Destination guide

Bordeaux

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Bordeaux is a handsome port city in south-west France, rebuilt in the eighteenth century in pale stone, and famous around the world for its wine. The old centre is a World Heritage site, and a long riverfront promenade has become the city's living room.

It is calm, elegant and easy to walk. It combines the pleasures of a city with a very good food scene and some of the best wine country in the world nearby.

How many days: 3

Three days covers the city, a wine tour and a food-focused evening. Two is enough for the city alone.

Wine regions such as Saint-Émilion and the Médoc are close. You can reach them by train, bus or a guided tour.

What to do in Bordeaux

Walk the Garonne waterfront
A long riverside promenade with gardens, fountains and a famous reflecting pool. A favourite place for locals to walk, skate and cycle.
See the Place de la Bourse
A grand eighteenth-century square facing the river. The water mirror in front creates a famous reflection.
Visit the Cité du Vin
A museum devoted to wine and its culture. It ends with a tasting on a viewing deck over the city.
Take a wine tour
Visit vineyards in Saint-Émilion or the Médoc, with tastings. Book with a reputable guide and plan transport in advance.
Explore the old town
The pedestrian streets are lined with shops, cafes and historic buildings. Rue Sainte-Catherine is one of the longest shopping streets in Europe.
Visit the Saint-Michel and Saint-Pierre quarters
Lively old districts with markets, bars and squares. A good place to be in the evening.
Climb the Pey-Berland tower
A bell tower next to the cathedral with a view over the city. The climb is steep.
Visit the Bassins des Lumières
A digital art centre in a former submarine base, with large projections on concrete walls. A striking and unusual space.
Cycle through the Chartrons district
A former wine merchants' quarter with antique shops, cafes and a Sunday market by the river. A relaxed place for an afternoon.

What to eat and drink

Wine
Bordeaux is one of the world's great wine regions, famous for red blends. Ask for a recommendation by the glass.
Canelé
A small, caramelised pastry with a soft custard centre. A Bordeaux speciality.
Oysters from the Arcachon basin
Fresh oysters from the nearby bay are popular, especially with white wine. A classic local starter.
Entrecôte à la bordelaise
Steak cooked with a red wine sauce. A regional classic.
Local cheeses and charcuterie
Look for sheep cheeses from the Pyrenees, and cured meats from the south-west.
Lillet
A local aperitif wine served chilled with a slice of orange. A refreshing drink before dinner.
Dune blanche pastries
A light choux pastry filled with cream, a Bordeaux speciality sold in local bakeries. Pair one with a coffee after a walk by the river.

Getting around

The centre is flat and easy to walk. Trams are the best way to reach the other districts, and cover the main sights.

Bikes are easy to rent, with wide cycle paths along the river.

A fast train links Bordeaux to Paris in about two hours.

Good to know

  • Summers are warm and winters are mild and often wet. Early autumn is the harvest season and a good time for wine.
  • Book wine tours in advance, especially in high season. Many chateaux are only open by appointment.
  • If you plan to taste wine, arrange a driver or tour. Do not drive after drinking.
  • Restaurants close at set times, and many are closed on Sundays and Mondays. Check before you go.
  • The city is easy to visit by train, with a central station and a fast link to Paris. You do not need a car, even for the wine country.

Where to stay in Bordeaux

6 neighbourhoods, described the way a friend would - what each is actually like, not the brochure version.

Saint-Pierre

Bordeaux's old-town core surrounds Place du Parlement, Porte Cailhau and the Garonne quays, with restaurants and wine bars filling narrow streets. It is the obvious first-time base; crowds, nightlife noise and central hotel prices are the trade-off.

Saint-Michel

The multicultural streets around Basilique Saint-Michel and Marché des Capucins mix inexpensive food, bars and everyday city life close to Saint-Jean station. It suits value-conscious travellers and nightlife; some streets feel scruffier and evenings are noisier than Bordeaux's polished western quarters.

Chartrons

Former wine-merchant streets around Rue Notre-Dame and Quai des Chartrons now mix antique shops, cafés and smart restaurants beside the river. It suits couples and repeat visitors wanting local polish; the old-town monuments require a short tram ride or longer walk.

Grands Hommes

Bordeaux's Golden Triangle around Cours de l'Intendance, Allées de Tourny and the Grand Théâtre concentrates luxury shops, refined restaurants and grand stone architecture. It is the smart upmarket base; accommodation and dining are among the city's priciest.

Saint-Seurin & Fondaudège

Stone townhouses, neighbourhood shops and the Jardin Public give this residential district a calmer feel close to central Bordeaux. It suits families and longer stays; nightlife is limited and the biggest historic sights are not immediately outside the door.

La Bastide

Across the Garonne, La Bastide combines the Botanical Garden, riverside paths and views back towards Place de la Bourse. It suits families and travellers wanting greenery and space; restaurant choice is thinner and most classic Bordeaux sights remain across the river.

When to go

Typical conditions by month - daytime high, night-time low, and rainy days.

MonthHighLowRain days
Jan 10°C3°C 11
Feb 11°C3°C 9
Mar 15°C5°C 10
Apr 17°C8°C 12
May 21°C11°C 12
Jun 24°C14°C 10
Jul 26°C16°C 8
Aug 27°C17°C 8
Sep 24°C14°C 9
Oct 19°C11°C 11
Nov 14°C7°C 12
Dec 11°C4°C 12

What it costs

A typical day in Bordeaux, per person, in pounds.

£59

Shoestring - hostels, street food, public transport.

£125

Comfortable - a decent hotel, restaurants, the odd taxi.

£149

Treating yourself - the good hotel, the good tables.

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