Bordeaux Leisure

The Bordeaux region is an excellent area for outdoor activities, as the weather is generally pleasant throughout the year and the scenery is spectacular. Within the city itself, walking is a great way to get some exercise while soaking in the 18th century ambiance of its old buildings and waterways. The city’s tourist office arranges daily walking tours at 10:00 and 15:00 which cover the most important sites. Tours are conducted in both French and English and are very interesting.

Local sports

Bordeaux has a professional football team which plays in the first division of the French League. Girondins de Bordeaux play their home games at the Stade Chaban-Delmas, which can hold 35,000 spectators. The city is also home to a rugby team, the Stade Bordelais, who play in the second league of the French rugby league championship. Their home games are also played at the Stade Chaban-Delmas. In addition, the Bordeaux-La Brede cricket team is considered one of the best in France. Pelote Basque is a fascinating game similar to handball, in which players hurl a rubber ball at speeds of more than 300kph.

Regional activities

There are plenty of individual sports to indulge in around the region. The coastal resort area of Arcachon is nearby and offers a long sandy shoreline where beach lovers can enjoy all kinds of water sports. Europe’s highest sand dune is also here, the Dune de Pyla. The beaches around Arcachon and the Medoc offer sea kayaking, windsurfing, diving and boat trips. Southern France is one the country’s best places for riding a bicycle, with its gentle hills and gorgeous pastoral scenery. There are miles and miles of developed cycling routes in which you can go out for short day rides or make an extended tour by going from village to village. Bikes can be rented in Arcachon and around town. Many cyclists incorporate the region’s wineries into their tours, making for some truly memorable experiences.