Bordeaux: 10 things to do on your next weekend breakBordeaux: 10 essentials

Bordeaux, a world wine capital wrapped around the Garonne river, is an ideal destination for a (long) weekend of culture, heritage and gastronomy. Here, we list 10 essential activities guaranteed to make you want to book your tickets ;-) Follow our guide!

Miroir d'eau - Bordeaux

Come with us to Bordeaux: 10 top tips for things to do

01 | Behind the Place de la Bourse you'll find the Saint-Pierre district, the historic heart of the city, with its charming, narrow streets: the ideal spot to linger for a while outside a café and enjoy a glass of Médoc or another local vintage.

02 | Stroll along the quays beside the Garonne and admire the sunset. Another romantic way to round off the day that's not to be missed: the Miroir d'Eau at the Place de la Bourse, a spectacular feature with extraordinary effects alternating between reflections and mist. PS: it's also the most photographed spot in Bordeaux!

03 | For the ideal place to shop until you drop head to Chartrons, with its thirty-three shops, restaurants, and terraces to take a well-earned break for coffee or ice cream. A number of shops to appeal to antique enthusiasts is also found here. Don't miss the Quai des Chartrons and its houses with their charming Flemish gables.

Pont de Pierre - Bordeaux

04 | Art lovers will be in heaven! The city has 11 museums showcasing art in all its forms, with works by Rubens, Matisse, Picasso and Goya. Explore them free of charge with the Bordeaux Métropole CityPass.

05 | Sample the cuisine bordelaise! You can't do better than wander around the covered Marché des Capucins, the largest market in Bordeaux, between stalls laden with meat, pastries (you must try the cannelés!), cheeses, fruit and vegetables, etc. Bordeaux is thought to have the largest number of restaurants per capita, so you're bound to find one you like among the thousand or so restaurants in the city.  

06 | Cross the Garonne via the Pont de Pierre or stone bridge, the first bridge built in Bordeaux in the time of Napoleon I. From the opposite bank, you'll have a magnificent view of this city in the Gironde. Every September, on European Heritage Days, you can explore the inside of the bridge – listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2002.

Cité du vin © Photos AnakaLa Cité du VinXTU architects

07 | Discover the Cité du Vin, a unique museum dedicated to wine as cultural heritage. A place of life, exploration and discovery, the Cité takes you on a journey through the world of wine! Don't miss the spectacular 360° view of the city from the museum's Belvedere – at a height of 35 metres. 

08 | Bordeaux, at the heart of the largest fine wine-growing region in the world (Margaux, Saint-Emilion, Sauternes, etc.), is the ideal base to discover the châteaux and wine-producing villages all around. Treat yourself to a tour of the famous designated wines of the Bordeaux region.

Parc in Bordeaux

09 | Right in the centre of the city stands the belfry, whose bells mark the rhythms of Bordeaux life. They include the Grosse Cloche, also known as Armande-Louise. Be sure to take a tour of the belfry and its unusual dungeons, dating from when it also served as a prison. 

10 | Do you dream of a "natural" escape in the centre of the city? Escape to one of the city's parks: there is the Parc Bordelais, the romantic Jardin Public, the charming Maison du Jardinier or the discreet Square Vinet… Bordeaux has a fantastic green heritage!