Are you planning to visit Bordeaux? We are ambassadors and can advise you on things to do in Bordeaux and in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region. We have created Bordeaux Travel Guide to help you plan your trip. It includes all of our Bordeaux tips. Keep checking back, because we are constantly adding new information.
Bordeaux Itineraries: Your Perfect Trip to The World Capital of Wine – Bordeaux Travel Guide
While you may have come to Bordeaux for the wine, there is so much more to Bordeaux than just the vineyards. It’s a beautiful city with vibrant streets that many visitors skip out on. We have the perfect itinerary for you, whether you are planning to spend a weekend in Bordeaux or a week. It includes the best of Bordeaux, the unique wineries, and the best beaches outside the Bordeaux vineyards.
Consider purchasing a 24 or 48 hour Bordeaux Metropole Pass to help you get around during your stay. You get unlimited access to Bordeaux’s public transport network, free admission to 8 museums, 7 monuments, including La Cite du Vin before 12pm, and a guided city tour. If Bordeaux sightseeing is on your itinerary, it’s worth the cost.
Bordeaux Travel Guide – Best Things
Bordeaux, also known as the Port of the Moon is France’s second most protected historic building. The entire city center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It contains 347 listed buildings with a history that spans over 2000 years. You should visit at least a few Bordeaux’s museums or historic buildings during your stay. For the most breathtaking views of Bordeaux, climb our majestic towers La Fleche or Tour Pey Berland.
Bordeaux: Free Activities
There are many places to see and museums in Bordeaux, but there are also many free places. There are many attractions, including the Miroir d’Eau and the markets, that will entertain you while you take a break from wine tasting.
The Best Bordeaux Chateaux- Wine Tasting Experiences
Bordeaux has 65 appellations, and over 7000 chateaux. Some chateaux are not open to the general public. It can be overwhelming to choose which ones to visit. Bordeaux residents are constantly on a quest to see as many chateaux and as many as we can.
There are many different types of visits. Some chateaux offer traditional visits that include a tour of their vineyard, tanks, barrel rooms, and a tasting of two different vintages. Many chateaux are winners of Bordeaux’s prestigious annual Best in Wine Tourism Award. They offer unique experiences such as the opportunity to make your own Bordeaux wine, workshops and tastings, and on-site gastronomic restaurant. We are constantly searching for the best English-speaking chateaux to make your Bordeaux trip memorable.
Here are some tips to help you find the best Bordeaux chateaux.
- Bordeaux chateaux are accessible to all visitors without the need for a guided tour. Visits and workshops can be booked directly with Bordeaux chateaux, for a small fee.
- You should book your visit in advance and don’t plan to just show up for a tour or tasting. Most visits and tastings require an appointment.
- To book wine tastings or wine tours in Bordeaux chateaux and wineries, we recommend the Rue des Vignerons website. You can get confirmation in seconds. You can visit famous Grand Cru Classe chateaux and family-owned wineries on some wine tours.
- Chateaux are most enjoyable to visit on weekdays. Most chateaux close on Sundays.
- Plan 1 – 2 hours for most classic chateaux visits. A full day of wine tasting is possible by booking 3 visits to a chateau in one day. The distances between chateaux can often be greater than you think.
- Although many famous chateaux are closed to the public, you might be able to visit one that is. Do not be afraid to visit a chateau you know well and enjoy the wine from.
Chateaux that are open to visitors often have a shop where they sell their wine directly. It is highly recommended to purchase a bottle or more. It is possible to take your wine home with you, and some chateaux will ship anywhere in the world for an additional fee.
Here is a list of all the chateaus we recommend. Some can be reached by public transport from Bordeaux Center. To read the full review and details about how to book your visit, click on the link for each chateau.
