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Tourist guide: what to do and see in Bordeaux
Bordeaux, heritage and modernity
Known since the second century C.E. as the "Little Rome," Bordeaux offers a wealth of art, culture and history. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2007, the city has modernised while maintaining its harmonious patrimony. If you're an architecture buff, you'll certainly fall in love with its exceptional eighteenth-century charms — but don't miss the lively atmosphere of its cosmopolitan neighbourhoods, either!
- Sights
- Shopping
- Leisure
- Dining
- Open air
- Museum
- Sights
- Shopping
- Leisure
- Dining
- Open air
- Museum
Botanical Garden
Species both native and exotic, to add a touch of green to your day.
A historic botanical garden.
A lovely spot for a stroll, it was first conceived in 1629 with the idea of raising medicinal plants in a secure, controlled environment, but it took a century to actually bring to fruition, using both native plants and exotic species brought back from scientific and military expeditions from abroad. Here you'll find the so-called "Chinese palm" discovered in 1856, believed to be the source of this species' colonisation of Europe. Historically located in the Jardin Public, as of 2007 it has been expanded in area and services, with an information point located at La Bastide on Linné Esplanade.
Bordeaux wine and cheese
For a city and region so known for their gourmet delicacies, there are few better souvenirs than the distinctive wines and/or cheeses of Bordeaux.
What better memento?
It would be a crime to leave Bordeaux without taking with you some samples of its typical local edibles and wines. Did you know that Aquitaine produces three types of cheese specific to this region? They are Issau-Irati, Rocamadour, and Cabécou; other cheeses made locally include blue cheese and smoked goat cheese. For wine, we'd recommend Le Chai des Chartrons on Rue Minvielle, where the staff will be happy to advise you as well as pack your purchases thoroughly, whether you're packing it in your suitcase or shipping separately (which, remember, will be necessary if you're traveling with hand luggage only).
Saint-Michel flea market
Hidden treasures and curiosities, plus some cool exotic finds on surrounding streets.
Hipster heaven in the Place St. Michel.
Right at the feet of the big Gothic cathedral in Place Saint-Michel, you'll find this market in full swing every Sunday with all manner of odds and ends - say, old bronze spyglasses; brass candlesticks and candelabras; furniture in need of restoration; collectible stamps and silverware; paintings and engravings; second-hand clothing; and musty books galore. It's a magnet for collectors and hipsters, of course, and in the course of browsing, you'll get to discover some interesting multicultural finds on surrounding streets, as well, from exotic spice shops to stores selling Moroccan décor.
Marché des Capucins
A fascinating and colourful opportunity to see Bordeaux locals in action food shopping.
A historic food market where you can rub shoulders with the locals.
Bordeaux' oldest and largest food market traces its origins back to 1749, when cattle was sold once a week on this spot, gradually expanding to include produce and products such as shoes and clothing. In 1891 the market was enclosed with a glass and tin roofed structure, but unlike other historic European markets, here subsequent renovations (the most recent in 1999) have left none of this historic architecture. Nonetheless, the market has made something of a comeback in recent years and remains an icon of local commerce. It's open Tuesday through Sunday.
Cours de l'Intendance
A key part of Bordeaux' chichi 'Golden Triangle.'
Bordeaux' top luxe shopping
If you should want to really give your credit card a major workout, the likes of Vuitton and Max Mara will help you out along this luxurious lane (now pedestrian) forming part of the so-called 'Golden Triangle' together with Cours Clémenceau and Allée de Tourny, near Place de la Comédie. The original route of the street dates back to ancient Roman times, when the legion's intendant (magistrate) kept his residence here. Always an aristocratic area, the magisterial townhouses slowly gave way to fancy showrooms displaying all manner of fashion, jewelry, footwear, and accessories.
Quai des Chartrons Market
Brand-name outlets, plus a Sunday-morning street market.
A key commercial and touristic centre of Bordeaux.
On the banks of the Garonne near Place des Quinconces, the Quai des Chartrons Market is one of Bordeaux' key business and touristic centres, which among other things features brand-name outlets that while not exactly cheap are still less pricey than regular retail. You might ideally aim to visit on a Sunday morning, when the plaza is full of street stands of vendors hawking produce, sausages, cheese, baked goods, and fresh seafood, along with street musicians and artists who'll sketch your likeness for several euros. It's a good idea to get here on the early side, before it gets too hot and crowded (plus that way you can partake of the charming local custom of breakfasting riverside on a plate of fresh oysters accompanied by a nice white wine).
Galerie Bordelaise
Browse shops, have a café au lait - perfect for a rainy afternoon.
A classic 19th-century covered shopping arcade.
An iron-and-glass shopping arcade inaugurated in 1834 by wealthy refugees from the Mexican Revolution, headed by the Marqués de la Torre, it was designed by the architect Gabriel Joseph Durand and designated a historic monument in 1975. Located at Rue des Piliers de Tutelle, it's great especially for a rainy afternoon, alternating browsing and window shopping with coffee or lunch at one of the cafés.
Rue de Sainte Catherine
A half mile of Bordeaux's top shopping and nightlife.
Shop till you drop!
