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From time to time I receive questions about beautiful places to walk dogs in Bordeaux, and so “inspired” by the third confinement in France I decided it’s time to dedicate an article to our little four-legged friends. In the last few months, I wrote numerous articles about hiking and parks in Bordeaux that many found useful this year. Most parks in Bordeaux are very dog friendly so I really recommend you go through my previous articles:
In this article, I want to give you a bit more than just the list of parks. This year I’ve spent quite a lot of days exploring nature around Bordeaux with my kids, looking for hidden lakes, easy walking trails, streams, and just any beautiful place where my kids can feel free to run and enjoy nature. I’ve noticed that many of these places are perfect for dogs as well, in many of them you can let them run free and they can even enjoy a swim. So here are some of the best green spaces to walk your dog in Bordeaux metropole.
Parc des Berges de la Garonne in Bègles
Berges de La Garonne is one of the hidden gems of this region. Many, visit this part of Bègles to do shopping in Rives d’Arcinswithout even knowing that behind the big shopping center hides a very tranquil green park with a beautiful view of the Garonne river. Take your dog for a walk along the river and enjoy the metallic sculptures along the way. Don’t miss the Carrelets, the traditional fishing cabins that you can find mostly on the banks of the Gironde Estuary.
Parc des Berges de la Garonne in Begles
Where to park: You can park near Cultura in the main parking of the shopping center and go in the direction of the Garonne river until you see the park. You can equally find parking at the port of Begles and start the walk from the northern part of the park.Â
Bois de Thouars in Talence
TheThouars forest is located on the border of Talence and Gradignan and has 4km of walking paths in the woods and around the lake as well as different sports facilities. The hilly path around the lake is especially beautiful and is a great adventure for dogs and kids alike.Â
Where to park: There’s a huge parking in front of the pool at 235 Avenue de Thouars, 33400 Talence.
Bois des Sources du Peugue
Parc de Montgaillard
Bois de Thouars
Parc de Montgaillard in Gradignan
Gradignan is known as one of the greenest towns in Bordeaux metropole so it’s not a surprise that one of our dog-friendly places is located there. The path follows the Bourde stream that goes through Gradignan and continues to Canejan, a great hiking path for the more avid walkers among you. At the heart of this park, you’ll find one of the last fully restored water mills in the metropole, a fishing lake, playgrounds, and a picnic area. Â
Where to park: There are several parking spots around the mills at Chemin des Moulins, 33170 Gradignan
Bois des Sources du Peugue in Pessac
How about a hike in a magical forest with a beautiful lake where your dog can swim? Bois des Sources du Peugue in Pessac is one of the less known forests/parks in the metropole, but it’s really worth a visit. It has plenty of trails that are perfect not only for hiking but also for cycling. It’s a perfect place to walk your dog and also to have a picnic at the end of the walk.
Where to park: You can find parking around the intersections of Avenue du Port Aerien et Rue des Bouvreuils.
Parc de la Bruthe in Floirac
Moving on to rive droite to the beautiful Domaine de la Burthe in Floirac. This park is part of a beautiful forest and is a perfect place for hiking and for spending the day enjoying the hidden spots between the trees. The place is also home to the equestrian center so you can see plenty of horses all over the park.
Where to park: Chemin de la Burthe, 33270 Floirac
Parc de la Bruthe
Bois d’Arboudeau in Parempuyre
Another hidden gem that many are not aware of is the Arboudeau forest in Parempuyre, one of the northern towns in Bordeaux metropole. Like other places on this list, this forest has a beautiful lake in its center and you can do a fun circuit with your dog around it.Â
Where: Rue de Bordeaux, 33290 PAREMPUYRE
Lac Bleu and Lac Vert
These two lakes are very popular among dog owners and they are also two of the most beautiful lakes in Gironde. The first one is Lac Vert (the green lake) in Canejan and the second one is Lac Bleu (the blue lake) in Leognan, both located about a 15/20 minute drive from Bordeaux. Their names derive from the color of the water and they are both stunning. I think that Lac bleu is the dogs favorite one 🙂
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:
I started writing this article mostly for myself about a week before the end of confinement. I wanted to come up with a long enough list of places I could go to with my kids or even alone (if that’s ever possible) where we can enjoy the wonders of the region but still keep social distancing. (If you’re reading this in 2050, we were all locked in our houses for two months, just google COVID-19).
Gironde is one of the most beautiful departments in France with an impressive number of hiking options. You can discover the parks and lakes around Bordeaux metropole or combine your trips with some heritage in Entre Deux Mers, or the vineyards of Saint Emilion.
There are long hiking trails for fit walkers and shorter ones for families with kids. I had so many ideas that I just had to come here and share them with you. I included hiking trails from every part of Gironde to give a big landscape variety.
I also publish quite a lot of my daily trips on social media so you are of course invited to follow me on Facebook/Instagram. Now let’s start!Â
Hiking in Bordeaux Metropole
Let’s start with destinations closer to Bordeaux and its suburbs. There are dozens of big and small parks in the metropole that can be perfect for a nice and easy hike, so you don’t even need a car to be able to enjoy the green areas of Bordeaux.
