Things To Do In Bordeaux

Bordeaux has a wealth of architectural gems that are best discovered by exploring the different neighbourhoods that make up the city. Each district has its own history and character filled with cathedrals, museums, 18th century houses and riverside quays, which are fascinating places in their own right. You can enjoy a stroll along one of the lovely avenues, marvel at the glorious churches or cruise the Garonne River, which runs through the city. And then, of course, there’s the wine country.

The Golden Triangle

The most interesting and beautiful historic neighbourhood in the city is encompassed by three roads: cours Clemenceau, cours de l’Intendance and les allees de Tourny. This compact quarter is best enjoyed by wandering around on foot. Guided two-hour walking tours are available from the tourist office at 10:00 and 15:00, and are conducted in both French and English.

Rue Ste-Catherine

This entirely pedestrianised street is over a kilometre long and offers the best shopping in Bordeaux. It is also one of the oldest streets in town, dating back to the Roman period. Today, it remains an important avenue, linking the Grand Theatre with Place de la Victoire.

Grand Theatre

This is the city’s cultural icon, built between 1773 and 1780 as a testament to the growing prosperity of Bordeaux’s emerging bourgeoisie. This glorious building is one of the last remaining 18th century theatres in the world and it rivals the Grand theatres in Milan and Naples. The theatre is still used as an opera house and performance hall. Guided tours are available throughout the week (tel: +33 05 56 00 85 95).

Cathedral of St Andre

Situated on the southern edge of the Old Town, this is the largest and most ostentatious church in Bordeaux. It contains some impressive 13th century sculptures and a 47 metre belfry tower, built in the 15th century. The church is open daily from 07:30 to 18:30 and the tower is open from 10:00 until 18:00.

Fleche St Michel

Another impressive 15th century church with the second tallest stone tower in France, rising 112 metres. The tower is open from June to September every day from 14:00 until 19:00. The 228 steps to the top reward you with commanding views over the port and the Garonne River.

Museum of Beaux Arts

This art museum has an outstanding collection of paintings spanning the 15th to 20th centuries. Artists such as Titian, Rubens, Perugina, Veronese and Marquet have their works on display here. The museum is open Wednesday through Sunday from 11:00 until 18:00.

Museum of Contemporary Art (CAPC)

This museum, located in an old 19th century warehouse at the harbour, shows the world’s major art movements since the 1960s. There are over 700 permanent works in the collection as well as a hoard of temporary exhibits. A library and bookshop complement the experience.

Public Garden (Jardin Public)

This beautifully landscaped park runs along the cours de Verdun, just north of the city centre, offering a relaxing oasis of calm in the middle of the city. Laid out in an English style, this park was first established in 1755 and remains a focal point of the city’s social life.

Place Gambetta

Bordeaux’s most important public square is central to the city’s museums, shops and its main cathedral. During the reign of Louis XV, this square was truly majestic, with the house fronts all arcaded at the street level. Today, it is just as lovely and has a quaint English garden in the middle of the square.

Pont de Pierre
This bridge, with its 17 arches, stretches 478 metres across the Garonne River and is one of the most beautiful bridges in France. Originally built in 1813 at the request of Napoleon I, the bridge can be crossed on foot and offers a nice view of the port and its quays. However, a boat tour, which departs from the quay Louis XVIII in the centre of town, provides an even better perspective. The 90-minute tour of the port goes up the river and all around the harbour and is available year-round.

Garonne River Cruise
One of France’s mightiest rivers, the Garonne, is best experienced on this day-long cruise. Leaving from the Louis XVIII quay, the tour heads upriver and makes short stops at sites such as Blaye, Cadillac and Libourne. A simple restaurant on the boat serves lunch and the tour returns to Bordeaux before 19:00. The boat schedule changes throughout the year, so visitors are advised to check with the local tourist office for times and rates.

Cemetery of Chartreuse
Similar to the infamous Père Lachaise Cemetery in Paris, Bordeaux’s cemetery is an interesting place to visit. Many well-known people are buried here including Goya, Lacour and Flora Tristan. Its sublimely peaceful atmosphere is surrounded by hundreds of monuments of all styles.

Museum-Aquarium of Arcachon
This unique maritime museum offers both a historical perspective on life under the sea as well as a large collection of living sea creatures in the aquarium’s 36 tanks.

Museum of Bordeaux Wines
A trip to Bordeaux would not be complete without learning something about the many wines which are produced in the region. This museum presents Bordeaux’s wine making culture and its history, with lovely vaulted cellars dating back to 1720. The region’s wines are charted, showing the most famous vintages and how they are stored. An introduction to wine tasting and decanting can be arranged on arrival.

Museum of Natural History
First opened in 1811, this museum is one of the oldest of its kind in the country. It contains a zoological collection of global specimens from all of the different families including an emphasis on endangered species. There is also a space dedicated to the local wildlife and paleontology of the region, with a nice collection of fossils. The museum is housed in a spectacular mansion overlooking the city’s Public Garden.

Bordeaux Zoo
The city’s zoo, located just a 15-minute drive from downtown, is home to over 400 animals belonging to 100 different species. Many large animals from Asia and Africa, such as lions and giraffes, are kept here. The zoo also offers some fun activities for kids such as water tobogganing and a riding school.