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The best areas to stay in Bordeaux – the districts guide

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the best areas in Bordeaux

Bordeaux is a very lively city with plenty of restaurants, boutiques, and interesting places to visit. So if you want to fully enjoy all this city has to offer, choosing the right hotel or apartment location is crucial. The most vibrant and central neighborhood in Bordeaux is Saint Pierre and if you don’t have a tight budget or other constraints (kids, noise, vicinity to the train station, etc.) it’s a great area to stay in. But you shouldn’t limit yourself to Saint Pierre, there are lots of good neighborhoods in Bordeaux.

In this guide, I’ll help you discover the best areas to stay in Bordeaux: lively neighborhoods, hipster districts, and the best areas for families visiting the city. I also added a few recommended hotels to some of my district descriptions in case you’re not an Airb&b kind of person 🙂 If you need more recommendations for hotels in the city center, check out my post about the best hotels in Bordeaux for every budget.

If you’re planning to do a weekend in Saint Emilion, here are my recommendations for the best places to stay in the Saint Emilion region. In case your next destination is Toulouse, here’s my guide to the best areas of Toulouse.

Let’s dive into the best districts of Bordeaux!

Central Areas in Bordeaux

Saint Pierre and Saint Paul – The historic center of Bordeaux

Saint Pierre and Saint Paul districts represent the historic heart of the city. These are the most vibrant and lively areas in Bordeaux, where you stroll by paved narrow streets, charming squares, and several famous monuments (the Miroir d’eau, place de la Bourse, and others). it’s also the heart of the gastronomic scene in Bordeaux, with plenty of amazing restaurants, cocktail bars, and hip cafés. Many are concentrated around the Place Fernand Lafargue, especially on rue Saint James. In Saint Pierre, almost every street has a good restaurant, but the best bars are on rue Parlement Saint Pierre and rue Parlement Sainte Catherine.

The neighborhoods are bounded by the Opera of Bordeaux from the north and rue Victor Hugo from the South. Going east you can enjoy a pleasant stroll on the gorgeous promenade of the Garonne River. The western border of the historic center is marked by rue Sainte Catherine, the longest pedestrian shopping street in Europe hosting all the main retail stores as well as several smaller boutiques.

You can find plenty of Airbnb apartments in this area but they will usually be more expensive. Also, you should know that some of the streets can be a bit noisy at night.
There are lots of little hotels in this touristy area. If you’re looking for something very simple but with good value for money I recommend staying at Hôtel Acanthe. Another good option is the Quality hotel, which is a very nice 3- star hotel.
You can see more recommendations for hotels in the Saint Pierre district in my post about the best places to stay in Bordeaux.  

Pey Berland and Meriadeck – the administrative district of Bordeaux

Bordering the historic center is the Pey Berland neighborhood, home to the main Cathedral of Bordeaux, Saint André and the city hall (Hotel du Ville). This is one of Bordeaux’s central neighborhoods located within a walking distance from all the main monuments in Bordeaux. Pey Berland is also known as the museum district of Bordeaux with several good museums worth visiting: Musée des Beaux-Arts, Musée des Arts décoratifs et du Design and the Musée d’Aquitaine (a regional history museum).

Musee des beaux arts in Bordeaux
Musee des beaux arts in Bordeaux

This district is also a hub for the new wave of hip quality cafés emerging around Bordeaux such as SIP, The Blacklist, l’Alchimiste and Gusco. If Sainte Catherine left you hungry for more shopping, this district will not disappoint you. Plenty of clothing boutiques and art galleries are located between the town hall, place Gambetta and Cours de l’independance. On rainy days, you can also visit the Mériadeck, the only shopping mall in the center of Bordeaux. If you’re looking for accommodation in this area but still want to feel the historic vibe of Bordeaux, try choosing a place to the east side of Cours d’Albret.

In this district, you can find the coolest hotel in town  – the Mama Shelter. Stylish rooms, a good restaurant and a super chic rooftop bar with the best view of Bordeaux. What more do you need? If you’re traveling with kids, Novotel can be a good option for you. It’s located within 10 minutes walk from the center of Bordeaux and they offer big rooms that will fit your whole family.

Quinconces and Triangle d’Or – The fancy area of Bordeaux

Opera of Bordeaux
The Opera of Bordeaux

To the north of the historic center, we find the Triangle d’Or district, where the architecture mostly dates back to the 18th century. You’ll immediately notice the contrast in scenery coming from the narrow paved streets of old Bordeaux to the wide boulevards and elegant facades of the Triangle d’Or. This is the fancy part of Bordeaux, abundant with luxury boutiques and some of the best chocolatiers in Bordeaux.

The neighborhood also borders Jardin Public, the biggest park in the center of Bordeaux, making it a very kid-friendly area. Triangle d’Or is also the home of the Opera of Bordeaux as well as the Esplanade des Quinconces, one of the biggest squares in France. Several times a year, different fairs take place at the square or on the Allée de Tourney. Among them are the Christmas market, the big brocante (flea and antique market) of Bordeaux and an amusement park. In my blog I cover all the main events taking place in the city during the year, so for more updates follow my monthly and weekly lists.

This district is home to the more fancy and prestigious hotels. Hôtel de Sèze is a beautiful 4-star hotel that also has a Spa. Another option would be the very popular Le Boutique Hotel. They have a few very chic rooms and a great bar where they offer wine tastings (you can read more about it here).

Chartrons – the posh area of Bordeaux

Chartrons in Bordeaux
The Chartrons district in Bordeaux

The Chartrons district, neighboring esplanade des Quinconces, starts the northern part of Bordeaux. It’s quite a big district but the more interesting part of it lies next to the riverfront and around the long rue Notre Dame, one of the poshest streets in Bordeaux. This central street and the little ones surrounding it are full of excellent restaurants, trendy boutiques and antique shops.

The Chartrons riverfront is characterized by warehouses once used by foreign merchants to age and store wine. It gives the neighborhood a vibe different than the rest of the city. Also, every Sunday a big market takes place on Quai des Chartrons, gathering many tourists and locals from all parts of the city. So even if you don’t stay there, don’t miss this charming neighborhood.

In the Chartrons district, you can stay at Casa Blanca, a very cozy and stylish B&B with a yummy breakfast. It’s located just a few minutes walk from the main square of this chic neighborhood and is also super close to the main park of Bordeaux, Jardin Public. 

