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What’s happening in Bordeaux in May? Our charming city feels very lively in May. All the outdoor places around Bordeaux are starting to open up with locals occupying every terrace café in town. The summer season in Bordeaux is officially on! 

In this article, I made a list of all the best events and ideas for things to do in Bordeaux in May 2023. If it’s your first time here don’t forget to check my article about the 50 best things to do in Bordeaux as well as my Bordeaux district guide (especially helpful for those looking for accommodation in Bordeaux).

Now let’s see what’s waiting for us in Bordeaux and the Southwest of France in May 2023!

The best events in Bordeaux (and Gironde) in May 2023

Open doors in Saint-Emilion

An open-door weekend will take place on April 29May 1st in Saint Emilion where tens of wine producers will open their chateaux to the public. 

The weekend will include many activities such as wine tastings, visits to the chateaux, games for kids, and bike rides. Check out the full program for the participating châteaux, the activities, and the wine tasting proposed for that weekend – here. You can also plan your trip to this wine region with my detailed guide to Saint Emilion.

See all the other open-door events taking place in the Bordeaux wine region this year. 

When: April 29- May 1st / Where: different locations around Saint Emilion

The opening of La Guinguette chez Alriq

The best place for sunny weekends in Bordeaux is about to reopen for its summer season. La Guinguette chez Alriq is a tavern in the Bastide neighborhood, on the rive droite of the Garonne. On a sunny day, you can enjoy a cold beer, nice food, and daily concerts with a magnificent view of the Garonne. The first concert will take place on May 4, see the full program for the month here.

Discover other summer bars in Bordeaux in my article.

When: Starting May 4 / Where: ZA Quai des Queyries, Port Bastide, 33100 Bordeaux

Tous À L’opéra 

The Opera of Bordeaux invites you to its annual event on May 5-7. The program includes public rehearsals, performances, workshops for kids, and more. Some of the activities require prior reservation. 

You can find all the info here

When: May 5-7 / Where: Opere de 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. 

Brocante de Bordeaux - one of the best events in Bordeaux
Brocante de Bordeaux – Lost in Bordeaux

The market is taking place from April 21 to May 8. For more info and the list of exhibitors click here.

When: April 21 – May 8 / Where: Place des Quinconces, Bordeaux

Go on a wine trip in Medoc 

May is probably one of the best months to do the Route des Chateaux in Medoc, a magnificent wine trail, that combines nature, history, and culture on one beautiful road. 

You can do it as a day trip from Bordeaux and visit wineries located not far from the city. Here are a few I can recommend: Chateau d’Arsac, (book a visit here), the charming family-run Chateau Siran (book a visit here) and Chateau Kirwan (book a visit here). 

Winery in Medoc, Bordeaux

If you prefer to go on a tour with a guide, here’s a great wine tour company that will take you on a half-day tour, with two winery visits – click here for all the details. However, if you have the time I recommend going there for at least 2 days and discovering the north part of Medoc. Read about my weekend in Medoc in this article.

Les Cogitations

Les Cogitations is a mocking art festival taking place in the L’entrepot in Lehaillan on May 9-14. Check out the full list of performers here.

When: May 9-14 / Where: 13 rue Georges Clémenceau – Le Haillan

Cathedral nights 

The Cathedral of Saint André in Bordeaux invites you to the Cathedral Nights events that will include two nights of musical concerts (May 12-13). The beautiful lighting of the Cathedral at night will make this an unforgettable event. For more information click here.

When: May 12-13/ Where: Place Pey-Berland, 33000 Bordeaux

Open doors in the Côtes de Bourg appellation

Ô Chais is the annual open doors event taking place at the Côtes de Bourg appellation. It’s less known than the renowned Saint Emilion or Medoc appellations but it’s an excellent wine you should try when visiting the Bordeaux wine region. 

This year the event is taking place on May 13-14. See more details here

For other open doors events, check out my article about all the Portes Ouvertes in the wineries of Bordeaux

When: May 13-14 / Where: wineries in Bourg

Sidéral Festival 

Sideral is an electronic music festival that is about to take place in Bordeaux on May 12-13. The concerts will be hosted by three very cool music venues in Bordeaux: Les Vivres de l’Art, Iboat, and the Salle du Grand Parc. To see the full program and for the tickets, click here

When: May 12-13/  Where: Different locations in Bordeaux

European Museums Night

On May 13 some of the best museums and cultural establishments in Bordeaux will open their doors to the public with free exhibitions and activities. Besides exhibitions, the museums will host lots of kid-friendly activities, concerts, and more. See the full list of museums and events here.