The ones I particularly love are Parc de l’Ermitage in Lormont, Parc Majolan in Blanquefort, and Parc Bordelais in Bordeaux. There are of course many more green and lush places in the city and I’m working on an article with the full list which will be published soon. But for now, I wanted to introduce you to a few great hiking trails in Bordeaux Metropole through which you can discover the towns and forests surrounding the city.Â
Au fil de l’eau bourde – From Talence to Gradignan
I live in Talence so the first one on the list is close to my home, a 5km trail through some of the green areas of Talence and Gradigan. It’s important to mention though that while most of your hike is going to be accompanied by green scenery, this is not a classic nature trail, meaning that you will have to walk through some urban areas to get from one location to another. Having said that, it’s a beautiful path and you will be surprised by some of the parks and monuments located in the footsteps of Bordeaux.
The starting point is Bois de Thouars, a forest located on the border of Talence and Gradignan (it’s recommended to enter the forest from Avenue de Thouars in Talence). Don’t be in a rush here, take your time strolling around the lake, it feels more unspoiled here than many of the other lakes in the area.
When you leave le Parc du Moulineau continue along the stream to get to Parc Mandavit. From here you will continue to the last destination of this trail – le Parc de Cayac, a historic monument on the Saint-Jacques de Compostelle pilgrimage road. From here you can take bus line number 10 to get back to the Thouars forest. There’s also an option to continue to another 9 km hike through Gradignan. You can find more info about this and other hiking trails in the Metropole here.
Located in the North of Bordeaux (the Bordeaux Lac district), it’s actually the biggest green space in Bordeaux. The reserve consists of different parts each with their own characteristics: the forest, the park, the meadows, the wetlands, and the ecological corridors. It’s so rich in nature that most visitors don’t cover it in one visit.Â
There are three entries to the park. If you enter through Entree bois you’ll have the pleasure to discover more than 6km of hiking trails in the beautiful green forest. Enter the entree roseraie (next to the Golf de Lac) and you can enjoy a beautiful flower park with more than 500 varieties of roses.Â
The reserve is also perfect for an easy stroll with kids and in fact, it was the first place I took mine after the deconfinement. Before heading there check out the information about the different entrances and parking on the official site of Bordeaux.Â
Floirac – fil vert – the green path
Le Fil vert on the right side of the river has more than 25 km of hiking to offer, passing through Parc des coteaux, the green space that encompasses most of the parks of Floirac, Cenon, Lormont, and Bassens. There are numerous hiking trails you can do here, depending on what part of “rive droite” you want to discover. You can see some of the trails here.
In this article, I’ll focus on hiking in Floirac and Boulac, a trail called Boucle de Floirac – Bouliac, which starts at Parc Castel in Floirac. The park itself is very cute with an impressive chateau, which is the starting point of your walk.
Before leaving rive droite you can also take a walk on Quai Deschamps and enjoy the beautiful view on the Garonne river.Â
The Saint Emilion region
Discover the lamprey capital of Gironde – Sainte Terre – 6.4 km
I’m sure that many of you are familiar with the beautiful Saint Emilion region. Even if you haven’t had the chance to do any hiking there, most of you living here had the chance to drive through the stunning vineyards of the famous wine region.
This trail, however, is different from the usual view you see from Saint Emilion as it goes along the Dordogne river. This is a good opportunity to learn about another product the Saint Emilion region is famous for, the lamproie (lamprey in English). The little village of Sainte Terre is the capital of Lamprey. Start your tour from Église Saint-Alexis, the church of Sainte Terre and walk on Rue du Parlement until you reach the river. Take a nice long stroll along the river until you reach the prohibited area sign, then turn left with the path. Follow the path until you reach the town again and then turn left on Rue du Parlement to reach the town center.
On normal days you can also visit the Lamprey’s garden, a small park and the museum of lamprey, however, I believe that it’s still closed for visits. You can see the map of the trails with the points of interest here.Â
The chateaux and restaurants are still closed, but once they’ll re-open I really recommend combining this hike with a visit to a winery or a nice meal in one of the villages around Saint Emilion. If you want more information on what to do in Saint Emilion, check out my article with everything you need to know about visiting this beautiful village.
Entre Deux Mers
Boucle de Rions – heritage and hillsides
Entre Deux Mers is one of the most beautiful parts of Gironde. An abundance of medieval villages scattered along the Gironde river, centuries-old historic monuments, wineries and a lot of nature makes it a perfect place for day trips from Bordeaux. And above all, it’s also a great region for hiking with several paths mixing heritage and nature. Today I want to focus on hiking around one of my favorite towns in the region – Rions.
Rions is a small medieval town on the hills on the banks of the Garonne river that played an important role in the Hundred Years War and was occupied by England during the 13th century. Even if you come here specifically for hiking, don’t be in a rush and take some time to admire the beautiful houses with old shatters and the colorful flower pots decorating the narrow streets of the village. After you got inspired by the beautiful architecture we can start the hike. Leave the city center following rue Lavidon, through Porte Lavidon, and enjoy a pleasant 4.5 km path with a stunning view of the Garonne hillsides and vineyards. You will enter back through the most impressive gate in Rions, Porte du l’Hyan, the only gate that was kept fully preserved to this day. Before you leave, visit the old ramparts of the city, built in the 14th century and restored in the 18th century. You can find the map and all the details here
The South of Gironde
Hostens
Hostens is one of the highlights of the South Gironde region. Domaine des Lacs d’Hostens is located at the heart of the Landes de Gascogne forest (50 km from Bordeaux) and offers some of the best hiking trails you can find near Bordeaux. The Domain consists of five different lakes with plenty of water activities as well as hiking trails, mountain bike trails, and more. If you’re after a good hike, head to the second lake, Lac du Bousquey. On the way you can see horses, butterflies and other wonders of nature. There are three trails in the Domain of Hostens: 8, 11 et 16 km long so there is something for both fit walkers and people who just want to enjoy a relatively short walk in nature.
