While Bordeaux is not a winter city, in December it gets very festive and beautiful! Around the end of November, Christmas lights and little Pères Noels (the French Santa) are starting to decorate the streets of the city.
Like many other French cities, Bordeaux has a big Christmas market but also a few smaller, fun markets around the Metropole. In this article, I gathered all the best Christmas markets in Bordeaux in 2023, some are in Bordeaux itself and some are in other towns in Gironde.
The traditional Christmas market of Bordeaux will take place between November 24 and December 27. This is one of the biggest Christmas markets in the region with 150 pavilions selling all the traditional Christmas merchandise such as clothes, decorations, jewelry, toys, and local products.
Even if you don’t intend to buy any gifts at the market you can still enjoy the Christmas spirit with some hot wine and roasted chestnuts. For more info click here.
When: November 24 – December 27 / Where: Allées de Tourny, 33000 Bordeaux
Xmas Market – Darwin
This market is gradually gaining status as one of the main Christmas markets in Bordeaux. Like Darwin itself, the Xmas market is an alternative event with craftsmen and regional creators. The market will include stands of clothes, jewelry, accessories, art objects, books, sports accessories, and organic products.
This year the market is taking place not once but twice! The dates are December 8-10 and December 15-17, for more info click here.
When: December 8-10, 15-17 / Where: 87 quai des Queyries, 33100 Bordeaux
IBOAT • Super marché de noël
IBOAT & Blonde Venos will host their annual Christmas market on December 2-3. IBOAT’s Christmas market is always a super fun and chic event, with plenty of stylish stands, activities for kids and alcohol :). For more details click here.
When: December 2-3 / Where: Esplanade du pertuis, cours Henri Brunet, Bassin à flot n°1, Bordeaux
Kids Day: la boum de Noel en famille
Another fun event at the Blonde Venos this year is the kids’ Christmas party that will take place on December 17. The program includes DIY workshops, tattoos, sweets, snacks, and good music. See all the details here.
When: December 17 / Where: Esplanade du pertuis, cours Henri Brunet, Bassin à flot n°1 33300 Bordeaux
Marché de Noël in Saint-Émilion
The traditional Christmas market in Saint Emilion will take place on December 16-17. You will find tens of exhibitors at the main locations of the historic center: the square of the monolithic church, the old market hall, and the cloister of the collegiate church. For more details click here.
If you want to make a fun Christmas weekend out of it, here are a few recommended hotels in Saint Emilion.
When: December 16-17 / Where: Saint Emilion – center
Arcachon fête Noël
The city of Arcachon invites you to its traditional Christmas celebration with beautiful decorations and activities for kids. The event will take place from December 9 to January 7 at Place des Marquises. See more details here.
When: December 9 – January 7 / Where: Place des Marquises, Arcachon
Marché de Noël in Bazas
Bazas will host its traditional Christmas market at the main square on December 10. Besides the traditional Christmas stands, the market will have activities for kids, concerts by local bands, and Santa Clauss of course :). For more info click here.
When: December 10 / Where: Place de la Cathédrale, 33430 Bazas
Christmas markets in other parts of Southwest France
Marché de Noël à Sarlat
If you’re in the mood to travel a bit, why not go to one of the most impressive Christmas markets in the region, le Marche de Noel of Sarlat.
Sarlat is a magical place that is worth a visit any time of the year, but this market makes it even more worthwhile. The village includes 70 chalets selling local products, clothes, decorations, hot wine and more. The market will take place on December 6-31 in the city center. For more info click here.
When: December 6-31 / Where: Place de la Grande Rigaudie , 24200 Sarlat-la-canéda
Noël à Bergerac
Another great destination in Dordogne which is much closer to Bordeaux is Bergerac. Bergerac is one of the best Christmas markets in the south-west region with tens of stands, beautiful decorations and activities for kids. The market and the kids’ village will take place on December 9-24. More details are to come soon on this website.
When: December 9-24/ Where: different locations in 24100 Bergerac
Throughout the month I’ll give plenty of updates about Christmas-related events in and around Bordeaux in my newsletter so be sure to subscribe here.
Also, if it’s your first time in the region, know that many wineries are open during December as well, so it’s worth contacting them and scheduling a meeting. If you’re planning to go to Saint Emilion here are my recommendations for wineries to visit there. If you’re more into Medoc wine, in this article you’ll find plenty of wineries to visit in the Medoc wine region. If you rather stay in Bordeaux city, Chateau Pape Clement is a great winery to visit by public transport from the city center – book a visit here.
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:
While Bordeaux isn’t considered a winter destination, it has quite a lot to offer for people visiting it in December. From wine-tasting events to kids’ theatre and a cinema festival, everyone can find something they’ll enjoy this month. In this article, I gathered all the best events and concerts taking place in December in Bordeaux and its surroundings.
I regularly update the info about the markets in the region in my Christmas Markets in Bordeaux article as well as my newsletter to which you can subscribe here.
Now let’s start with my list of things to do in Bordeaux in December 2023.
Best things to do in December in Bordeaux in 2023
Celebrate Christmas
The Christmas season in Bordeaux has plenty of great markets to attend and buy presents! The official Marché de Noël de Bordeaux with all the traditional stands and a lot of vin chaud (hot wine) will take place at Allees de Tourny from November 24 to December 27.
If you want to discover other markets taking place in Bordeaux and other parts of Gironde, take a look at my Christmas Markets in Bordeaux article.
The Pessac-Léognan appellation is hosting its annual open-door weekend on December 2-3. 34 wineries will take part in the event with wine tastings, tours, gourmet food, and activities for kids. Some of the participating chateaux are Château Brown, Château Pape Clément, and Château Haut-Lagrange, for the full list of Chateaux and more info about the open doors weekend click here.
If you’re also in the mood for a little day trip you can spend a nice half-day in Pessac – check out my article about it.
Chateau pape Clement – Lost in Bordeaux
When: December 2-3 / Where: Pessac Leognan region (Check out the link above for the full list of chateaux)
Cabanes en fête is the oysters and wine celebration taking place in Andernos-les-Bains on December 2. The program will also include music concerts, shows, exhibitions, and more. This year, you must purchase a pass to be able to take part in this event. See all the details here.
