What to see in Bordeaux, the home of wine

An ancient history, futuristic architecture, and an urban lifestyle make Bordeaux the ideal destination for a weekend or an escape from Paris. The elegant old town is home to the largest urban site classified as a UNESCO World Heritage, its riverside is a vibrant slice of European youth culture, and its surroundings range from prestigious vineyards to ocean sand dunes.

France's sixth-largest city is an ancient port city on the banks of the Garonne River and the heart of French wine culture. Majestic in its golden limestone buildings, charming in its medieval streets, industrial along its alternative riverbanks, the capital of the Aquitaine region is a delight to discover. Follow us to explore what to see in Bordeaux!

How to Visit Bordeaux

If you don't want to stress about organizing your travel itinerary, choose one of the many tours to discover the city. If you enjoy walking, opt for a guided tour of the old town, available in French or English. Alternatively, go for a segway or bike tour of Bordeaux.

For a comfortable city tour, hop on an electric car tour that also includes a visit to the Cité du Vin. Or let yourself be guided through the wonders of Bordeaux aboard a Citroën.

Food lovers will adore the gourmet tour of Bordeaux with an included lunch, of course. And if you're looking for a thrill, book a jet ski tour.

To save time and money, we also recommend getting the Bordeaux city pass, which gives you unlimited access to public transportation as well as major attractions and top museums.

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What to See in Bordeaux: A Tour of the Old Town

Place de la Bourse and Miroir d'eau

This is one of the most beautiful spots in Bordeaux, a masterpiece of French neoclassical architecture, and now a meeting place for locals and tourists alike.

Designed by Ange-Jacques Gabriel, the chief architect of King Louis XV, between 1730 and 1775, the square includes landmarks like the Hôtel de la Bourse, from which it takes its name, now the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Bordeaux. At the center, you'll find the Fountain of the Three Graces, replacing the former equestrian statue of King Louis XV and later Napoleon.

This semicircular royal square offers a magnificent opening from the medieval city to the Garonne River. But what makes it so famous is its Miroir d’Eau, classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site. This vast water feature, just 2 cm deep, reflects the square like a mirror, transforming Place de la Bourse into a magical spot, a playground for children, a romantic stroll for couples, and a refreshing oasis on hot days.

Before taking your most stunning Instagram photos, immerse yourself in the magic of the Miroir d’eau, programmed with three sequences: mist, mirror, and pool. Spend 20 minutes enjoying this spectacle, both day and night.

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Saint Pierre District

From the banks of the Garonne, where the imposing facades of neoclassical buildings stand, you wouldn’t expect to find a maze of picturesque streets like those in the medieval Saint Pierre district.

Here, you’ll find yourself in the heart of the old town. Wander through ancient streets whose names evoke the trades of the past: rue des Argentiers (goldsmiths), rue des Bahutiers (chest merchants), rue du Chai des Farines (grain storage).

Continue along rue Sainte-Catherine, one of Bordeaux's oldest streets, dating back to Roman times.

The city's longest pedestrian street at 1.2 km, rue Sainte-Catherine is now a shopping street with department stores, boutiques, and international retail chains.

But also explore the surrounding streets to find something more authentic. For example, at no. 11 rue Parlement Sainte-Catherine, you’ll see the building where, in 1718, Nicolas Beaujon, Bordeaux's first tycoon, was born. At no. 16 rue Fernand-Philippart, there’s the home of merchant Castagnet (1760) with its beautifully rounded wrought iron balcony. Or between rue du Cancéra and rue des Bahutiers, you’ll find a niche with the statue of Saint-Pierre, where feminist writer and Gauguin’s grandmother Flora Tristan is said to have died.

Don’t miss Place du Parlement, an Italian-style square with golden stone buildings, a true gem of the Saint Pierre district.

Stroll until you reach Porte Cailhau, the royal entrance to the city. Built in 1494, this monumental 25-meter-high gate was part of the medieval city walls, later demolished to highlight Bordeaux’s beautiful squares and streets, opening the city to the Garonne and its port.

If you want to delve deeper into Bordeaux's history, visit the exhibition inside the gate. For everyone else, it’s worth visiting just for the stunning view of the Pont de Pierre, one of Bordeaux’s oldest bridges.

The Bordeaux Cathedral, Saint-André

Located in Place Pey Berland, opposite the Hôtel de Ville, the Cathedral of Saint-André marks the boundary between old Bordeaux and the modern city.

Built in Gothic style between the 12th and 16th centuries, the cathedral hosted royal weddings such as the 1137 marriage of Eleanor of Aquitaine and Louis VII, future King of France, or that of Anne of Austria and Louis XIII, five centuries later.

Used as a fodder depot during the French Revolution and damaged by a fire in the 19th century, the cathedral was later restored and remains a central part of life in Bordeaux.

Be amazed by the royal portal in full French Gothic style from the 13th century, but especially by the separate bell tower, the Tour Pey Berland. Dating back to 1440, the bell tower rises skyward above Bordeaux.

Get ready to climb 229 steps to the top. The effort will be rewarded with a 50-meter-high view of the city.