Saint Michel, Saint Croix and Victoire  – the Cosmopolitan areas of Bordeaux

Saint Michel in Bordeaux
Saint Michel in Bordeaux

If you’re looking to lower your budget or change the scenery from classic Bordeaux, the southern districts of the city are a great option. Saint Michel, Saint Croix and Victoire are the cosmopolitan districts of the city. A very mixed population lives in these neighborhoods, you could find international students, artists and immigrant merchant families. The area has a lively culinary scene, from the main market of Bordeaux to local bars and cute little restaurants. If you’re a foodie, check out my food tours in the main market of Bordeaux.
Although it’s only a few minutes walk from the city center, apartments in this area are considerably cheaper than the neighboring Saint Paul district.

The best known hotel in this district is Maison Fredon, a little boutique hotel located in a beautifully renovated 18th-century house. There are only five rooms in this hotel, all uniquely designed to combine modern decor with the classic style of a bourgeois bordelaise house.

Click here to read more about things to do in Saint Michel.

Jardin Public and Saint Seurin – the quiet and green area of Bordeaux

Jardin Public and Saint Seurin are two residential neighborhoods, located quite close to the city center. If you’re planning a trip to Bordeaux with kids, these neighborhoods are perfect as they are calm and close to the main park of Bordeaux, Jardin Public. They are within a short walking distance from the Opera of Bordeaux and some of the best restaurants in the city so you won’t feel isolated.

If you decide to stay in this area, Villa Victor Louis is your place. A charming boutique hotel with beautiful decor and a nice little garden which is just perfect to spend your summer days.

The more distant neighborhoods in Bordeaux

Bordeaux is not a big city and you can easily reach the center from several other more distant districts. So if the center of Bordeaux is a bit out of your budget, consider some of the following areas. Another option would be to look for something on one of the tramlines as those are very regular, as opposed to buses in Bordeaux. Here is the map of the tramline in Bordeaux, to make it easier for you to do your search.

Bastide – the other side of the river

LES CHANTIERS DE LA GARONNE
The hip area of Bordeaux

While most of the historic monuments are located on the west side (rive gauche) of the Garonne, rive droite has its own charm and can be a good place to stay in Bordeaux. By crossing the central bridge of Bordeaux (Pont Pierre) you arrive at the Bastide neighborhood. Until quite recently it was a sleepy residential neighborhood but in the last decade, it transformed into a hip area where many locals love to spend their weekends.

This district is especially charming from May to October when you can enjoy all its green areas and all the summer bars and restaurants on the riverfront which are then open for the summer season. Bastide is still much cheaper then the center of Bordeaux and can be a great option if you’re on a budget. However, to still feel like you’re close to the city center, search for a hotel or apartment close to Tram A. This line will take you through Pont Pierre to Hotel du Ville in just a few minutes ride.

There is a new cool eco-friendly hotel in this neighborhood, named Eklo. It has a very young design and it’s located just next to Darwin. However, I would mainly recommend it to young travelers or families with kids who want to sleep in the same eco-friendly room 🙂

Bacalan – The grungy area of Bordeaux

bassins a flot
The grungy part of Bordeaux

Neighboring Chartrons from the north is the Bacalan district, located about 30 minutes walk from the center of Bordeaux. They are a far not only in their geographical distance but also in their landscape. The Bacalan neighborhood is built around the port of Bordeaux and has a very grungy look to it as opposed to the classic city center. In recent years, the city of Bordeaux has been transforming this neighborhood into one of the most interesting areas in the city. Apart from the magnificent Cité du Vin, it also houses some of the best music venues and has a thriving street art scene. If you chose to stay in this area, be sure to stay in the Southern part (close to the Chartrons district) and as close as possible to the tramline (Tram B) that will take you to the city center in a few minutes.

The best option in Bacalan, in my opinion, is the Seeko’o Hotel which has a very urban and cool design to it. It’s located just next to the riverfront and within a few minutes walk from the big wine museum of Bordeaux. Another great option is the Radisson Blu hotel which is located on the Bassin a Flot and has one of the best rooftop bars in town.

If you want to learn more about things to do in the Bacalan neighborhood, click here.

Gare Saint Jean – next to the train station

Saint-Jean isn’t one of the best neighborhoods to stay in Bordeaux and in some parts can be a bit shady. However, if you need to catch a train early in the morning staying there can be quite practical. And it’s also much more affordable than the center of Bordeaux, which you can easily reach with the Tram Line C. There are some nice hotels on the way from the train station to the riverfront (the quai) and, generally speaking, this is the nicer part around Gare Saint-Jean. Also, Quai des Paludate is home to some of Bordeaux’s night clubs and to the new Boca food market. Gradually and with a lot of investment from the city of Bordeaux, this area is becoming more popular and the stay can indeed be quite nice.

Hôtel Mercure is a good option if you want to stay next to the train station. It’s not very new but the rooms are comfortable and clean. If you’re looking for something fancier, the Hilton Garden Inn hotel is also within a few minutes walk from the station. It is however located a bit further from the city center so take that into consideration.

Saint Agustin

One of the most family friendly neighborhoods in Bordeaux is Saint Augustin. It’s a small quiet neighborhood, located about 20 min (by tram) from the city center and a walking distance from two beautiful parks in Bordeaux, Parc bourran and Parc Bordelais. The neighborhood has a little center with a few restaurants and a weekly market.

Saint Genes and Nansouty

South to the center, you can find Saint Genes and Nansouty. These are two quiet neighborhoods bordering Place de la Victoire from the South. There isn’t much to do here but it’s only about a 15 minutes walk from the center and it’s conveniently placed on the tram line B that takes you to all the main spots  in Bordeaux.

Bordeaux Lac

The Bordeaux Lac district is located in the north, quite far from the center of Bordeaux. Apart from cheaper rates, its main advantage is being close to the parc des expositions, where many of Bordeaux’s fairs and salons take place. So if you come to Bordeaux for a conference this will be a good option for you. Also, if the shopping in the city center was not enough, Bordeaux Lac has one of the biggest shopping centers in the region.

As its name suggests, the neighborhood has a big lake with a popular beach that is open to the public during the summer. You can reach the exhibition park, the shopping center and the beach by line C from the center of Bordeaux.  

