10 Things to Do in Bordeaux in May

French cities are characterised by a very extensive cultural agenda that intensifies in late spring and throughout the summer. In fact, the best things to do in Bordeaux take place in May, June and July. Would you like to discover them?

I recommend that you continue reading this publication in which I have compiled the 10 best activities for you, whether you are travelling with friends, with your family or with the little ones at home.

The world of opera is one of France's cultural heritages, which is why cities create events to give young people access to this type of activity. Right in May, a weekend event called Tous À L'opéra is organised. This is a festival with rehearsals, lectures and performances, as well as educational workshops and activities for both children and teenagers, at the Bordeaux opera house.

The specific venue for the official concerts is the Grand-Théâtre and most of the activities are free of charge. However, some special concerts may cost around €8.

This is such an important event for the culture of this region that it is often part of the itinerary of a three-day visit to Bordeaux for those who know it. You should also know that if your trip to the city does not coincide with this date, you can still visit the Bordeaux National Opera, as it is part of the list of monuments to which you have access if you buy your Bordeaux City Pass.

Bordeaux is known for having one of the most important wine industries in the world. In fact, the area has different appellations that excel in growing different types of grapes and developing an innovative wine process, a benchmark of undisputed quality.

And May is an ideal time to book a St-Emilion excursion and explore the region, as during the weekends of this month an open-door event is organised, where you can visit the cellars free of charge with a pass that includes free tastings and guided tours through the facilities.

As the specific conditions of these open house weekends change every year, as well as the number of wineries that add to the experience, my recommendation is to opt for the best Bordeaux wine tours if your budget allows.

• Prices: when it comes to wine tours along the different cellars of Medoc or St-Emilion the price is usually around €100 per person.
• Duration: these guided tours usually last around five and a half hours.

La Guinguette chez Alriq is one of Bordeaux's most popular establishments. It is a tapas and pizza bar located at the northern end of the Parc Aux Angeliques, on the west bank of the Garonne. The place stands out for its excellent views of both the river and the buildings of the city centre at the other end.

May marks the beginning of its reopening for the summer season. For this reason, a series of concerts by local artists of considerable importance to the Bordeaux music scene are organised throughout the month. So going to this place to enjoy the sunset while you enjoy its gastronomic offer is one of the most authentic experiences you can have during the month of May. Especially because it is the ultimate representation of a neighbourhood tavern on the banks of the river that crosses the city from one end to the other.

Another way to enjoy French cuisine is to book a gastronomic tour of Bordeaux, where you will discover the country's main culinary offerings.

May is a month characterised by the ideal weather to enjoy nature without having to deal with the influx of tourists that starts to happen during the rest of the summer season. For this reason, one of the best things to do in Bordeaux is to take part in one of the best day trips from Bordeaux. Especially if it's one that takes you directly to the Atlantic coast in the south of the country.

The town of Arcachon is a place I highly recommend because of its proximity to a nature reserve with the largest sand dunes in Europe. The best way to get there is to book a trip to Arcachon from Bordeaux. This way, you won't have to worry about the logistics.

But along the coast you'll find other towns and tourist destinations worth visiting, including Soulac-sur-Mer and the town of Royan.

During one weekend in May, two evenings of concerts are organised in and around the Cathedral. Book a guided tour of Bordeaux and you will be able to find your way around and be informed in more detail about this activity.

The specific dates of these concerts change every year and so does the exact time of the concerts. The only thing that remains the same is the fact that there are always two sessions on each of the days and that they are held on both Friday and Saturday in order to give you more options to enjoy one of the most beautiful architectural spaces in the city.

The music is provided by the city's symphony orchestra and admission is free. So this plan is highly recommended if you are interested in enjoying the music and the beautiful lighting that characterises these classical music concerts every year.

• Duration: the concerts usually last 1 hour and 45 minutes for each session and you should bear in mind that there are two performances each day of the event.
• Location: Pl. Pey Berland, 33000 Bordeaux, France.