Place des Quinconces

One of the largest city squares in Europe, Place des Quinconces has always hosted numerous festivals such as the foire aux plaisirs, the Arlette Gruss circus, and the autumn market.

This large green esplanade gently slopes toward the Garonne River and is lined with tree-lined avenues. It is the arrangement of the trees into five units that gives the square its name. Stroll past monumental statues of Montaigne and Montesquieu in white marble, leading to the Girondins fountain, a tribute to the revolutionaries of Bordeaux celebrating the republic.

Grand Théâtre

Not far from Place des Quinconces, in the Comédie square, stands the Grand Théâtre, another Bordeaux landmark. Inaugurated in 1780, the theater is a masterpiece of elegance, announcing its grandeur from the peristyle made up of 12 Corinthian columns.

Dream in the grand hall with its circular dome painted by Claude Robin in the 18th century and take a seat among the thousand blue, white, and gold armchairs, royal colors that recall the Opéra of the Palace of Versailles.

If you are not a fan of ballet, opera, and symphonic concerts, it is still worth visiting the Grand Théâtre. Remember that booking is mandatory for the visit.

For foodies, a good reason to visit is the restaurant of the famous Philippe Etchebest, Le Quatrième Mur.

La grosse cloche

La grosse cloche is the bell tower of the former Hôtel de Ville, built in the 15th century along the Camino de Santiago. The door allows access to medieval Bordeaux and once opened onto the cours Victor Hugo, a moat that bordered the city walls. The bell once rang during harvest or in case of fire. Today, you will only hear it ring if you are lucky enough to visit Bordeaux on the first Sunday of the month.

Bordeaux Museums

La Cité du Vin: The Wine Museum

A beacon of Bordeaux’s wine tourism and an icon of the city, La Cité du Vin is one of the primary reasons to visit the capital of Aquitaine. Every year, thousands of visitors come to explore the richness and diversity of the world's vineyards. Ranked among the best museums in the world by National Geographic, La Cité du Vin offers a spectacular journey through the world of wine across different eras, countries, and cultures.

A museum that explains the world of enology to the general public in a unique architectural setting. Spanning 13,350 m², this 55-meter high glass and wood structure is divided into 10 floors, with volumes and shapes that evoke a sense of continuous movement and flow.

Don't miss the permanent exhibition on the second floor, which leads visitors on a discovery of wine.

Finish your visit at the panoramic terrace, 35 meters high, where you can enjoy a wine tasting with a panoramic view of Bordeaux and its surroundings.

Check the agenda for temporary exhibitions and numerous events.

• Tickets for La Cité du Vin include the audio guide (available in Italian), access to the panoramic terrace, and a wine tasting, and can be booked online.

Other Museums in Bordeaux

• Musée d’Aquitaine: offers an interesting overview of the history of Bordeaux and the region through prominent figures such as Aliénor d'Aquitaine and Michel de Montaigne.
• CAPC: contemporary art museum located in a former colonial goods warehouse, offering one of the richest contemporary art collections in France.
• Musée des arts décoratifs et du design in an 18th-century hôtel particulier.
• Musée des beaux-arts: modern art in Bordeaux's oldest museum, dating back to the French Revolution.
• Musée d’histoire naturelle de Bordeaux: one of Bordeaux's first natural history museums, which hosted its first collection in 1791.
• Musée Mer Marine: a very recent museum opened on June 21, 2019, located in the historic port, which tells the story of the sea and its relationship with humans, the ocean, and the city of Bordeaux through the Port de la Lune, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
• Antique submarine base: now a cultural center hosting exhibitions, concerts, and performances in the former submarine base built by the Germans between 1941 and 1943 during the occupation of Bordeaux to house German and Italian submarines returning from the Atlantic.

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Quays of the Left Bank

After visiting monuments and museums, follow the locals and head towards the quays, the riverside, of the left bank for a stroll along the Garonne. UNESCO World Heritage, the quays, with 18th-century building facades overlooking the river, are today beloved by Bordeaux residents as a place for relaxation, meeting, and sports. If you're athletic, head to the Parc des sports Saint Michel or the skate park.

With children, head to Cap Sciences, an exhibition center that hosts fascinating displays. If you'd like to enjoy a sunset or a pleasant time with company, have a picnic on the riverside in front of the Miroir d’eau.

On weekends, the quai des marques is the perfect place for shopping at great prices, having a drink, or brunching on the terrace with a view of the Garonne.
After all, the majesty of the Jacques Chaban-Delmas bridge is truly impressive.

And the Right Bank Quays?

Alternative, artistic, engaged.

On the quai des Queyries, you'll find Darwin, a former military barracks of 20,000 square meters now converted into a cultural center, open-air museum, gastronomic gathering spot, and an ideal city inspired by the green economy. Here, you'll find an urban farm, an XXL skatepark, free-expression spaces for graffiti artists, an organic grocery store, Le Magasin général restaurant, a co-working space, and a bike polo field.

Darwin is open to all, but if visiting for the first time, join a guided tour.

Garonne River Cruises

If you want to discover Bordeaux from another perspective, choose one of the many river cruises on the Garonne to admire the city and prestigious vineyards in the surroundings. For example, check out the river cruise with lunch on board.

