The best things to do in Bordeaux
Let’s head to the southwest of France to discover Bordeaux, the world capital of wine, which welcomes 2.5 million visitors each year from all over the globe. With its many cultural attractions, it would be a shame to pass by without stopping! Here are some of the “must-see” highlights not to miss if you’re in the region.
La Cité du Vin (The City of Wine)
Since its opening on June 1st, 2016, the “Cité du Vin” has become a place to see, to visit, and to experience. A true showcase of viticulture on an international scale, its mission is to promote wines from around the world across different eras. Open and accessible to everyone (people with disabilities, families, international tourists), it is currently the only venue in the world offering such an immersive approach to wine.
Over the course of a weekend, discover wine in all its diversity through more than 3,000 m² of self-guided exhibits and numerous interactive themed spaces.
On the 8th floor, enjoy a breathtaking experience: a 360° panoramic view of Bordeaux while savoring a glass of wine.
Le miroir d’eau (The Water Mirror)
This creation, designed by landscape architect Michel Corajoud, is the largest reflecting pool in the world: 3,450 m². As the central feature of the Bordeaux quays, located opposite “Place de la Bourse”, between “Quai de la Douane” and “Quai Louis XVIII”, it is impossible to miss. However, if you are not there between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m., all you will see is a vast slate surface behind which lies the incredible mechanism used to collect and treat the water. Apart from natural evaporation, the water is thus saved and hygiene ensured.
For the rest of the day, you can admire and enjoy the reflecting pool as it alternates between extraordinary mirror effects and mist. If you are standing a few meters away, don’t be surprised to see a thick fog suddenly appear and hide the landscape, caused by the mist rising from the nozzles built into the ground. Don’t worry, this only lasts a few minutes before giving way to a thin layer of water that completely covers the slab and creates an incredible mirror effect.
The spectacle is even more impressive in the evening, when the illuminated facade of “Place de la Bourse” is reflected in the water mirror. This installation has now become an essential landmark of Bordeaux!
The wine routes starting from Bordeaux
As the world’s wine capital, Bordeaux’s wine routes are becoming increasingly popular. There are many activities available to help you explore the region’s vineyards: tasting workshops, cellar tours, meetings with winemakers, wine tasting lessons, food and wine pairing menus, discoveries of organic wines, vineyard tours by bike…
By the end of your visit, wine will hold no more secrets for you !
Stroll along the Garonne
Enjoy an extraordinary experience as you discover the city, its vineyards, and the Gironde Estuary by boat! Step aboard and glide under the new Jacques Chaban-Delmas bridge before making your way toward the natural landscapes and vineyards of Blaye and the Médoc. Depending on your interests, choose the cruise that suits you best: explore the islands of the estuary, mysterious islands formed by sediment deposits on shallow sandbanks, or set out to discover the impressive fortifications of Blaye and its citadel, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will even have the privilege of seeing the oldest lighthouse still in operation: the Cordouan Lighthouse. It is also the only lighthouse in France that is still staffed, and the only one in the world open to visitors !
Most cruises include tastings of Bordeaux wines and a meal, with or without live music, depending on your preference. For cruises dedicated to oenology, enjoy cruises hosted by a local winegrower. And for an original and unforgettable evening, try the “vigneron aperitifs” or a cruise aboard a sightseeing “bateau-mouche” on the river.
The “Grand Théâtre”
Classified as a historic monument in 1899, the Grand Théâtre houses one of the most beautiful 18th-century performance halls in the world, accommodating over 1,000 people. Located in the heart of Bordeaux, it stands on the former site of the Temple of the Tutelary Pillars, which once marked the ancient Gallo-Roman forum.
Designed by Victor Louis, it is today one of the city’s most cherished landmarks. Since its inauguration on April 7, 1780, countless events have brought life to this iconic venue. After many transformations of both the interior and its surroundings, the Grand Théâtre regained its original decoration thanks to a full restoration in 1991. As the home of the Opéra National de Bordeaux, it hosts the opera season as well as performances by the Bordeaux Opera Ballet.
Fun fact: Charles Garnier took inspiration from the Grand Théâtre’s grand staircase when designing that of the Paris Opera.
The Pey Berland Tower and Saint-André Cathedral
Located on Place Pey-Berland, the Pey Berland Tower is considered Bordeaux’s finest religious monument. What makes it unique is that its bell tower is separate from Saint-André Cathedral. Why? The cathedral’s original 12th-century tower could not support the bells or the massive bourdon. An independent bell tower was therefore built, and the Pey Berland Tower was completed in 1440.
Today, it offers one of the most breathtaking viewpoints in the city. Climbing the several hundred steps may seem daunting, but the panoramic reward is absolutely worth it.
The Museum of Contemporary Art (CAPC)
Created in 1973 by Jean-Louis Froment, the CAPC (Centre of Contemporary Visual Arts) was first established in 1974 inside the Entrepôt Lainé, a former warehouse for colonial goods. Eleven years later, it officially became Bordeaux’s Museum of Contemporary Art, one of the rare institutions in France dedicated exclusively to contemporary art.
Displaying more than 1,300 works by 190 artists, the CAPC showcases innovative contemporary artistic practices and maintains strong ties with the international art scene. It is a must-visit during your stay in Bordeaux!
Left bank quays
Head to one of the world’s most stunning urban heritage sites: the Bordeaux quays, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007. Here, boredom is impossible : take a stroll, go jogging or cycling, enjoy the green spaces, cafés, boutique, and children’s playgrounds… there’s something for everyone!
Thirty-three shops, 13 restaurants, café terraces, carousels, and ice-cream stands are open every day, even on weekends. Sports enthusiasts can head to the Saint-Michel sports park or the skatepark, which attracts skaters as much as spectators.
For a calmer afternoon with relaxed children, Cap Sciences offers fascinating educational exhibitions. And of course, the majestic Jacques Chaban-Delmas bridge is not to be missed.
The Saint-Pierre district, the historic heart of Bordeaux
Do not miss the Saint-Pierre district, located behind Place de la Bourse, the historic heart of the city. This is where residents settled after the decline of Roman Burdigala. At the time, it was a castrum, whose center corresponds to the modern Saint-Pierre neighborhood. Traces of the past are still visible, especially in the names of the streets, which recall the trades once practiced there: “Rue des Argentiers” (goldsmiths), “Rue des Bahutiers” (chest merchants), “Rue du Chai des Farines” (grain warehouses).
The district was opened to the Garonne and its port in the 18th century thanks to the Intendants. They are also responsible for the district’s remarkable architecture: after demolishing the medieval wall, they created Place de la Bourse, Rue Royale, and Place du Parlement. Today it is a lively area where you can eat, have a drink, stroll around, and shop… Who would have thought at the time!
Bordeaux and its lookout points
Bordeaux is a city where buildings are generally low, making elevated viewpoints relatively rare. Yet several exceptional lookout points offer breathtaking views over the city. The Saint-Michel spire provides a magnificent panorama over the river and the urban landscape, especially at sunset. The Porte Cailhau also offers beautiful views of the Garonne.
If you enjoy a physical challenge, the Pey Berland Tower is an excellent spot to admire Bordeaux from above. For a more relaxed atmosphere, sip a cocktail on the rooftop terrace of the Grand Hôtel while taking in the superb view of the Golden Triangle. Finally, from the hillsides of the right bank, you can enjoy some stunning panoramas of the city.
You are now ready to discover Bordeaux and all its treasures. With more than 350 buildings listed or registered as Historic Monuments, you are sure to be amazed !
For more information, please visit the Bordeaux Tourist Office website.
Photo credit: Juan Di Nella on Unsplash