Discover the best museums to visit in Bordeaux in my article.

When: May 13 – 6 pm until midnight / Where: Different museums around the Metropole

Foire internationale de Bordeaux

The big fair of Bordeaux is about to take place on May 13-21 at the Parc des Expositions. The 100th edition of the fair will host many events and exhibitions related to gastronomy and art de vivre. See more details here

When: May 13-21 / Where: Parc des Expositions, 33000 Bordeaux

Bordeaux Geek Festival

Comics, science fiction, video games, parallel worlds, creative industries – you’ll find all of these at the next Bordeaux Geek Festival (BGF), taking place May 19-21 at Parc des Expositions.

The goal of this festival is to experience geek culture and share knowledge on topics that are at the heart of the Geek community. The BGF brings together different players from these industries, among them: video artists, gamers, illustrators, designers, scientists, authors, comedians, and more. For more details and tickets click here.

When: May 19-21 / Where: Hall 3 and 1 – Parc des Expositions, 33000 Bordeaux

Bordeaux Tango Festival

The 7th edition of the Bordeaux Tango Festival will take place on May 16-21. This hot festival connects Bordeaux and the place where Tango was born, Buenos Aires. A variety of activities will be offered to celebrate the link between these two cities, such as dance, music, art, literature, and even food. See the program of the festival.

When: May 16-21 / Where: Different locations in Bordeaux

Visit the smallest village in France

Did you know that the smallest village in France is located in the Entre Deux Mers sub-region of Gironde, less than an hour’s drive from Bordeaux? Castermoron d’Albret has only a few streets but each one of them is so beautiful, you can spend half a day just wandering in and around the village. Read more about Castermoron d’Albret in my article. If you go there on a Saturday, pass by the great market of La Reole and buy some stuff for a picnic 🙂

Castelmoron d'Albret

Open doors at the châteaux of Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux

The open door of Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux will take place on May 27-28. Cadillac is a small and less-known appellation in the Bordeaux wine region but is worth visiting if you’re here during that weekend. 

See the list of participating Chateaux.

When there, don’t miss the beautiful Château de Cadillac, one of the most important historic monuments in Gironde. Check out other beautiful towns you can visit in that part of Gironde in my article about the most beautiful villages around Bordeaux.

When: May 27-28 / Where: Different locations around Cadillac (see the website)

Picnic in the vineyards 

People in this region really love visiting wineries and doing picnics, so why not combine the two activities? Usually, the vineyards can only be visited as part of a guided tour at the Chateaux, but one weekend a year you’re invited to enjoy many of them for free. Just bring you picnic to the vineyards and enjoy a fun day with your family and friends surrounded by this majestic scenery. The chateaux will provide wine and entertainment 🙂 

Bordeaux vineyards

The event is called Pique nique chez les vignerons and more than 100 domais are participating in it around France (and Bordeaux obviously). This year the event will be taking place on May 27-29. The places are limited so reserving a spot is recommended. Take a look at the map.

When: May 27-29/ Where: Different locations in France (see map)

Millesime Electronic music festival

Festival Millesime will take place on May 26-27 in La Réole (about an hour’s drive from Bordeaux).This is a great event for electronic music lovers who want to enjoy a good linup without leaving the region.

La Reole is a charming village located on the banks of the Garonne river, which is where the festival will take place. See more info here

If you’re looking for something to do in the region, visit Castelmoron d’Albret, the smallest village in France, see more details in my article

When: May 26-27 / Where: Hippodrome de La Réole, lieu dit Mijéma, 33190 La Réole

Fête de la Nature

Terres d’Oiseaux, the beautiful nature reserve, located on the board of the Gironde estuary invites you to a weekend of nature celebration. The event will take place on May 27-28, see more details here

When: May 27-28 / Where: La Terre Promise, 33820 Braud-et-Saint-Louis

Saint Macaire Sort Le Grand Jeu

A big game festival will take place on May 27-28 in the charming village of Saint Macaire. The program includes plenty of different activities, escape games and workshops. For more info click here

When: May 27 – 28 / Where: the center of Saint Macaire

Let your kids discover the art of circus at the Jubil’à Jongle festival

The 14th edition of the festival will start with an inauguration evening on May 26, which will include magic and fire shows and different activities for kids. On the second day of the festival (May 27), you will discover the art of circus and street entertainment through shows of Juggling, magic, games, and introductory workshops. The festival will take place at the Parc de Fongravey in Blanquefort. For more info click here.