Rue de Sainte Catherine is Bordeaux's shopping ground zero, a pedestrian half-mile of shop after shop where you can likely find just about anything you're looking for, from the cheapest gifts, souvenirs, and postcards to the most chichi of scents and designer goods. Another of its strong points is the nightlife, from top-quality dining to glamorous watering holes. It runs north to south across the old quarter, from the Grand Théâtre to Place de la Victoire. If possible, it's best to avoid on weekends, which are more susceptible to crowds and pickpockets.
Museum of the Tradesman Tour de France
This 'Tour de France', much older than the cycling championship, is a look at the history of trade guilds.
An interesting look at the 'other' Tour de France
This museum has nothing to do with the Tour de France cycling event, but rather a venerable artisans organisation dating back to the Middle Ages, the tradition of which was to send apprentices in masonry, carpentry, and many other trades on tour across the country, in a kind of brotherhood reminiscent of the order of Freemasons. This three-story museum on Avénue Jean Alfonsea presents art and artifacts created by and about the brotherhood and its members, as well as activities for both kids and adults.
Château Lanessan Horse Museum
Wines and whinnies, as a grand old wine estate includes grand stables and a riding museum.
A country wine estate with an equine twist.
Since the 18th century, the winemaking Bouteiller family has occupied a neoclassical château on 80 hectares (198 acres) of gardens and vineyards amid some of France's loveliest landscapes, 30 kilimetres (18 miles) outside Bordeaux. Today Lanessan's extraordinary Cabernet Sauvignon continues to be produced here, and in addition to château is open to visits, as are the adjoining stables, including a section turned into a horse museum. Here you can see marble stalls, perfectly preserved Belle-Époque carriages, and a lovely collection of saddles and other riding paraphernalia. Afterward, it's a delight to get lost for a bit in the lovely 19th-century English-style garden.
Museum of Contemporary Art (CAPC)
Celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2014, the CAPC mixes some of the greatest names in contemporary art with top-notch temporary exhibits.
A French contemporary art pioneer continues to break creative ground.
A pioneer in France, the Museum of Contemporary Art opened its doors in the 1970s as Bordeaux' first nucleus and nurturer of emerging artistic movements. Especially since the 1990s, the CAPC has positioned itself in the forefront of specialised European collections, with themed exhibits such as land art, antiform, minimalism, arte povera, and conceptual art. In recent years it's continued its groundbreaking work in areas such as graphic design, music, and film.
National Customs Museum
Businesspeople and smugglers alike people this museum's history of society from a merchantile perspective.
A look at the sometimes controversial history of commerce in this part of France.
In this museum opened in the 1980s in Place de la Bourse - the only one of its type in France - uniforms, scale models, weapons, and documents help paint a picture of the sometimes controversial history of commerce in Bordeaux from the 17th century to the present day, including both honest businesspeople and smugglers. The museum also explains the role of customs to the French economy in commercial treaties in different eras. In recent years the exhibitions have been complemented by multimedia and cultural activities. More than simply talking about tariffs and such, this engaging museum tries to add to knowledge of societal evolution from a mercantile standpoint.
Museum of Decorative Arts
A rich and historic collection of interior furnishings.
An in-depth look at upper-class life of the 18th and 19th centuries.
At the end of the 18th century, the Marquis of Castelmoron, Pierre Raymon de Lalande, acquired a plot of land from the Catholic Church where he had built a luxurious villa surrounded by gardens, known for years as the Hôtel de Lalande. But the family didn't last long here, thanks to the guillotines of that time, so it became property of the city of Bordeaux, and today these three floors plus stables house the Museum of Decorative Arts showcasing a rich collection of 18th- and 19th-century object including porcelain, furniture, sculpture, lithographs, minatures, crystalware, and cutlery of the upper classes, including a room dedicated to the Bourbon royal dynasty. There are also temporary exhibitions covering a range of subjects and movements from the Art Deco of the 1920s to the present day.
Museum of Aquitaine
A fascinating dive into archaeology, ethnography and history dating back millennia.
A holistic look at this region of France.
The Aquitaine region of which Bordeaux is part, has a past in which agricultural activity has been documented as far back as prehistory. On Cours Pasteur, this 5,000-square-metre (53,800-square-foot) museum brings together the ethnography, archaeology, and history of the city and region, receiving 150,000 visitors annually. You'll also find temporary exhibitions of immediate local relevance ("The Soul of Wine") as well as ranging farther afield ("African Art"). There are also kids' workshops on Roman mosaics along with other events including conferences, concerts, and multimedia presentations.
Bordeaux Wine and Trade Museum
Exhibits and artifacts dating back to the Middle Ages - plus you get to taste the goods at the end!
An excellent look at the nature and history of Bordeaux' iconic wine industry.
Given the importance of wine to the regional culture and economy, this museum opened in 2008 by the Bordeaux Historia Vini association is located in the cellars of the Royal Corridor of Louis XV on Rue Borie. Its unique collection of exhibits and artifacts relates to winemaking and the wine industry since the Middle Ages, the great winemaking dynasties of the 18th and 19th centuries, the new players that came on the scene in the 20th, and details about fascinating episodes of history such as the use of slave labour in the port. Your visit will conclude, you'll be pleased to know, with a tasting.