I hope this article covers everything you need to know about the different neighborhoods you can stay in when visiting Bordeaux. If you need more specific recommendations, check out my post about the best hotels in the city center.

If it’s your first time visiting Bordeaux, here are a few other articles you’ll find useful:
Things to do in Bordeaux, France – the ultimate guide
10 day trips from Bordeaux by train
30 things to do in Bordeaux with kids

If you’re moving to Bordeaux, be sure to check out the Bordeaux Expats website which is full of valuable knowledge for newcomers.  

Need more ideas for things to do in and around Bordeaux? you should definitely join my newsletter where I share a lot of info about the area – sign up here.

*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 🙂 

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In Biking, hiking and nature in Bordeaux

The most beautiful parks in Bordeaux

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Parc Majolan

The amazing response to my Hiking in Bordeaux article last week, made me realize that now, more than ever, people are looking to replace their city center outings with parks, beaches, and forests. So maybe not everyone is up for a 9km hike but I’m sure most of my readers would love to discover new places where they can admire exotic flowers, observe ducks swimming peacefully in a cute pond and enjoy an outdoor picnic. I know we all miss going to restaurants but opening a bottle of good Bordeaux wine accompanied by cheese, charcuterie and a beautiful view doesn’t feel so bad to me! So this week I decided to write an article about the most beautiful parks in Bordeaux, or better yet “my favorite parks in Bordeaux” 🙂

If you leave the city center and travel to the other towns of Bordeaux Metropole, you will discover that there’s a huge amount of parks and green spaces in the Bordeaux region. Some of them have lakes, playgrounds, picnic areas, others have a more foresty vibe to them and some even have beautiful art installations. In some parts of this article, I mention things like playgrounds, animal parks, coffee places, and picnics, which were a normal thing before the pandemic. I hope that things can get back to normal as soon as possible but for now, please know that some of these places are still closed and that no gathering of more than 10 people is allowed. So be safe and prudent when visiting public spaces. 

If you’re keen on staying close to the center you can check out my older article about the best places for picnics in Bordeaux. Also, I just want to remind you that on my Instagram I post plenty of photos and stories from the places I visit in Gironde so follow me to get much more info about the hidden gems of our region.

The best parks in Bordeaux – Rive Gauche

Jardin Public in Bordeaux center

Jardin public in Bordeaux

For those living in Bordeaux, my choice to start with Jardin Public would seem too obvious, but one cannot make a list of parks in Bordeaux without mentioning this beautiful green island harmoniously placed among the historic buildings of Bordeaux. Jardin Public, created in the 18th century is the biggest park in Bordeaux center spreading over 11 hectares! This place is the epitome of city parks, it has a beautiful pond with ducks and swans, a wide green area for picnics, a lot of space for runners and two fun playgrounds for kids. It’s also home to Bordeaux’s natural history museums which is a great spot for families. You can clearly see why it’s one of the most visited places in Bordeaux by locals and tourists alike. In the summer, the park hosts a daily traditional puppets show, which makes it even more attractive for families. For more activities for kids check out my article about the best things to do in Bordeaux with kids. 

Parc Bordelais in Cauderan

Parc Bordelais in the Cauderan neighborhood is the biggest park in Bordeaux city. It’s a beautiful 28-hectare green space that attracts both friends and families for picnics around the lake, as well as runners and bikers. It also has a chic cafe, for those of you in need of a cold glass of rosé 🙂  I would dare to say that it’s the most kids-friendly park in Bordeaux. Besides two large playgrounds (for younger and older kids), there is a puppet theater, a little animal park and a kids train that takes you on a tour of the park. While it’s not in the hyper center like Jardin Public, it’s really worth the travel. 

Parc bordelais in Bordeaux

There’s no tram directly to the park but you can easily reach it by bus (number 2 or 3) from the center of Bordeaux. You can also take tram D and walk about 15 minutes to the park. It will take you about half an hour to get there walking from the center of Bordeaux. 

Parc Majolan in Blanquefort

If I had to make a list of my top three parks in Bordeaux this one would definitely be on it! Parc Majolan in Blanquefort is a great example of a beautiful landscape design. When you follow the paths in the park you feel like you walk through a forest but then suddenly discover ruins of an old gate, beautiful flowers, and finally a stunning lake. The best part of it all is the artificial caves created in the 19th century. This park is so rich that it will take you hours to explore all of it! 

Parc Majolan Bordeaux

How to get there: The entrance to the park is from Avenue du Général de Gaulle 33290 BLANQUEFORT. If you’re coming by bus, take bus number 29 and get off at Parc de Majolan station. 

Parc Bouran in Merignac

Parc Bouran in Merignac

Parc Bouran is the main park of Merignac and is easily accessible by tram A from the city center. While it’s a proper park with a lake, a beautiful chateau and playgrounds, some parts of it feel rawer and woody, which I find very nice. The park has been built around the Deveze, a stream that runs into the Garone river next to the Saint Pierre neighborhood (the original location of the old port of Bordeaux). In the city center, the stream now goes underground but here in the park, it’s in the open-air, giving it yet another special feature. This park is perfect for families and seems to be very popular with joggers as well 🙂

Parc Floral 

I feel like this amazing park doesn’t get enough credit. The 20 hectares flower park of Bordeaux side by side with the Bois de Bordeaux (the forest of Bordeaux) in the Barails natural reserve, which I have written about in my Hiking in Bordeaux article. This is one of the most beautiful places in Bordeaux for walking, running, bicycle riding or a picnic. 

Parc floral in Bordeaux

The colorful Parc floral has a beautiful rose garden with more than 500 varieties of roses. And that’s not all, among the park’s greenery you can find magnolias, many irises, every possible type of rhododendrons and many types of vines (mind you they are there to feed the birds). Throughout the park you will see plenty of statues and structures that look like they have been taken from other parts of the world. These were donated to Bordeaux from different places like Japan, Spain, and Morocco (don’t miss the stunning Moorish mosaics.) Spring is the best time to visit the park. Everything is still blossoming and after two months of confinement, it’s a good reminder that the world is still beautiful and alive 🙂 

Parc Floral is located in the Bordeaux Lac neighborhood and to get there straight without passing the forest first you will need to enter through entree roseraie (next to the Golf de Bordeaux Lac). Before heading there check out the information about the different entrances and parking spots on the official site of Bordeaux. 