When: May 26-27 / Where: 4 Parc de Fongravey in Blanquefort

Big events in other parts of the SW of France 

Fête de la Fraise

The annual celebration of strawberries is going to take place on May 14 in the village of Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne. This region of France is known for amazing strawberries so they are right to celebrate it 🙂  For more details click here.

Les Floralies – Flowers weekend

On the weekend of May 13-14, you can also visit Saint-Jean-de-Cole, one of France’s most beautiful villages where a big flowers fair is about to take place. See more details here.

Année Du Dessin En Dordogne

This year the Dordogne is celebrating the Drawing year with an impressive amount of art exhibitions all over the department. The exhibitions and different art-related events will take place in famous chateaux, churches, libraries, and other art venues. See all the dates and locations in the program of the event.

When: February – December 2023 / Where: different towns in Dordogne

Exhibitions and concerts not to miss this month in Bordeaux

La Cité du Vin

La Cité du Vin has renovated its permanent exhibition and added plenty of cool and immersive sections for you to learn about wine. You can buy tickets here

If you’re not sure if it’s worth the price, you can check out my article about the Cite du Vin to see what to expect during your visit there. Visiting wineries is always a good option in the Bordeaux wine region. Check out my new article about the best wine tours in Bordeaux.

Dali and Gaudi – Les Bassins de Lumières

Les Bassins de Lumières is hosting a new amazing exhibition! This time the immersive exhibition is 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. 

You can see a video I took in their previous exhibitions just to get the vibe.

 The new exhibition will be presented from February 3 to January 7, get your tickets here.

When: February 3 – January 7, 2024 / Where:  Imp. Brown de Colstoun, 33300 Bordeaux

Street are at L’institue Bernard Magrez

L’institue Bernard Magrez is a beautiful chateau in Bordeaux that regularly host street art exhibitions and events. Currently, there are three different street art exhibitions presented at the gallery. You can visit the chateau only on weekends. Buy tickets here.

street art in Bordeaux - L;institut Bernard Magrez
L’institut Bernard Magrez – by Lost in Bordeaux

Is it your first time in Bordeaux? If it is you should definitely check out my ultimate guide to Bordeaux to get familiar with all the must-see places in the city. To help you choose a hotel I’ve gathered a list of the best hotels in the center of Bordeaux as well as a guide to the districts of Bordeaux to help you find your preferred AirBnB location.

If you need more tips for things to do in the SW of France I invite you to join my Facebook group ” Travel in the South West of France“. Also, every Friday I send a newsletter with plenty of additional events you can enjoy during the weekend, so hurry up and subscribe to my email list now 🙂

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:

Facebook |Instagram |Email | Facebook group

The purple Périgord (Périgord Pourpre in French) is located in the southwest part of the Dordogne region, with Bergerac as its capital. The region draws its name from its famous vineyards, being the second-largest wine region in Nouvelle Aquitaine after Bordeaux. And while the most visited part of Dordogne is actually the Black Périgord, this beautiful region should not be overlooked. It is a land full of rich gastronomic traditions, old medieval villages, rivers, and impressive castles. Discovering little charming villages, getting lost in the narrow paved streets, and tasting local specialties at the weekly market is my favorite part about traveling in France and this part of Dordogne has plenty of that to offer. In this article, I gathered the most charming beautiful villages in Purple Périgord in Dordogne as well as some tips on what to see there. For my Bordeaux readers, most of the places mentioned in this list are located within less than two hours’ drive from Bordeaux so remember this list next time you’re in search of a fun day trip (you can also pin it – look on the pin at the bottom of the article).