Bordeaux Fine Arts Museum
A highly distinguished collection of work from many of the great masters of European art.
France's largest art museum outside Paris.
Dating back to 1801, this institution is the largest French art museum outside Paris, one of 15 created throughout the country as a result of redistributing the collection of the Central Museum. Today the collection is split between two nearby buildings: the Fine Arts Museum and the Fine Arts Gallery in Place du Colonel Raynal, and it includes the masterful likes of Perugino, Brueghel the Elder, Rubens, Delacroix, Van Dyck, Picasso, and Matisse.
Jean Moulin National Centre
Detailed exhibits and archives covering the war in Europe and particularly the French Resistance.
An impressive museum about World War II.
Named after iconic World War II resistance figure Jean Moulin, the 1967 creation of this museum of the Second World War was promoted by resistance general Jacques Chaban-Delmas. Located in a 19th-century building in the Plaza Jean Moulin, its three floors contain an impressive historical archive relevant to the French Free Forces, the Resistance, and the deported, and both researchers and visitors may browse and dive into its materials. The museum also looks ahead with its temporary exhibitions, conferences, and other events.
Fattened Bulls Festival in Bazas
If you happen to be in the region in February, this charming bit of historic pageantry is wonderful to witness.
A February festival with more than seven centuries' worth of tradition.
The annual Fête des Bœufs Gras of the town of Bazas (an hour from Bordeaux) goes back, the chronicles say, to 1283, when Edward I of England, who was also king of Aquitaine at the time, ordered farmers to present a bull to the local clergy each year on the feast day of St. John. In return, he let them bring the cattle out into the streets and organise a town-wide celebration in February. Actually, this was a tradition in almost all towns and cities in France, including Paris, but only the Bazas fête is still celebrated. Here the bulls' horns are adorned with flower garlands and they are exhibited and paraded along a cattle concourse, with the proceedings culminating in a grand open-air public banquet. Pretty much like in the Middle Ages, except with cameras.
Mont-de-Marsan
Enjoying the great outdoors, on the river or on horseback.
Outdoor adventures near Bordeaux.
If you're a fan of soft adventure in the great outdoors, the town of Mont-de-Marsan, 140 kilometres (87 miles) from Bordeaux, has a number of great offerings for you. Get yourself into a kayak or canoe on the Midouze River with the Stade Montois sporting club operating out of the Parc Jean Rameau (the club also offers classes in a wide variety of sports and activities). Or get on horseback with the help of L' Etrier du Marsan riding club, based at a 13-hectare (32-acre) farm next to the river; the club offers guided routes and expert trainers who also give lessons to all comers age four and over.
Marmande
An hour from Bordeaux, this likeable town with lots to do might even merit an overnight.
Ultralights and gardens in France's tomato capital.
France's tomato capital, the picturesque town of Marmande is just an hour from Bordeaux, and there's so much to see and do here that you might want to consider overnighting. The adventurous can soar over the landscape in an ultralight from the UML air base at Fourques-sur-Garonne, ten minutes out of town. Golfers will appreciate the extensive links in the area, and flower-lovers will appreciate the romantic Beauchamp Gardens, which since 2004 have offered visitors a variety of lovely landscapes to enjoy, such as a palm grove, Zen garden, English garden, and others, abounding with brooks, waterfalls, ponds, and lakes.
Bordeaux River Festival
Ten days of festive rolling on (and around) the river to ring in the summer.
It launches the summer, but only every other year.
To officially ring in summer, Bordeaux' Fête du Fleuve is ten days of festivities (in 2013 it was May 24 to June 2) along both sides of the Garonne River as well as the Pont de Pierre. It includes craft fairs, open-air concerts divided between river banks, family and kids' activities, fireworks, and more. One catch: it's held only in odd-numbered years.
Bayonne
An impressive Gothic cathedral is just one of the draws of this UNESCO World Heritage city.
A visit to the French Basque country.
If you have the time, it's well worth hiring a car for a drive down through the vineyards to the French Basque country to the city of Bayonne, 192 kilometres (119 miles) from Bordeaux. Founded in the 10th century at the junction of the Nive and Adur rivers before they empty into the Cantabrian Sea, this UNESCO World Heritage City is full of history and impressive architecture such as the Gothic Cathedral of Sainte-Marie, thanks in part to being an important stop of the medieval Way of St. James, the religious pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela. The local tourism office can provide complete local information, as well as arrange a visit to the local caves - subterranean grottoes dating back to the 14th century which once served as warehouses.
Bergerac
The area that produces Pécharmant wine is full of grand châteaux that welcome visitors.
Home of one of France's noblest wines.
Part of the famous Bordeaux wine route, the town of Bergerac in the Dordogne cultivates one of France's most celebrated wine appellations, Pécharmant. Getting here from Bordeaux will take just over an hour, and along the way you can visit some of the vineyards and winery châteaux that open their doors to visitors for guided tours and tastings, including Château de Biron, Château de Gageac, and the impressive castle Château Monbazillac. Another interesting and very different draw for mildly adventurous types is the Aeroclub which has operated out of Bergerac's small airport since 1930. Here you can take a plane ride to take in this lovely wine country from the air.