When: December 2/ Where: Port Ostreicole, 33510 Andernos-les-Bains
*If you want to discover more places around Andernos les Bains, check out my article about the best day trips to Arcachon Bay.
Dali and Gaudi – Les Bassins de Lumières
Les Bassins de Lumières is hosting a beautiful immersive exhibition dedicated to Dali and Gaudi. Les Bassins de Lumières is a visual arts space, situated in an old submarine base, that is known for its immersive exhibitions. The Dali exhibition will be presented from February 3 to January 7, get your tickets here.
Starting October 20, the Tin Tin exhibition will be running there a few times a week, so be sure to check out the hours when booking your tickets.
When: February 3 – January 7, 2024 / Where: Imp. Brown de Colstoun, 33300 Bordeaux
Taste the best French wines
In December you also have a chance to taste some of the best French wines in one place at an event called “Bordeaux Tasting”. During two days (December 9-10) tens of wine houses from Bordeaux and other regions in France will be there to present their best wines. The tasting will take place at different sites around Place de la Bourse.
When: December 9-10 / Where: Place de la Bourse, Bordeaux
Brocante des Quinconces
The big brocante of Bordeaux (antique/flea market) is hosted twice a year at Place des Quinconces with 200 antique dealers, horticulturists, restaurants, and craftsmen. This fall edition of the market will take place from November 24 to December 10. Although it’s quite upscale, you can find some fine antiques and vintage pieces at a bargain price. See more info here.
When: November 24- December 10 / Where: Place des Quinconces
Strolling the different brocantes of Bordeaux is one of my favorite activities here. Check out all of the other options in my article about the 50 best things to do in Bordeaux.
International Animated Films Festival
Les Nuits Magiques is an annual international festival of animated movies taking place at Cinéma la Lanterne in Begles from November 29 – December 10. This is the 32nd edition of the festival, which over the years gained a reputation in the animation and special effects world. Check out the full program here.
When: November 29 – December 10 Where: 151 Boulevard ALBERT 1er, 33130 Bègles
Les Lumières de la ville
Les lumières de la ville is a great chance to discover how Bordeaux’s monuments look at night. It’s a two-hour biking tour, starting at Place de la Victoire and finishing with Christmas drinks.
On the way, you will get to see the most important monuments and all the beautifully decorated little streets of Bordeaux. The event will take place on December 8 at 19:00, it’s free and open to all. For more details click here.
When: December 8 / Where: Place de la Victoire, 33000 Bordeaux
Xmas Market – Darwin
This market is gradually gaining status as one of the main Christmas markets in Bordeaux. Like Darwin itself, the Xmas market is an alternative event with craftsmen and regional creators. The market will include stands of clothes, jewelry, accessories, art objects, books, sports accessories, and organic products.
This year the market is taking place not once but twice! The dates are December 8-10 and December 15-17, for more info click here.
La grande Sainte-Luce
La Brede (a little town in the South of Gironde) is hosting a big gastronomic festival called La grande Sainte-Luce with more than 60 local producers of caviar, duck products, cheese, and more.
The event will also include many Christmas-related activities. The market will take place on December 9-10 at Parc de l’Espérance at La Brede. See more details here.
When: December 9- 10 / Where: Parc de l’Espérance, La Brede
Concert De Noël
The orchestra of Bordeaux will perform four concerts to celebrate the end of the year. The concerts will take place on December 14-17 at the Auditorium of Bordeaux. See more details here.
When: December 14-17 / Where: 8 – 13 Cr Georges Clemenceau, 33000 Bordeaux
Festival « Sur Un Petit Nuage » de Pessac
The city of Pessac invites you to a fantastic kids’ festival with plenty of live shows. The festival Sur un Petit Nuage will take place on December 10-20 in different locations in Pessac. You can see the full program here.
When: December 10-20 / Where: different places in Pessac
The Giselle Ballet at the Opera
During December The ballet of Bordeaux will perform 21 shows of the famous ballet Gissele. The shows will be taking place at the Grand Theatre from December 6 to December 31. You can buy tickets here.
When: December 6-31/ Where: Opera de Bordeaux
Christmans concert by the Harmony Orchestra
L’lOrchestre d’Harmonie de Bordeaux will perform its annual christmas concert on December 22. The concert will take place at the Salle des fêtes du Grand Parc. For more info click here.
When: December 22 / Where: 39 Cours de Luze, 33000 BORDEAUX
Harry Potter – en ciné concert
Follow Harry, Ron, and Hermione in their eventful third year at Hogwarts, during an exceptional film concert with more than 100 musicians and singers on stage. The concert is taking place at Arkea Arena in Bordeaux on December 29. See all the info here.
Pat’ Patrouille En Avant les Pirats
If you’re looking for fun stuff to do with little kids in Bordeaux during Christmas week, here’s one great option. The most popular dogs in the world PAW Patrol (La Pat’ Patrouille in French) are coming to visit the city on December 30 with a musical adventure full of humor and action. The show will take place at Arkea Arena. You can purchase tickets here.
A traditional marionette theater
Guignol Guérin is the oldest family-run marionette theater in France. Their traditional winter spectacle takes place in Théâtre l’Inox between December 23 and January 4. For more details click here.
When: December 23 to January 4 / Where: 13 Rue Fernand Philippart, 33000 Bordeaux
Visit wineries in Sauternes and Barsac
Sauternes and Barsac are two of Bordeaux’s most prestigious wine appellations. Here is the SW It’s also known as the Christmas wine. So if you happen to be in the region, why not go and actually visit some of the beautiful chateaux of Sauternes? Many of them are open all year long. See the list of my favorite wineries in Sauternes.
Best things to do in December in other parts of the Southwest
Festival des Lanternes in Montauban
This year Montauban (about 50 km from Toulouse) is hosting yet another lanterns festival. The event called le Jardin Fantastique will host 40 artists from China that will present their monumental sculptures. This event will take place on Cours Foucault from December 15 to February 11, 2024. See all the info here.