In Hostens you will also find one of the best beaches in Gironde, this one located on the shores of another lake, the lake of Lamothe. So if the weather is good this would be the best way to end your hike.
Lac Vert and Lac Bleu
I really love hiking around lakes! I think that water in combination with the greenery around it gives it a very meditational vibe 🙂 Luckily there are a few beautiful lakes around the area where you can have a lovely walk and admire the colors of the water. The first one is Lac Vert (the green lake) in Canejan and the second one is Lac Bleu (the blue lake) in Leognan, both located about 15/20 minutes’ drive from Bordeaux. Their names derive from the color of the water and they are both stunning.
Saint Symphorian
Did you know that the largest man-made forest in Europe is located just an hour’s drive from Bordeaux? The huge Landes forest has a few hiking trails, one of them starting in Saint Symphorien, a village located about 50 km south of Bordeaux. The route starts from the center of Saint Symphorien, which by itself is not very interesting. But it’s nice to dedicate a few minutes to see the town hall, the gothic Saint Symphorien church, and the cute little Maison Cammunale, which was built during the great depression. To start the walk, leave the city center and walk about 5 minutes on Cours de Verdun until you reach Le Chalet Mauriac. In this house the famous novelist, Francois Mauriac used to spend his vacations as a child. The chateau itself is probably closed right now, but the nice park around it might be open.
One of my favorite hiking places in the region is Lanton on the Arcachon bay. There are of course many other great places for a promenade around the Bassin but I love the fact that you rarely see any people in Lanton and that the drive is not very long. You can start your walk from Plage de Suzette, which is a little port with a few restaurants on it, from there just follow the trail surrounding the little port. If you’ve ever been to the Bassin d’Arcachon you know that the view changes a lot depending on the tide. This trail goes along the bay and that’s why, depending on the time you arrive, it may feel like walking along the beach or in an apocalyptic desert. The scenery and tranquility are just magical and it’s less than an hour from Bordeaux! To discover more places in Bassin d’Arcachon go to my article about the best day trips to Arcachon Bay.
There are of course many more hiking routes in the region. We are surrounded by forests, lakes, parks, old villages, and a lot of heritage, so there’s an endless amount of ideas for a walk. But I wanted to release this article as soon as possible so you can start enjoying the weather and the deconfinement. I will add more ideas for walks in this article in the next few weeks, so I invite you all to return to this page. If you enjoyed reading the article, you can always share it with friends and make them go on a hike instead of the crowded city center 🙂
Before I go, I just wanted to let you know about all the other places you can get my information about traveling in Bordeaux and the Southwest of France.
My Travel in the Southwest of France Facebook group – where people from all over the Southwest of France share their favorite places to visit in the region.
My Facebook/Instagram pages where I share almost all my travels and experiences in the region on a daily basis.
Newsletter – I decided to go on a little break with my emails during the confinement being that most of the content there is about villages, restaurants, museums, and heritage sites, which is not content anyone currently needs. But I’m coming back with my weekly emails soon so you are all welcomed to join me there – subscribe here.
Going to a market is probably one of the most exciting experiences when traveling in the Southwest of France. The colors of strawberries in the spring, the smell of cheese from local farms, and the fresh oysters from the seaside always get me thrilled. Luckily for us, Bordeaux has one of the best markets in France, which should not be missed on your visit here!
But the main market of Bordeaux is definitely not the only market worth a visit when you’re in the region. Due to the French people’s tendency to buy everything fresh from the market, there are plenty of open-air markets taking place in different parts of Bordeaux on a daily basis. Besides the small weekly markets in the different neighborhoods of the city, there are several big covered ones that are open daily and offer a great shopping and dining experience.
markets in Bordeaux by Lost in Bordeaux
The Southwest is one of the most prolific agricultural regions in France, so visiting markets here is an absolute must. You have the most delicious strawberries from Lot et Garonne, tomatoes from Marmande, sheep cheese from the Basque country, and duck from the Dordogne. That’s just a tiny list of delicacies you’ll find in Bordeaux’s markets. In this article, I will help you discover the best food markets in Bordeaux, both in the city center and in the suburbs. Let’s start!
If you’re traveling in other parts of the Southwest, check out my article about the best markets in Toulouse, which is another foodie city in the region.
The Capucins market is one of the most visited places in Bordeaux. It’s the city’s biggest daily market and has everything from fruits and spices to local sweets and plenty of oyster stands. This is the best place to discover the gastronomy of the southwest of France and if you’re a foodie, it might take you a few good hours.
Marche des Capucins by Lost in Bordeaux
After you stroll the market, upgrade your experience with a delicious lunch in one of the many restaurants in the market. If you need help choosing what and where to eat, check out my article about the best places to eat in Marche des Capucins.
This is a covered market so it can also be a perfect place to escape to on one of Bordeaux’s many rainy days. Weekends are especially busy at Marche des Capucins with locals meeting their friends for oysters and wine after their market run. So if you want to get a table on a Sunday be sure to be there before 11 am.
Charcuterie tasting at Marche des Capucins – Lost in Bordeaux
If you don’t have a lot of time, the best way to discover this huge market is by taking a food tour. You can join the great group food tour of the No Diet club or join a more in-depth private tour with Anne, who’s a chef, and an amazing food tour in Bordeaux. Check Anne’s website for details. Opening hours: Open daily except Mondays, see opening hours / Address: Place des Capucins, 33800 Bordeaux
Marche des Quais – the market with the most beautiful view
Every Sunday morning dozens of food stalls with the best oysters of the region, fresh fruits, vegetables, cheese, fish, wine, and plenty of food trucks are installed on the Quai des Chartrons. It’s one of the most popular markets in Bordeaux for locals and tourists alike thanks to the quality of the products and the stunning setting on the riverfront.
