Best Things to Do in Bordeaux

For starters, there are plenty of museums to explore, such as the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Musée des Beaux Arts and the Museum of Natural History. That's why in this article I'll show you some of the best things to see and do in Bordeaux.

There are also plenty of restaurants and bars to visit if you want to try French food and drinks. If you are a sports lover, you can visit the Bordeaux Municipal Stadium, which hosts football matches and other sporting events.

During your tour of Bordeaux, you can spend an afternoon tasting in the French countryside in Saint-Émilion or Médoc, one of the two famous wine regions, in the middle of a must-do activity if you visit the city, which is none other than one of the best wine tours in Bordeaux.

On the half-day tour you'll get to visit two impressive châteaux and sample at least four of the local wines, French cheese and bacon on freshly baked bread. At the end of the tour you will have a short lesson where you will learn some wine tasting tips from an expert.

Details of interest

• Price: This experience costs approximately 110 euros per person.
• Time: It will take you around 5 hours and 30 minutes to complete the experience.
• How to get there: You will arrive at the meeting point, which will be the Place des Quinconces, and from there you will get into the car in which you will do the whole tour. It is important that you are there at least ten minutes before the tour starts.

The Saint-Pierre district is the historic centre of Bordeaux, so it is precisely here that you should start your tour of the city of Bordeaux. You will love to lose yourself in the thousands of cobbled streets, to discover the true essence of the city.

In one of these streets you will have the chance to come across medieval gems, such as the Grosse Cloche, an ancient bell tower that stands out as one of the most beautiful in France. You'll also be able to browse and discover some craft stalls and restaurants ideal for lunch.

You can stroll through the historic centre at any time of the day, but if you go in the evening**, you'll be delighted to see how the living stone frames the terraces of cafés, restaurants** and several of the bars where the night begins. In these restaurants and bars you'll be delighted to learn about culinary traditions from around the world.

On the other hand, if you're strolling around San Pedro during the day, it's a good idea to take a walk to explore the shops, grab an ice cream or take pictures of every corner of the city. Many of the best day trips from Bordeaux leave from Saint Pierre.

Details of interest

• Price: You have the option of doing a self-guided tour for free, or you can do a paid tour which can cost around 50 euros per person.
• Timetable: You can visit the Saint Pierre neighbourhood either at night or during the day, so you can have a different tour each time.
• How to get there: You can get to the Saint Pierre neighbourhood by private car or even on foot, so you can explore each of its spaces in comfort.

The Saint-André Cathedral is perhaps one of the most important historical sites in Bordeaux. It is a Gothic style church which has been declared a World Heritage Site and is part of the Way of St. James. It is very special thanks to its unexpected appeal and incongruous façade, as well as its free-standing bell tower.

A devastating fire in the 19th century destroyed much of the church, so a great effort has been made to rebuild it. One of its doors, the one on the north façade, is the closest to the French Gothic style of the 13th century. After the restoration, the cathedral returned to its original appearance.

To visit it you will have to go to Place Peberin, which is opposite the Palais Rohan, where the town hall is also located. What you will find most interesting about St. Andrew's Cathedral is that it marks the border between the old town and the modern city of Bordeaux.

If you want to visit the free-standing bell tower, you will have to bear in mind that the visit is a bit demanding, since you will have to climb about 229 steps to reach the top, at about 50 metres. From there you will be fascinated by the extraordinary view of the city and its ruins, worthy of including in your one-day tour of Bordeaux.

Interesting details

• Price: To enter the Cathedral you don't have to pay anything as the entrance is free.
• Opening hours: The cathedral opens between 14:00 and 19:00 on Mondays. On Tuesdays and from Thursday to Saturday it is open between 10:00 and 12:00. It is also open from 14:00 to 18:00 on Sundays.
• How to get there: You can get there by private car, public transport or on foot to Place Pey Berland.

The "Miroir d'eau" is easily the most photographed place in Bordeaux, as it is an esplanade flooded with about two centimetres of water that recreates a mirror effect. It is definitely one of those places you have to go if you visit Bordeaux with children, because they are the ones who enjoy playing on the esplanade the most.