When: December 5 – February 11 / Where: Cours Foucault, Montauban
Toulouse Christmas markets
Another fun place to celebrate Christmas is Toulouse. Not only it has one of the biggest markets in the region taking place on Place du Capitole but it also has many other smaller chic events. See all the details in my article about the best Christmas markets in Toulouse.
La Flamme de l’Armagnac
Armagnac is one of the best products in the Southwest of France! Its production spreads over three departments in this region: Les Landes, Lot et Garonne, and Gers, all located within a 1-2 hour drive from Bordeaux. From the end of October to the beginning of January, the producers of Armagnac celebrate the distillery period with fun events at the chateaux and in small towns in the regions. see more details here.
La Flamme de l’Armagnac in labastide d’armagnac
Sur la Route des Vins du Jurançon
How about discovering another wine region in the Southwest of France? If you don’t mind driving, the Jurançon wine appellation, which is located close to the city of Pau is hosting its annual open doors weekend on December 10. See all the details here.
When: December 10 / Where: Route de Lacommande, 64360 Monein, France
Truffles markets in Dordogne
December is the start of the winter truffles season with many truffles markets in the region taking place between December and February. The Dordogne is known as the capital of truffles of the Southwest of France and starting mid-December it hosts several truffles markets in its different villages. You can see the full list of truffles markets taking place from December to the end of January here.
Marché de Noël à Sarlat
If you’re in the mood to travel a bit, why not go to one of the most impressive Christmas markets in the South of France, the Sarlat Christmas market. Sarlat is a magical place that is worth a visit any time of the year, but this market makes it even more worthwhile. The village includes 70 chalets selling local products, clothes, decorations, hot wine, and more. For more info click here.
When: December 6-31 / Where: Place de la Grande Rigaudie , 24200 Sarlat-la-canéda
Is it your first time visiting Bordeaux?
I have a few articles that will help you to get the best out of your first stay.
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:
*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 🙂
If any of your friends or family members live in France or just miss traveling here, a French Christmas gift will surely warm their hearts. In this article, I gathered a few fun ideas for Christmas gifts you can purchase online that any Francophile would love to get. As I live in Bordeaux, many of my ideas are related to the SW of France, but not only. I also included books and food-related items that I personally really like. If you live in Bordeaux, I added to the list a few Bordeaux experiences that could replace physical Christmas gifts. Before we start, don’t forget to check out my Christmas markets in Bordeaux article! Now let’s get festive and dive into my list of French Christmas gift ideas.
Books – the perfect French Christmas gift
The most beautiful villages in France
This is probably my favorite gift to give to people who live here or are planning to travel to France. Les Plus Beaux Villages de France is a label given to beautiful rural villages in France with a rich cultural heritage. I’ve been using this book since my first year living here and it led me to discover the most magical places in France. If you’re looking for a traveling book or just a reference book to some of the most beautiful places in France, this is the book for you.
People who love to cook would be happy to get a French recipes book to add to their home library, especially those who don’t live here and can’t get good French food very easily. There are many books about French cuisine, some contain only recipes and others also include personal stories of the authors or anecdotes about French food, the latter are my favorites. Here are a few of my recommendations for cooking books as a French Christmas gift.
As I live in the Southwest of France, I love recommending books about this region and in the food section, there are two really good options.
French Country Cooking
French Country Cooking is written by chef Mimi Thorisson who is a famous food blogger living in the Medoc wine region. Her beautiful book includes 100 recipes, photos, and many stories inspired by her family life in the county side of Bordeaux.
The Bordeaux Kitchen: An Immersion into French Food and Wine
The other one is a very detailed book about the Southwest of France cuisine called The Bordeaux Kitchen which is written by Tania Teschke, a writer and photographer who lives in Bordeaux.
If you enjoyed traveling here, you’ll love this book as it focuses on local recipes that are hard to find in other regions of France
One of the most popular French cuisine books in English is written by Julia Child, an American writer, and a TV personality, who lived in France for many years and has introduced Americans to the secrets of French cuisine with her popular book Mastering the Art of French Cooking. If you’re not into cooking I really recommend reading her other bestseller about her life in France, called My life in France.
From time to time I see amazing maps of France that show different wine and food regions as well as the main monuments to discover in the country. When I see one I really like I always think that it can be a beautiful gift for someone who loves France. Here are a few creative and beautiful maps I found that you can purchase online.
A map of all the places you shouldn’t miss when traveling in France.
A Limited Edition Case of Bordeaux Wine for Christmas
If you want to surprise someone who really loves wine, I have an amazing gift idea for you – a limited Edition of Bordeaux wines selected by a Bordeaux wine expert, Nicolle Croft! The Case includes six bottles of red wine from both the right and left banks of Bordeaux made by passionate small independent producers in Bordeaux (2 bottles of each from 3 different producers). Nicolle is a wine tour guide who works a lot with small producers in the region so the idea behind this set was to cut the middlemen and introduce you to excellent Bordeaux wines directly from the producers to your door. The case comes with full tasting notes and advice on how to prepare the wine, along with links to tasting videos for each wine so that you can taste along with Nicolle in your own home. Also included in the pack is Nicolle Croft’s new book ‘Bordeaux Sip by Sip’ with tips, anecdotes, and advice on how to find the best value in this amazing wine region, something I recommended people to read when traveling to Bordeaux. The price of the Christmas Bordeaux Wine Case is 145€ (plus a delivery fee for shipments outside of France).
I have been collaborating with Nicolle quite a lot in the last few years and I can promise you from personal experience that this will be an amazing gift to your loved ones or even something for yourself to enjoy the festive season. You can see more details about the wine included in the pack in Nicolle’s blog post and feel free to contact her directly by email (nicolle@sip-wines.com) and say you came through Lost in Bordeaux.
Cognac cocktail set
We can’t talk about SW products without talking about Cognac! Apart from being a popular liqueur, the Cognac region is also a popular destination for those traveling to the region. If you’re planning to travel here soon, you can book a visit to one of Cognac’s famous distilleries like Hennessy, Remi Martin, and Meukow.
However, if you’re looking for a gift for someone who likes Cognac you can be creative and buy a Cognac cocktail set. Camus is one of the big Cognac houses that sell a set like that online – here’s a link to their cocktail set.