Besides the local products you can buy at the market, it’s simply a very nice spot to have an early lunch. For many visitors, the main attraction is the oyster stalls, serving you a plate of six oysters with a cold white wine from the region. It kind of embodies the good life atmosphere in this region :). If you want to have a table be sure to be at the market no later than 11:30.
On Thursdays, a smaller market takes place at the same place. It hosts only a few stalls and doesn’t have the lively atmosphere of the Sunday market but if you need good organic products to cook at home, it’s a good market to go to.
Opening hours: Every Sunday and Thursday morning / Address: Place des Capucins, 33800 Bordeaux
Les Halles de Bacalan – the posh market of Bordeaux
This fancy food market opened its gates in November 2017 and has been visited by more than 60,000 people in the first month. It’s no surprise, as Bordeaux is well known for its gourmand population.
Most weekends the market hosts different events like pintxos evenings, cooking workshops, music concerts, and activities for kids. This is one of the best places to go for an afternoon drink and tapas with friends.
In addition, it’s located on a beautiful square next to one of the most impressive churches of Bordeaux, la Basilique Saint Seurin, so it’s definitely worth a visit.
Les Halles de Talence – one of my favorite places in Bordeaux
The Talence market is the little brother of the Bacalan market, built by Biltoki in December 2018. This market has a more local vibe to it with people from Talence (the university town of Bordeaux) coming here for their daily shopping. The market offers stalls of meat, seafood, bakery, and more.
However, the fun part is that it also has a tapas bar and many other places to get ready food from. In the center of Les Halles de Talence, you’ll find the Biltoki Bar, where all the locals gather to have their morning coffee or afternoon apero. It also has quite a big terrace, where all the locals meet their friends, especially on weekends.
A perfect apero at the Talence market – Lost in Bordeaux
In the last couple of years, the market organizes plenty of cute events with live music and workshops for kids. See their Instagram for more info.
Like les Halles de Bacalan, this too has a bit of a posh vibe to it compared to Marche des Capucins. The prices are not very cheap, but it has everything you need, including a great atmosphere.
Wednesday open-air market in Talence – Lost in Bordeaux
Every Wednesday there’s also an open-air market (in front of the covered market) that offers great products at much more reasonable prices. If you want to stay for lunch, a few nice food trucks are there to welcome you every Wednesday until about 14:00.
When: Daily except for Mondays, the market closes for a break between 14:30 to 16:30 on weekdays / Where: Place Alcala de Henares, 33400 Talence
Thouars Talence – Every Sunday
Let’s stay in Talence just a little bit longer as there’s another great market I must mention in this list. This one takes place every Sunday morning in the Thouars forest in Talence, just in front of the swimming pool.
This is the biggest weekly market of Talence with tens of stands with great French products. I particularly love going there for the big variety of fruits and veggies and for the deals at the fish stall (if you come towards noon of course).
This isn’t only a food market! You can also find other practical things like plants, clothing, and kitchen accessories. The market is located within a few steps from a lake within a forest so you can also make a nice picnic day out of it. It’s not the easiest one to get to by public transport but if you have a car it’s worth a visit.
When: Sunday morning / Where: the parking of 235 Avenue de Thouars, 33400 Talence
Another market I really love visiting during the weekend is the Merignac city center market. A short ride on tram A from the center of Bordeaux will take you to one of the best markets in the city.
A few tables have been put in place for you to enjoy a nice cup of coffee from the market’s coffee roaster stall.
When: Wednesday and Saturday / Where: Place Charles de Gaulle, Merignac
Pessac center
A very nice market takes place in the center of Pessac every Tuesday and Saturday morning. Pessac is one of the more charming suburbs of Bordeaux and a market day is a good excuse to visit its lovely city center. The market isn’t big but the products are excellent, I especially love the cheese stall. And as a bonus, you can finish your market tour with a drink in one of the coffee places on the square.
The central square of Pessac – Lost in Bordeaux
You can reach it easily by public transport, just take tram B from the center of Bordeaux to Pessac Centre.
It’s a very local market with a cozy vibe to it. People are greeting each other and the customers share their cooking ideas and stories from their family dinners with the merchants who come here every week. It’s a very nice market if you’re looking for a calmer local vibe rather than a touristy atmosphere.
The Bassens market is less known by most tourists but it’s actually one of the biggest markets in our region and one of the most popular among people on the rive droite of the Garonne. The market takes place every Sunday at Place de la Commune de Paris in Bassen, a town located just after Lormont.
Almost 150 stalls are waiting for you with some of the best products in the southwest of France. There are oysters from Arcachon and from Ile de Re, charcuterie from the Basque country, tarts from the Landes, and other produce from almost every corner of Nouvelle Aquitaine. Among them, there are quite a few food stalls like Morocain couscous, Portuguese grilled chicken, and a coffee place. You can spend a really fun morning here, strolling the many alleys of the market and tasting local food.