If you are a fan of cruises, consider arriving in Bordeaux on one of the ships that regularly dock at Port de la Lune, the city’s historic port.

Bordeaux Public Garden

If you need some fresh air on a beautiful day, head to the public garden. You'll feel like you're in the countryside, right in the city center. With Bordeaux's light-colored stone, 18th-century architecture, a stream, and century-old trees, this green lung of the city spans 11 hectares.

For children, you'll find play areas and the Guignol Guérin puppet theater, according to Lyon’s tradition. Surrounded by a series of hôtels particuliers, the public garden also hosts the Natural History Museum, an ancient botanical garden, and the Orangerie bar and restaurant.

It is worth taking a stroll through what is classified as a "Jardin Remarquable de France".

Where to eat in Bordeaux

Bordeaux is said to have the most restaurants per capita in France, so you shouldn't have trouble finding something good to eat.

If you are wandering around the Saint-Pierre district and looking for a place for lunch or an informal dinner, Belle Campagne is the right address: seasonal menu and zero-kilometer products in a small and cozy spot.

If you want to savor a good wine from the Bordeaux region, head to Le Flacon, a wine bar where you can pair small dishes with excellent bottles.

If you're a foodie, choose Garopapilles, the restaurant of chef Tanguy Laviale with a wine boutique and Michelin-starred dishes.

If you are exiting the Grand Théâtre, try Le Quatrième Mur, the restaurant of chef Philippe Etchebest, now a television star. Ask for the menu of his brasserie for a less demanding dinner compared to "LA" Table d’Hôtes.

Miles, on the other hand, is the modern bistro run by a quartet of chefs from Israel, Japan, New Caledonia, and Vietnam. The result is a culinary journey around the world with dishes like swordfish with curry and coconut jelly, coriander, and lime. Racines is the bistro of Glasgow chef Daniel Gallacher. Le chien de Pavlov is the contemporary bistro run by Bordeaux chefs Mary Henchley and Maxime Rosselin.

For a fixed-price lunch based on the best local products, head to Cagette. But if you're visiting Bordeaux for the first time, don't miss Le Bouchon Bordelais, a typical and cozy French restaurant that chef Frédéric Vigouroux calls an “imaginative bistro.”

And if you can't decide, book a gourmet tour of the city, like the itinerary that uncovers the art de vivre of France through history, culture, and food. Stops include three local producers: a bakery, a chocolate factory, and a cheese shop.

For lovers of wine and cheese, treat yourself to a tasting in an authentic cellar in the city center. And if you're heading home and want to impress your friends, sign up for a wine-tasting course.

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What to see in Bordeaux and its surroundings

The Wine Routes

Bordeaux has six wine routes. To the northwest, Médoc and the château route, to the south Sauternes and Graves, the cradle of the wine region, to the northeast Saint-Emilion and its medieval village, then Blaye and Bourg, small villages connected by the “route de la corniche”, the road along the estuary where the Garonne and Dordogne rivers meet. The sixth route is Bordeaux itself, the gateway to the wine region.

So don't forget to plan a tour in the surroundings of Bordeaux with wine tours, vineyard evenings, and wine cruises for all budgets and tastes.

If you want to explore the Médoc region, book, for example, a day tour through vineyards and châteaux, departing from Bordeaux in a minivan.

If you're more interested in Saint-Emilion, a UNESCO heritage village, join a tour that will take you to discover the vineyards and the Pomerol château. Cycling enthusiasts can also do a bike tour of Saint-Emilion.

If you're short on time, opt for a half-day tour.

Finally, if you don't like big groups, you might book a private tour of the vineyards of Saint-Emilion.

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The Arcachon Basin and the Pilat Dune

70 km southwest of Bordeaux, you'll find the Bassin d’Arcachon, a saltwater basin connected to the Atlantic Ocean, where you can explore ancient villages, ports serving seafood, vast beaches and pine forests. But the journey is especially worth it for the breathtaking view of the Pilat Dune, the tallest dune in Europe, constantly shifting.

It rises between 100 and 115 meters, moving eastward from 1 to 5 meters per year under the influence of the winds and tides.

So climb to the top using the steps provided for visitors from Easter to November, or prepare to climb this mountain of sand.

In return, enjoy a view of the sandy dunes facing the ocean, where the interplay of lights and colors makes it magical. Finally, relax on the Corniche beach.

Alternatively, take a boat and head to the Banc d’Arguin, the sandy islet opposite, which, like the Pilat Dune, constantly changes shape.

Among the tours offered, take a look at the half-day itinerary from Bordeaux to Arcachon with Pilat Dune and oyster tasting. For a special occasion, you could even take a helicopter ride over the Arcachon Bay. What better way to enjoy the view?

If not, consider combining two of the most popular excursions around Bordeaux into one day: Arcachon Bay and the Médoc wine region.

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How to get to Bordeaux

• By plane from Italy: new low-cost routes from cities like Bari, Bologna, Venice, and Naples, in addition to regular daily flights
• By train from Italy: departures from Milan and Turin
• By train from Paris: in less than 3 hours by train

What are you waiting for to book your trip to Bordeaux?