Sarlat-la-Canéda
One of Europe's most beautiful cities is also a gourmet and cultural mecca.
Medieval magic, two hours from Bordeaux.
Considered one of Europe's best preserved medieval cities, Sarlat-la-Canéda seems almost like a movie set - and in fact plenty of period films have been shot amid its cobblestone streets, palaces, and in the nearby forests, mountains, and hamlets. Sarlat is also a gourmet mecca, with open-air markets full of regional specialities such as cabécou (goat cheese), foie gras, truffles, mushrooms, and much else. It's classified by the French government as a "Town of Art and History," and by the Michelin Guide as one of Europe's three most beautiful cities, due to its landscapes, culinary offerings, and cultural activities. It's a drive of just over two hours from Bordeaux.
Cordouan Lighthouse
Another worthy out-of-town excursion, to a remarkable structure with remarkable views.
France's oldest lighthouse.
Out near Le Verdon-sur-Mer, on the coast at the mouth of the River Gironde estuary, another worthwhile day trip 98 kilometres (60 miles) from Bordeaux is to the Cordouan Lighthouse, France's oldest. Completed in 1611, it was declared a historic monument in 1862, and over the centuries fires gave way to lamps and finally in 1948 to electric light. To visit the lighthouse, which is on an islet 7 kilometres (4 miles) offshore, visitors can board the Vedette La Bohème water taxi. If you make the 311-step climb to the top, you'll be rewarded with some remarkable coastal and river views indeed.
La Roque-Gageac
If you have the time, take a day trip to a wonderfully atmospheric bit of the Middle Ages.
A uniquely impressive cliffside fortress town.
It's a bit farther afield from Bordeaux (140 km/87 miles away), but if you have the time, La Roque-Gageac makes a dramatic day trip indeed. Looking practically chiseled into the cliff between towering peaks and with the Dordogne River below, this fortress-town has a rough and medieval look about it. Constructed thusly to defend against invaders such as the Vikings and later the English, it's an extremely atmospheric world apart, a cross between a fishing village and an aristocratic town - so much so that it's classified as one of France's top three most beautiful towns.
Dune of Pilat
Quite a sight - and it offers some of the area's most spectacular views.
Europe's highest sand dune.
Just over 60 kilometres (36 miles) from Bordeaux on the Arcachon Bay is a cool and surprising phenomenon indeed: surrounded by forests, it's Europe's highest sand dune at 110 metres (360 feet), and growing. From the top you can get an impressive view of the Mediterreanean on one side and on the other the woodlands of the Landes de Gascogne Regional Natural Park. And if you happen to be visiting in early summer, you might get to catch the Wagas Festival, a freestyle paragliding competition; concerts and other events are also held out here.
Saint-Emilion
Especially if you're a wine-lover, a visit to this UNESCO World Heritage town near Bordeaux is a must.
A picturesque and historic wine town well worth a visit.
Just 35 kilometres (22 miles) northeast of Bordeaux, picturesque UNESCO World Heritage town Saint-Émilion has a heritage which stretches back to Roman times, including its vineyards, descended from vines planted in the 2nd century, which eventually were to become the reknowned Saint-Émilion wine appellation. Among the sites worth seeing are a monolithic subterranean church hewn out of rock between the 12th and 15th centuries. The wineries and vineyards of this area open their doors to visitors generally by advance reservation; you may also want to consider, between mid-April and mid-November, hopping on the "Train of the Great Vineyards," which can include a visit and tasting at Château Rochebelle.
Le Chapon Fin
Décor with unusual touches, creative cuisine, and surprising affordability keep this nearly two-century-old restaurant popular.
A historic restaurant with a well-deserved Michelin star.
One of the most venerable temples of gastronomy not only in Bordeaux but all of France, Le Chapon Fin on Rue Montesquieu has been delighting diners since 1825 and annointed with a Michelin star since the early 20th century. Current chef Nicolas Frion carries on the tradition admirably with dishes such as pigeon with white beans and mushrooms and sea bass with liquorice butter, braised pumpkin, and turnips (it need not even be expensive; there's a 30-euro lunch prix-fixe). The 1901 interior design by Alfred Duprat mixes the classic with the surprising (such as an area that mimics a cavelike grotto).
Le Saint-James (Bouliac)
Gastronomic delights amid vineyards in a small town near Bordeaux.
Luxury and two Michelin stars.
For a superb two-Michelin-star gourmet experience, it's worth a short detour to the outlying town of Bouliac, just 15 minutes out of Bordeaux, for a meal at Le Saint-James, in the hotel of the same name. Its dining room and garden terrace offering lovely views out over vineyards and countryside, the restaurant earns its stars with traditional products creatively transmogrified at the stoves overseen by chef Nicolas Magie (whose surname, interestingly enough, actually means "magic"). Some of the star dishes include blue Cotinière coast lobster roasted over wood; garlic-smoked snails with parseley; Aquitaine caviar with green apple sauce and barberry; wild turbot with cream of algae; and toasted Iberian pork on a bed of mushrooms and caramelised onions.