If you are looking for more places to discover in the Southwest of France, join us at the Travel in the Southwest of France Facebook group

Here are some other day trip ideas from Bordeaux you might want to read about:

Eymet – a lively bastide town 

Eymet is a typical bastide town founded in the 13th century by Alphonse de Poitiers, Comte de Toulouse. Bastide towns, recognized by their arched central squares were created from the 12th to the 14th century in the southwest of France by both the French and English kings. These were new towns (or “villes neuves” in French) built to encourage settlements of empty areas. There are many of them in the old Gascony region with most being small sleepy towns. Eymet, however, is a rather lively little town with plenty of restaurants and a small cultural scene. This cute village is located about 25 km from Bergerac and 100 km from Bordeaux making it a fun day trip from Bordeaux as well. 

Eymet in Dordogne

You can read more about all you can see, eat and visit in and around Eymet in my article about my day trip to Eymet.

Issigeac – known for its market

Visiting a good market is a must when visiting this part of France and Issigeac is famous exactly for that. Every Sunday the charming village hosts one of Dordogne’s best markets, with tens of stalls carrying the best products this region has to offer spread over the town’s narrow alleyways. The village itself is a beautiful circular town that was able to preserve many of its historic 13th-18th century buildings and is thus worth a few hours trip even if you’re visiting it on a non-market day. If you do visit on Sundays be sure to get there before 11:00 as the center gets pretty busy with local flocking to the market. There are quite a few cute coffee places in the city center, for those of you who need a break in the middle of your shopping. Issigeac is located about 20 minutes’ drive from Bergerac.

Issigeac - one of the best markets in Dordogne
Sunday market in Issigeac

Monpazier – one of the most beautiful villages of France

Monpazier is one of the most impressive bastide towns in the southwest of France, labeled as one of France’s most beautiful villages. The town is considered a bastide model town as it stayed untouched since its creation in 1284. Today you can spot a few cafés, restaurants, and boutiques blending perfectly under the arches of the main square of Monpazier. A nice weekly market takes place at the main square every Thursday, a tradition they keep for the last 700 years. 

The Bastideum museum on the main square will help you discover the history of Monpazier, describing its special architecture, important events in its past as well as how life used to look there during the middle ages. Monpazier is located on the east side of Perigord Pourpre and can be combined with visits to either Bergerac or Sarlat. 

Limeuil – one of the most beautiful views

I dare to say that Limeuil is the most beautiful village in the region of purple Périgord, or at least the one with the most beautiful views. Like Monpazier, it was also named one of the most beautiful villages in France, so I guess I’m not the only one to think that way. Limeuil is a medieval town, built at the confluence of the Dordogne and Vézère rivers and used to be an important port town. You can spend a full day here, exploring the stone houses on the small side streets rising from the banks of the river to the top of the hill.

If there’s one thing you shouldn’t miss in Limeuil is its beautiful panoramic garden (Jardins Panoramiques de Limeuil). Apart from the impressive landscapes of the garden, you’ll also get to enjoy a stunning panoramic view of both the Dordogne and Vézère Rivers. 

If you’re up to something more active you can go kayaking on one of the rivers.  Aquafun Canoes Dordogne, which is located on the port of Limeuil is one of the companies offering kayaking and canyoning in this region (see other kayaking options in my article about kayaking in Dordogne). If you find yourself going to Limeuil on a hot day, you can cross the Dordogne river to the other side and enjoy the nice little beach called Plage de Limeuil.

beautiful village in purple perigord, dordogne

Limeuil is situated on the border between the purple and black Perigord regions (Perigord Pourpre and Perigord noir) and so can be easily visited from anywhere in Dordogne. 

Lalinde – a magical spot on the river

Another beautiful village on the Dordogne river that’s worth a visit is Lalinde. Located about 30 minutes’ drive from Bergerac this picturesque town was actually the first English ruled bastide town in the region. The best day to visit Lalinde is on Thursdays when its famous market takes place (active since the 13th century!). Lalinde is also a great starting point for a hike or a biking trip along the river. 

Beaumont de Périgord – the center of Purple Périgord 

Beaumont de Périgord (which is now officially a part of  Beaumontois-en-Périgord) is a cute little village located in the heart of the Purple Périgord region. It’s a rather typical village for this area, with a central arched square and several streets adorned with pretty houses. Its most noticeable monument is the medieval fortified church, Église Saint-Laurent-et-Saint-Front. It’s a bit less lively than some of the other villages but still a very nice stop if it’s on your way. In the summer it hosts a great night market with live music every Monday. 