This place is a good option to include among the best things to see and do in Bordeaux in July, a month noted for its hot summer weather, a season in which you will love to take refreshing walks with your feet in the water of the esplanade. It is located right in front of the elegant Palacio de la Bolsa.

If there is something to highlight about this Water Mirror, it is that it is one of the most emblematic works of French architecture of the 18th century, and it is also considered a Contemporary World Heritage Site. You have to take beautiful pictures of this place.

Interesting details

• Price: You don't have to pay anything to visit the site.
• Time: You can go at any time of the day, although it is better to do it in the afternoon, when the sun is already setting, because the landscape becomes much more beautiful.
• How to get there: To get to this place you have to go to the Palacio de la Bolsa and to get there it is very easy, you can do it on foot or using public transport. You can also go by private car.

One of the must-see attractions in Bordeaux is the famous stone bridge or pont du pierre. This bridge crosses the famous Jarun River and is the only way for locals and tourists to admire the river and its scenery. You can cross it by car, tram, on foot or by bicycle.

It is definitely a must to include in any Bordeaux itinerary in 2 days or less, because it is worth going to enjoy the most beautiful sunset in the city from the bridge. I recommend this place because in a matter of minutes you will be able to get some of the most beautiful panoramic views of the city.

Besides having a long history, since its construction began in 1810 by order of Napoleon I, it is also a structure full of curious stories. For example, the 17 arches of the bridge correspond in number to the number of letters of Napoleon Bonaparte.

It was the first bridge to be built and has since become one of the most prominent symbols of the city.

Interesting details

• Price: You don't have to pay anything to visit the bridge and cross it, so it's a good plan if you're on a budget.
• Time: You can get to this place at any time of the day.
• How to get there: To get to the Stone Bridge, you will have to go by private car, public transport or walking.

Whether you choose to visit Bordeaux in 3 days, two or less, La Bourse should always be at the top of your list of places to see in the city. It is a classic 18th century structure, which will definitely not leave you indifferent. It was built between 1730 and 1775, thanks to the creativity of Anges Jacques Gabriel and served as a first breach for the medieval ramparts in Bordeaux.

The square was originally intended to house an equestrian statue to honour Louis XV, one of France's most famous kings, but the French Revolution destroyed it. A few years later, in 1749, the Place de la Bourse was finally inaugurated, and has since become one of the symbols of prosperity and modernity for Bordeaux.

Interesting details

• Price: Visiting the Place de la Bourse is free so it's one of those places you can include in your visit if you're travelling on a budget.
• Time: You can visit the Place de la Bourse at any time of the day, because every time you visit you will find a different landscape.
• How to get there: To get to the Plaza de la Bolsa you'll have to get there by car or public transport, although you can also walk there if you're staying nearby.

If there's one place you can't miss in Bordeaux, it's the Wine and Business Museum, which was founded in a warehouse and gives you the opportunity to scrutinise the history of wine in Bordeaux. During the tour of the museum you will be able to get to know different relevant features about the practice of wine in the city.

You will also have the opportunity to learn about the history of many winemaking families in the region, the classification of the wine factories, and above all you will learn about the importance of the port's role in the city. Inside the Bordeaux Museum of Trade and Wine you will also learn about the great wine merchants and their history in the city.

You will be able to see a wide range of illustrative images, while learning more about wine preservation. You will also taste products from Bordeaux's vineyards. It's a good plan to include among the things to see and do in Bordeaux in May, when it's not yet the summer season, to join the city's wine route.

Interesting details

• Price: To enter the museum and enjoy the tour and tastings, you will have to pay around 7 to 8 euros per person.
• Opening hours: You can visit the museum from Tuesday to Friday between 9:30am and 1:30pm, as well as between 5:00pm and 8:30pm. On Saturdays it is open from 10:00 to 14:00 and from 17:00 to 20:30, while on Sundays it is open in the morning between 10:00 and 14:00.
• How to get there: It's located in the Royal Louis XV Arcade building, so you can get there either way: on foot if you're close to the site, by private car or using public transport.