Le Pavillon des Boulevards
Intimate, creative, Michelin-starred.
A nouvelle cuisine star.
Behind a discreet door on the Rue St. Croix-de-Seguey, this intimate space of white curtains and bleached plank floors also offers a gracious brick-paved terrace out back - all a romantic, low-key stage for Denis Franc's contemporary works of culinary art (so creative they've won a Michelin star) such as salted turbot with aromatic oils, fried lobster, ravioli with green apple sauce and frozen raspberry-basil yogurt. If you don't know where to start, there is a splendid tasting menu of four to eight dishes, all expertly paired with the finest French wines. Reservations recommended.
El Asador
A bit of next-door Spain on Quai de la Monnaie.
How about a touch of Spain?
For another foray into international cuisine, next-door Spain is well represented by the Quayside district restaurant El Asador, on Quai de la Monnaie. The feel is very Andalusian courtyard, with orange trees, jasmine, fountains, and so on, and the bill of fare features the likes of black-rice paella with squid, potato omelet, suckling pig, and a range of cured hams. There's a good Spanish winelist and even an olive oil list!
Fufu
A centrally located haven for noodle-lovers and budget-watchers.
An island of Japan in Bordeaux.
Would would've thought - a voyage to "les îles du Japon" right in the middle of Bordeaux? On Rue St. Remi you'll find Fufu's bar and tables often packed with local fans of Japanese cuisine, washing down the noodle specialities with Sapporo beer. You'll recognise the place by its green wood façade and of course the sign reading "Japanese Noodle Bar" - if the tasty aroma wafting out to the street doesn't clue you in first. The thing to order here is the typical Japanese ramen noodle soup, and also worth a look are the yakisoba (fried noodles), gyoza dumplings stuffed with meat and cabbage, and tasty tonkatsu breaded pork. Another good reason to stop by is Fufu's wallet-friendliness; no dish costs more than 10 euros.
La Grain d'Folie
A classic French cabaret, with or without dinner.
Come to the cabaret, old chum.
The can-can lives! For a spot of classic French music hall entertainment accompanied by fine French cuisine, head to 23 Rue du Mirail for a show which for 40 euros will keep you entertained for four hours with a spectacular variety extravaganza that you don't need to know the language to love, including magicians, singers, big production numbers, drag acts, and comedy. If you wish to dine as well, the most economical menu, at 58 euros including the show, offers the likes of seafood terrine in lemon-anise cream, stuffed chicken leg with mushroom sauce, and Bavarian cream with berries.
Le Croc-loup
Excellent service and affordable gourmet fare in generous portions.
A cosy classic in the heart of Bordeaux
On Rue du Loup in the heart of Bordeaux, this cosy corner with excellent service serves generous portions of gourmet fare at fair prices, its main dishes ranging from 17 to 22 euros. The "gastronomique" prix-fixe menu offers, in addition to cheese and dessert, a choice two or three mains such as cuttlefish ravioli with coriander and Italian-style salad with prosciutto and parmesan, accompanied by tartines of candied tomato and tomato-basil sorbet. And there's plenty more where that comes from (desserts are superb, so by all means leave room!). Reservations recommended.
Restaurant Akashi
Exotic and exquisite Asian-French fusion.
And now for a touch of Asian.
Exquisite though French cuisine is, if you're in the mood for a change of pace, head for Place des Martyrs de la Résistance for a touch of high-quality exoticism at a small place called Akashi. The Japanese owner blends Asian techniques with French ingredients and haute cuisine, producing dishes that change weekly, such as poached eggs with marinated mushrooms or salt-crusted codfish with pumpkin cream; many of its desserts, meanwhile, revolve around candied fruit.
Aux Quatre Coins du Vin
Warm, welcoming, and perfect for all tastes and budgets.
A perfect old town wine bar with modern flair.
If you love fine wine, this cosy modern wine bar at 8 Rue de la Devise in the old quarter is a great place to perch for a little while. It operates on the basis of automatic dispensers - you decide how much you want to spend, that amount goes on a card with a chip, and off you go, sampling a range of wines from throughout the region, the country, Europe, and beyond. There's also a menu of light fare to go along with them, including cheeses and cold cuts, quiches, and specialities like baked camembert and foie gras.
Jean Ramet
Exquisite cuisine + ambience = a très romantique experience.
A very special local restaurant.
At the heart of Bordeaux, between the Place de la Bourse and Quinconces, you'll find a restaurant whose ambience and cuisine are perfect for a romantic dinner à deux with a significant other. Jean Ramet elaborate décor, with impeccable attention to detail, provides just the extra touch needed to turn the surprising combinations of flavours on Mehdi Herrero's menus into the ultimate gourmet experience. Prix-fixe meals here range from 25 to 65 euros, all preceded by a flavourful amuse-bouche micro-appetiser (times being what they are, Tuesday through Thursday there's also a 37-euro "anticrisis menu" of tuna tartare with oyster sauce accompanied by asparragus à la vinaigrette, chicken with greens, almond sauce and anise, Mediterranean squid and artichoke hearts, followed by the dessert du jour).
