Things to do in Bordeaux
- Start off with something to eat. At the Halles de Bacalan food market, a hit with hungry young locals, you’ll be spoilt for choice. On the menu of South-West specialities: foie gras, Spanish-style tapas, fish and oysters from Arcachon Bay, truffles. In all, there are more than 20 traders waiting to welcome you and tempt your taste buds. If you happen to be there in summer, sit outside on the terrace.
- When you’re done, continue on for just a few more steps to the Cité du Vin. It’s hailed as a must-see in Bordeaux. Tip: opt for the immersive Via Sensoria tour and awaken your senses through the changing seasons. The most important sense is taste, as you’ll be accompanied by a guide sommelier whose highly important mission is to enable you to taste four world wines that are connected to the artistic décor around you, as well as the seasons.
- Head out onto the Garonne river on a Thursday evening with Au Fil de l’O for a two-hour cruise complete with on-board drinks and snacks. Mix up your modes of transport a little by taking to the water rather than the rails, and going by yacht rather than by train. You’ll then have two hours on the Garonne, enjoying drinks and nibbles as you watch the sun set over Bordeaux.
![[image]Place de la Bourse in Bordeaux, France](/sites/default/files/2024-11/%5Bimage%5DPlace%20de%20la%20Bourse%20in%20Bordeaux%2C%20France.jpeg)
![[image]Couché de soleil sur un vignoble à Bordeaux](/sites/default/files/2024-11/%5Bimage%5DSunset-landscape-bordeaux-wineyard-france.jpg)
- For culture vultures, Bordeaux is the place to be. In the city’s former submarine base, known as the Bassin des Lumières, you’ll find some of the most astonishing digital art exhibits of the year. From the outside, you’d never guess what’s hidden behind these massive stones. One thing’s for sure, though: once inside, you’ll be plunged into what feels like a parallel universe.
- Hop off on the other side of the river for the Darwin eco-district. This intriguing community space is a real hit with locals. Skaters, artists, entrepreneurs, activists and foodies come together in this unique spot – an old barracks transformed into a third space. The small square hosts events all year round and we recommend you explore the whole district, with its big skate parks, small, sustainable restaurants, and secondhand markets.
- Obviously, you can’t miss the city centre and the Saint-Pierre neighbourhood. If you’re there at the weekend, maybe give the Rue Sainte-Catherine a miss, as it will be packed. Feel free to wander around the rest of the area, where you can discover Bordeaux architecture and enjoy a nice coffee on a sunny terrace.
- Drive (or take the train) to Arcachon Bay for a day by the ocean. If you’re there for longer than a weekend, choose your means of transport to get to Arcachon. The Dune of Pilat, long jetties, fresh oysters, lighthouses and beach huts are waiting to greet those who spend the rest of the year dreaming of the sea.


📆 When to go to Bordeaux
🗓 Events to attend
June - Enjoy a good quille wine? The Bordeaux Wine Fair takes place in June!
June/July/August - Bordeaux Open Air. Turn it up! In summer, Bordeaux’s parks and gardens thrum to the sound of electronic music as part of a free festival
⛅ Bordeaux’s climate
To avoid the rain, which is fairly common in Bordeaux, we recommend you go in the summer to make the most of everything the city and the surrounding area have to offer. There is less chance of rain between May and October. On the other hand, in July and August, Bordeaux can, like all southern cities, be very hot. The best times to visit this city in the Gironde, therefore, are spring and early autumn.
💡 Did you know?
- Bordeaux’s Rue Sainte-Catherine is the longest shopping street in the world
- Bordeaux has served as the capital of France several times, notably during the First World War
- The Utopia cinema in Bordeaux is housed in a church.
Bordeaux in figures
900 | 30 | 9 |
million bottles of Bordeaux wine are produced every year | clocks are dotted all around Bordeaux | Michelin-starred restaurants |