Writer: Helena Bergström
What to see and do in Bordeaux? This French city is mainly known for its wines and is often referred to as the 'wine capital of the world'. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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Bordeaux in France
Bordeaux is an impressive city, filled with imposing buildings that recall the glory days of the 18th century. Parts of the city centre were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site under the name Moon Harbour in 2007, and in fact no other city in the world has had such a large part of its city centre declared a World Heritage Site.
Bordeaux is located in the south-west of France, around the Garonne River.
How to get around Bordeaux?
In the centre of Bordeaux it is pleasant to walk, and for longer distances you can travel by tram or bus. You buy a ticket from a ticket machine and as a tourist you can choose, for example, a 24-hour ticket. This allows unlimited travel on both trams and buses for 24 hours.
What can you do in Bordeaux?
So, what can you see and do as a tourist in Bordeaux? Well, you can check out some great sights, but you can also enjoy food and wine. We share our top tips here.
1. Impressed by the city gates
Bordeaux is an incredibly grand city, and this is particularly evident in its impressive city gates. There are six in total, and these are historical monuments that form part of the Unesco heritage Moon Harbour in Bordeaux.
- Aquitaine Gate
- Big bell
- Porte de la Monnaie
- Cailhau door
- Burgundy Gate
- Dijeaux door
2. see the bridge Pont de Pierre
Another landmark worth checking out, which is also part of the Port de la Lune World Heritage Site, is the bridge Stone Bridge. The bridge crosses the Garonne river and was built between 1819 and 1822.
3. discover the water mirror Miroir d'eau
Bordeaux's water mirror - Miroir d'eau - is the largest water mirror in the world and has become a symbol of the city. On a calm, still day, you can see the city's mighty buildings reflected in a stunning mirror effect. Unfortunately, it was a bit windy when we were here, which made it difficult to see the reflections.
Visiting the water mirror is also a popular thing to do in Bordeaux for families with children, who spontaneously enjoy themselves in the large shallow water.
4. check out the Grand Theatre
The Grand Theatre is a majestic opera house in Bordeaux that was inaugurated in 1780. The building was designed by architect Victor Louis and its grand staircase was modelled on the staircase at the Opéra Garnier in Paris.
5. Stroll in Saint-André Cathedral
There are several imposing churches in Bordeaux, and one of the most impressive is the Cathedrale Saint-André. It was built between the 12th and 15th centuries in the Gothic style.
6. Fascinated by the Monument aux Girondes
Monuments can sometimes be a bit boring, but Monument to the Gironde is truly fascinating. The highest part of the monument was erected between 1892 and 1902 in memory of the Girondists (a political grouping) who fell victim to the terror of the French Revolution. The monument is located at Place des Quinconces, which is the largest city square in Europe.
7. take a guided tour by hop on hop off bus
Think it's a long walk between all the landmarks and attractions? It can be, for sure. One option is to hop on board a hop on hop off bus for a guided tour of the city.
8. wine tasting
Bordeaux is the number one wine city, and of course you want to try wine when you're here! There are plenty of places that offer tasting, that is, tasting. You don't have to look far to find wine shops either.
9. Enjoy lunch on an outdoor terrace
After a long day in the city, you'll want to sit down for a bite to eat. In France, lunch is usually served between 12:00 and 14:00 and you can often choose Dish of the day (today's dish).
This can be a good option because the dish of the day is often fixed quickly on ingredients that are ready and fresh, and because the price is often relatively good. For us, it was the North African dish shakshuka.
10. Check out street art
Want to see a completely different kind of culture? Then you might want to check out the street art in Bordeaux. We saw some as we walked around, and apparently there's a lot more.
11. visit museums
If you're looking for more to do in Bordeaux, check out one of the city's many museums. There are many museums to choose from, and here are some of the most enticing:
- La Cité du Vin - Museum and exhibition centre with a focus on wine.
- Basins Of Light - Digital art centre with immersive art.
- Wine and Trade Museum - Museum with a focus on wine.
- Museum of Aquitaine - Museum of Roman archaeology.
- Bordeaux Museum of Fine Arts - Art Museum.
- Bordeaux Museum - Focus on science and nature.
