A visit to Bordeaux, France is a must for any food and wine lover. Rich in history, architecture, art, vineyards, and world class cuisine, this is a vibrant French city full of unforgettable experiences. Here are some of our Top Things to Do in Bordeaux to add to your next visit.
Ahhh Bordeaux. I fell in love with this bustling, vibrant French city during a recent trip to the South of France. Alain and I started in Bordeaux, then spent time in Bergerac, Montpellier, and ended our month-long trip in Nice, France.
Bordeaux was an incredible city to launch our France tour, and I highly recommend a visit to anyone traveling to the South of France.
While known for its world class wines, Bordeaux, France isn’t just for wine lovers. It’s a beautiful city bursting with history, gorgeous architecture, lively markets, incredible food scene, and endless charm.
Whether you’re wandering its cobblestone streets, sipping world-class vintages, or soaking in its riverfront beauty, Bordeaux is the perfect mix of French sophistication and laid-back fun.
I highly recommend spending a few days or more in this incredible city. Here are a few of the must-see attractions, some of my insider tips, and everything else you need to know before you go!
Jump to:
- About Bordeaux, France
- Wine capital of the world
- Gastronomy in Bordeaux
- Top 5 places to see in Bordeaux
- Place de la Bourse
- Cite du Vin
- Six gates of Bordeaux
- Marche des Capucins
- Go wine tasting
- Visit Bordeaux boulangeries and patisseries
- What to pack for a trip to Bordeaux
- Bordeaux FAQs
- Plan your next trip to Bordeax
- More France travel articles
About Bordeaux, France
Bordeaux is a city rich in history that stretches back over 2,000 years, when it was founded as the Roman settlement of Burdigala.
Thanks to its location along the Garonne River, the city flourished as a trading hub. By the Middle Ages it had become one of Europe’s most important ports.
Bordeaux’s “Golden Age” in the 18th century gave rise to the elegant neoclassical architecture that still defines much of the city today, earning it UNESCO World Heritage status.
You definitely feel the depth of the city’s rich history as you wander around the cobblestone streets.
Wine capital of the world
With over 7,000 châteaux, Bordeaux is often called the wine capital of the world. The Bordeaux wine region, with its diverse terroirs, produces some of the most prestigious reds and whites in the world.
From left-bank, Cabernet Sauvignon-driven Médoc blends to right-bank Merlot-driven Saint-Émilions and Pomerols, plus the sweet Sauternes of Graves, you’ll find no shortage of wine experience when you visit.
We had a lovely time trying local wines at Bar a Vin, as well as at all of the restaurants we visited.
Gastronomy in Bordeaux
Bordeaux’s food culture is equally as rich as its wine industry. Trust me: you will eat well when you dine in Bordeaux!
The city celebrates southwest France’s culinary traditions with dishes like entrecôte à la bordelaise (steak in red wine sauce), duck confit, and oysters from nearby Arcachon Bay.
For a sweet bite, locals swear by canelés—small, caramelized pastries with a custardy center. We found the best at Cassonade. And there are boulangeries and patisseries lining each neighborhood.
Pairing food with wine isn’t just a pastime here; it’s a way of life that reflects Bordeaux’s unique blend of elegance, tradition, and joie de vivre.
Top 5 places to see in Bordeaux
There are so many different things to do and see in this large city. If you’re here for a few days, here are my top things to do in Bordeaux:
- Hang out at Place de la Bourse.
- Expand your wine knowledge and La Cite du Vin.
- Explore the six gates of Bordeaux.
- Eat and drink your way through Marche des Capucins.
- Go wine tasting in St. Emilion.
- Treat yourself to some of the best breads and pastries in the world.
Place de la Bourse
This grand square is the postcard-perfect symbol of Bordeaux. You’ve likely seen it, as it’s used in almost every TV show and news article about the city.
With its symmetrical architecture reflected in the famous Miroir d’Eau (water mirror), it’s the kind of spot you’ll want to photograph from every angle.
Visit during the day for stunning views of the Garonne River. Then come back at night when the square glows with golden light.
Day or night, it’s a favorite hangout for both travelers and locals. It’s also a good spot to catch the tram!
Cite du Vin
Whether or not you’re a wine lover, La Cité du Vin is a MUST visit spot in Bordeaux.
Housed in an imposing, large structure that sort of looks like a futuristic wine carafe, this is an immersive museum that brings wine culture and history to life. They do a great job sharing everything about wine, with interactive exhibits throughout.
At the end of your time here, your ticket includes a glass of wine up top at a panoramic rooftop bar. It’s an incredible view of the city.
This is an unforgettable experience that every person visiting Bordeaux should make time for. I’d plan to spend a couple of hours at this wine museum; plan for more if you buy tickets that include the full wine tasting workshop.
Six gates of Bordeaux
Once part of the medieval fortifications, Bordeaux’s six gates are scattered around the city, each with its own unique design. They’re a fun way to explore the city’s layers of history while getting your steps in.
Porte d’Aquitaine and Porte de Bourgogne are two favorites for photos, while Porte de la Monnaie and Porte de l’Hotel de Ville give you a glimpse into Bordeaux’s evolution from a fortress town to a thriving city. You can climb to the top of Porte Cailhau for panoramic views of the city.