Believe it or not, one of the best things to do in Bordeaux in October, when autumn sets in and the cold starts to set in, is to check out the Utopia Cinema, which is far from being like other cinemas. It is a cinema located in a former 15th century church.

The place is classified as an independent cinema and it is amazing because it offers a diverse programme, so if you are a person who loves interesting and socially relevant topics, this is the place for you. In this cinema you will be able to see the screening of films from small independent producers and distributors, as well as you will be able to see films with enough budget.

If you are someone who likes to give your opinion on everything you have seen on screen, you will surely love Utopia Cinema because it is a participatory type of cinema, where you can give your opinion and discuss about the topic you have just seen. Utopia is considered to be the most international cinema in the city, because foreign films are shown in their original language and with subtitles.

Interesting details

• Price: The ticket price is quite moderate compared to normal cinema. You can expect to pay around 3 to 4 euros per ticket.
• Opening hours: The screenings are usually held in the evening, so you will have to check the listings before you go in.
• How to get there: The cinema is located at 5 place Camille Jullian, which you can reach by car or by public transport, which is generally the best option in the city.

A building dating from 1780, this theatre has been declared a French historical monument. It is home to the National Opera and Ballet of Bordeaux, and of course, it is also the place where the best shows are performed. It is located in the Place de la Comedie, which is also one of the most influential places in the city.

In the whole complex there is a specific area that will surely catch your attention, and that is the dressing rooms of the Bordeaux Opera company. You will be struck by the fact that many of them are still original. If you enter the place on a guided tour you will be able to see how the stonework is meticulously carved and impressive details in the middle of a space that is very similar to the Hall of Mirrors in Versailles.

Almost the entire venue is structured mainly by pieces of wood, which are key to achieve excellent acoustics. Overall the place will leave you wanting to take lots of photos and appreciate the incredible architecture. If you include this visit on your list of things to see and do in Bordeaux in June, you'll probably be able to catch a show or two.

Details of interest

• Price: To get in to see this place, you will have to go on a guided tour which can cost around 6 euros per ticket. However, children and young people under the age of 18 get in for free.
• Opening hours: You can visit the Grand Théâtre de Bordeaux from Thursday to Saturday between 13:00 and 18:30.
• How to get there: The Grand Théâtre is located in the Place de la Comédie in Bordeaux, so you can access it on foot if you are nearby, by private car and park nearby; or you can go by public transport.

The Grosse Cloche, also known as Porte Saint-Eloi, served as one of the main gates of the city wall after the expansion of Bordeaux. This enormous building in front of the Church of Sant'Eloi will catch your attention because it is located on the route to Santiago de Compostela.

It is a 13th century town hall bell tower, which over time and thanks to its strategic location, has become the voice of Bordeaux, both to announce joy and to bring sadness through its sound.

Today the belfry rings six times a year to commemorate important celebrations: on 1 January for New Year's Day, on 1 May for Workers' Day, on 8 May for Victory Day 1945, on 14 July for France Day, on 28 August to commemorate the liberation of Bordeaux from German occupation and on 11 November for Armistice Day 1918.

The bell also rings every first Sunday of the month at 12:00 noon. A good way to tour this place is by taking a panoramic bus from which you can admire the tower while listening to a 70-minute audio guide in which you will not only learn interesting details about the bell tower, but also about other monuments relevant to Bordeaux.

Interesting details

• Price: You don't need to pay anything to admire the bell tower from the outside. However, a visit inside can cost around 5 euros per person.
• Opening times: You can take a guided tour of the tower between March and May and from October to November between 14:00 and 17:00 on Saturdays only. From June to September you can sign up for a guided tour every day between 13:00 and 19:00, with entrance every 45 minutes. If you want to visit it on your own, you can go at the same times, but on your own.
• How to get there: You can visit the Great Bell by private car, public transport or on foot, bearing in mind that it is in the heart of the city of Bordeaux, at 45 Rue Saint-James, between Rue Saint James and Rue de Guienne.