8 people as well as private rooms. Location, Decoration, Service See prices
Air Bnb in Bordeaux: For small budgets
If you are looking to stay at a lower cost, here are 3 AirBnb addresses where to stay in Bordeaux.
Studio Bordeaux Center
Not far from the Capucins-Victoire district, this small, bright and tastefully decorated studio is perfect for people wishing to stay in Bordeaux at a low price. Small budget See prices
Large Bright Studio
Housing similar to our first small studio. Located in the same area, this very beautiful and bright studio is ideal for a short stay in the city. Small budget See prices
Apartment Bordeaux Center
You couldn't be more central with this small apartment located 1 minute from Sainte-Catherine Street. An accommodation that can accommodate 2 travelers among the cheapest in Bordeaux. Location, Budget Check Rates
Air Bnb in Bordeaux: Accommodation for 4 people
Here are 3 AirBnb addresses ideally located in Bordeaux for a stay with family or friends.
Nice apartment in the center of Bordeaux
Located in the Capucins-Victoire district, discover this beautiful apartment for rent in Bordeaux. It can accommodate 4 people and offers 2 bedrooms, a double bed and two single beds. Ideal for a family See prices
Bright T2 in the center of Bordeaux
Not far from the hyper-center of Bordeaux, sleep in a bright and chic one-bedroom apartment that can accommodate 2 people. This apartment offers a double bedroom and a sofa bed. Ideal for a family or friends See prices
Duplex in the heart of Bordeaux
In the heart of Bordeaux, discover this duplex that can accommodate 4 people and has two bedrooms. Bright and modern, an ideal accommodation for a stay with family or friends. Ideal for a family or friends See prices
Upscale hotels to stay in Bordeaux
Also present in Bordeaux, the high-end hotels where to stay in Bordeaux are numerous, here is our selection:
Le Boutique Hotel Bordeaux Center
Ideally located a stone's throw from Place des Quinconces, Le Boutique Hotel Bordeaux Center is one of the best rated establishments in Bordeaux. Offering rooms, suites and apartments that can accommodate from 2 to 4 people, this hotel will be a wise choice for sleeping in a refined and upscale setting in Bordeaux. Standing, Decoration, Location See prices
Hotel
With its castle-like appearance, the Yndo Hotel is also one of the very good places to stay in Bordeaux. Also located near Place des Quinconces, the Yndo Hotel offers spacious rooms and suites with a balcony. The interior courtyard is the asset of this sublime establishment. Location, Decoration, Hospitality See rates
Hotel Le Palais Gallien
Located not far from the Palais Gallien, this establishment is one of the very best places to stay in Bordeaux. Oriented around a swimming pool, the hotel offers upscale rooms and suites, some equipped with hot tubs. Location, Decoration, Swimming pool
