Bordeaux’s wine region is famous the world over. However, the city of Bordeaux itself has a lot to offer. The city center is reachable from Paris in less than 2.5 hours by high speed public transport. It’s never been easier to visit the elegant capital of the Aquitaine region. Wander its picturesque streets, sample delicious bordelaise cuisine and its finest wines, and discover local hangouts. Here are some of the best things to do during your next Bordeaux trip.
Above: Zdenek Klein / Zakaria El Bazi
Day 1
Spend your first full day exploring Bordeaux’s historic center full of medieval architecture. You can start your tour of Bordeaux, a UNESCO world heritage site, by meandering the narrow streets of the Saint-Michel district. The center of the city is a great place that is popular with locals. The area’s namesake, the gothic style Saint-Michel church, dominates the Place Meynard. Here you’ll find a weekly market on Saturday mornings. Afterward browsing its colorful stands, gravitate towards la Grosse Cloche (the famous bell tower). This was once a gate of Bordeaux’s medieval walls. It gives access to la rue Saint James, where you can pop into its cool boutiques. Grab a cup of coffee at Books and Coffee, made with beans roasted in-house.
Alternatively you can stop in at Cassonade for a canelé, Bordeaux’s iconic pastry
Rue Saint James ends at the pretty Place Fernand Lafargue, bordered by cafés, shops and Glacier Fernand, an artisanal ice-cream shop, a refreshing snack on a hot day. Afterwards, make your way to la Porte Cailhau, another medieval gate whose whimsical tower boasts gorgeous views over the city. If you’re ready for lunch, nearby is Les Recoltants, an eco-responsible cantine using ingredients from their farm or from suppliers no further than 20 kilometers away.
In the afternoon track down some of Bordeaux’s grander sites. You’ll inevitably come across Rue Sainte-Catherine, Europe’s longest pedestrian shopping street. Le Grand Théâtre, the city’s neoclassical opera house is a must-see, along with la Place des Quinconces, a regal square home to the majestic Monument aux Girondins. You can either end your stroll around the refined Jardin Public ark or at the iconic Place de la Bourse and its Miroir d’Eau (Water Mirror), the world’s largest reflecting pool, perhaps the most photographed place in Bordeaux.
There are many wine bars, restaurants and other establishments for your Saturday night in Bordeaux. If you’re a wine enthusiast, head to Au Bon JaJa, a wine bar serving unique local wine including natural and organic labels, or Le Point Rouge, which has inventive wine cocktails and dishes inspired by wine. For Bordeaux’s best bistronomique cuisine try known for its gastronomic street food and creative cocktails, or Symbiose, a speakeasy-style venue also with its own garden. To try modern bordelaise cuisine, book a table at Modjo, which has a chic minimalist decor and vegetarian options
A great way to end your night is
Day 2
Get your second day in Bordeaux off to a tasty start at one of the city’s top modern brunch spots, such as or Sauvages – perfect for a lazy Sunday morning. Fueled up, make your way to the charming Chartrons district. Akin to Paris’s Marais, Chartrons’s ancient streets are lined with local designers, art galleries and antique shops. If you didn’t already have brunch, you can grab a meal at the area’s Place du Marché des Chartrons, packed with cafés including La Vie en Rose, a tea salon serving brunch, great quiches and exquisite cakes.
Alternatively, a short walk will take you to the Marché du Quais, a vibrant outdoor market along the river Garonne. Here you can pick up some regional food products and fresh produce for a picnic or lunch on fresh oysters from the nearby Bay of Arcachon. In the summer months you can enjoy your picnic along the water’s edge, preferably across the river in the relaxed Parc aux Angéliques, a nice place to also stroll and take in beautiful views. This side of the river is more local and is home to Darwin, an eco-district located within a former military barracks. Here you can hang out with the hip bordelais over a craft beer or café crème with oat milk at their social tables. Don’t leave without browsing its sustainable shops and taking a look at its street art section.
Wine lovers might want to spend the afternoon at La Cité du Vin, a museum about the wine industry and an education center found within a sleek modern building not far from the Chartrons neighborhood. It’s a wonderful place to immerse oneself in the region’s wine heritage without even having to leave the city
Where to Stay
Bordeaux has a wide range of great accommodation, from hip budget hotels to chic luxury hotels. The city’s outpost of Mamma Shelter has rooms to suit all budgets as well as a fabulous rooftop bar. If you’re looking for a little pampering, consider Hotel de Sèze, a central four-star boutique hotel with a spa. For stylish design, you can’t go wrong with Yndō, a five-star hotel within a 19th-century mansion. Or if you’re seeking home away from home, try L’Hotel Particulier, a cozy former private mansion with a charming courtyard and apartment rooms named after Bordeaux wine appellations.
Books and Coffee, 26 rue Saint-James, 33000 Bordeaux
Cassonade, 53 rue Saint-James, 33000 Bordeaux
Glacier Fernand, 15 pl. Fernand Lafargue, 33000 Bordeaux
Les Recoltants, 18 rue Sainte Colombe 33000 Bordeaux
La Gigi, 32 Rue des Allamandiers, 33800 Bordeaux
Symbiose, 4 quai des Chartrons, 33000 Bordeaux
Modjo, 5 rue des Herbes, 33000 Bordeaux
Au Bon JaJa, 4 Cr d’Alsace-et-Lorraine, 33000 Bordeaux
Le Point Rouge, 1 Quai de Paludate, 33800 Bordeaux
La Gigi, 32 rue des Allamandiers, 33800 Bordeaux
Contrast, 16 cr du Chapeau-Rouge, 33000 Bordeaux
Sauvages, 49 cr de la Martinique, 33000 Bordeaux
La Vie en Rose, 8 rue Sicard, Pl. du Marché Chartrons, 33000 Bordeaux
Darwin, 87 quai des Queyries, 33100 Bordeaux
La Cité du Vin, 134 quai de Bacalan, 33300 Bordeaux
This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, we may receive a commission (at no additional cost to you). Thanks for supporting HiP Paris in this way so we can continue to provide you with fabulous content.
RELATED LINKS
Written and photographed by Lily Heise. Looking to travel? Check out Plum Guide and our Marketplace for fabulous vacation rentals in Paris, France or Italy. Looking to rent long or short term, or buy in France? Ask us! We can connect you to our trusted providers for amazing service and rates or click here. Looking to bring France home to you or to learn online or in person? Check out our marketplace shop and experiences.
WRITTEN BY
Lily Heise
Lily Heise has been living in Paris for more than 10 years. When she’s not getting into romantic mischief, she writes on dating, travel, and culture. Her writing has been featured in Frommer’s Guides, the Huffington Post, Conde Nast Traveler, City Secrets, DK Eyewitness Guides, and other local and international publications. She is the author of Je T’Aime, Me Neither, and Je T’Aime… Maybe? lively novelized memoirs on her romantic misadventures, and continues to share dating tips, stories and travel features on her blog www.jetaimemeneither.com.
