When visiting Bordeaux, save at least a few days to explore the magical Gironde region. The wine capital is surrounded by charming villages, grand châteaux, vineyards, and sandy beaches. Here’s a list of my favorite day trips, covering everything from famous wine regions to medieval towns and beach getaways.

It’s important to note that most of these locations are not very accessible by public transport. Personally, I use DiscoverCars when I need to rent a car, so I can highly recommend it.  If want to avoid driving be sure to check out my article about the best day trips from Bordeaux by train.

A day trip to the vineyards of Bordeaux

Visiting Saint Émilion and its wineries

Saint Émilion is the quintessential Bordeaux day trip. This medieval gem is world-famous for its wineries and picturesque streets, attracting over a million visitors annually. Even non-wine lovers will appreciate its rich history, including the impressive Monolithic Church carved from limestone in the 11th century.

For wine enthusiasts, Saint Émilion is paradise. Visit one of the region’s many wineries—my article about wineries to visit in Saint Emilion lists my personal favorites based on years of visits. If you prefer a guided experience, consider a full-day tour with Ophorus, which includes stops at three wineries and a walk through the medieval center.

How to get there: The easiest way is by car, which allows you to visit vineyards beyond the town center. Alternatively, You can take a train from the Gare Saint Jean station or a bus to the center of Saint Emilion (operating only in the summer). See all the best ways to get to Saint Emilion including guided tours.

The Medoc Wine Route – La route des châteaux 

La route des châteaux in Medoc is the most scenic route in the Bordeaux wine region. The renowned wine route along the D2 road begins in northern Bordeaux Metropole and stretches to the northern tip of Gironde. Along this scenic journey, you’ll encounter breathtaking châteaux nestled amidst endless vineyards, creating a postcard-perfect landscape at every turn.

On the way, you’ll pass by iconic chateaux châteaux like Château Margaux and Château Mouton Rothschild. While some famous estates are open only to professionals, others like Château d’Arsac and Château Lamothe Bergeron welcome visitors. As with Saint Emilion, here too, I’ve made a list of all my favorite wineries to visit in the Medoc wine region. If time allows, I highly recommend dedicating a weekend to Médoc to fully appreciate its beauty. For a shorter trip, take a half-day guided tour that includes visits to two wineries.

How to get to the Medoc: Driving is the best way to explore Médoc, but there are a few wineries accessible by train. My guide lists them for your convenience.

Cognac – the town and the Brandy

Cognac, about 120 km from Bordeaux, is renowned for its world-class spirit. The town’s historic center features 16th- and 17th-century streets and is home to famous Cognac houses like Hennessy, Martell, and Rémy Martin, all offering tastings and tours. For a deeper dive, join a private tour from Bordeaux that includes visits to three Cognac distilleries and the town itself.

Here are two of my articles you should read before going: best things to do (and eat) in Cognac and distilleries to visit in Cognac.
How to get from Bordeaux to Cognac: You can take a train (with a transfer to Saintes or Angoulême) but that is a very long journey, hence I highly recommend renting a car to visit Cognac.

Discover the best beach towns around Bordeaux

Arcachon: beautiful beaches and Dune du Pilat

Arcachon is one of the most popular summer destinations in the southwest of France. A seaside resort town renowned for its beautiful beaches, impressive architecture, and vibrant atmosphere. Within an hour’s drive from Bordeaux, you get to swim in the ocean, eat oysters, and see extravagant villas. 

A day to Arcachon is best to be combined with a trip to the Dune du Pilat, the tallest sand dune in Europe. To help you organize the trip I wrote a detailed guide about how to spend a day in Arcachon.  If you don’t have the time to plan a day trip, taking this tour from Bordeaux is a great way to discover Arcachon.

How to get to Arcachon: the town of Arcachon is one of the easiest day trips by train. However, if you want to easily visit some of the other places on Arcachon Bay, renting a car is highly recommended. 

Soulac sur Mer

Soulac-sur-Mer, located 90 km north of Bordeaux, is a charming resort town often nicknamed “Little Arcachon” for its resemblance to its southern counterpart. Boasting some of the most stunning beaches on the Atlantic coast, it’s a favorite destination for French tourists. The town is dotted with delightful little restaurants, both in the center and along the promenade. One of the highlights of the Medoc region Soulac is great to combine with the La route des châteaux.

When there, take a map from the tourist office and go on a discovery tour of the most interesting villas. I highly recommend coming here at the beginning of June during the festive weekend of Soulac 1900, a really fun Jazz festival.

How to get to Soulac: If you don’t want to drive for 1.5 hours from Bordeaux, you can take a direct train from Bordeaux. You can buy tickets here.

Cap Ferret

The Cap Ferret peninsula is located in the Western part of Bassin d’Arcachon (Arcachon Bay). Shaped like a narrow tongue it runs along a string of beautiful sandy beaches on the Atlantic Ocean and small villages on the Bassin side. Despite its growing popularity among locals and tourists, Cap Ferret has yet to lose its relaxing seaside village atmosphere.