Cheese Board – wine bar style
There’s almost nothing travelers to France love more than French cheese. A very cool gift for someone who misses France can be a beautiful cheese board to help them recreate the vibe of a French wine bar. Here’s one I particularly liked.
This one is for my American readers! If you really miss French food, this is an amazing gift to yourself, while you prepare for your next trip to France. There are a few companies that send beautiful food boxes from different countries in the world, however, this one is specialized in France. Bon appetite box has several options with different food snack combinations and this time of the year they even have a special Christmas box, with French sweet specialties. Currently, they deliver only in the US. Check out their site here.
A fun experience for those visiting the region
If you’re in Bordeaux, you don’t have to buy a product, instead, you can think of a fun local activity your loved one can experience in Bordeaux.
Buy opera tickets
The Grand Theatre of Bordeaux is one of the most beautiful monuments in the city and seeing a ballet or an opera show inside is an amazing experience. Most spectacles at the Opera house are fully booked well in advance, so surprising a person who lives here with tickets to the Grand Theatre will surely bring a smile to their face. Go to the site of the Grand Theatre and purchase the tickets directly there.
Make your own wine experience
Château Pape Clement offers a fun workshop, called Be a Winemaker, where you get to make your own wine, create your own label, and take home a unique bottle. This could be an amazing Christmas gift – you can book it here.
Spa in the vineyardes
There are quite a few Spas in Bordeaux city itself, among them you can find the intercontinental hotel in the center of Bordeaux or the Spa in Hotel de Sèze. However, you can turn it into a very special Christmas gift by booking a Spa in a Château. One of the best experiences in our region is the Sources-Caudalie Spa which is located amidst the Grand Cru vineyards of Château Smith Haut Lafitte. See all the info here.
I hope you enjoyed this article and that it gave you plenty of ideas for French gift ideas for your friends and family. If you want to see more experiences in Bordeaux, don’t forget to follow my Instagram.
*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. I always recommend only things and experiences I love and believe in!
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:
Did you already buy all your Christmas gifts? This time of the year could be quite stressful with the long list of gifts for your parents, your kids, their teachers and who’s not. After the success of the Christmas markets post, I thought you might also need some help with you Christmas shopping in Bordeaux. So if you still have no idea what you’re going to buy, I want to help you with some ideas for gifts you can easily find in the center of Bordeaux. Most of my presents are related to Bordeaux because I think it can give your presents that special twist and make them stand out on Christmas day.
Little surprises
Are you invited to a Christmas dinner with plenty of kids? Or just need to buy presents to a big group of people? I have three shops to suggest with plenty of small, chic and amusing stuff, all at the center of Bordeaux. Flying tiger, on rue Sainte Catherine, is your go to place for cool gifts for kids, such as coloring books, funky room decoration and a lot of crafty games. In Hema, which is well known in France, you can find cute little chocolates in different forms (chocolate letters of the child’s name is always a pleasant gift). Another idea from Hema is their beautiful notebooks which is a very nice gift for those who love to write their new years resolution. The last one, is Søstrene Grene, a shop for those who prefer a more minimalist style. They have beautiful house and office utensils which can be a great gift for every age.
Discover the book stores of Bordeaux
Ifyou’re looking to buy something a bit more personal, a book is always a great idea that shows the other person that you have given it a thought. It’s also a good opportunity to discover the beautiful book stores of Bordeaux (a topic that probably requires a dedicated post). There are plenty of big and small bookshops in Bordeaux, but here I want to share just a few places located in the center and serve different audiences. If it’s French books you’re looking for, one of the best places to visits would be the Mollat librairie. This book store has a huge collection of books and at the entrance you’ll find stands with books recommended by the staff. If you need books in English, Bradly’s bookstore is the place for you. And if you need a gift for manga or comics geeks, Crazy Kat is a crazy store that will get you covered.
A bottle of wine from Bordeaux
Wine is always a winner, especially if your gift is not supposed to be too personal. As we live in the capital of wine, the options are endless and you may need some help to choose something good to represent our region. The best thing would be to visit some of the impressive wine shops of Bordeaux and consult the staff there. One option is l’Intendant wine shop with its selection of 15,000 bottles, it’s one of Bordeaux’s institutions. The range there is huge, from very affordable wines in the first floor to very expensive ones on the upper floors. Other good stores in the center of Bordeaux are Wine Corner, Cousin compagnie and Badie.
Chocolates
Bordeaux is a city of wine, but apparently it also produces great chocolate. The city center is full with brilliant chocolatiers which turned chocolate making into a real art. A box of yummy bonbons, especially when wrapped for Christmas, is a gift that never misses. One of the most popular chocolatiers in Bordeaux in recent years is Hasnaa, a winner of the French master chef. She offers a box of 10 pieces of her specialty chocolates for 12 euros, which I think is a beautiful present. Other shops are David Capy, who is a Mof (the higher French honor for craftsmanship), Maison Darricau, on Place Gambetta and Saunion on Cours Georges Clemenceau.
Christmas markets
If you want to buy something made by a Bordelaise designer or craftsman go to one of the many Christmas markets around Bordeaux. While the main market is a traditional one, the other markets across the city have a lot of original stands with everything from bags to jewelry and designer ties for men. Check out my list of Christmas markets in Bordeaux, and follow my weekend list to find more options every weekend.
Buy a Ticket to an event or an activity in Bordeaux
If you want to buy something made by a Bordelaise designer or craftsman go to one of the many Christmas markets around Bordeaux. While the main market is a traditional one, the other markets across the city have a lot of original stands with everything from bags to jewelry and designer ties for men. Check out my list of Christmas markets in Bordeaux, and follow my weekend list to find more options every weekend.
Have no time to go shopping in the center of Bordeaux? Here’s an idea for you – buy French culture inspired books online
The Official Guide to the Most Beautiful Villages of France
This has been my travelling guide since I moved to France. The book includes all the most beautiful villages in France voted by an official organization. And let me tell you, they are beautiful!!! They cover all of France and it’s an amazing gift for people who love travelling and discovering new places.
The English version is a bit outdated (2016) so if you speak a bit of French I would suggest buying the French version.
