10 Best Things to Do in Bordeaux

Place de la Bourse is a historic place for Bordeaux, located in the Saint-Pierre district, right in the center of the city. Built during the 18th century, it marked the end of the medieval period for Bordeaux by expanding the city beyond the old walls.

Part of the historical district of Bordeaux, the Place de la Bourse was upgraded in 2006 with the addition of Le Miroir d’Eau, the water mirror. The reflection of the historical buildings in the water is definitely worth a photo or 2, especially at night. Have a drink on the terrace of Le Gabriel, a gastro restaurant located right on the square, behind the Fountain of the 3 Graces.

Head to La Cité du Vin (The Wine City) on the Quai du Bacalan to learn everything about the Bordeaux châteaux and wine labels. Excellent wines are produced all around France, but Bordeaux is considered the wine capital of the country. A visit to Bordeaux is like a journey into the rich world of wine, and La Cité du Vin is an excellent place to start exploring that world.

At La Cité du Vin, you can also book wine-tasting tours at some of the most famous châteaux in the region, like Saint-Émilion, Saint-Julien, Margaux, and Médoc, to name just a few.

The Grand Théâtre de Bordeaux is at the same time an impressive mid-18th-century neo-classical building and a lively venue that hosts operas, dance and music performances. Located on the Place de la Comédie, its façade features 12 columns on which stand 9 muses and 3 goddess statues, making the edifice like an antique Temple of the arts.

Even if you don’t want to see a show, you can join a guided tour to visit the theatre and see what’s going on behind the scenes. The backstage tour takes about an hour and includes areas normally off-limits to audiences plus a close-up on the sumptuous interior décor and ornaments.

Located in Blanquefort, an hour’s drive northeast from Bordeaux city center, the Parc de Majolan offers a serene and unique place for a stroll in a beautiful natural environment. Designed at the end of the 19th century, the park features a lake, artificial caves, and fountains and geysers designed in a baroque style.

This family-friendly park features a large kids’ playground and animals such as swans, peacocks, and coypus freely roam the place. You can lunch at La Maison des Jardiniers, a cool restaurant located at the entrance of the park, or bring a picnic and find a place on the lawn to lunch al fresco.

The Quay Market (Marché des Quais) is the perfect place to discover and sample fresh and cooked products from the region of Bordeaux. You’ll find it every Sunday on the Quai des Chartrons, just north of the city center.

The Quay Market boasts an assortment of delicacies that include oysters, crepes, cheeses, wines, and delicatessen that you can eat on the spot, along with a lot more. It’s like an affordable version of a 5-star hotel brunch that you can enjoy it on the banks of the gorgeous Garonne River.

Originally built in Roman style in the 11th century, Bordeaux Cathedral went through the tumultuous history of France, and was almost entirely rebuilt in Gothic style during the 14th century. This impressive cathedral also known as Cathédrale Saint-André has been declared a National Monument of France.

Bordeaux Cathedral is home to an impressive art collection dating from between the 14th and 17th centuries that includes statues, paintings, and religious artifacts and ornaments. To get an in-depth view of this magnificent building and its dramatic history, you can book a guided tour.

Port of the Moon is a cool and versatile area in the center of the city that stretches from the Quai de Bacalan to the Quai de Paludate. Port of the Moon (Port de la Lune) is actually a nickname for the crescent-shaped Port of Bordeaux on the Garonne River which encompasses the Place de la Bourse and the Quays Market.

Famed for its quaint boutiques and chic bars and restaurants, the Port of the Moon neighborhood is perfect for a pleasant, leisurely stroll on a warm summer evening. This historical beauty was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2017.

Rue Sainte-Catherine is the most famous and versatile shopping street in the center of Bordeaux. Stretching for over a half a mile from the Place de la Comédie to the Place de la Victoire, it’s one of the longest pedestrian streets in Europe.

Here, you’ll find an astonishing choice of luxury boutiques, quirky stores, and shopping malls catering to almost every taste and budget. Bars and restaurants interspersed between the shops offer opportunities to rest your feet while sipping on a café-au-lait and excellent spots for people-watching.

The Museum of Aquitaine displays the history of Bordeaux and the surrounding region from the Stone Age to the 19th century. From intricate model ships to Montaigne’s Tomb, the museum is home to rare artifacts and objects as well as a reconstruction of an early 20th-century grocery shop.

The displays include reflections on the more controversial periods in French history such as colonialism and the relation between Bordeaux and the slave trade. This versatile museum offers a broad view of this amazing city and it’s good place start your journey through Bordeaux.

Adjacent to the Place de la Bourse, the Saint-Pierre district is as lively by night as it is by day. In this cool neighborhood, you’ll find a versatile array of restaurants and bars, from fine-dining venues and chic cocktail lounges to global fast-food chains and inexpensive pubs.

Why not head to the Le Bar à Vin for a delicious glass of wine? Or if you fancy an evening in a warm and festive South American ambience, visit La Calle Ocho. For an authentic English pub ambience, make your way to The Houses of Parliament.