Le Bois du Bouscat

Le Bois du Bouscat is a 5 hectares park stretched along the big Hippodrome in the Le Bouscat neighborhood. It’s a relatively new park, opened only in 2013 and labeled “entre nature et culture” it strives to connect  nature, art, and culture. While it’s not a huge park, its cultural aspect is particularly attractive and it can take you a few hours to see everything if you really pay attention to all the details. Plenty of sculptures are spread throughout the park, unusual benches, each designed by a different wood sculpturer, beautiful metallic animals representing the animals of the forest, and other art installations all related to nature. If you’re in for a culture hike, this is your place.

Parc Peixotto

Parc Peixotto in the center of Talence is not one of the big parks in Bordeaux metropole, but one of my favorites for sure. Well, I’m not objective here, I live just next door to it and it has been my savior every time my kids go bananas at home. What can you find here? A pond with plenty of geese and ducks, a beautiful chateau, and tons of hidden spots for romantic picnics 🙂 In the summer there are usually some nice events taking place in the park as well. 

chateau peixotto
chateau peixotto in Talence

It’s easily accessible by tram B from the city center – the Forum and Parc Peixotto stations are both very close to the park. 

Ecosite du Bourgailh in Pessac

The Ecosite of Bourgailh is not just a park, it’s a universe of plants put together in great landscape design. The area of the Foret du Bourgailh includes a 2.6 km walking trail, the largest tropical greenhouse in the region, sports facilities, a skate park, an amphitheater, a zoo and one of the most beautiful playgrounds you have ever seen, which for me is the highlight of this park. There are plenty of nice ecological and educational events taking place there throughout the year, such as mushroom hunting, a pumpkin festival, planting workshops and more. 

Ecosite du Bourgailh in Pessac

There are currently some issues with the parking there so you might have to stop further away and walk a bit. Click here to see where to park and how to get there by public transport or biking. 

Parc du Moulineau Gradignan

Parc du Moulineau Gradignan

Parc du Moulineau happens to be one of the biggest parks in the green suburb of Gradignan and it’s a real gem for kids. Not only can they enjoy a big playground but it’s also home to the Maison de la Nature that inhabits nearly 50 different animal species from rabbits to the black and white goat of the Pyrénées. The animal park is still closed so I recommend waiting until it opens up before going there. You can see all the details about the opening hours of the animal park here. 

Parc Sourreil in Villenave d’ornon

Parc Sourreil in Villenave d’ornon

This little park is well hidden behind its chateau and is easy to miss when passing by its main entrance in Villenave d’Ornon. However, if you go beyond the chateau you’ll find a cute forest-y park with a nice area for kids and some walking paths around the woods. I wouldn’t necessarily make a long trip to see this park but if you’re not far from here, it’s worth a visit!

Parks on Rive droite 

Parc de L’ermitage in Lormont 

The Parc of Lormont, or by its official name Parc de l’Ermitage Sainte-Catherine, is one of the favorite parks of rive droite inhabitants, or those who love traveling around the metropole. This beautiful hilly park is located on the east bank of the Garonne river and is part of the enormous 400 hectares green space called Parc des Coteaux, which goes through several other towns on rive droite. 

If you climb on the upper side of the park you can enjoy a stunning view of the Aquitaine bridge covering the Garonne river. However, If you’re coming with strollers or generally with little kids, beware that it’s not a very easy climb to the top of the park. In that case, I would advise you to spend your time near the lake at the bottom of the park and then reenter the park again through Haut Lormont (the higher part of Lormont) to visit the hilly part.  

Parc de L’ermitage in Lormont

I previously mentioned this park in my article about things to do with kids in Bordeaux. Just next to the park you will find the ferme d’Iris, an animal farm for kids with rabbits, donkeys, goats, and more.  For more info about the farm click here.

Parc aux Angéliques in Bastide

Parc aux Angéliques on Quai des Queyries isn’t a park per se, but rather a vast green area close to the city center, perfect for hiking, biking, or a picnic with friends. I felt that I should include it in the list for those looking for a nice picnic spot in the more tranquil part of Bordeaux. The park is spread along the Garonne river from its east side which provides a beautiful view of the buildings and monuments on the opposite side of the river such as the beautiful Place de la Bourse. There’s a very familial and tranquil vibe to it even during the more touristy months of the year. You will see groups of friends picnicking, families playing badminton, and a lot of bikers and runners (well, these are apparently everywhere in Bordeaux). If you’ve made it all the way there you can enjoy places like Darwin and Jardin Botanic, both located just in front of the park. You can read more about these two places in my ultimate guide to a weekend in Bordeaux. If you’re coming with kids, don’t panic if you don’t find a playground in the park. There’s actually a large playground just next to Jardin Botanique at Place des Droits de L’Enfant.

Parc aux Angéliques in Bastide

You can get there by tram A (Stalingrad station), by boat from the other side of the river, or with many buses that go through the Bastide neighborhood, You can use the site of the public transport in Bordeaux to find the best route. My favorite way to get there is on a city bike, you can read more about that in my article about cycling in Bordeaux. 

In this list, I included only the parks that I had a chance to visit, which is quite a lot but if you think that I should include other parks feel free to write it in the comments below. 

If you want to get more information about traveling in Bordeaux and the Southwest of France you should join my Travel in the Southwest of France Facebook group or simply join my Facebook/Instagram pages where I share almost all my travel and experiences in the region on a daily basis. If you want to get exclusive tips on traveling in the region, subscribe to my newsletter here.

Hope you enjoyed reading!

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In Around Bordeaux

The best beaches near Bordeaux

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Lacanau lake beach

Apart from luxurious wine, the Bordeaux area is also known for its beautiful beaches. On sunny days many tourists rush to the coast of Arcachon without knowing that there is actually a great deal of amazing beaches near Bordeaux. In this article, I want to share ten beaches in the area that I find absolutely stunning. The list includes both lake beaches, ocean beaches and of course the best beaches on the Bassin d’Arcachon. There are many more gorgeous beaches in the Southwest of France but I made sure to include only those that are located within a reasonable distance from the center of Bordeaux. Hope you’ll enjoy the article and the beaches around Bordeaux 🙂
*Note: most beaches require a car to get to, click here if you need to rent a car in Bordeaux. 