There are of course many more cute and picturesque villages in this part of Dordogne so this list is most definitely not exclusive. However, the few on this list are more preserved and lively than other villages in Périgord Pourpre and thus make for a great day trip. My biggest tip here would be to not skip tourist offices in this region, they usually have a map with all the most interesting monuments and buildings to see in the town. That will add some interest and depth to your visit which is important in a rich history region like the southwest of France.  

You can get quite a lot of information about tours and activities in these towns on the website of Bergerac tourism

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

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Discovering beautiful villages in the southwest of France is one of my favorite parts of living here and with all my traveling lately, I decided that it’s time to write a little bit about the Dordogne as well. So today I’m taking you to Eymet, located in the Bergerac region about 100 km from Bordeaux. While it’s not as famous as some of the villages in the Sarlat region, this cute little village with its picturesque houses and abundance of restaurants is a great option for a day trip from Bordeaux or from Bergerac. In this article, I’ll give you all the info on things to do in and around Eymet including an amazing chateau you can visit with your kids. 

Eymet in Dordogne

If you’re looking for more ideas for day trips in the Bordeaux region here are a few other articles you might want to read:
The best beaches around Bordeaux
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. Now let me take you to this beautiful part of purple Perigord and the village of Eymet. 

What to see in Eymet

Eymet is a typical bastide town founded in the 13th century by Alphonse de Poitiers, Comte de Toulouse. Bastide towns that can be recognized by their arched central squares were created from the 12th to the 14th century in the southwest of France by both the French and the English kings. These were new towns (or “villes neuves” in French) built to encourage settlements of empty areas. There are many of them in the old Gascony region with most being small sleepy towns. Eymet, however, is a rather lively little town with plenty of restaurants and a small cultural scene. Ironically, while the town was originally established by the French as part of a defensive strategy against an English invasive, today it’s one of the most “British” towns in Dordogne with a 20% British population.

Eymet -Bastide towns in the southwest of France

When you arrive in Eymet, start your tour at Place des Arcades, the central square with well-maintained houses. Take some time to admire the beautiful arched houses with stone or timber framed (colombage) fronts. The tourist office of Eymet is located on the square as well. They are very helpful and can give you a map of Eymet with all the interesting houses to see on your little tour. There’s also a map on display near the tourist office so you can see some of the main points of interest even if the tourist office is closed.

From here you can take some time to stroll the narrow charming streets of Eymet. The center of town is very small and many of the more interesting houses are located on rue Traversiere and rue de Veau. Don’t miss the beautiful temple on rue du Temple and the cute flowery passage between rue du Temple and rue Portanel.

Beautiful streets in Eymet France

There’s also an impressive château in Eymet, however, it’s usually closed unless there’s an exhibition in one of the rooms. It’s still worth taking a stroll through the garden and admire the chateau from the outside.

Where to eat in Eymet 

The only problem regarding food in Eymet is that for such a small town there are just too many restaurants to choose from 🙂 There are plenty of restaurants located under the arched houses on the central squares, these are especially fun on sunny days as you can sit outside and absorb the beauty of the village.  Two recommended restaurants in Eymet are Le Gambetta on Place Gambetta as well as Walnut which is slightly out of the center. 

Restaurants in Eymet Dordogne

Markets in Eymet

Every Thursday morning, a lively market with the best products of the region takes place at the central square. You can buy baguettes, cheese, and regional fruits at the market and find a nice spot for a picnic on the banks of the Dropt river. That’s what we do many times as we travel with little kids and picnics are always a bit easier than sitting in a restaurant. 

Every Tuesday during July and August a lively night market is taking place here with live music and plenty of food stands. The market is taking place at Place de la Bastide starting from 19:00. 

Hiking around Eymet

Besides a stroll in the city which will take you 1-2 hours (if you’re slow like us), you can also go on a short hike to enjoy the beautiful surroundings of Eymet.  There are two hiking routes you can take around Eymet. One called Sentier du Dropt – a 3km hike that takes you through the port, the old windmill, and other nice spots close to the Dropt river. 

Another hike is the Balade Patrimoine au fil du Dropt – an 11.5km route you can also do by bike. I took a picture of my map but you can get it at the tourist office. 