Garonne River Cruise
The Garonne is a big part of what makes Bordeaux, so a river cruise should be a part of your visit.
Discovering Bordeaux from the eau.
The Garonne River has been a formative part of the history of this city, and so experiencing it from the water taxis and river cruises that ply its waters is recommendable indeed. The docks, the historic port area, and the grand architecture that lines both banks of the river are reason enough to board one of these river excursions, which can be booked at the local tourism office for about 15 euros. One good company is Croisières Burdigala, with comfortable boats which include explanatory narration as you cruise along. You can also opt for a nighttime cruise, a very romantic option indeed if you're with a significant other. A range of other options exists, as well, including private cruises for groups.
Thalazur Royan Spa
A thalassotherapy spa near Bordeaux that will have you back touring like like new.
Taking some spa time.
Touring can bring its own stresses, so imagine taking a morning, afternoon, or day off to just chill out, relax your body, and pamper yourself just a little. Flower petals and aromatherapy; moisturising, revitalising massages; seaweed and marine mud wraps; hot rock treatments; Jacuzzis, Vichy showers, and other water therapy. It's all here at the Thalazur Royan thalassotherapy centre at the Hôtel Cordouan, located in Royan, just over an hour from Bordeaux and with impressive views over the Atlantic. Here they'll receive you with a welcome cocktail and a plate of seafood, along with the chance to experience a spa circuit in a zenlike space according to programmes personalised to your wants and needs, whether you're a stressed-out executive, a new mother, or just someone with a lot of kinks to work out. They will take oh, so good care of you.
Galerie Tryptique
The top gallery in the region to catch emerging young artists and artistic trends.
Into avant-garde art? Here's a must.
Fans of cutting-edge and avant-garde art shouldn't leave town without dropping into this gallery on Rue Paul Berthelot. Opened under the auspices of the government of the Departément of Gironde in which Bordeaux is located, in order to promote the region's young artists, it has evolved into an extremely creative space indeed, leaving artists in the driver's seat when it comes to presenting any kind of art any way they see fit - painting, sculpture, audiovisual, installation, or performance. One of the top spots in Europe to keep a finger on the pulse of "what's next."
"Welcome to the Farm" Program
What's it like to milk a vache? Funny you should ask…
A taste of life on various types of French farms.
Especially if you're a city slicker or suburbanite, one of the more original activity ideas in the Aquitaine region has to be a program called "Bienvenue à la Ferme" ("Welcome to the Farm"), in which more than a thousand agricultural businesses open their doors to tourists for short immersive visits. If you always wanted to see what it was like to milk a cow, and/or you'd like your kids to learn that milk and eggs don't actually originate in the supermarket, this is a great opportunity - plus a chance to learn about French country life, as well. The programme's offerings range from single activities to overnights and multiple-day stays. Some farms offer riding lessons, while others teach things such as beekeeping and honey production; fruit picking followed by the making of preserves and brandy; grape picking and winemaking; and more.
Bordeaux Wine Festival
An early summer festival on the banks of the Garonne is a wonderful way to get to know the region's legendary wine and the gastronomy that goes with it.
Annual showcase of one of France's foremost food and wine regions.
If you can schedule your visit for late June, you'll have the pleasure of experiencing the city's annual Fête du Vin, whose programme of activities, cuisine, cultural offerings, and fireworks on the banks of the Garonne River just seems to get better with each passing year. Stands offer the wares of the region's (and France's) top vineyards, as well as tastings of cheeses, foie gras, sausages, and other classic French comestibles. During these several days the Place des Quinconces also becomes a stage for open-air jazz and rock concerts, and the also-huge expanse of the Place de la Bourse (including its famous Water Mirror) a screen for audiovisual projections and displays of light and water. Truly a magical (and of course tremendously tasty) experience!
Bassin Aventures (Arcachon)
A day trip for some outdoor adventures near Bordeaux.
A spot of adventure in the woods, anyone?
More adventurous and adrenaline-seeking visitors should carve out time for an afternoon in the woods 72 kilometres (45 miles) from Bordeaux and 10 minutes away from Arcachon Bay. Out here is where you'll find Bassin Aventures, offering a range of activities for all ages and skill levels, always professionally and securely supervised. Up for some rockclimbing or ziplining? How about taking a bike across a wooden hanging bridge strung between trees? Or you could learn to deal with the stress of being stuck 18 metres (59 feet) up (if you freak, they'll lower you in a harness, no problem).
Le Garage Moderne
An auto-garage-cum-arts-space you've got to experience to believe.
Auto repair meets art.
In case you think Bordeaux is some Renaissance museum city stuck in the past, Le Garage Moderne should help dispel that notion. On Rue des Étrangers in the outlying district of Bacalan is in fact an auto repair garage by day, but also a cooperative where locals can learn to repair stuff themselves, or come to experience art exhibitions or performances amid the old restored buses. Have a cup of tea at one of the tables and watch actors practicing their lines across from grease monkeys doing their thing. A surreal but very cool way of enjoying a different outing in Bordeaux.
The Water Mirror
Especially delightful on a summer's day, for both kids and grownups.
A cool new addition to a handsome old plaza.