Before we start, here are a few other articles you might want to read when you’re traveling around Bordeaux:
Best places to visit on the Arcachon Bay
Day trips around Bordeaux – wine, beaches and villages 
10 day trips from Bordeaux by Public transport
A weekend in Medoc- Bordeaux wine tours
What to do and eat in Saint Emilion
You can also join my Facebook group “Travel in the southwest of France” where many enthusiasts of the region share their recommendations for places to visit and things to do in the southwest of France.

Lake beaches near Bordeaux 

Plage du Lac d’Hostens – South of Gironde

IMPORTANT NOTE! – Hostens is currently closed to the public due to the damage made by the fires this summer.

Plage du Lac d'Hostens
Plage du Lac d’Hostens – by lost in Bordeaux

Hostens lac is one of the highlights of the South Gironde region. Domaine des Lacs d’Hostens is located at the heart of the Landes de Gascogne forest (50km from Bordeaux) and has one of the most beautiful beaches in our area. This place is much more than just a nice place to swim. Hostens offers plenty of water activities such as kayaks and pedaling as well as hiking trails, mountain bike trails and more. There are actually 5 lakes at the domain but the beach is located on the shores of lake of Lamothe. There’s also a restaurant and a snack bar next to the beach so no worries if you didn’t come prepared. You can get more information about the activities at the tourist information point which is located next to the parking at the entrance to the Domain or read some of it here.

Bordeaux Lac – in Bordeaux city

Bordeaux lac
Bordeaux lac by Lost in Bordeaux

If you’re in Bordeaux and prefer to avoid renting/using a car, this beach is perfect for you. Bordeaux Lac has everything you need, a sandy clean beach and a lot of shade from the nearby trees for those who don’t really like the sun. the beach is open to the public daily during the summer (July and August) and starting July 1st it offers water and beach activities such as sailing, kayaking, mini-golf and more.

La Plage du Moutchic – Lacanau

La Plage du Moutchic - a fun beach near Bordeaux
La Plage du Moutchic by lost in Bordeaux

Plage du Moutchic is located on the banks of Lacanau lake, about 50 km from Bordeaux. This beach has a nice supervised swimming area, a shaded picnic area and sports facilities like boat rentals, windsurfing, canoes and paddle boats which makes it very popular with families from the region. In case you forgot to bring food (god forbid), there’s a snack bar and two restaurants with a beautiful view on the lake.  For those who don’t like sand (my hubby including 🙂 ), part of the beach is covered with soft green grass. There’s big free parking behind the beach.

You can also turn it into a nice weekend discovering the Lacanau region, there are a few nice hotels just next to the lake. One of the most fun hotels in Lacanau is called O Lac and you can book it here. If you’re traveling with kids, Lodging le Lac is a really fun family experience, with tents in the trees.

Plage Laouga – Close to Arcachon

Plage Laouga on Lac Cazaux is a fine sandy beach located about 400 m from the main beach of this beautiful lake (Plage Cazaux). Its calm warm water makes it one of the best places for families. This part of the lake is sheltered by the pine forest of Landes de Gascogne, which creates a lot of shaded spots on the beach (a must in the South-west summer). The beach is supervised during the summer season (mid June- mid September) and has free parking just next to it. Plage Laouga is located about 70 km from Bordeaux.

Beaches on the Arcachon Bay – close to Bordeaux

Le Moulleau beach

Day trip from Bordeaux

Le Moulleau, while officially a part of the city of Arcachon, feels like a completely separate little resort town with its own center, beaches and restaurants. It’s a very popular beach that attracts both families and many young people. The Moulleau is located midway between the center of Arcachon and the famous Dune du Pilat which is always a great spot to finish your day. There are a few bars and restaurants very close to the beach so you can easily spend the whole day in this resort. You can also take a ferry and check the beaches on the other side of the Bassin at Cap ferret. The beach can be reached by car, bike or a bus from the train station of Arcachon.

If you’re going to Arcachon for the day check out my guide to the best things to do and eat in Arcachon.

Plage Pereire in Arcachon

Plage Pereire, one of the most popular beaches in Arcachon, is located in Ville de Printemps (the winter city of Arcachon) about 67 km from Bordeaux. It’s a beautiful three km long beach with white sand and an amazing view of the Cap Ferret peninsula on the other side of the bay. This beach is equipped with many sports facilities, a cycle path and green lawns for people to have a picnic on. When coming from Arcachon center, one of the best ways to get there is cycling. A flat cycle path, stretched from the central beach to the Dune du Pyla, passes through Plage Pereire and other Arcachon beaches. On a hot summer day, you can enjoy a cold rosé at the bar-restaurant du soleil located on the beach. 

Andernos les bains

A more isolated beach in Andernos les bains
A more isolated beach in Andernos les bains

Andernos les bains at the north of the Bassin d’Arcachon is one of the most attractive towns in the area, especially during the summer season. It has a cute little center leading to the main beach that is abundant with restaurants, ice cream shops and beach clothing boutiques. While the main beach is really nice, if you want a more isolated and relaxed atmosphere you should continue in the direction of the oysters port and go the remarkable nature reserve of les Quinconces. After a short walk from the port into the reserve, you’ll discover a beautiful beach with the forest as your background. This beach is quite isolated so there are no facilities here and it’s not supervised. Andernos les bains is located about 50 km from Bordeaux. 

Plage de la Hume – Gujan Mestras 

Plage de la Hume
Plage de la Hume on the Bassin d’Arcachon

Plage de la Hume is a family friendly beach located at the touristic part of Gujan Mestras, a little town known as the capital of oyster farming on the Bassin d’Arcachon. Its location on the bay makes the water very calm and easy to swim in. However, if you’ve come for more than the beach itself and really want to swim, check the tide hours first. They are changing daily and in some hours of the day, you can barely see any water. Click here for the daily hours. The beach is supervised in July and August (from 10:00 to 19:00), which makes it a very safe place for kids. Plage de la Hume is located just next to the ports that Gujan Mestras is famous for, so if you’re getting hungry you can always stop in one of the cabanes on the port for fresh oysters. 

Beaches at the Atlantic coast

Plage du Grand Cohort – Lège Cap-Ferret

Grand Cohort beach is located on the Ocean side of the Cap Ferret peninsula. As opposed to the more calm water on the side of the Bassin d’Arcachon, on the ocean side, the waves are strong which makes it a surfing paradise. This beautiful white sand beach attracts both kite surfers and families that love to swim in the ocean.  In the summer the beach tends to be quite busy and sometimes parking can be an issue so try to come early. If you’re coming with kids, this beach is supervised during the summer. This beach is located about 60 km from the center of Bordeaux.