When: Sunday morning (9:00-13:00) / Where:place de la Commune de Paris, Bassens
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 🙂
This weekend the European Patrimony Days will take place all over France. Like all major cities, Bordeaux offers a rich program of more than 100 historical locations to discover. Many famous places such as the Opera of Bordeaux will be open to the public. However, popularity means big lines, so be prepared to wait patiently.Â
There are also plenty of great tours offered by the Bordeaux Metropole but many of them require a prior reservation and finding one that hasn’t been fully booked yet is quite a daunting task.Â
But fear not, I’m here to make your life easier and help you plan this weekend. While you might miss some of the more popular venues, there are plenty of gems in the city with less buzz around them or that do not require a reservation which are still worth visiting.Â
Here’s a list of places you can visit this weekend in and around Bordeaux that do not require a prior reservation.
Heritage Days in the center of Bordeaux
CAPC – the museum of contemporary art
During the weekend the Museum of contemporary art will hold tours of ongoing exhibitions with access to special areas, workshops and body painting activities. When: Saturday and Sunday 11:00 to 18:00 / Where: 7 rue Ferrère, 33000 Bordeaux
There are plenty of beautiful churches in Bordeaux and you have probably entered at least some of them while discovering Bordeaux. How about discovering the structures dedicated to other religions? This Sunday you can visit the synagogue of Bordeaux and learn about the history of the Jewish community in this city. When: Sunday 9:30 to 18:00 / Where: 8 rue du Grand Rabbin Joseph Cohen, Bordeaux
Palais Rohan
Visit the beautiful city hall of Bordeaux, Palais Rohan. During the weekend, plenty of performances and activities will take place in the courtyard of Palais Rohan as well as guided tours at the city hall itself.  When: Saturday 14:00-16:00 and Sunday 10:00-12:00, 14:00- 18:00 / Where: Place Pey Berland
Are you curious to see how the backstage of a museum looks like? The renovated Museum of Natural History in Bordeaux offers a guided visit to the backstage of its collection’s conservation center. When: Saturday and Sunday 14:00-17:00 / Where: 5 place Bardineau, 33000 Bordeaux
Grosse Cloche
This beautiful monument can’t be missed when touring Bordeaux. The Grosse Cloche is the city’s former belfry and one of the last monuments remaining from the defensive wall built in the 14th century. The tower will be open to free visits during the weekend, however, the visit is limited to 5 people at a time so the queue is expected to be quite long so be sure to come early. When: Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 to 12:00 and from 13:00 to 19:00 / Where: Quai Louis XVIII, Placette de Munich
Saint Emilion is one of the best places to go to on the European heritage weekend. This little town is home to some of the most important historical monuments in the region and all of them will be open to the public. Moreover, the tourist office offers plenty of interesting guided tours and activities in the city center. For the full program click here.
Some of the activities and ceremonies on the Heritage weekend are related to the start of the harvest season in the area. So if you decide to go there be sure to check out my article about the harvest season in Saint Emilion.
Château de Vayres
The beautiful Château de Vayres will open its doors for two days of free visits and activities for kids. For more details click here.
When: Saturday and Sunday 14:00 – 18:30 / Where: château de Vayres, 33870 Vayres
For more events this weekend check out my weekend list. You can also see some of next week’s event in the September list and plan your future weekends with the October list.Â
Want more updates about things to do in Bordeaux and the area? All you have to do is follow me on facebook/Instagram ! Or better yet, join my newsletter where I share a lot of exclusive info about Bordeaux and the region – sign up here.
A long weekend is ahead of us! I bet that those of you who haven’t left town for the weekend need some plans for these rainy days. This weekend we have plenty of indoor events to keep you warm like the Salon du Vintage, Art Fair, Salon du chocolat and more. For the sunny moments it’s the last weekend of the Foire des Plaisirs. Most of the events are taking place on Saturday and Sunday so if you need something for the next two days check out les Salon Vivons, the urban festival in Pessac and the Halloween event in Villandaut.
This is the list of things to do this long weekend in Bordeaux (November 1-4):
Fairs and Events
Vibrations Urbaines festival in Pessac
This is the 21st edition of the annual festival, Vibrations Urbaines, that is organized by the city of Pessac. The program is really cool and includes events like an international bmx contest, a skating contest, a hip hop dance battle, urban sports, workshops, street art exhibitions and more. The festival will take place from October 31 to November 4 in the campus area in Pessac. See all the events on the website or facebook page of the festival.
When: October 31 – November 4 Where: Avenue du Colonel Robert Jacqui, 33600 Pessac
Salon du VintageÂ
The annual vintage salon will take place in Hangar 14 (Quai des Chartrons) on November 3-4. This chic event will gather more than 150 exhibitors with a great selection of accessories, furniture, vinyl records, classic cars, jukebox, paintings and more. For more details check the facebook page and the website of the event. Entry is 5€ and free for kids under 12 years old.
When: November 3-4 from 10:00 to 19:00 Where:Â 173 Quai des Chartrons, 33300 Bordeaux, France
Les Salons Vivons
Les Salons Vivons is a huge life style event that will take place in Parc des Expositions de Bordeaux from October 31 to November 4. The event includes 5 fairs:
Vivons Maison – all about designing your home with DIY workshops, forum of ideas, consultations and exhibitions of furniture, wood works, decorations, kitchens and more.
Vivons Auto – a vehicular exhibition (family, sport, city cars and more), a huge space dedicated to 2 wheels (bicycles, scooters, motorcycles and more) and a trial center where you can actually test the cars.
Vivons Camping Cars – more than 250 different camping cars will be presented with all the innovations in that domain.
Vivons 100% Sports – with three spaces dedicated to sports equipment, winter sports and to presenting all the different sport venues in Nouvelle-Aquitaine.