The Bordeaux Kitchen: An Immersion into French Food and Wine, Inspired by Ancestral Traditions
Another book is more related to Bordeaux and includes wine and gastronomy, among Bordeaux’s most prominent symbols.
This time my weekend list includes plenty of local creator markets, so if you want to discover local talent and support young creators this is a good opportunity. For those of you who are fed up with markets I have other suggestions such as an animation festival, an opening of a new covered market, a street art festival and more.
This is the list of things to do in and around Bordeaux this weekend (December 7-9):
EVENTS AND FESTIVALS
The opening of les Halles de Talence
The new covered market in Talence is about to open its doors this Friday (December 7) with a three days inauguration party. During the weekend you’ll meet the new merchants, listen to music and vote for the last stand that remains to be occupied. You can see more details and the list of stands to chose from here.
When: Opening party on December 7 Where: Place Alcala de Henares, Talence 33400
International Animation Films Festival
Les Nuits Magiques is an annual international festival of animation movies taking place at “Le Festival” cinema in Begles from November 28 to December 9. This is the 28th edition of the festival, which over the years gained a reputation in the animation and special effects world. The rich program includes plenty of events and activities for both kids and adults: premiers of new movies, workshops, meetings with film creators and more. Check out the full program here and all other details here.
When: November 28 – December 9 Where: 151 Boulevard ALBERT 1er, 33130 Bègles
Palmer Street’Art
This is a super cool art event where you can learn to create art in different styles from the artists themselves. The street art festival will take place this Saturday (December 8) at Rocher de Palmer in Cenon. The program includes eight artists from different genres proposing workshops such as graffiti, dj, video art, design and more. The event is free and open for all, see all the details here. For the full programs click here.
When: December 8, 14:00 to 19:00 Where: 1 rue Aristide Briand, 33150 Cenon
Bordeaux en livres
For its third edition, Bordeaux en Livres invites young and old bookworms, aspiring cartoonists and writers to discover the mysterious world of literature and comics. The program includes conferences with writers, comedy shows, photography exhibition, a drawing contest and more. There will be a big space dedicated to young story lovers with storytelling sessions for the little ones and a history workshop for older kids. The event will take place this Saturday (December 8) at the Grand-Théâtre de Bordeaux. The event is free, see the full program here and all the practical info here.
When: December 8 . 14:30 – 20:00 Where:Place de la Comédie33000 Bordeaux
The International dance en film festival
The international Danse en film festival is a meeting point of two artistic expressions, cinema and dance, which together create a very magical experience. The festival is taking place this week (until December 8) at the Utopia Cinema and some other venues in the center of Bordeaux. See the full program and all the details on the site of the festival.
When: December 3-8 Where: Center of Bordeaux, see the program for a specific event.
Cirque Pardi! is Coming Back
Cirque Pardi! is a modern circus whose shows combine a lot of dance and humor and are very entertaining for both kids and adults. This year they are coming back to Bordeaux for the second time with their show BorderLand, which gained a great success on their last visit here in 2015. Cirque Pardi! will perform 15 shows from November 30 to December 22. The temporary circus will be located on Quai de queyries, just next to Darwin. For all the dates and tickets click here.
When: November 30- December 22 Where: 86 quai des Queyries, 33 100 BORDEAUX
Last chance to buy antiques at the Brocante des Quinconces
This is the last weekend of the brocante of Bordeaux taking place at place des Quinconces. The big brocante includes more than 200 antique dealers, horticulturists, restaurants and craftsmen. For more info and the list of exhibitors check out the website of the event.
When: November 23- December 9 Where: Place des Quinconces
Buy clothes at the Grande Braderie
Le Relais Gironde will hold a clearance sale this Saturday (December 8) where you can buy clothes, shoes, bags and more. This event is quite big and you can find many interesting and useful items for cheap. For more details click here.
When: December 8 from 10:00 to 17:00 Where:517 boulevard Alfred Daney, Bordeaux
FOR KIDS
Make you Christmas decorations in a FabLab
Want your kids to make their own Christmas decorations? Cap Sciences invites your family to a DIY workshop, where you can make your decoration using the equipment in their Fablab. The workshop is open to kids older than 12 years old and requires pre-registration – book your visit here. The event, taking place this Saturday (December 8) will also include a tour in Cap Sciences. Entry is 5€, for more details click here.
When: December 8, at 14:30 Where: Hangar 20, Quai de Bacalan, 33300 Bordeaux
Opening of a temporary ice skating rink in Bègles
Centre Commercial Rives d’Arcins in Bègles will open this weekend a temporary ice skating rink for the Christmas season. To celebrate the opening they invite you to skate with the players of Les Boxers de Bordeaux (Bordeaux’s ice hockey team). The event will take place Saturday (December 8) at 15:00. For more details click here.
When: December 8, from 15:00 t0 18:00 Where: CCR Rives d’Arcins, 33130 Bègles
IBOAT – Le mini club de Noël
This Saturday (December 8) the Iboat will turn into a big party for kids (2 to 12 years old). The program includes skating, a dance floor for kids, candies and more. The entry is free, for more details click here.
When: December 8, at 15:00 to 18:30 Where: Quai Armand Lalande, 33300 Bordeaux
CHRISTMAS AND CREATORS MARKETS
Festival Made in Bordeaux
The idea behind Festival Made in Bordeaux is to promote local artists and creators. The event will take place this weekend (December 7-9) in Château des Tours in Le Bouscat. To see all the 43 exhibitors participating at the event click here. Entry is 2€ for 3 days and free for kids under 12 years old. For more details see here.
When: December 7-9 Where: 246 Avenue de la Libération Charles de Gaulle, 33110 Le Bouscat
Pop-up de Noël des Polichineuses
After two very successful events of “Les Rendez-vous des Polichineuses” in les Halles de Bacalan, that took place this year, they are coming back with a special Christmas pop-up market. The idea is to reduce consumption and to favor second hand and vintage items. The organizers of the event did a great job in choosing stylish accessories, furniture and home decor so you are guaranteed to find a lot of chic Christmas gifts. There’ll be also a dedicated place for kids so it’s really a family friendly event. The market will take place in Halles de Bacalan on December 6-9. For more info about the event and all the exhibitors click here.