Lacanau Ocean beaches

Lacanau-Ocean - surfing beach near Bordeaux
Lacanau-Ocean main beach

If your idea for a beach day is a more active one, this is the beach for you. The Lacanau Ocean beach begins right at the end of Boulevard de la Plage at the Lacanau Ocean town, which is located about 55km from Bordeaux. It is one of the longest beaches in the Aquitaine area, spreading to 15 km of white sand. The beach is considered a perfect place for surfing and windsurfing and it has become known for surfing competitions and events. This long beach is also a great place for bathing in the sea with your family and has all the facilities you need, including many restaurants and shops in its little center. 

There are plenty of other amazing beaches near Bordeaux but I think that these ten beaches will give you a sense of how beautiful and magical the Gironde region is! 

For more places to visit around Bordeaux check out my guides about day trips from Bordeaux by car and by train.

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In Weekend plans

What to do in Bordeaux this weekend (August 18-19)

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andernos les bains

This weekend we have free concerts on the banks of the Garonne, Jardin Public and at the charming port town of Andernos les Bains. Other than that, there are some interesting exhibitions for those of you looking to hide from the sun as well as plenty of ideas to enjoy the Bordelaise summer without spending a dime.

Here is the list of things to do this weekend in and around Bordeaux (August 18-19):

Enjoy a concert at the summer pavilion on the Garonne

The summer pavilion on le Quai Deschamps on the right bank of the Garonne is a great way to enjoy your evenings during the hot Bordelaise summer days. The pavilion, organized by the Orangeade association, is hosting free music and gastronomy events every Friday and Saturday until September 22. Take a look at the program for this Friday (August 17) and for this Saturday (August 18).

When:  August 17-18, from 6pm
Where: Quai Deschamps, 33100 Bordeaux

Open Air Festival

Bordeaux Open Air is a series of free summer electronic music events, all set in different locations and with a great city vibe to them. The next event will take place on August 19 in Jardin Public and will be dedicated to Djs from London.

See more info about the event on their facebook page.

When:  August 19, 15:00
Where: Jardin Public, place du Champ de Mars, 33000 Bordeaux

Dance Tango at the Grande Poste

Like every summer the Tango Bordeaux association organizes public tango dance in different location in the center of Bordeaux.  Join their tango party at the Grande Poste this Sunday (August 19), see more info on the facebook page of the event.

When:  August 18– 16:00
Where: 7 rue du palais gallien, 33000 Bordeaux

Brasilian Funk in charming Andernos les Bains

Bate Funk Brasileiro is a group of 13 musicians playing tribute to Brazilian music from the Rio Black Power of the 70s to the Samba Funk of today. The concert will take place this Saturday (August 18) at the beautiful port town of Andernos les Bains. For more info check out the facebook page of the event.

When:  August 18– 21:30
Where: Esplanade de la jetée andernos

Go to the beach at Bordeaux Lac

The beach is the perfect summer spot and if you’re in Bordeaux you don’t have to go very far for it. The cute beach of Bordeaux Lac has everything you need: a sandy clean beach with beautiful clear water and a lot of shade from the nearby trees for those who don’t really like the sun. the beach is open to the public daily from June 1st to August 31 and starting July 1st it offers water and beach activities such as sailing, kayaking, mini-golf and more. Check out the list of daily activities here.

Bordeaux lac
Bordeaux lac by Lost in Bordeaux

When: June 1- August 31
Where: Boulevard Jacques Chaban Delmas, 33520 BRUGES

Dance on the Quai

This is the last weekend of Dansons sur les Quais, a series of dancing classes and events where people gather to dance together and learn a variety of dancing genres like Tango, Salsa, Bollywood, Forro, Hip Hop, Street Jazz, Zumba, Country and more. These activities are guided by professional dancers from different dance schools in Bordeaux and they are completely free, so this is a great opportunity you don’t want to miss. The dancing events are taking place daily on the quai until August 19. For more details and the full program check out the website of Dansons sur les Quai.

When:  Daily until August 19
Where: Quai Louis XVIII, 33000 Bordeaux

Hide from the sun in the beautiful Parc Bordolais 

Parc Bordelais, the biggest parc in Bordeaux, is located in the northern part of the city in the Cauderan neighborhood. Although a bit far from the city center,  making an effort to get there really pays off.  A lake, beautiful trees, huge green spaces and a lovely terrasse café are only part of what parc Bordolais has to offer. This park is one of the best places for kids in Bordeaux.  Besides two large playgrounds (for younger and older kids), there is a puppet theater and a little train that takes you on a tour around the park. If you want to discover more parks in Bordeaux check out my list of the best picnic locations in the city.

parc Bordelais in Bordeaux
Parc Bordelais by Lost in Bordeaux

Bordeaux Metropolitan Summer

Like every year Bordeaux Metropolitan invites you to discover the city and the area around it through a series of cultural events. More than 100 activities including music, dance, public reading, theater, circus and gastronomy are taking place between July 8 and September 25.  These events are so widely spread across the metropolitan area of Bordeaux that you are guaranteed to discover places (especially parks) that you have never heard of before: Parc d’observation in Floirac, Parc du Viver in Merignac, Parc Camponac in Pessac and many more. Check out the full program of events here.

When:  Daily from July 8 to September 25
Where: Bordeaux Metropolitan – check out the exact location of every event in the program.

Exhibition at the beautiful Espace Saint Rémi

Espace Saint Rémi is a beautiful place to go see exhibitions and cultural events in the center of Bordeaux.  During the next ten days (August 16-26) the place will host an exhibition by three different artists: Léonard Lahoz (porcelain design), Twotom (aquarelle painting), Anne d’Aressy (pastels). A meeting with the artist Léonard Lahoz  will take place this Friday at 18:00.

When:  August 16-26
Where:Espace Saint-Rémi – 4 rue Jouannet – 33000 Bordeaux

Join the guided visit of the Urban Legends Exhibition

Legendes Urbaines, an exhibition that hosts more than 50 street artists, is beeing presented from June 21 to September 16 at La Base Sous Marine, one of the most unique places in Bordeaux. The exhibition follows the evolution of street art from the 80s until today and presents different art styles from graffiti, to video art, vitrage paintings, works on wood, fabric and much more. If you want to learn more about the meaning behind these fascinating pieces of art, join the guided tour that will take place this Saturday (August 18) at 16:00. The tour doesn’t require prior reservation and is limited to 30 people (price is 3 euros). For more details about the tour click here.