Vivons Art – a huge contemporary art fair with more than 3000 works of art – check out the next item for more details.
Entry is 5.5€, the same ticket is valid for all the other events of Salon Vivons. For more info check out the website  of the event.
When: October 31 – November 4 Where: Parc des Expositions de Bordeaux, 33000
Salon Vivons Art
Vivons Art, the fair of contemporary art will take place in Parc des Expositions de Bordeaux from October 31 to November 4 and is part of the Salons Vivons event. This is a great event for art lovers and collectors with around 200 exhibitors (local, national and European), presenting more than 3000 works of art. Vivons Art aims to shake up the codes of the art world by giving the stage to a big variety of artists, allowing them to present their works to the wide public and to make art more accessible to all. For more info check out the website and the facebook page of the event. Entry is 5.5€, the same ticket is valid for all the other events of Salon Vivons taking place at the exhibition park.
When: October 31 – November 4 Where: Parc des Expositions de Bordeaux, 33000
The last weekend of the Foire aux Plaisirs
This weekend is your last chance to enjoy the fall edition of the traditional Bordelaise Fair that is taking place at Place des Quinconces (until November 4). It’s a perfect activity for kids and for those who are young in spirit as La Foire aux Plaisirs de Bordeaux has it all: a big wheel, roller coasters, ghost trains, bumper cars, donuts, crèpes, barbes à papa and more. The fair is open daily from 14:00, you are not required to pay any entry fee, only for some of the attractions. The last day of the fair (November 4) is a discount day with prices going down to 1 to 3 euros, depending on the attraction. See more info about the fair here.
Foire aux Plaisirs in Bordeaux
When: October 12 – November 4 Where:Place des Quinconces , 33000 Bordeaux
Foire de La Toussaint
The big fair of Toussaint will take place this weekend (November 1-4) on the banks of the Garonne river in La Reole. An ancient tradition in La Reole that brings together hundreds of local exhibitors and merchants. This is one of the biggest events in La Reole, fun for both kids and adults. For more info click here.
When: November 1-4 Where:Â Quais, 33190Â LA REOLE
Salon du Chocolat in Gradignan
This is the 9th edition of the Salon du Chocolat, a great event for chocolate lovers, where about thirty exhibitors will present their products to the public. The event will take place this weekend (November 2-4) at the Salle du Solarium in Gradignan. Apart from chocolate stands the program includes a fashion show of dresses made of chocolate and workshops for kids. The Salon is organized by an association working with ill and disabled children and all funds raised will be used to carry out activities and treatment for these kids. A sweet event with a good cause! Entry is  4€ and free for kids under 10 years old. For more info click here.
When: November 2 from 14:00 and November 3-4, from 10:00 Where:Â Salle du Solarium, Chemin du Solarium, 33170 GRADIGNAN
A big plants sale will take place this weekend (November 3-4) at the Promenade Sainte-Catherine. The prices are guaranteed to be quite low (from 2€ to 10€) so it’s a good opportunity to fill your house with winter plants. For more details follow the facebook page of the event.
When:Â November 3-4 Where:Â 25 rue Sainte-Catherine, 33000 Bordeaux
When: November 1-5 Where:14 rue des Bahutiers 33000 Bordeaux, The market will take place at the Radisson Blu Hotel (63 Rue Lucien Faure, Bordeaux)
Halloween at Château de Villandraut
Chateau de Villandraut invites you to 4 days of Halloween celebrations, full of perfect activities and games for kids. The event will take place on October 30- November 2. Just to give you a taste of the long program of this event: a decoration workshop for kids (7-12 year olds), a murder party, Game of Crowns, masks creation workshop, scary story telling and much more. All the activities require prior registration by phone: 05.56.25.87.57 . The price is  3€ /day for most activities. For more info click here.
When: October 30 – November 2 Where: Rue Lafon Isore, 33730 Villandraut
Join a roller-blade ride group
If you are into Rollerblading or want to learn to rollerblade join the Airroller club. This weekend (like every first weekend of the month) there is a big family ride called la Rando des Familles where both kids and adults roll together. The ride will start from the Hotel de Ville at 14:15 (November 4). For more details click here.
When:Â Â November 4, 14:15 Where:Â Place Pey Berland, 33,000 Bordeaux
ART & CULTURE
Motorama – concert
The Russian Indie-rock band, Motorama will preform at the Rocher de Palmer in Cenon on November 1st. For more info and tickets click here.
When:Â November 1Â at 20:30 Where: 1 rue Aristide Briand, Cenon 33150
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 of the exhibitions. Check out the full list of the museums in Bordeaux that you can visit for free this Sunday.
La Base sous-marine museum in Bordeaux
L’image 2018 – photography exhibition
An exhibition by 15 artists that focuses on the image of cars will be presented in Darwin this Sunday (November 4). The exhibition will include photography, illustrations and videos. The idea behind the exhibition is to reflect on the different interpretation each artist gave to the same subject. See more details here.
When: November 4 Where: 87 quai des Queyries, 33100 Bordeaux
New exhibition at the Base Sous Marine-Â Medio Acqua
It is no secret that the Base sous marine is one of my favorite places in Bordeaux so the fact that they’re about to open a new exhibition is making me very happy. The Medio Acqua exhibition includes installations by major French and intentional artists as well as a selection of video works by young emerging artists, recently graduated from the prestigious Fresnoy School. The main theme of the exhibition is inspired by the world of water, while the location and the structure of the base sous marine plays an important role in it.