Bordeaux Events and Festivals
Bordeaux is known for its festivals and events. This is especially true during the months of April through August. This city loves to showcase their best, from the bi-annual Fête Le Vin to the foodie festivals Les Epicuriales de Bordeaux or Bordeaux. Check out the festivals taking place during your visit. Bordeaux Travel Guide 2022 update
Bordeaux: Where to Eat
Although not all restaurants recommend making reservations, many do. Reservations are highly recommended in France, as most restaurants only offer one seating and will turn away guests if they are full. LaFourchette is a great app and website that takes the stress out of dealing with language barriers. You can make a reservation online in minutes. You can download LaFourchette App prior to your trip or follow the links below for each restaurant to make your reservation.
Bordeaux’s Best Wine Bars
Most wine bars in Bordeaux are like tapas bars. Their license often requires customers to order food to order wine, beer or a pint. Most restaurants offer a simple menu with cheese and charcuterie or a mix of both. It’s best to reserve a table as the most popular wine bars tend to be very busy. You can also download the LaFourchette app before you go, just like many Bordeaux restaurants.
Bordeaux: Where to find the best pastries and chocolate
Bordeaux is a city where you can indulge in delicious pastries and chocolates. It would be almost a crime not to visit. We have tried many, and can recommend only the very best.
Bordeaux: Where to Stay
Bordeaux is composed of Bordeaux, the city of Bordeaux, and Bordeaux wine region. It is divided into the Left Bank (on the Garonne River) and the Right Bank (on the Garonne River). Bordeaux, the city, is located on the Left Bank. It also includes the Bordeaux regions of Margaux and Pauillac. Saint-Emilion, Pomerol and other major Bordeaux areas are located on the Right Bank. Bordeaux is approximately one hour away from the Bassin of Arcachon, which is home to Europe’s largest dunes and wine-producing areas. To help you plan your visit to the beautiful wine region, we have compiled a list of the top accommodations in Bordeaux Center, the Left Bank and the Right Bank.
Practical Information for Bordeaux
Airport: Bordeaux-Merignac Airport BOD
There are also other airports near Bordeaux including Bergerac-Roumaniere Airport, Angouleme-Brie-Champniers Airport and Agen-La Garenne Airport that are all within 100 kilometers of Bordeaux.
Train Station: Get to Bordeaux in 2 hours with Oui.SNCF from Gare de Bordeaux-Saint-Jean. For all the information you need, check out our complete guide for taking the Paris Bordeaux-Saint-Jean TGV.
To get from the airport to Bordeaux center: Take the Ligne1 Bus. It departs every ten minutes from right in front of the main entrances hall. Tickets can be purchased at the machine located in front of the main arrivals hall, or from the bus driver. A single fare costs EUR1.70. You can purchase a 10-ride ticket for EUR 13.20. Unlimited public transportation is included in the 24 and 48 hour Bordeaux Metropole City Pass.
Taxis are available in the center of the city for an average cost of EUR40. VTC Bordeaux
Private airport transfers can also be arranged. A driver will greet you at the airport with your name written on a placard. They will then take you to your hotel or destination.
How to get around Bordeaux: A large portion of Bordeaux’s historic centre is car-free, and it can be easily explored by foot. Trams can be found in parts of the car-free centre. There are 65 bus lines and the VCUB bicycle sharing system.
A single TBM card can be used for all modes of transportation, including bus, tram and boat. You can take one ride for 60 minutes, and transfer between tram, bus, and boat at the same time. A single ride costs EUR1.70; a 2-ride card costs EUR3.10 and a 10-ride card costs EUR13.20. You can also purchase passes for 1, 7, or 7 days. Unlimited public transportation is included in the 24 and 48 hour Bordeaux Metropole City Pass.
To explore Bordeaux’s wine chateaux, you might rent a car. If you want to visit the Medoc and Saint-Emilion, distances between chateaux are much greater than you might think.
WiFi in Bordeaux: There are more than 15,000 public WiFi hotspots that tourists can use. No matter where you are traveling, hackers can always be a threat to your WiFi network. For security, you might consider using a virtual private network (VPN). ExpressVPN, a cybersecurity company that offers a secure VPN in France, can encrypt your connection.
Bordeaux WeatherBordeaux enjoys an oceanic climate and long, dry summers. The hottest month in July is the hottest, while January is the coldest. January is also the wettest month. The 15-day forecast.