When: August 18, 16:00
Where: La Base Sous Marine, Boulevard Alfred Daney, 33300 Bordeaux

Garden Party – in one of the nicest terasses of Bordeaux 

A nice collaboration is taking place this summer between Frida, a restaurant with a beautiful inside garden, and the French Gin producer G’Vine Gin. Every Sunday during the summer a cocktail party takes place at Frida, with a selection of special cocktails and a discount price of 6 euros for Gin and Tonic. For more info click here.

When: August 19, 17:00
Where:27-29 rue Buhan, 33000 Bordeaux, France

Hope you enjoyed the list! Now don’t be shy, share it with your friends!

Do you have other events to add to the list? Please share them in the comments so all of us can enjoy them 🙂

If you want to plan ahead check out my general list of things to in Bordeaux in August 2018.

Have a great weekend!

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In Bordeaux Monthly

What to do in Bordeaux in July 2018

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fede-casanova-222667-unsplash

UPDATE – if you’re looking for information about events taking place in July 2019 go to my new article – what to do in Bordeaux in July 2019.

There are so many festivals, new exhibitions and special events that take place this month in the Bordeaux area that it was quite hard to choose the best ones. Eventually, I selected the biggest events and the exhibitions that are not going to be presented much longer and that I believe you should really go see. Also, just because it started to be so hot in Bordeaux I added a little getaway place where you could go when it’s too hot for any of the events I offer here.
I hope you enjoy these events and places and if you do, show me some love and share it with your friends 🙂

This is the list of 20 things to do in and around Bordeaux in July 2018:

1. Jalles House Rock 

Le Jalles House Rock is one of the biggest rock festivals in Gironde that annually proposes a rich program of local and international acts. The goal of the festival is to share the love for rock music with as many people as possible and that’s why the entrance is free (they do however encourage you to donate to the Estran association that organizes the event). The 11th edition of the festival in Saint-Médard-en-Jalles will take place on July 5-7 and includes bands like Circa Waves, Dewolff, Burning Heads and Himalayas.

For more details check out the website of the festival.

When: July 5-7
Where: 1, chemin de Cantelaude, 33160 Saint-Médard-en-Jalles

2. Zinefest

Zinefest is a festival dedicated to comics, illustrations, photography and poetry. The festival includes several expositions and concerts by both French and international artists and will take place in several venues in the south of Bordeaux. Look at the full program of events here.

When: July 4-8
Where: Different locations next to Marché des Douves in Bordeaux Sud (check out the program).

3. Festival Rues et Vous

This is the 12th edition of Festival Rue et Vous , a performance arts festival that takes place every year in the charming medieval town of Rions. This year the festival was expanded to three days (July 6-8) and will include a rich program of theater, dance, cirque and music shows for both adults and kids. For tickets and the full program check out the website of the festival.

When: July 6-8
Where: Rions
How much: 12.80€ /one day 16.80€ /two days 24.80€/ 3 days

4. Sentout Festival 

Every summer the Sentout festival creates three magical evenings where you get to enjoy the worlds of music, wine and gastronomy combined. The festival will take place on July 5-7 in the little village of Lignan de Bordeaux which is located at the entrance to  the Entre deux Mers area (the wine region of Bordeaux). Every evening the program offers a different music style: on the first evening you get to dance to the Peruvian Cumbia, then listen to French rock on the second night and finish with Swing and Jazz. The menus proposed by the chef Jacinthe Dos Santos will be inspired by the the musical program of that night. To see the full program of concerts check out the facebook page of the event.

Sentout Festival

When: July 5-7
Where: Santout, 43 Route de la Lande, 33360 Lignan-de-Bordeaux

5. Senefesti

Senefesti is a beautiful festival celebrating the African culture with dance and music performances. The next two events of the festival will take place at the Rocher de Palmer in Cenon: Saturday (July 6) a new photography exhibition will be presented and on Sunday (July 7) an African music festival will take place from 14:00 to 2:00. For more details check out here. 

When: July 6-7
Where: Le Rocher de Palmer, 1 rue Aristide Briand33150 Cenon

6. Dance show by three famous choreographers

A co-production of the National Opera of Bordeaux and the Opera of Limoges presents an evening of three works by three famous choreographers: Petite Mort by Jiří Kylián, Le Chant du compagnon errant by Maurice Béjart and Le Concert (ou Les Malheurs de chacun) by Jerome Robbins. The dance show will be performed in the Opera of Bordeaux, during nine nights from June 27 to July 6.

For more details and tickets see the website of the Opera.

When:  June 27 to July 6
Where: Grand Théâtre, place de la Comédie, 33000 BORDEAUX

7. Relache Festival

Relache Festival, created by the Allez les filles association, is a set of  evenings of free concerts that are going to take place at different places and dates during this summer. The 9th edition of this festival will last about 3 months (May 30 to August 31) with performances by both local groups and international acts in many genres of music. Take a look at the full program of events on their website.

When and Where: 15 concerts and events will take place over the month of July in different location in and around Bordeaux (check out the program link above).

8. Celebrate the French National Day

July 14th is the French national day which is being celebrated in every city in France. Like every year, Bordeaux will hold a series of popular events and parties, the main ones are:

  • Military parade at Quai des Chartrons –  18:30
  • The traditional dance party at Placette de Munich – Quai Louis XVIII (in front of Quinconces)- 20:30
  • Fireworks show above the Garonne river between Pont de Pierre and Place de la Bourse – 22:45

Apart from the traditional national day events, plenty of other parties will take place on July 13-14 to celebrate this day, you can see some of them here.

LE 14 JUILLET 2015 / A BORDEAUX / PLACE DES QUINCONCES / LE
Credit: Sud Ouest

9. Jazz Festival in Saint Emilion

This is the 7th edition of this Jazz festival in the beautiful town of Saint Emilion which will take place July 20-22. During the three days of the festival Saint Emilion will offer a great mix of jazz concerts, wine tasting and tasty food. In the festival area you will find a wine bar with the wines of Saint Emilion and a gourmand market with local products and food trucks. For more info and the full program check out the website of the festival. For those of you living in Bordeaux, a bus will be offered from Les Quinconces to Saint Emilion at the price of 9 euros (both ways).

