The 20 Best Things To Do in Bordeaux, France

A break in “La Perle d’Aquitaine” offers the chance to explore some of Bordeaux’s most impressive architecture, delve into the city’s famed gastronomy and wine culture, and check out the cutting-edge contemporary art scene. What’s more, your memories of Bordeaux don’t have to fade – pick up a souvenir at one of the city’s friperies (thrift shops) or a traditional Bordelais market.

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What would Bordeaux be without its famous wines? To discover this aspect of Bordeaux’s culture and history, book a wine tour. There are vineyards all around the city itself, be it on the right or left bank of the Garonne, so the selection is huge. Companies like Rustic Vines Tours and Rendez-Vous Au Chateau offer tours of prestigious areas like Saint-Emilion, but don’t hesitate to try some bigger, less prestigious ones like Médoc. If a wine tour doesn’t seem appealing, there is also a wine range of wine bars: Bar à Vin or Le Verre ô Vin, to only name a few.

Drink in a panoramic view of the city from atop the Tour Pey-Berland. This still-functional 15th-century bell tower is a prime vantage point for orienting yourself, and the terrace’s helpful monument markers make scouting out the city’s key sights a breeze, so consider visiting at the beginning of your stay. Entry is €6 (£5.25) per person, but if you’re under the magic age of 26 and an EU citizen you can climb the tower for free. Refuel after the 233-stair workout with a bite to eat at the nearby Horace café and restaurant, known for its speciality coffee and ever-changing menu of vegan delights.

When you step foot into Bordeaux, you’ll find that nearly the entire city is on wheels – from scooters and skateboards to bikes and rollerblades. The region’s flat terrain has made the city’s streets, especially the pedestrian-friendly Quais that snake along the waterfront, a magnet for skaters of all levels, according to Bordeaux roller derby player Sophie Lacroix. Instead of cursing every time a pint-sized Tony Hawk nearly sends you flying, Lacroix suggests taking a detour to see the professionals throw down at Skate Park Colbert along the Quais or across the river at Skatepark Hangar Darwin. Better yet, stop by the Bordeaux Roller Derby Club to bear witness to a gloriously skilled (if aggressive) display – the club’s Saturday practices (10.30am to 8pm) are open for public viewing.

When exploring any given corner of the city, you’ll likely stumble upon one of Bordeaux’s thrift boutiques, or friperies. Thrifters of any pay grade and fashion persuasion should find a shop that’s to their liking. For a memorable find, check out Le Fil à Retordre, a light-filled hole-in-the-wall shop that sits at the base of the St Michel Church. The owner collects one-of-a-kind pieces, often silk or impeccably preserved leather, and also sells hand-knitted dresses, custom patchwork overalls and vintage postcards. For the punk traveller, returning to the shadow of Tour Pey-Berland to visit Maxime Troc Mode is a must – the proprietor’s collection of second-hand Dr. Martens boots (in every conceivable colour and print) is staggering.

Don’t stress about packing your favourite book for a weekend trip to Bordeaux; instead, stock up on reading material at one of the city’s many independent bookstores. Looking to lose a few hours? Step into the largest independent bookstore in France, Librairie Mollat, which boasts a labyrinth of rooms that’s bound to swallow up even the pickiest reader. For one-of-a-kind souvenirs, visit N’a Qu’1 Oeil in Bordeaux’s Centre-Ville, a self-described “editor’s desk” where you’ll find small press books and assorted paper goods created by local artists, and which hosts a rich timetable of public events. Administrator Alex Giraud suggests checking the boutique’s schedule to see if you’ll be in town for the next Sunday film night (“Le film du dimanche soir”) or the Saturday night meet-and-greet with local artists and authors (“Viens t’asseoir dans mon comptoir”). Just across the street from N’a Qu’1 Oeil, you’ll find a particularly wacky zine maker, Atelier Demi-Cachalot, whose fantastical line drawings, comic books and postcards make economical and compact gifts for any loved ones you left at home.

The Grand Théâtre de Bordeaux is a neo-classical building now home to the National Opera. Watching a show is the best way to discover this beautiful locale as well as enjoy a high-quality ballet, opera, or concert in a unique venue. There isn’t anything on in July and August, which means that summer visitors won’t be able to take this opportunity, but for anyone else it definitely shouldn’t be missed. The interior was restored to its 18th-century glory in 1991, meaning that visitors can get a glimpse of what going to the opera 200 years ago could have been like.

Rue Saint-Catherine is Bordeaux’s main shopping street and allegedly Europe’s longest pedestrian shopping street, stretching on for 1.2 kilometer. It is chock full of all sorts of shops with all sorts of price tags: shoppers will find the usual high street brands like Zara and H&M for clothes, Hema for housewares, or Lush for cosmetics, but also independent stores. The few buildings that aren’t shops house restaurants or bars instead. Occasionally the entire street turns into an outdoors market for a few days.

A former submarine base established by German and Italian forces to house U-Boats during World War II might seem like an unlikely destination but it is fact now a cultural center with many performances, exhibitions, and even the occasional club night. Its location on the Right Bank makes it a little off the beaten track and thus perfect for travelers looking for something atypical. It is unfortunately not open to visitors outside of exhibitions and events, so it’s impossible to just visit the building itself, but make sure to catch something exciting here instead.

Although the CAPC Musée d’Art Contemporain de Bordeaux is housed in a 19th-century warehouse, the exhibitions at this contemporary art museum are anything but archaic. Modern art fanatics and artistic novices alike should enjoy the museum, which regularly features mind-tickling multimedia pieces and interactive exhibits, such as Lubaina Himid’s immersive Naming the Money installation. You’ll undoubtedly spend hours exploring everything the CAPC has to offer, but if you’re still reluctant to leave the establishment after absorbing all the art, extend your stay by relaxing with a snack in the museum’s tea room or on the rooftop terrace.