Open-air markets are an event quite characteristic of French culture and, specifically during the month of May, one of the biggest of the year takes place in the city of Bordeaux. The name of the market is El Gran Brocante and it is a kind of flea market where antique dealers, horticulturists, restaurants and craftsmen come together and you can get the best paintings, antique furniture, gastronomic proposals and garden accessories.

The event is free and the duration of the market is also a very favourable aspect. You can browse the stalls from early morning until dusk. The dates of the event change every year, but it usually runs from the third weekend in April to mid-May.

In fact, it is such a popular event with collectors and lovers of curiosities and antiques that it is one of those things you can't miss on a one-day visit to Bordeaux, as people from all over the south of France flock to the Place des Quinconces to take advantage of the diverse range of objects on offer at this market.

A couple of kilometres north of the Bordeaux metropolitan area lies the Terres d'Oiseaux. This site is a private nature reserve that forms part of the estuary at the mouth of the Garonne river on the Atlantic Ocean and is basically a birdwatching site on one of the most important migratory routes in Europe.

Terres d'Oiseaux is also an excellent place to enjoy the good weather and nature along the extensive and perfectly conditioned grounds. So another of the best things to do during the month of May is to visit this site during the nature festival held on a weekend at the end of the month. An ideal time to enjoy free bird watching and a tour of the estuary.

The biggest drawback is that you will need to get here on your own. Although the fact that you have the chance to kayak the estuary or enjoy a perfect picnic through the grasslands makes it a plan that is still recommended for the rest of the spring and summer. In fact, it's also one of the best things to do in Bordeaux in July, but you'll have to pay for that visit.

Every year in May, Bordeaux's Parc des Expositions becomes the main venue for the Bordeaux Foire Internationale, a multicultural event that addresses current issues such as pollution and economic challenges.

The themes change every year and there are dance and art exhibitions, as well as a wide range of other activities. You should know that there are pavilions focused on agriculture and others on technology and robotics. In addition, there are halls oriented towards gastronomy and innovation in clothing.

Bear in mind that the fair usually takes place during the second or third week of May. It can therefore fit perfectly into the itinerary of a two-day visit to the city of Bordeaux. You should also know that admission to the fairgrounds is free, but you are responsible for what you consume in any of the establishments.

Circus-style art with mocking and comedic overtones are a very characteristic cultural element of French entertainment and so during the month of May Bordeaux hosts the Les Cogitations Festival where different types of live comedy and sarcastic acts take place and it is definitely one of the most important activities of the season, culturally speaking.

The venue is usually L'entrepot in Lehaillan and depending on the acts and the time you wish to attend it is likely to be an adult or family event. You should also know that admission is completely free for most of the events.

The duration of the festival is another interesting detail because it usually runs throughout the first half of May, which means you'll have different opportunities to enjoy this take on French comedy.

The smallest town in France is just a couple of kilometres south-west of the centre of Bordeaux. A place that has become a favourite springtime tourist destination because its narrow streets are filled with flowers specifically at this time of year. Moreover, May is the last month in which you can enjoy this place in peace and quiet, because from this time onwards there is a lot of tourism.

Exactly for this reason, during your trip to Bordeaux in May, you should take the opportunity to take a short trip to this town that fulfils all the aesthetics of what you can imagine of a French rural village.

In fact, you should also know that this place is considered one of the best things to do in Bordeaux during the month of October because the autumn season is another ideal time of the year to visit the old and handcrafted houses of this village.

During the month of May in Bordeaux maximum temperatures are likely to be around 23°C while minimum temperatures can reach 11°C especially at night. An ideal time to enjoy some of the best things to do in Bordeaux.

The number of tourists in Bordeaux during the month of May is a little more significant than in the first months of the year, but still remains more favourable than in the rest of the summer. This means that it is not essential to book in advance all the tourist services you wish to enjoy.

Prices in Bordeaux during the month of May are still a little more moderate compared to the summer months. However, it is still a little more expensive than a trip during the cold winter or autumn months.

During your visit to Bordeaux in May you should pack footwear that is suitable for walking both in the city and in nature and, above all, a good coat, as there is a good chance that the nights will be cold enough for you to have to wear different layers of clothing.