Chateau de Bridoire – the chateau of games

Chateau de Bridoire
Chateau de Bridoire

If you’re traveling with kids you absolutely must include this place on your trip to Eymet. Château de Bridoire is located at the heart of the Monbazillac wine region about 15 minutes by car from Eymet. The beautiful château is a private historic monument dating back to the 15th century. You will visit 15 different rooms from the kitchen to the dining room and the working office but what makes this château special is that it’s much more interactive than the other castles you’ll visit in the southwest of France. For example, one of the rooms you’re going to visit is the games room where you can touch and play with all the fun wood games. The best part is the garden of the château where plenty of huge games were put in place to be played by the visitors of the chateau.

Chateau de Bridoire - the castel of games
Chateau de Bridoire – the castle of games

Needless to say, we spent hours there and they actually had to kick us out as my daughter refused to let go of the bow and arrow. 

The château is open daily during the summer, you can see more details here

What else to see around Eymet 

One of the main attractions in the region is Chateau de Duras, a 12th-century impressive castle with an amazing view of the Dropt valley.

If you’re looking for a bigger livelier city, be sure to visit Bergerac, which is located on the Dordogne river only 20 km from Eymet. On the way, you can also visit Chateau de Monbazillac, famous for its white sweet wine.

If you’re visiting the region on a Sunday, you can start your day in Issigeac, yet another beautiful village in Dordogne that holds one of the best markets in the area on Sundays. 

Issigeac market
Issigeac market

If you want to stop somewhere on the way to Bordeaux, don’t miss Castelmoron d’Albret, which happens to be the smallest village in France. You can read more about it in my article about my visit to Castelmoron d’Albret

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:

Facebook |Instagram |Email | Facebook group

The Dordogne river is one of the most popular destinations in France. The low flow in most parts of the river makes it ideal for a kayak or canoe trip as you can easily descend and visit many beautiful villages and impressive chateaux on the way. The enchanting scenery on the banks of the river includes picturesque villages like Beynac, La Roque Gageac and Domme as well as local flora and fauna near Bergerac. In this article I gathered the best places from which to start your kayaking and canoeing experience on the Dordogne river. There are of course many other good kayaking clubs on this immense river but I chose a few that are nicely spread around and offer good tours at reasonable prices. Enjoy and leave a comment if you have any other kayak and canoe clubs to add.

Visit the most beautiful villages in the Dordogne on a canoe

There’s a beautiful scenery along most parts of the Dordogne river, but there’s one region that will leave you truly speechless. The Perigord noir region is located in the south east of the Dordogne department and has one segment of the river that passes right through it. The area is known for its marvellous villages, labeled among the most beautiful in France, with several of them located on the river banks. If you have only one day to discover the villages and castles of Dordogne, canoeing in Perigord Noir is your best choice.

The most beautiful villages in France - by lost in Bordeaux
The most beautiful villages in France – by lost in Bordeaux

River canoe kayak

River canoe kayak is located at Saint Vincent de Cosse, just next to Beynac, which many consider as the most beautiful village in France. The company’s minibus will take you to your preferred starting point on the Dordogne, from which you’ll start discovering the amazing villages and chateaux on both sides of the river. They offer three different tours: a half day tour, a 4-5 hours tour and full day tours. The bus will bring you to different starting points according to the tour you choose. Departure times are 9h15 – 10h15 – 11h15 – 12h15 – 14h15 – 15h15 – 16h15. Open from April to September

During the summer it’s recommended to make reservations by email rita.leurs@wanadoo.fr or by phone : 05.53.29.41.01 or 06.87.13.58.41
For prices check out their website.
Address: Le Bourg, 24220 Saint-Vincent-de-Cosse

Canoe Dordogne

If you’re visiting the beautiful village of La Roque Gageac, you should definitely consider experiencing it from the river side. Canoe Dordogne proposes a one hour trip near La Roque-Gageac, which was chosen as one of the most beautiful villages in France. You can also take longer tours, from 9 to 25 km and the company bus will take you to the appropriate starting point depending on the trip you choose to take. If you come with kids, they offer different canoes for 2 to 4 people, meaning that it could fit the whole family. Unlike many kayak operators who are open only during the summer season, this one is open all year long. 
Details for contact and reservation: canoedordogne@hotmail.fr or by phone at : 05 53 29 58 50. For prices check out their website.
Address: Le Bourg, 24250 La Roque-Gageac

Canoe sans Frontiere

Canoe sans frontiere offers you a special trail they call the ‘Circuit des Châteaux’. It’s a 19km route (about 4 hours on a canoe) in which you discover five beautiful castles located on the Dordogne river. You start your journey in front of Château de Grolejac, followed by Château de Montfort, Castelnaud-La-Chapelle, Château de Fayrac and finally the famous Château de Beynac. If 19 km is a bit too much for you, this club also offers shorter trips with plenty of beautiful scenery on the way. Open from April to the end of October.