When: December 6-9 Where: 10 Quai de Bacalan, 33300 Bordeaux
Marché de Noël de Bordeaux
The traditional Christmas market of Bordeaux will open its gates between November 30 and December 30. This is one of the biggest Christmas markets in the region with 150 pavilions selling all the traditional Christmas merchandise such as clothes, decorations, jewelry, toys and local products. Even if you don’t intend to buy any gifts at the market you can still enjoy the Christmas spirit with some hot wine and roasted chestnuts. For more info click here.
When: November 30 – December 30 from 10:30 to 21:30 Where: Allées de Tourny, 33000 Bordeaux
Marché des Créateurs Récycleurs
This event is both creative an environmentally friendly. The market of recycling creators gather 22 craftsmen that make their products from used materials. You will find stands of furniture, jewelry, sculptures, accessories and more. The event will take place this weekend (December 8-9) in ATELIER d’éco SOLIDAIRE. The entry is free, for more details click here.
When: December 8-9 Where: 7 rue de la Motte Picquet, 33300 Bordeaux
Etsy Made in France Bordeaux
This market is organized by the Etsy Made in France team with the goal to promote local independent creators. Come to experience a more cozy market of young passionate creators and hear their stories and inspiration for their work. The event will take place this weekend (December 8-9) in Garage Moderne. For more info click here.
When: December 8-9 Where: Garage Moderne – 1 Rue des Etrangers – 33300 Bordeaux
Le Marché de Noël Solidaire
The Solidarity Christmas market is part of the Social Economy and Solidarity month. This is a unique market, organized by the city hall and the local social development fund aiming to support young local creators who founded their company thanks to microcredits. The market will take place at Place Pey Berland on December 7-24. See more details here.
When: Until December 23 Where: Place Pey Berland
L’Arche de Noël – creators market
L’Arche de Noël is a creators market taking place in the Chartrons neighborhood every weekend until Christmas (December 22-23 is the last event). Each week a group of local talented craftsmen and artists will present their original creations.
When: December 8-9 Where: 23 Rue Minvielle, 33000 Bordeaux
Marché de Noël à Sarlat
If you’re in the mood to travel a bit this weekend, why not go to one of the best Christmas markets in South of France, the Sarlat Christmas martket. Sarlat is a magical places that is worth a visit any time of the year, but this market makes it even more worthwhile. The Christmas village opened its doors on December 5 and will continue until the end of December. The village includes 70 chalets selling local products, clothes, decorations, hot wine and more. For more info click here.
When: December 5-31 Where: Place de la Grande Rigaudie , 24200 Sarlat-la-canéda,
Yeah I know, it’s quite a heavy list this time. That’s why I divided it into three sections to help you see if this group of events is something that could interest you. As always, be kind and share the post on facebook, tweeter or pinterest
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This month is all about Christmas, there’s no way to escape it! Markets, photo shoots with Santa Claus and plenty of creative people trying to sell us original Christmas gifts. I admit that in this list of 10 things you don’t want to miss in December in Bordeaux area, Christmas is included several times. But I did try hard to offer other fun activities and places to visit this month, so that you won’t feel like you’re in a Christmas horror movie 🙂 Now go and check my list of 10 things to do in Bordeaux in December 2018. Hope you’ll find it useful!
Celebrate Christmas
The Christmas season is officially on in Bordeaux and you have plenty of great markets to attend this month! The official Marché de Noël de Bordeaux with all the traditional stands and a lot of vin chaud (hot wine) opened its gates a few days ago. If its your first Christmas in France, the traditional Christmas market is a must! However if you feel that you’ve seen it too many times try one of the smaller markets where all the local artists and craftsmen present their stuff. I have made a whole list of Christmas markets in Bordeaux so check it out.
Visit the new covered market in Talence
Finally we have a new place to get drunk on rainy days!! Biltoki, the company that brought us the Halle de Bacalan are opening another market in Bordeaux metropolitan, this time in Talence. In the last few months they have been presenting the merchants that are going to occupy the stands of the market and all of them look very promising. The market will open with a 3 days inauguration party on December 7th. For more info click here.
When: Opening party on December 7 Where: Place Alcala de Henares, Talence 33400
Take your kids to Cirque Pardi!
Cirque Pardi! is a modern circus whose shows combine a lot of dance and humor and are very entertaining for both kids and adults. This year they are coming back to Bordeaux for the second time with their show BorderLand, which gained a great success on their last visit here in 2015. Cirque Pardi! will perform 15 shows from November 30 to December 22. The temporary circus will be located on Quai de queyries, just next to Darwin. For all the dates and tickets click here.
When: November 30- December 22 Where: 86 quai des Queyries, 33 100 BORDEAUX
Taste the best French wines
This month you have the chance to taste all the best French wines in one place at an event called “Bordeaux Tasting”. During two days (December 15-16) more than a hundred wine houses from Bordeaux area and other regions in France like Bourgogne, Rhône, Alsace and Loire will be there to present their best wines. The tasting will take places in six different sites around Place de la Bourse:
– Palais de la Bourse : les grands bordeaux / les cognacs / les grands invités
– Le Gabriel : Pomerol Séduction
– La Bulle : les bordeaux / bordeaux supérieur
– Le Musée national des Douanes : les grands étrangers
– l’Espace Saint-Rémi : les champagnes
– la Maison Darnozan : l’espace des vins bio
Tickets are 23-27€ depending on the day. For more details click here.
When: December 15-16 Where: Place de la Bourse, Bordeaux
Interactive special effects exhibition
Do you ever wonder how the special effects you see in movies are made? A new exhibition for kids (older than 6 yo) by the name of “Effets speciaux” is taking place these days in Cap Science. It’s an interactive exhibition that allows you to see the behind the scenes of the cinema world and experiment with different especial effects like the green screen. Entry range from 6.5€ to 9€ and free for kids under 5 years old. For more info click here.