Want to step on the clouds? Check out one of Bordeaux's coolest attractions (literally), built in the Place de la Bourse in 2006. The Miroir d'Eau is a system of fountains that lays a centimetre of water over the plaza that not just create impressive reflections of the sky above and the impressive surrounding 18th-century buildings, but in warm weather you'll find both kids and grownups playing in the water - and every so often sprinklers come on to create a refreshing mist. Designed by landscape architect Michel Corajoud, it's the largest structure of its kind, at 3,450 square metres (37,135 square feet).
Parc de la Coccinelle
If the kids need a break from sightseeing, this nearby family attraction is just the ticket.
A fun animal park for the little ones.
Traveling with kids from three to 12 years old? As appealing as Bordeaux is culturally, historically, and gastronomically, at some point you might lose them a bit. That might be a good time for a jaunt to the nearby Bay of Arcachon's town of Gujan-Mestras, home to a theme park and mini-farm called Parc de la Coccinelle. It's wonderfully designed to entertain younger children with activities, rides, and games themed around farm life, all for one entry fee of 10-12 euros. One of the star attractions for kids is bottle-feeding fluffy lambs and other baby animals, as well as wandering among peacocks and scampering around to their hearts' content on various and sundry trampolines, slides, bounce houses, train and water rides, and roller coasters. Bring a change of clothing and a picnic!
Visiotour 12
A good, brisk tour of the best Bordeaux has to offer.
An overview from red doubledecker buses.
Either for an initial overview of Bordeaux or especially if you have just a short amount of time in town, the best way to orient yourself is to hop on the red doubledecker buses of Visiotour which depart daily from Place des Quinconces at 11am, 1:45pm, 3:30pm, and 5:15pm. It's a brisk 70-minute tour of the city's highlights, with the best views of its top monuments along both sides of the river (from four metres/13 feet up, if you're on the top level). In addition in July and August there's a special Friday-night bus tour so you can soak in some of that cosmopolitan nocturnal illumination.
Port of the Moon
A UNESCO World Heritage Site that's a marvelous gem of the European Enlightenment.
Bordeaux' historic port area.
The Bordeaux coat of arms features a crescent moon framed against blue water, referring to the shape of the bend in the Garonne River, and giving the name to this historic port area, Porte de la Lune. A relaxing stroll through this UNESCO World Heritage Site is a must when you visit Bordeaux, in order to appreciate the stunning architecture, particularly neoclassical, from the 18th century on, the zenith of the Enlightenment reflected in the handsome buildings that line the port.
Church of the Holy Cross
A venerable historic landmark with a Romanesque façade, home to both religious and artistic institutions
An evocative former abbey with a tumultuous past.
Chronicles record that Benedictine monks founded a small abbey outside the city walls in the 6th century. It was sacked during Saracen raids and rebuilt by the Carolingians, then sacked again during the 9th century before being rebuilt under Franco-Navarran count Guillaume Sanche of Gascony. The floor plan is laid out in the form of a Latin cross with five bays along its length, an apse in the shape of a polygon, and a Romanesque façade. No longer an abbey, for many years in addition to a parish church the building is also home to a school of fine arts.
Saint Seurin Church and Crypt
Impressive for its history and sculpturework, but especially fascinating for its ancient underground crypt.
Remarkable relics of early medieval Christianity.
Located in Place des Martyrs, the Basilica of Saint Seurin is one of the oldest Christian sites in Bordeaux, dating back to the 6th century (though much of the existing architecture we see today dates from later additions in the 12th and 14th centuries). According to legend, Charlemagne laid upon the altar here the olifant (ivory hunting horn) of his nephew Roland, killed at Roncesvalles. In addition to being of considerable historic and sculptural interest (one of the reasons it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site), one of the most fascinating things about Saint Seurin is the early medieval underground crypt discovered by accident during excavation work. It's open to visitors, who can gaze upon its Merovingian marble sarcophagi and learn some of the history of the early French Christians.
Place des Quinconces
France's largest city square is a spectacular sight to behold.
A marvel of urban scale and landscaping.
If you were to fly over the Place des Quinconces you'd be floored by its dimensions and struck by its perfect symmetry, oblique to the Garonne River and flanked by a line of trees that help to complete its graceful landscaping. Nothing is left to chance in this impressive urban space, built in the 19th century and at 12 hectares (30 acres) considered not just France's largest square but nearly the largest in Europe. Especially notable are the pair of 21-metre (69-foot) victory columns, designed in 1829 by Pierre-Alexandre Poitevin and adorned with sculpturework on motifs of commerce and seafaring, including anchors, prows, and the like, meant to symbolise man's dominion of the seas. Note, too, in the centre of the plaza the monumental fountain memorialising the mass executions of the Girondists, a losing faction in the French Revolution (built in 1902, its sculptures were sacked by the Nazis and restored after World War II).
Port Cailhau
Very worth a visit along the Garonne River: a mighty gate with a fine city museum.
Important city gate and triumphal arch.