Reservations by phone at 06 31 70 40 08. For more details and prices check out the website 
Address: Pont de, Grolejac, 24200 Carsac-Aillac

Canoeing on the Dordogne river
Canoeing on the Dordogne river by Lost in Bordeaux

Canoe Soleil Plage

If you want to combine canoeing on the Dordogne river with a beach day, this is the place to go. Canoe Sun Plage is located on the Caudon beach, about 6 km from Sarlat and Domme (two of France’s most beautiful villages). There are three itineraries to choose from, one covers the castles of Dordogne, the second emphasises nature and the third combines both. On the long tour you’ll get to see the châteaux of Castelnaud and Montfort and the beautiful villages of Domme and La Roque Gageac. They operate from April to October.

Contact details: canoesoleilplage@gmail.com or Phone : +33 (0)5 53 28 77 61 and +33 (0) 6 58 08 99 34
For more details check out their website.
Address: Plage de Caudon, 24200 Vitrac

Canoeing in the Dordogne around Bergerac

Another great location for water activities on the Dordogne river is the Pays de Bergerac, the western part of the Dordogne department. It’s a region full of beautiful bastide towns and vineyards. A canoe or a kayak can be a great way to discover the particular nature and architecture of this area. 

Limeuil
Limeuil by Lost in Bordeaux

Aquafun Canoes Dordogne

Aquafun Canoes Dordogne is located next to the  beautiful village of Limeuil situated on the confluence of the Dordogne and the Vezere rivers. They offer several trips on both rivers that can start at different locations, depending on how long you want to paddle. On the Dordogne river, you can make short tours (starting from 5km) from places like le buisson or whole day routes from La roque gageac (32km). You have plenty of options in between which makes this place very flexible and adaptable for families. You can also discover the Vezere river from locations like Le Bugue and La Roque St. Christophe (another amazing place to visit in Dordogne). You start the tours at the port of Limeuil, from which you are bussed to your location of choice, with all the trips ending back at the same port in Limeuil.  

Contact details: info@aquafundordogne.com or phone : 06 77 18 66 46
Open from May 1st to September 20th. For more details and prices check out their  website.
Address: Port de, 24510 Limeuil

Canoë Kayak Port Ste Foy

This small water sports club is located next to Sainte Foy la Grande, yet another charming town along the Dordogne river. The town is located right in between Bordeaux and Bergerac, making it a great option if you’re staying in Bordeaux (less than an hour drive). Every Saturday Sainte Foy la Grande hosts one of the biggest markets in the region, so this is the best day to visit. The club has a very friendly staff and offers Canoës, Kayaks and Stand Up Paddles. 

Contact details: Canoekayakportstefoy@orange.fr or Phone : 05 53 24 86 12

Open the whole year, prior reservations are required (apart from July – August when you can come anytime).  For more details go to their facebook page or their website (currently under construction). 
Address: Base nautique du Cléret, Allée Paul Ducou 33220 PORT-SAINTE-FOY

Pessac sur Dordogne 

Kayak and Canoe on the Dordogne
Kayak and Canoe on the Dordogne by Lost in Bordeaux

Another Canoeing club between Bordeaux and Bergerac is located on the riverfront of Pessac sur Dordogne. The town is not very interesting on its own but the club has a nice restaurant with an amazing view on the river. They offer two tours, one from Riberon (8km) and one from Eynesse (15km). The 8km tour is a good distance to do with kids, but it’s important to know that it doesn’t have a stop spot for a picnic. So if you want a more relaxed trail with a break, take the longer tour. Both trails start at Pessac sur Dordogne from which you are bussed to the chosen starting point.

Reservations by phone  06 63 82 34 53 / Open from mid June to mid September. For more details and prices check out their website 
Address: Les Quais, 33890 Pessac-sur-Dordogne

If you want more ideas for amazing day trips from Bordeaux you should check out my article about day trips which includes plenty of beautiful villages, history and nature. If wine is your things, check out my article about the best wineries to visit in Saint Emilion and about the Bordeaux wine route in Medoc. Enjoy your stay!