When: until August 26 Where: Hangar 20 quai Bacalan, 33000 BORDEAUX
Go ice skating
an open air ice skating rink during Christmas time is quite a tradition in many French cities. Until a couple of years ago Bordeaux also used to have one on place Pey Berland. However, after the city decided that setting up the rink only for a few weeks is too expensive and not environmentally friendly, this tradition was canceled. But that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy ice skating during Christmas time! La Patinoire de Mériadeck will open its covered ice skating rink in a Christmas spirit with Santa Claus, games, dance and more.
When: until January 1st Where: 95 cours du Maréchal Juin 33000 Bordeaux
Search for beautiful antiques at the Brocante
The big brocante of Bordeaux is hosted twice a year at place des Quinconces with 200 antique dealers, horticulturists, restaurants and craftsmen. It’s the biggest brocante event in the area and the selection is huge, from vintage home decor, to paintings, antique furniture, garden accessories and more. While some items can be pricey, you can still find plenty of affordable pieces at this antiques market. The merchants are very nice and are open to negotiations. The brocante is taking place until December 9. For more info and the list of exhibitors click here.
When: until December 9 Where: Place des Quinconces
Go to a classical music concert
If you need a more classic vibe on Christmas, attend the special Christmas concert by the National Orchestra of Bordeaux at the Auditorium of Bordeaux. Concert de Noël de Radio Classique, conducted by Paul Daniel will take place during three nights prior to Christmas, on December 20, 21 and 23. For the tickets click here.
When: December 20,21,23 Where: Auditorium de Bordeaux, 9 cours Georges Clemenceau, 33000 BORDEAUX
Discover Christmas markets in Gironde
Christmas is a great opportunity to visit other beautiful towns in Gironde in a more festive atmosphere. Most towns have their own Christmas markets and events, but I’ll just give you the noticeable ones:
Arcachon – The official Christmas market and accompanied activities will take place from December 15 to January 6, with an open ice skating rink on place Thiers. For more info click here.
Saint Emilion – A Christmas market will take place on December 8 at the l’UDP de Saint-Emilion (8 Haut Gravet, 33330 Saint-Émilion). For more info click here.
Cadillac – a Christmas market with creative workshops and activities for kids will take place December 15-16 on place de la République. For more info click here.
Celebrate new years eve on a boat
If you’re staying in Bordeaux on December 31 and looking for a place to celebrate new years eve, here’s an idea for you.. The Iboat in the Bassins à flot neighborhood is one of the coolest venues for concerts and parties in Bordeaux, and its new years celebrations have become a tradition. This year the theme of the electronic party is heaven and the dress code should be inspired by nature (you can take that wherever you want 🙂 ). Tickets are 29€ at the entrance, 25€ on pre sale or 18€ if you come before midnight. For more details click here.
When: December 31 Where: quai Armand Lalande, 33300 Bordeaux
These are my suggestions for things to do in Bordeaux in December 2018. Hope it’ll help you discover this city and to never be bored, even if you don’t love Christmas 🙂 If you like this post it would make me very happy if you share it with your friends on social media 🙂
If you want more of these ideas and updates about new places in Bordeaux, join my newsletter where I share extra info about exhibitions in Bordeaux, great coffee places, new markets and anything else you need to know to enjoy Bordeaux. You can subscribe here.
This weekend the Christmas celebrations will officially start in Bordeaux with the inauguration of the Marché de Noël de Bordeaux and a few other alternative markets across the city. If you want to learn about the other markets taking place this month in Bordeaux, check out my top 10 Christmas markets list. But of course we’re not only about Christmas here, there are plenty of other events like the rum festival, the Well being Salon, a circus, the big Brocante of Bordeaux and more.
This is the list of things to do this weekend in and around Bordeaux (November 30 – December 2)
Rum Festival
This festival is the first big event in Bordeaux that is entirely dedicated to rum. While Bordeaux is mostly known for its wine, rum too has a long history in the city. The festival that will take place at La Grande Poste this weekend (December 1-2) celebrates the Bordelaise rum producers and merchants. Different masterclasses will take place during the festival, where you can learn to properly taste rum, match rum with food, mix rum cocktails and more. For more details and tickets click here.
If you want to learn more about the rum history of Bordeaux check out this super interesting post by Bordeaux Expat.
When: December 1-2 Where: 7 rue du palais gallien, 33000 Bordeaux
Marché de Noël de Bordeaux
The traditional Christmas market of Bordeaux will open its gates between November 30 and December 30. This is one of the biggest Christmas markets in the region with 150 pavilions selling all the traditional Christmas merchandise such as clothes, decorations, jewelry, toys and local products. Even if you don’t intend to buy any gifts at the market you can still enjoy the Christmas spirit with some hot wine and roasted chestnuts. For more info click here.
When: November 30 – December 30 from 10:30 to 21:30 Where: Allées de Tourny, 33000 Bordeaux
Cabanes en fête
This is one of the most anticipated events in Bassins d’Arcachon. Cabanes en fête is the oysters and wine celebration taking place in Andernos-les-Bains on December 1-2. Come to the Bassins to discover its oysters and celebrate Christmas with concerts and plenty of activities. The program will also include cooking lessons from six big chefs, a music concert, a flash-mob dance, exhibitions, fireworks and more. For more info click here and for the full program here.
When: December 1-2 Where: Port Ostreicole, 33510 Andernos-les-Bains
The Bassins a Flot Christmas Weekend
If you look for alternatives for the traditional Christmas market head north to the Bassins a flot. This weekend (December 1-2) all the cool places in this neighborhood will host Christmas related events. Among the participating places are: The Garage Moderne, Kfe des Familles, Les Vivres de l’Art, the IBOAT (see more info below), Musée Mer Marine Bordeaux and more. For all the details check out the Facebook page of the event.
When: December 1-2 Where: Different locations in Bacalan
Iboat – Christmas market on a boat
Le Super Marché de Noël is one of the coolest Christmas markets in Bordeaux. The Iboat is an old ferry that nowadays serves as a concert venue, frequently hosting funky events such as this one. The Iboat Christmas market is hosting 50 French creators and designers of textile, jewelry, kids toys, decorations and more. The market will also include a traditional touch such as food stands, hot wine and photo sessions with Père Noël (Santa Claus). You can see the full list of stands here. The event is free and will take place on December 1-2 from 11:00 to 19:00. For more info click here.
