Bordeaux Travel Tips – 20 unique and off the beaten track tips and travel ideas to help you discover what makes the Bordeaux region so brilliant.
These Bordeaux travel tips will also help you get to know the locals and the places they love to go to.
Dine on the sandy banks of the Garonne
Chantiers de la Garonne – Parc d’Activités des Queyries, 21 Quai de Queyries, 33100 Bordeaux, France
Kick off your shoes and dig your feet into the sand along the banks of the Garonne and chill out with the locals. Sunset is a great time to visit here as you can enjoy one of the most beautiful views of the 18th-century façade of Bordeaux. Make sure you ask for one of the beach benches to get an unobstructed view. Thirsty? Bordeaux isn’t all about wine, there is also local brew too, so make sure you order a ‘Darwin Beer’.
Soak up a piece of history in the oldest restaurant in Bordeaux
Le Chapon Fin – 5 Rue Montesquieu, 33000 Bordeaux, France
Not only is this the oldest restaurant in Bordeaux it is also one of the best places to sample French cuisine, regional dishes and local wine.
To tip, request one of the cave tables and eat among the stunning rocks. It really does feel like you are in a cave.
Watch a movie in a 6th-century church
Utopia – 5 Place Camille Jullian, 33000 Bordeaux, France
This art-house cinema resides in a former religious edifice dating from the 6th century, the Church Saint of Simeon. Come early to get good seats and bring cash. The first movie of the day is at a reduced price. Have a drink on the lovely terrace outside. Come early on a weekend to beat the crowds.
Take in the best view of the Pont de Pierre
Pont de Pierre Quai Deschamps, 33100 Bordeaux, France
Walk along Quai Deschamps just after sunset and you’ll get a wonderful view of the Pont de Pierre all lit up and you’ll also see the Place de la Bourse, Place des Quinconces, Porte Cailhau and the beautiful facades of the buildings that surround the Garonne. For a more relaxing view, book a table at the Cafe du Port and ask for a window table.
Repair your bike whilst sipping wine and listening to local DJs
Le Garage Moderne – 1 Rue des Étrangers, 33300 Bordeaux, France
This is one of the most unusual destinations and venues in Bordeaux and it is a hit with local creatives. Here you’ll find a café, markets, concerts, DJ sets, and a gallery space for local artists to showcase their work. Come to this sprawling warehouse on Saturday afternoons and you can take a workshop to learn how to repair your bike or car under the supervision of mechanics.
Eat chocolatines baked in the oldest oven in Bordeaux
Au Pétrin Moissagais – 72 Cours de la Martinique, 33300 Bordeaux, France
Pain au chocolat does not exist in Bordeaux, so do like the locals do and call them Chocolatines. The best place for Chocolatines is in Au Pétrin Moissagais where you’ll find the oldest wood oven in Bordeaux. The oven was built in 1765 during the reign of King Louis XV.
Get the best photo of the Palais de la Bourse
Place de la Bourse – 33000 Bordeaux, France
Wait until night falls and head to the front of the building and find the miroir d’eau, the world’s largest reflecting pool. At night the building is floodlit and the building façade is reflected in the water. It is the prettiest view of the Palais. To add some drama to your photos what until the mist and fog are ejected. This takes place every 23 minutes and lasts for three minutes. Whilst I did say these were off the beaten track Bordeaux travel tips, this is one of the top tourist attractions in Bordeaux however, most of the crowds are here during the daytime.
Eat really well and healthy
The Magasin Général – Bâtiment Nord, 87 Quai des Queyries, 33100 Bordeaux, France
For organic, bio, locally sourced, season food head to The Magasin Général. It is the largest organic restaurant in France and is housed in a disused military barracks. Best time to come is early on Sunday for its buffet brunch which is a feast. Get her early an nab a seat on one of the vintage sofas.
Take in one of the best views of Bordeaux
Basilica of St. Michael – 33800 Bordeaux, France
For some of the best views of Bordeaux are from the top of its 114-metre spire – it is the second tallest church building in France – and if you visit on a weekend you’ll be able to shop in the flea market which is held on the square outside. Saturdays are focused on food and Sundays on merchandise.
Top tip is to buy loads of fresh produce and wine and walk to the riverfront and have a picnic.
Eat local cheese in a cave
Baud et Millet – 19 Rue Huguerie, 33000 Bordeaux, France
Photo by Alpha (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Flickr
In Bordeaux, there is an underground cave filled with cheese! One of the best ways to make the most of this cave cheese madness is to order a tasting plate and for €15 you’ll get to sample about 10 cheeses.