The peninsula is renowned as one of France’s largest oyster-growing regions, thanks to its prime location on Arcachon Bay, which offers ideal conditions for oyster farming. Charming oyster huts dot the ports of Cap Ferret and picturesque villages like L’Herbe and Le Canon. Indulging in a plate of fresh oysters paired with a chilled glass of white wine is an experience you simply can’t miss!

How to get to Cap Ferret from Bordeaux: You can get there by bus number 601, but honestly it’s a long journey that I wouldn’t recommend. The best way is to get there by car. It’s also possible to get there by boat from Arcachon town.

The Biscarrosse lake

This one is a great option for a day in nature. If you don’t mind driving a bit longer, the beautiful Biscarrosse Lake is located about 70 km (45 miles) from Bordeaux. It is one of the biggest lakes in the area with plenty of amazing beaches and pine forest surrounding it. If you need an idea for a day out of Bordeaux with kids, a trip to Biscarrose is perfect!

There are several beaches to choose from, some of my favorites are Plage Navarrose and Plage de Caton. Aquapark, the biggest inflatable water park in France is located on Plage Maguide. If you’re into surfing, head to the beaches on the Atlantic coast. You can also start the day with a biking trail on the canal, connecting the big and little lakes.

If you prefer ocean beaches head to Biscarrosse Ocean, a seaside town with a huge beach and plenty of restaurants. You need a car to get to all these beaches from Bordeaux. 

A day trip to the beautiful villages and towns around Bordeaux

Bazas

Bazas is a beautiful little town with lovely people and a great heritage embodying the Gascony culture. It’s located at the eastern edge of the Gascon Landes forest, about 65 km (40 miles) from Bordeaux. 

Architecture is not the only attraction in Bazas, it’s actually famous for its gastronomy, especially its meat which you can taste in many of the restaurants on the main square. If you’re looking for a more special gastronomic experience book a farm-to-table tour with Anne, an American chef living in Bazas.

Blaye

Blaye is one of the most beautiful villages in the Bordeaux area, located only about 50 km (30 miles) from Bordeaux. This little town has a long military and strategic history and is mostly known for its remarkable Citadel. 

The Citadel and the city walls are recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The entrance to the Citadel is free and you can explore the streets and ramparts admiring the view of the Gironde estuary which can be seen from the top. 

How to get to Blaye: The easiest way to get there is by car or by ferry if you’re coming from the other side of the Gironde estuary. The ferry is leaving from Lamarque, see the schedule.

Visit castles in the South of Gironde

South Gironde is a magical landscape of history and gascon tradition. It’s a rural area, abundant with beautiful medieval villages and ancient castles. One of the most impressive castles is Château de la Brede, located only 30 minutes from Bordeaux. The 14th-century castle, built in a Gothic style was the residence of Montesquieu. Today the castle is a museum dedicated to the life and work of the famous French philosopher. The château is open for visits from April to November.

Other stunning castles include Château de Cadillac, Château de Roquetaillade, Château Royal de Cazeneuve, and Château de Vayres. You need a car to be able to visit the castles of Gironde. You can easily find a car from the center of Bordeaux here.

Bergerac

The Dordogne region offers endless day trip possibilities, with its stunning castles, gardens, and some of the most beautiful French villages less than two hours away. One of the highlights of the region is Bergerac, the capital of Purple Périgord, located 115 km from Bordeaux—a 1.5-hour drive. Check out my detailed guide to Bergerac for more tips.

Nestled along the Dordogne River, Bergerac boasts beautiful river views and opportunities to tour traditional gabarres (wooden boats) to learn about the city’s history and surrounding nature reserve. Its city center is lively, featuring great restaurants, a bustling market, and quaint shopping streets.

Wine lovers can also visit nearby châteaux, like the iconic Château de Monbazillac, just 15 minutes away and famed for its sweet white wine. If visiting on a Saturday, don’t miss the excellent market at Sainte Foy la Grande, conveniently en route from Bordeaux.

How to get to Bergerac: There’s a direct train from Bordeaux to Bergerac, the same one that stops at Saint Emilion. You can buy your tickets online or at the train station. 

Is it your first time in Bordeaux?

If you’re visiting Bordeaux for the first time, be sure to check out my ultimate guide to Bordeaux to get familiar with all the must-see places in Bordeaux. To help you choose a hotel in Bordeaux I’ve gathered a list of the best hotels in the center of Bordeaux as well as a guide to the districts of Bordeaux to help you find your preferred location.

Before I end my article, here are a few other articles you might want to read when you’re traveling around Bordeaux:
The best beaches around Bordeaux
Best places to visit on the Arcachon Bay
A weekend in Medoc- Bordeaux wine tours
What to do and eat in Saint Emilion
A weekend in Toulouse

You can also get plenty of tips on things to do in the Southwest of France via lost in Bordeaux’s social media accounts and email list, check them out here:

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*Note – Some of the links in this article include affiliate links for which I earn a small commission. It adds absolutely nothing to your cost and helps me continue writing about this amazing region. Don’t worry, I’m not getting rich here, I’ll never recommend anything I don’t believe in 🙂