One of the city's most visually striking spots is this gateway in the old city wall, built as a triumphal arch in honour of Charles VIII for achieving an armistice in the Battle of Fornovo on the Italian peninsula in 1495; his statue crowns the structure. Built in impressive Gothic-Renaissance style on the banks of the Garonne River, it also served to monitor and control access to the city. The name "Cailhau" derives from the rocky river sediment used in its construction. Check its admission booth for opening days and hours of the interior, where you'll find an interesting museum of city history and get a very photogenic view over the Garonne.
Pont de Pierre
Bordeaux' handsome arched bridge has quite a Napoleonic tale behind it.
For more than a century Bordeaux' only bridge, a legacy of Napoleon.
If emperor Napoleon Bonaparte said he wanted a bridge over the Garonne River to unite the two halves of Bordeaux, it got done. But it was quite a slog for the engineers, taking 12 years to tame the difficult river currents and finally laying the 17 arches and 486 metres (1,595 feet) worth of stone bridge that form the Pont de Pierre (one arch for each letter in Napoleon's name). In order to accomplish the task it was necessary to construct a diving bell to allow workers to submerge for 30 minutes at a time in order to place and stabilise the bridge pillars in the water. Opened for traffic in 1822, it was the city's only bridge until the 1960s.
Grand Theatre
An imposing façade with masonic symbolism, magnificent interiors, and a rich cultural programme.
A sumptuous and historic theatre that lives up to its name in every sense.
After a terrible fire destroyed Bordeaux' foremost Italianate theatre in 1775, culture vultures anxiously awaited a replacement. And it was an aristocrat - the then Duke of Richielieu, notorious for womanising, duels, and excesses, who commissioned celebrated architect Victor Louis with the construction of this grandiose new theatre, now home to the National Orchestra. It was supposedly financed by Freemasons, and masonic symbolism is hidden within its architecture - although what most strikes the eye is its neoclassical portico with 12 Corinthian columns and statues from classical mythology. At the theatre's inauguration in 1780, with a performance of Jean Racine's tragedy Athalie, crowds gathered outside to gaze at its façade, outdone in beauty only by its sumptuous salons, luxurious staircases, and chandeliers.
Palais Rohan
This historic building got off to a bit of a bad start, but certainly impresses today.
Bordeaux's historic city hall.
Cardinal prince Ferdinand Maximilien Mériadec de Rohan was named archbishop of Bordeaux in 1769, and shortly afterward decided he'd tired of his dank old medieval palace and ordered this luxurious residence built. However, the first architect was sacked because the archbishop didn't like his plan, and by the time the palace was finally completed in 1784, his excellency had already shuffled off this mortal coil. In any case, after serving as residence to subsequent high clergy (and in 1808 to Napoleon Bonaparte), it became the site of the city's government, opening its doors to tourists only several days per month (which should be confirmed by telephone). Behind the palace you'll find the palace gardens and the Museum of Fine Arts.
Gallien amphitheatre
Just a handful of ruined walls and arches, but graceful and suggestive of past glories.
Evocative remains of Bordeaux' Roman origins.
Like more than a few European cities, Bordeaux dates its origins back to colonisation by the Roman Empire, and this amphitheatre, on Rue du Docteur Albert Barraud, is pretty much what's left of ancient Burdigala, founded by Roman legions circa 60 BC who came to the area because of its iron deposits. The amphitheatre itself was built in the 3rd century AD with a capacity of 17,000 spectators - which gives some idea of how grand a city Burdigala grew to become. With the passage of centuries, the forum which once staged gladiator and other spectacles was repeatedly sacked, burned, and finally abandoned, leaving it in its current state, just a handful of partial walls and arches.
Place de la Victoire
Handsome monuments, lively street life, a great slice of old and new Bordeaux.
Victory Square, a key downtown crossroads.
Once the site of medieval fairs, jousts, and other celebrations, the Place de la Victoire is still important in the city's public life. The architecture dates from the 18th-century reubanisation, such as the Porte d'Aquitaine, finished in 1756 as a triumphal arch, incorporating heraldic and municipal symbols. The most recent addition was in 2005, in the form of a pink-marble obelisk and a pair of sculptures by the Czech artist Ivan Theimer in this pedestrian area, ground zero for the city's bohemian, artistic, and student life. A great way to soak up the local atmosphere for a couple of hours is watching the quaint streetcars pass by and street performers at their music and performance art while enjoying a drink or a coffee at one of the cafés around the plaza.
Cathedral of Saint Andrew
A Gothic-Romanesque treasure with a belltower offering smashing views over Bordeaux.
The city's historic cathedral, one of its most famous landmarks.
The Cathedral of Saint André, a Gothic church of Romanesque origin and major stop along the French leg of the Way of St. James (to Santiago de Compostela in northern Spain), is an integral part of Bordeaux's UNESCO World Heritage patrimony. Beset by difficulties from the beginning - starting with construction in the 11th century on shifty, swampy terrain - two of its four planned towers were left unfinished due to lack of funds. In the 15th century it was even necessary to sell one of the cathedral's venerable organs (considered the most beautiful in all of Christendom) in order to finance military escapades of the day. There's a belltower separate from the main nave, the Tour Pey-Berland, built in the 15th century and open to the public; it costs five euros to climb to the top, for a lovely panoramic view of the city.
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