When: December 1-2 Where: quai Armand Lalande, 33300 Bordeaux
International Animation Films Festival
Les Nuits Magiques is an annual international festival of animation movies taking place at “Le Festival” cinema in Begles from November 28 to December 9. This is the 28th edition of the festival, which over the years gained a reputation in the animation and special effects world. The rich program includes plenty of events and activities for both kids and adults: premiers of new movies, workshops, meetings with film creators and more. Check out the full program here and all the other details you need here.
When: November 28 – December 9 Where: 151 Boulevard ALBERT 1er, 33130 Bègles
Brocante des Quinconces
The big brocante of Bordeaux is hosted twice a year at place des Quinconces with 200 antique dealers, horticulturists, restaurants and craftsmen. This fall edition of the brocante will take place from November 23 to December 9. Although it’s quite upscale, you can find some fine antiques and vintage pieces at a bargain price. For more info and the list of exhibitors check out the website of the event.
When: November 23- December 9 Where: Place des Quinconces
The Salon Bien-être
The big Well-being Fair of Bordeaux will take place this weekend (November 31- December 2) at the Palais des Congrès. The event has 120 stands and 65 conferences all focused on different ways of improving the quality of life. The exhibitors are varied and come from all aspects of daily life: food, home decor, therapies and beauty. For more info click here.
When: November 31- December 2 Where: Palais des Congrès, Cours J.-G. Domergue.33300 BORDEAUX
Bonjour Sneakers
Great news for sneakers addicts! This Sunday (December 2) a huge event all dedicated to sneakers will take place in Hangar 14. If you were looking for a special pair of sneakers or some cool accessories that goes with them, this is the event for you! Tickets are 13 euros and you can purchase them here. For more info click here.
When: December 2, 11:00-19:00 Where: 173 Quai des Chartrons, 33300 Bordeaux, France
New children’s book presentation
If you’re looking for a kids friendly activity in the center of Bordeaux, this is a nice one. Oriana Villalon is a young author who just published a beautiful kids book called “Lulu under the moon”. This Saturday (December 1) the painter Jean-Pierre Beyries will host her and the translator Pamela Ortega Joa (both living in Bordeaux) for a fun afternoon where they will present the book. If you’re looking for a nice Christmas gift, a beautiful book signed by the author could be a nice idea. See more details here.
When: December 1, at 14:00 Where: 43 Rue Sainte-Colombe, 33000 Bordeaux, France
Open Doors in the Chateaux of Pessac-Léognan
I know I’ve been writing quite a lot about Open doors at different Chateaux lately, but this week it’s really close to Bordeaux and its a great wine so I thought you wouldn’t want to miss the opportunity. This weekend (December 1-2) l’Appellation Pessac-Léognan is holding an open doors weekend with 34 chateaux hosting you for wine tastings, tours, gourmet food and plenty of activities for kids. Some of the participating chateaux are Château de Léognan, Château Pape Clément and Château Haut-Lagrange , for the full list of Chateaux and more info about the open doors weekend click here.
When: December 1-2 Where: Bordeaux metropole (Check out the link above for the full list of events).
Free museums Sunday
Like in most cities in France, the first Sunday of the month is a free museums day. You have a free entrance to all the public museums and to most exhibitions. Check out the full list of the museums in Bordeaux that you can visit for free this Sunday.
CAPC museum in Bordeaux
L’Arche de Noël – creators market
L’Arche de Noël is a creators market taking place in the Chartrons neighborhood every weekend until Christmas (December 22-23 is the last event). Each week a group of local talented craftsmen and artists will present their original creations. This weekend (December 1-2) the stands will include jewelry, kids clothes, graphic designs, furniture and more.
When: December 1-2 Where: 23 Rue Minvielle, 33000 Bordeaux
Cirque Pardi! is Coming Back
Cirque Pardi! is a modern circus whose shows combine a lot of dance and humor and are very entertaining for both kids and adults. This year they are coming back to Bordeaux for the second time with their show BorderLand, which gained a great success on their last visit here in 2015. Cirque Pardi! will perform 15 shows from November 30 to December 22. The temporary circus will be located on Quai de queyries, just next to Darwin. For all the dates and tickets click here.
When: November 30- December 22 Where: 86 quai des Queyries, 33 100 BORDEAUX
Cirque deNoël de Bordeaux
If you’re looking for a family activity, the Christmas circus of Bordeaux will take place between December 1 and January 6. This impressive spectacle for kids and adults has more than 30 artists from 15 different countries. The shows will take place at the Hippodrome de Bordeaux in Le Bouscat. For tickets and more info click here.
When: December 1-January 6 Where: 8 Avenue de l’Hippodrome, 33110 Le Bouscat
marché du carnet de voyage
A very inspiring event for travelers will take place this weekend (December 1-2) in Marché des Douves. Marché du carnet de voyage is a traveling literature event which allows you to travel through words into different places and cultures. Throughout the weekend interesting meetings with take place with writers, illustrators, cartoonists and travelers who crossed the world and came back with fascinating stories. For more details click here.
When: December 1-2 Where: Halle des Douves, 4 rue des Douves, 33000 BORDEAUX
Le Grand Bazar des Créateurs
The Garage Modere in the Bacalan district will hold a very fun and creative event this weekend (December 1-2) called the Big Creators market. Around 20 local craftsmen and creators of clothing, jewelry, leather goods, accessories, sewing and photography, will offer their original products for sale. The event is free, for more details click here.
When: December 1-2 Where: 1 rue des Etrangers, 33300 Bordeaux
Union Saint-Jean Xmas Market
Here’s one more Christmas market that didn’t make it to my list. The Union Saint-Jean organizes its own market this year, that will include stands of local creators, a vintage clothing sale, a dj set, a relaxation area (with massages), a workshop to create your own little Christmas tree, a food truck and a bar. The event will take place this Saturday (December 1), for more details click here.
When: December 1 Where: 97, rue Malbec, 33800 Bordeaux, France
That’s it for this week my friends! if I made your weekend happier with some funky and interesting events, help this site thrive and share the post on facebook, tweeter or pinterest 🙂
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