Enjoy the silence by ancient ruins
Palais Gallien – 126 Rue du Dr Albert Barraud, 33000 Bordeaux, France
Photo by By Marc Ryckaert (MJJR) CC BY-SA 3.0
To find a little peace and quiet in the city visit the remains of this Roman amphitheatre dating to the 3rd century. Best thing is it is free and there are very few tourists.
Taste Bordeaux’s most expensive wines whiteout having to pay for a full bottle
Max Bordeaux / Wine Gallery – 14 Cours de l’Intendance, 33000 Bordeaux, France
The Wine Gallery serves 48 of Bordeaux’s grand cru wines which are housed in dispensers located around the room. The machines are operated via cards that you buy for €25, €50, €75 or €100. The cards are valid for a year, so you don’t have to spend it all in one visit. Splash out and taste Lafite Rothschild 2004.
Glimpse into Bordeaux’s past
L’impasse de la Fontaine-Bouquière – Cours Victor Hugo, 33000 Bordeaux
When you are walking down Cours Victor Hugo lookout for a blue plaque on the wall. Beside this plaque is a locked gate. If you look through the bars you’ll glimpse the old second city wall build in the 13th century. This stone wall was built to protect the area from would-be attackers. It’s a piece of history that not many tourists see and one of my favourite Bordeaux travel tips as it is free to do and so interesting.
Learn about wine, whilst drinking wine
La Cite Du Vin – Esplanade de Pontac, 134 Quai de Bacalan, 33300 Bordeaux, France
If you want to know more about wine, head to La Cite Du Vin museum. The entry fee includes a glass of wine and you’ll get fabulous views of Bordeaux if you head up to the eighth-floor wine bar. Head up here and catch the panoramic sunset.
Visit the Statue of Liberty without going to New York
Statue of Liberty – Place Picard, 33300 Bordeaux, France
There are four replicas of the Statue of Liberty in France and one of them is in Bordeaux. Be sure to find the plaque to the plinth dedicating the statue to the memory of those who died on 9/11.
Slurp oysters and wine at rock bottom prices
Chez Jean-Mi – Marché des Capucins, Place des Capucins, 33000 Bordeaux, France
Try the Oysters at Chez Jean Mi at Marché des Capucins Market. For just €7 you’ll get 6 raw oysters, bread and a glass of wine. You’ll also get to rub shoulders with the locals as this is where they also come for the best oysters in Bordeaux.
Drink cheap wine thanks to the Bordeaux Wine Council
Bordeaux Wine School (l’École du Vin) – 3 Cours du 30 Juillet, 33075 Bordeaux, France
OK, I know a lot of these Bordeaux travel tips revolve around wine, but it would be a shame to come to this part of France and not do some activities that involve fermented grape juice. The Bordeaux Wine School has a downstairs bar which glasses of wine starting from €2. It is a super popular place with locals and if you want to get a real vibe for wine culture, come between the hours of 5-7pm when it is lively with locals. These Bordeaux travel tips are going to get the locals annoyed as I am giving away all their secret spots.
Celebrate happy hour in a former prison
Frog & Rosbif – 23 Rue Ausone, 33000 Bordeaux, France
One of the only few places that offer a happy hour in Bordeaux. From Monday-Friday, 5:30 – 8:00 and all day Tuesday, a pint of beer costs €4.50. It’s actually housed in a former women’s prison built in the 16th century and it was the first pub in Bordeaux to have its own micro-brewery. Go visit on a Monday for the really fun pub quiz.
Brush up on your wine skills
Bordeaux Wine School (l’École du Vin) – 3 Cours du 30 Juillet, 33075 Bordeaux, France
The “Wine School” offers many 1-day, 1-afternoon or 2-hour Bordeaux wine workshops both in French and in English but they are popular so you need to book several days in advance reservation. The best class for tourists is the 2-hour ‘Introduction to Bordeaux’ class which explains the techniques of Bordeaux wine making followed by a tasting of up to 4 wines.
Taste wines from many vineyards without having to visit a winery
Planete Bordeaux – Route de Pasquina, 33750 Beychac-et-Caillau, France
If you are short on time and money but still want to learn about wines and taste a few, head to Planète Bordeaux. You do not need a reservation so it’s great for those who like spur of the moment planning, but make sure you arrive about 1.5 hours before it closes as you want enough time to taste the wines.
“Thanks for reading”
Have you been to Bordeaux? What did you think of it? Are there any brilliant Bordeaux travel tips that I should add to my list? Let me know in the comments below.
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I’ve always wanted to explore this region in France. Thank you again for the inspiration
Love all of the tips in this post! Bordeaux looks amazing (and I don’t just mean the wine!)