When:  July 20-22
Where: Douves du Palais Cardinal, Saint-Emilion.

10. Bordeaux Open Air 

The second part of the third edition of the Bordeaux Open Air festival will take place on July 22 in Jardin Public and will include a lineup of four djs. Bordeaux Open Air is a series of summer free electronic music events, all set in different locations and with a great city vibe to them. The third part of the festival will take place on August 12 in Parc Palmer.

See more info about the event on their website.

When:  July 22
Where: Jardin Public, 33000 Bordeaux, France

11. Arcachon En Scene

Archachon en Scene is a popular music festival that brings big French and international acts to perform in this beautiful town. This year’s program includes Claudio Capeo (July 27), Martin Solveig and Ofenbach (August 1st) and IAM (August 3). For more info check out the facebook page of the event, for tickets click here.

When: July 27, August 1st and 3rd
Where: Stade Vélodrome d’Arcachon

12. Dance on the Quai 

Dansons sur les Quais is a series of dancing classes and events where people gather to dance together and learn a variety of dancing genres like Tango, Salsa, Bollywood, Forro, Hip Hop, Street Jazz, Zumba, Country and more. These activities will be guided by professional dancers from different dance schools in Bordeaux and they are completely free, so this is a great opportunity you don’t want to miss. The dancing events will take place on the quai almost daily from mid- July to mid – August. For more details and the full program check out the website of Dansons sur les Quai.

When:  Daily from July 14 to August 19
Where: Quai Louis XVIII, 33000 Bordeaux

13. Bordeaux Metropolitan Summer

Like every year Bordeaux Metropolitan invites you to discover the the city and the area around it through a series of cultural events and activities. More than 100 activities of music, dance, public reading, theater, circus and gastronomy  will take place between July 8 and September 25.  These events are so widely spread across the metropolitan area of Bordeaux that you are guaranteed to discover places (especially parks) that you have never heard of before: Parc d’observation in Floirac, Parc du Viver in Merignac, Parc Camponac in Pessac and many more. Check out the full program of events here.

Ete metropolitain Bordeaux
credit: Bordeaux Metropolitain

When:  Daily from July 8 to September 25
Where: Bordeaux Metropolitan – check out the exact location of every event in the program.

14. Festival international d’orgues

This is a one of a kind festival in France, proposing numerous organ concerts during the summer in three of the biggest churches of Bordeaux. The concerts will take place between July 10 and August 31 in the following locations:

  • Every Tuesday in Cathédrale Saint André
  • Every Wednesday in Abbatiale Sainte Croix
  • Every Thursdday in Basilique Saint-Michel

You can see the full list of performances here.

cathedrale saint andre
photo by: Lost in Bordeaux

When:  July 10- August 30 at 18:00
Where: Cathédrale Saint André,  Abbatiale Sainte Croix, Basilique Saint-Michel

15. Nuits Atypiques Festival

This multidisciplinary festival in South Gironde has been taking place every summer since 1992. During the months of July (July 1-28) 17 events will take places in 15 towns in the Gironde department: Bassanne, Bazas, Bernos-Beaulac, Cadillac, Cazalis, Cudos,Gajac, La Réole, Podensac, Preignac, Saint-Macaire, Saint-Michelde-Castelnau,
Saint-Symphorien and Villandraut. The program includes a variety of activities such as: concerts, theater, films, debates, tours to discover the towns and more. Check out the full program here and all the info about the locations here.

Nuits Atypiques program

When:  July 1-28
Where: South Gironde- check out the exact location of every event in the program.

16. Learn how to dance Tango

Like every summer the Tango Bordeaux association organizes pubic tango dance events in Jardin Public,  Place de Quinconces and la Grande Poste. The events will take place between July 1st and September 7 – you can see the full list of events for this summer in the website of the association.

tango in Jardin public

When:  July 1st – September 7
Where: Jardin Public,  place de Quinconces and la Grande Poste.

17. Free concerts at the Musée des arts décoratifs 

In parallel to the “Construction” exhibition by Martin Szekely that is currently being presented in the new space of the Musée des arts décoratifs, the museum has collaborated with IBOAT to organize free concerts every Thursday evening (18:00 to 21:00) until July 26. The concerts will take place in the inner courtyard of the museum (the access is from 3 rue Boulan). See more details here.

musee des art decoratifs bordeaux

When: June 14- July 26
Where: 3 rue boulan, Bordeaux

18. Go to the beach at Bordeaux Lac

The best thing you can do when it’s getting really hot in Bordeaux is to go to the beach. If you don’t have a car or you just don’t want to drive to the ocean, you can always go to the beach of Bordeaux Lac. This small cute beach has everything you need: a sandy clean beach with beautiful clear water and even a lot of shade from the trees for those who don’t really like the sun. the beach is open to the public daily from June 1st to August 31 and starting July 1st you even have  water and beach activities such as sailing, kayaking, mini-golf and more. Check out the list of daily activities here.

plage du lac Bordeaux
Photo by: Lost in Bordeaux

When: June 1- August 31
Where: Boulevard Jacques Chaban Delmas, 33520 BRUGES

Exhibitions you should see

19. Urban Legends Exhibition

Legendes Urbaines, an exhibition that hosts more than 50 street artists, will be presented from June 21 to September 16 at La Base Sous Marine, one of the most unique places in Bordeaux.

For more details check out the facebook page of la Base Sous-marine.

When: June 21 – September 16
Where: La Base Sous Marine, Boulevard Alfred Daney, 33300 Bordeaux

20. Last chance to see the Urban Fever

exhibition by Speedy Graphito Exhibition

An exhibition by the famous French street artist, Speedy Graphito, will be presented at the Institut Bernard Magrez until July 15. The artist uses many forms of art –  painting, sculpture, photo, video and more to express his innovative and sometimes political ideas.

Check out the website of Speedy graphito to explore the works of the artist and the website of the museum for more information about the exhibition.

When: April 19– July 15
Where: 16 rue de Tivoli, Bordeaux

If you know of any other interesting events in and around Bordeaux, please let me know in the comments below and I will gladly add them to my weekly list of things to do in Bordeaux.

Hope you enjoyed this list! Now don’t be shy, share it with your friends 🙂

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