Going to night markets (marchés nocturnes) in the southwest of France is one of the best ways to discover small villages in the region and to get a nice dose of French rural vibes.  During market days, the beautiful villages of the Southwest of France suddenly become very lively and festive. Complete with regional food stalls, music, and happy tipsy locals 🙂 

There are many markets taking place on a daily basis in the region but finding information about them is not an easy task. That’s why I did some research for you and came up with a relatively complete list of night markets taking place in Gironde, Dordogne, Lot et Garonne, and Les Landes. Not all the info regarding night markets exists online so consult your local tourist office if you want to attend one closer to where you’re staying. 

If you want more ideas for things to do this summer in the Bordeaux region check out my article about what to do this summer in Bordeaux. If you love visiting French markets check out my article about the best markets in Bordeaux. Also, if you want recommendations on what night market to go to you can join my Facebook group “Travel in the Southwest of France“, there are many locals there that can give you their opinion on the matter 🙂

Now let’s dive into the night markets of the Southwest of France. 

Night Markets in Gironde and Les Landes

Monday – Biscarrosse Plage (Every week until August 31 – info), Talais (Every week Jul 18 – Aug 22 – info)

Tuesday – Arcachon (Every week until August 31 – info), Biscarrosse Plage (Every week until August 31 – info), Parentis en Born (Every week until August 31- info), Soulac Sur Mer (Every week until August 31- info), Lacanau city ( July 19, August 2, 23- info), Biganos ( Jul 5, Aug 23 – info)

Wednesday – Arcachon (Every week until August 31 – info), Biscarrosse Plage (Every week until August 31 – info), La Bastide de Monségur (Every week until August 31 – info)

Thursday – Arcachon (Every week until August 31 – info), Biscarrosse Plage (Every week until August 31 – info), Audenge (July 14 – info),

Friday –  Arcachon (Every week until August 31 – info), Biscarrosse Plage (Every week until August 31 – info), Lacanau Ocean (Every week until Aug 31 – info )

Saturday – Sanguinet (Every week until August 31 – info), Biscarrosse Plage (Every week until August 31 – info)

Sunday – Biscarrosse Plage (Every week until August 31 – info), Hourtin (July 3,10, 24 – Aug 7, 21 – Place de la Mairie)

Here you can find more night markets taking place this summer in Gironde

night markets near Bordeaux

If you’re planning to go to the night market in Arcachon, check out my guide to Arcachon for more info on what to do and see there. You can also check my article about the most beautiful villages in Gironde for more ideas for places to visit in the region.

Night Markets in Dordogne

Dordogne is the king of night markets! There are usually at least 3-4 different markets taking place daily in different villages all around the Dordogne department, you just have to choose the ones closest to you. You can find all of them on the websites of Bergerac tourist office and Perigord noir tourist office but here are a few honorable mentions:
Monday – Beaumont du Perigord, Montignac, Sainte Mondane
Tuesday – Eymet, Bergerac, Saint Amand de Coly , Monpazier, Villefranche du Périgord
Wednesday – Belves, Saint-Geniès
Thursday – Cadouin, Issigeac, Sarlat, Biron
Friday –  Le Buisson de Cadouin, Salignac
Saturday – Saint-Meard de Gurson (July 9), Audrix
Sunday – Monbazillac

If you’re traveling in Dordogne check out my articles about visiting Eymet and kayaking on the Dordogne river.

Night Markets in Lot et Garonne

Monday – Mézin (every week until September 5 – info)
Tuesday – Nerac (every week until August 30 – info), Monteton (info here)
Wednesday – Francescas (every week until August 31 – info), 
Thursday – Duras (Every week until September 1 – info), Lavardac (Every week until September 3 – info)
Friday – Lévignac de Guyenne (every week until August 26 – info), la Sauvetat-du-Dropt (every week until August 26 – info)
Saturday – Saint Sernin (info here)

If you’re looking for more ideas for day trips in the Bordeaux region here are a few other articles you might want to read:
The best beaches around Bordeaux
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 get plenty of tips on things to do in the Southwest of France via lost in Bordeaux’s social media accounts and email list, check them out here:

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