12. Take a trip to Saint-Emilion
Just outside Bordeaux, you'll find Saint-Émilion - a historic little gem completely surrounded by vineyards. Here, almost everything is about wine. Plus, there are fascinating historical sights to check out, such as a unique underground church. This small town is incredibly cosy and well worth a visit!
13. go to the Bay of Arcachon
Bordeaux is not too far from the coast, where you'll find the hugely popular Bay of Arcachon. People come here for holidays, sunbathing, swimming, boating and seafood. There are several destinations to choose from, including Arcachon and Cap Ferret.
14. Eat oysters in Gujan-Mestras
One place in the Bay of Arcachon that we were particularly fond of is Gujan-Mestras. Here, almost everything is about oysters and the small oyster restaurants are close to each other, overlooking the water and the boats.
We ordered a plate of 12 oysters, of three different varieties, and together with this we ordered a bottle of rosé. This was a fantastic lunch that we will never forget!
More to see and do in Bordeaux
There is, of course, more to see and do in Bordeaux, beyond our tips. Here are a few more suggestions:
- Darwin is an alternative and exciting neighbourhood in Bordeaux.
- Cruising on the Garonne river is a great way to experience the area.
- Rue Sainte-Catherine is a 1,250 metre long shopping street.
Where can you stay or park your motorhome?
There are of course lots of different hotels and other accommodation in and around Bordeaux. We came here with our motorhome and found it a bit challenging to try to park in the centre. We therefore chose a car park a bit outside the city and got in by bus and tram. We stood on the car park Le Grain motorhome park. From here you can get to the city centre:
- 600 metres walk to bus stop
- Bus 29 from Bernatet station to La Gardette station
- Tram line A from La Gardette station to the city centre (for example Sainte Catherine station or Hotel de Ville)
More to see and do in the neighbourhood
Near Bordeaux and the Bay of Arcachon, we recommend a visit to Dune du Pilat - Europe's largest sand dune. If you go inland instead, you can visit the beautiful Chateau de Beynac.
Even more tips on things to see and do in Bordeaux
Have you been to this part of France? Do you have any more tips on what to see and do in Bordeaux? Please let us know!
Facts about Bordeaux
- Country: France
- Region: Nouvelle-Aquitaine
- Department: Gironde
- River: Garonne
- Residents: Around 250,000 in the city itself and around 800,000 if you count the whole metropolitan area.
History in Bordeaux
- Prehistoric times: Already between 30 000 and 90 000 years ago, the area was inhabited by 'Homo neanderthalensis'. Remains have been found in the Pair-non-Pair cave near Bourg sur Gironde.
- 300 BC: Celts lived in the area, which was called Burdigala.
- 60 before Christ: The city fell under Roman rule, and later became the capital of Roman Aquitaine.
- 276: The city was destroyed by the Vandals. Further invasions and destruction followed over a few centuries.
- 5th century: The city became the seat of a sub-bishop in one of the Frankish kingdoms.
- 732: Abdul Rahman Al Ghafiqi's troops sacked the city.
- 12th century: Bordeaux became part of the English Kingdom.
- 1453: After the Battle of Castillon, the city came back into French hands.
- 18th century: This was the golden age of Bordeaux. Many of the city's central buildings date from this period.
You might also like:
Things to do in Saint-Émilion, France - our top 9 tips
Visiting Colmar - a picturesque dream in France
Visiting Rocamadour in France - a sacred pilgrimage site
Visiting Chateau de Beynac in France - a historic gem
Visiting the Dune du Pilat in France - Europe's largest sand dune
Porto - a gem in Portugal
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bmlarstravellingblog says:
We skipped Bordeaux when we passed last time but it is great if there is a car park outside the city so you can use local transport. Looks like there is a lot worth seeing there so maybe it will be a visit in the autumn. Hop on hop off buses we have used in many major cities, a really good way to get around.
31 May 2025 - 14:09
BP says:
Bordeaux is very similar to Paris and Vienna actually. I mean the beautiful buildings, not the oysters. Dregel, dregel I just say. It is actually a heavenly luck that the price of oysters has dropped significantly in recent years in Sweden, Now you can actually afford the delicacies here too.
Bordeaux seems to be a worthwhile and attractive city that seems to have everything, including good food and drink.
31 May 2025 - 20:38