When: October 26- January 6 Where: Boulevard Alfred Daney, 33300 Bordeaux
Clock, Les Horloges du Vivant – exhibition for kids
All living creatures have a certain rhythm to their mechanism that allows them to adapt to their environment. This fascinating expo will allow your kids to discover the rhythm of different animals and to understand their world a little better. Why does the  koala sleep 20 hours a day? How fast are the wings of the hummingbird? Does a baby breathe like an adult? These are only some of the questions the exhibition will answer. The exhibition has been presented in Cap Sciences for a while now, but this is your last chance to take your kids to see it as the last day will be November 4. See more info here. The minimum age for this expo is 6 years old.
When: until November 4 Where:Â Hangar 20, Quai de Bacalan, 33300 Bordeaux
Bordeaux Mass Choir – concert
A concert of the Bordeaux Mass Choir will take place this Sunday (November 4) at the Casino Barriere. More than 50 singers together with the head of the choir,  Fonegna Copie, will take the stage to perform gospel songs from their first album.
When: November 4, 17:00 Where:Â Rue du Cardinal Richaud, 33300 Bordeaux
Two big events are starting this weekend in Bordeaux: the International art festival and Space month. Besides these two, other exciting events are waiting for us this weekend, among them: a plants festival in Gradignan, a vintage sale in Bacalan, a color run and a march with sheep across the Metropole. As usual, I added some concerts and exhibitions to enrich your cultural agenda 🙂
Here is the list of things to do in Bordeaux this weekend (October 5-7):
FAB – International art festival
FAB is the annual International art festival of Bordeaux Metropole taking place this year on October 5-24. As one of Europe’s biggest art festivals it attracts some known names from the international contemporary art scene. During the three weeks of the festival more than 30 shows will take place in more than 20 different locations in Bordeaux, from the TnBA theater to the Opera of Bordeaux and the Base Sous Marine. Click here to see the full program of the festival.
When: October 5-24 Where: Different locations in Bordeaux – check out the program
La Grande Transhumance Urbaine
Don’t be surprised if on the weekend of October 5-7 you’ll suddenly see plenty of sheep crossing your street, that’s the Grande Transhumance Urbaine. The idea behind this three day event is to connect city people to agriculture. Seven breeders and their sheep will lead the march that will start in Blanquefort, continue through the center of Bordeaux and finish in Villenave d’Ornon. People are welcome to participate in this 33km march or parts of it. Based on the success this event has had in the last few years, more than 1500 are expected to follow the breeders. You can still enjoy the festival even if you don’t want to make the walk, just attend the events in every town that’s on their way. See the full program of events related to this festival here.
When: October 5-7 Where: Blanquefort, Bordeaux Lac, Place de la Victoire in Bordeaux and Villenave d’Ornon (see exact location in the program)
Tauzia FĂŞte les Jardins
Tauzia fête les Jardins is one of the most beautiful plant celebration in the south of France. The fifth edition of this fantastic event in Gradignan will take place on October 5-7. A three day event that gathers plant growers, professional gardeners, landscape architects and artists. The rich program of the festival includes plenty of workshops, conferences, activities for kids such as painting and music in the garden, creating a bamboo palisade, creating a herbarium, plastic arts in the garden for kids and more. For more info check out the facebook page of the event.
The color obstacle rush is a feast of music, color and sports. Live DJs, a fun cardio warm-up, a 5-km course consisting of 5 color stations, 20 music zones, and 20 new obstacles including giant slides, bouncy castles, tunnels, foam, kangaroo balloons – just to name a few! The event is a bit pricey and requires prior registration – buy your tickets here. To read more about the Color Obstacle Rush click here. The event will take place on October 6 at the Bordeaux Hippodrome.
When: October 6 Where: Hippodrome Bordeaux, 8 Avenue de l’Hippodrome, 33110 Le Bouscat
When: September 27 to October 6 Where: Different locations, consult the program.
Les Rendez-vous des Polichineuses- a vintage sale
After the success they had with their first event last May, “Les Rendez-vous des Polichineuses” is coming back for a second edition in Halles de Bacalan. The big vintage sale that will take place this weekend (October 5-7) will host many vintage merchants with furniture, toys, art and plenty of accessories. For more details click here or here. It’s promised to be stylish and fun 🙂
When: October 5-7 Where: Les Halles de Bacalan, 149 quai de bacalan, Bordeaux, 33300
Planet Jeux 2018
Every October Espace d’Ornon is transformed into a huge game hall with games for every age. Logic games, sports, strategic games and plenty of other genres coming from all over the world. Besides a huge game area, part of the space will be dedicated to babies and toddlers and will help parents entertain their little ones ( kids under 5 years old). The event will take place this weekend (October 6-7), entry is 3 euros. For more info check out the website and the  facebook page of the event.
When: October 5 at 17:00 Where: cours de Luze, 33300 Bordeaux
Jazz weekend at the Caillou
If you want to keep it simple this weekend, head to the Caillou for a Jazz concert with a pretty view of Jardin Botanique. Like every weekend in their fall program, different  musicians and groups will take the stage of this beautiful bar. This weekend the program includes the Perry Gordon trio on Friday (October 5) and the Golino & Tarot quartet on Saturday (October 6).
The National Opera of Bordeaux recently published its annual symphony concerts program and there’s a lot to wait for. This weekend (October 4-5) the Marie-nicole Lemieux, the Canadian contralto, will perform with the Orchestra of Bordeaux to the sounds of Boulanger, Elgar and Mahler. For more details and tickets click here.