Marche des Capucins
This was our first stop when we got to Bordeaux, and it was a good one.
The Marche des Capucins is a bustling market located in the Saint Michel neighbordhood. It’s the area’s largest covered market overflowing with colorful produce, fresh seafood, cheeses, pastries, and wines.
It’s been nicknamed the “belly of Bordeaux” for good reason!
If you get here in the morning, grab an espresso and a flaky croissant. Then wander through the stalls sampling oysters, charcuterie, and local specialties. Saturday mornings are especially lively, so go hungry!
Go wine tasting
Bordeaux is known for its wines the world over. The Garonne river divides the city into the Left Bank and the Right Bank.
The Left Bank is where you’ll find wine appellations such as Medoc, and where Cabernet Sauvignon rules the Bordeaux blends from this side of the river.
On the Right Bank, you’ll find appellations such as St. Emilion and Pomerol, which are known for their Merlot-driven wines.
You can book a tour online, or make reservations at Chateaus on your own. But definitely make reservations, as the days and hours places are open to the public can fluctuate based on time of year.
Visit Bordeaux boulangeries and patisseries
Walking around Bordeaux, you’ll come across one boulangerie and patisserie after another, in every neighborhood.
A boulangerie is a bakery that specializes in baked breads, but it may or may not also make and sell pastries.
A patisserie is a place that specifically only makes pastries; you won’t find baguettes at places that are specifically labeled as patisseries.
Foods you simply must try include a traditional baguette (mais oui!), canneles, croissants, eclairs, and macarons.
What to pack for a trip to Bordeaux
No matter the season, the number one item you NEED to pack when visiting Bordeaux is comfortable walking shoes. You’ll be strolling uneven cobblestone streets all day and night.
A lightweight jacket or scarf is handy year-round, as evenings can get cool and it can rain throughout the year.
Don’t forget a chic, comfortable outfit for a wine tasting or dinner out—this is France, after all!
And yes, pack nice flats for those dining out outfits, not heels. I packed wedge heel sandals for dinners at Michelin restaurants, and wish I stuck with my dressy flats. Many women I saw simply wore their nicer trainers with dresses.
Bordeaux FAQs
I found it very safe in all of the neighborhoods I walked around, even at night in the dark. It’s a large city, so there are almost always people in the streets. Like all major cities, it’s best to always be on alert and follow basic safety precautions while you travel.
Euros.
French, although since it is a large city with high tourism, English is also widely spoken, especially in shops and restaurants.
Spring (April–June) and fall (September–October) are the ideal times to visit Bordeaux. This is when you’ll tend to find mild weather, fewer crowds, and plenty of wine festivals. Summer is lively but can be hot and tourist-heavy, while winter is quieter and cozy, with festive holiday markets.
In general, 2-3 days is perfect for exploring the main attractions. However, wine lovers may want 4–5 days to add in nearby vineyard tours. We spent 5 nights and 6 days in Bordeaux, and I personally would have enjoyed staying even longer.
Yes! Most of the top attractions mentioned in this article are within the historic center and easily explored on foot.
Not for the city itself. Public transportation and walking are best, but a car is useful for day trips to vineyards if you’re not booking a full tour.
Plan your next trip to Bordeax
- Book tickets to La Cite du Vin
- Book this half day wine tour of St. Emilion.
- Find hotels in Bordeaux, France.
- While we didn’t drive in Bordeaux, we did rent a car from Bordeaux through Avis for the remainder of our travels through the South of France.
- Wine bar to visit: Bar a Vin.
- Boulangeries and patisseries we visited: Cassonade, Boulangerie Saint Michel, Bakery Art Gallery (BAG)
- Bordeaux restaurants and food halls we recommend: Ost restaurant, Vivants restaurant, Las Halles de Bacalan
If you visit, please be sure to let them know that you read about it on Urban Bliss Life! And if you snap some pics, tag us @UrbanBlissLife and #UrbanBlissLife on Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and Facebook.
✈️ Planning a trip?
Here are my favorite items and resources I use whenever I travel.
🧳 Away Luggage – I’ve traveled all over the world with Away luggage and can’t say enough about their durability and style.
🎒 Backpack – This is my go-to travel backpack. It has pockets everywhere and enough space to fit everything from my laptop to extra shoes.
📍Apple Air Tags – I always hide these airtags away in my luggage, especially if I check bags. That way I can track them and know exactly where they are.
👚 Packing cubes – Take the stress out of packing and make sure everything fits in your bags with this set of compression packing cubes.
⚡️Portable charger – I always travel with a portable power bank for my devices, and I’ve found this one to be the most reliable and long-lasting.
🔌 Travel adapter – Planning to travel to multiple countries? I use this all-in-one international travel adapter to make sure my devices work wherever I go.
🛩 Flights – I’ve found the best savings savings on flights here.
🏨 Hotel – I always snag the best lodging deals with this booking tool.
🚙 Rental cars – You can get some great savings on rental cars on this site.
I use all of these products and earn a small commission through these affiliate links.