Get to know Bordeaux’s nooks and crannies by taking a local tour with a spooky twist: HUBordeaux’s Free Ghost Tour. Chock full of creepy tales like the story of the werewolf who fell victim to a lawsuit, this deep-dive into the city’s supernatural history should satisfy any inquisitive traveller, from history buffs to horror fans. Contrary to what its intimidating moniker might suggest, HUBordeaux owner Hubert Saint Beat says you don’t need to be fearless to enjoy the tour – in fact, young children are its biggest fans. Travellers on a budget should especially appreciate this free tour’s value – just make sure to show your appreciation by tipping your guide at the end of the expedition.

Save some pocket change and take part in a Bordelaise tradition by running errands at one of the city’s countless marchés. For fresh fruits and vegetables, grocer Hanae Zahe suggests swinging by St Michel’s Marché Royal on a Saturday morning or the nearby Marché de Cenon on a Wednesday morning. Marché Royal’s produce selection is the best in the city, but for the introverted traveller, Marché de Cenon provides a calmer market experience, Zahe says. For nonperishables, visit Place de la Victoire on a Friday to pick through the Marché des Bouquinistes’ curated selection of used books and records. Better yet, return to St Michel on Sunday mornings to witness the Brocante du Dimanche, a bustling flea market boasting everything from quirky brooches, to reupholstered retro furniture and packs of vintage polaroid portraits.

For an evening you’re unlikely to forget, take in one of Bordeaux’s drag performances. Drag is experiencing a renaissance in Bordeaux, so connoisseurs can have their pick of the city’s many drag houses; check out Instagram-based promoter Drag Bordeaux for an overview of all upcoming shows or prioritise performances by the leading drag house La Casa de las Maryposas. The drag queens and kings of Bordeaux are known to perform in some of the city’s liveliest bars, including Central do Brasil, HMS Victory and IBOAT, so rest assured your night doesn’t have to end when the show does.

Escape the hustle and bustle of the city centre with a walk across Bordeaux’s oldest stone bridge, the Pont de Pierre. This early 19th-century bridge was finally closed to all traffic other than pedestrians and public transit in 2017, transforming it into the ideal destination for carefree promenades and the obligatory skyline photo shoot. Save your walk until after dark by savouring a few drinks beforehand at nearby speakeasy CanCan – you’ll be treated to a view of the city glittering over the Garonne River, a sight difficult to get from any other location in Bordeaux.

No Bordeaux trip is complete without a taste of the city’s signature pastry: the canelé. These chestnut-coloured, top hat-shaped delicacies are one of many testaments to Bordeaux’s alcohol culture; inside the canelé’s crunchy outer layer, you’ll find a syrupy, spongy dough soaked with rum. The sweetest and most widely appealing rendition can be found among the platters of pastries at Le Boulanger de l’Hôtel de Ville for under €2. However, if you’re craving the heavy rum overtones of a traditional canelé, La Toque Cuivrée is the snack stop for you.

Educate yourself on what makes Bordelais wine so special by visiting the Musée du Vin et du Négoce de Bordeaux. Housed in an early 18th-century wine cellar in the Chartrons neighbourhood, the museum offers a crash course in wine history, production and commerce specific to the Bordeaux region. If the museum’s complimentary wine tasting has you on a boozy roll, trek back to the Centre-Ville to wine bar Bar à Vin for reasonably priced glasses of classic local wines.

Place de la Bourse, on the edge of the Garonne river, is doubtlessly the most recognizable sight in Bordeaux. It is where you’ll find the ‘miroir d’eau’, a large shallow pool of water in which children and adults alike dip their toes as they admire the reflection of the Palais de la Bourse, an exemplar of classical French architecture. The square’s impressive symmetry is enhanced by a staggering attention to detail: figures on the buildings represent Roman gods and characters from Bordeaux’s rich merchant history.

The Jardin Public, or ‘public garden’ in English, is a 10-hectare-wide park in the center of Bordeaux. It was inspired by Versailles’s gardens, which give an idea of what a splendid place it is. It is the perfect setting for a picnic on a hot summer day thanks to a large lake in the middle, bringing some very welcome freshness. There’s many a remarkable element to attract visitors: an artificial waterfall, a natural history museum, and original iron railing important enough to have earned the monument historique label.

On a late summer afternoon in Bordeaux, every café, bar, or bistro is full of people of all ages simply enjoying the end of the workday with friends. Joining them and partaking in an apéritif—a savory snack and an alcoholic drink—is a quintessential Southern French experience. It can last for hours and even turn into a light dinner and sometimes a night out. There are many bars, cafés, and restaurants in Bordeaux to have an aperitif; highlights include L’Alchimiste for their great cocktails, and HMS Victory.

After Place de la Bourse, Bordeaux’s most iconic landmark is its medieval Roman Catholic cathedral, Saint-André. It was consecrated as early as 1096, but what we can see today is most from the 14th and 15th century, with only a wall in the nave remaining of the original building. Strangely enough, there is a separate belfry, the Pey-Berland Tower, built from 1440 to 1500. Climb to the top for a great view of the city. The cathedral itself houses a collection of valuable religious items such as paintings and illuminations.

Bordeaux might not be by the ocean, but it’s close enough for a day trip, and the best part is the choice. Arcachon and its four beaches and seven kilometers of fine sand are less than an hour away, and it’s also a great opportunity to see the Dune du Pilat, Europe’s tallest sand dune. If Arcachon doesn’t catch your fancy, Lacanau-Océan, a great location for surfing, is a two hours’ coach journey away, departing from the central Victoire Square. If that seems too far away, there’s always the possibility of swimming at Bordeaux Lac, a lake accessible by tram.