When: October 4-5 Where:Auditorium de Bordeaux, 9-13 cours Georges Clemenceau, 33000 BORDEAUX
l’Institut Culturel Bernard Magrez is one of the cultural gems of Bordeaux, surprising us with new and inspiring exhibitions every few months. This time they host the painter Guillaume Toumanian, with an exhibition of 20 paintings called “De la lumière”. The expo will be presented at Château Labottière until October 28. For more info check out the website of the museum.
When: until October 28 Where:Â 16 rue de Tivoli, 33000 BORDEAUX
The program of October proves that the Bordelaise summer is officially over. Outdoor music concerts and food truck festivals were replaced with new exhibitions, indoor events scattered across the city and some interesting outdoor activities such as a color run and an agricultural march. And yet again we see how Bordeaux can offer activities come rain or shine 🙂
From an art festival to space month and balloon flights, this is the list of the best things to do in and around Bordeaux in October 2018:
FAB – International art festival
FAB is the annual International art festival of Bordeaux Metropole taking place this year on October 5-24. As one of Europe’s biggest art festivals it attracts some known names from the international contemporary art scene. During the three weeks of the festival more than 30 shows will take place in more than 20 different locations in Bordeaux, from the TnBA theater to the Opera of Bordeaux and the Base Sous Marine. Click here to see the full program of the festival.
When: October 5-24 Where: Different locations in Bordeaux – check out the program,
This is only a small part of what is planed for you by the Town hall of Merignac and Cap Sciences. For the full program and registration details click here. For more details and updates check out the facebook page of the event.
When: October 1-31 Where: Different locations in Merignac – see the program
La Grande Transhumance Urbaine
Don’t be surprised if on the weekend of October 5-7 you’ll suddenly see plenty of sheep crossing your street, that’s the Grande Transhumance Urbaine. The idea behind this three days even is to connect city people to agriculture. Seven breeders and their sheeps will lead the march, that will start in Blanquefort, continue through the center of Bordeaux and finish in Villenave d’Ornon. People are welcome to participate in this 33km march or parts of it. Based on the success this event has had in the last few years, more than 1500 are expected to follow the breeders. You can still enjoy the festival even if you don’t want to make the walk, just attend the events in every town that’s on the way. See the full program of events related to this festival here.
When: October 5-7 Where:Blanquefort, Bordeaux Lac, Place de la Victoire in Bordeaux and Villenave d’Ornon (see exact location in the program)
Tauzia FĂŞte les Jardins
Tauzia fête les Jardins is one of the most beautiful plant celebration in the south of France. The fifth edition of this fantastic event in Gradignan will take place on October 5-7. A three day event that gathers plants growers, professional gardeners, landscape architects and artists. The rich program of the festival includes plenty of workshops, conferences, activities for kids such as painting and music in the garden, creating a bamboo palisade, creating a herbarium, plastic arts in the garden for kids and more. For more info check out the facebook page of the event.
The color obstacle rush is a feast of music, color and sports. Live DJs, a fun warm-up, a 5-km course consisting of 5 color stations, 20 music zones, and 20 new obstacles including giant slides, bouncy castles, tunnels, foam, kangaroo balloons – just to name a few! The event is a bit pricey and requires prior registration – buy your tickets here. To read more about the Color Obstacle Rush click here. The event will take place on October 6 at the Bordeaux Hippodrome.
When: October 6 Where: Hippodrome Bordeaux, 8 Avenue de l’Hippodrome, 33110 Le Bouscat
When: October 7 at 17:30 Where: place Pey-Berland, 33000 Bordeaux,
FIFIB- Bordeaux international festival of independent movies
Bordeaux Independent Films Festival will take place on October 9-15 at Rue Malby in the center of Bordeaux. The program of the festival includes films screening, concerts and meeting with special guests. Every evening, the festival village will transform into an open cinema theater and a dance floor. The event is free and open for all. See the full program on the site of the festival and more details on the facebook page.
When: October 9-15 Where:Â Le Village du FIFIB, 3 rue Mably, 30000 BORDEAUX
Foire aux Plaisirs
This is the spring edition of the traditional Bordelais Fair that is taking place at Place des Quinconces from October 12 to November 4. It’s a perfect activity for kids and for those who are young in spirit as La Foire aux Plaisirs de Bordeaux has it all: big wheel, roller coasters, ghost trains, bumper cars, donuts, crèpes, barbes à papa and more. The fair is open daily from 14:00, you are not required to pay any entry fee, only for some of the attractions. See more info about the fair here.
When: October 12 – November 4 Where:Place des Quinconces , 33000 Bordeaux
Lire en Poche is a pocket books festival that will take place in Gradignan in October 12-13. Besides a huge books sale, a wide range of activities are offered to the participants, among them: reading sessions, theater shows, music, games, workshops for kids and more. The entrance to the festival is free, however some activities are paid and/or require prior reservation, which will start on October 6 at 8:00 – click here to register. For more info click here.
A big event dedicated to future parents and young families will take place on October 13-14 in Hangar 14. Salon ABC kids is the annual gathering of all the important companies and organizations related to babies and little kids from clothing to room decoration, toys and different services like child care companies and health providers. The event allows young parents to meet all the relevant products and services in one place. Many activities will take place at the Salon to make it more entertaining, among them a massage space, workshops for kids, soft play for toddlers and more. For tickets and more info click here.
When: October 13-14 Where:Â 115 Quai des Chartrons, 33000 Bordeaux
Nuit des Bibliothèques
Have you ever visited some of Bordeaux libraries? If you think of it as only a place storing books, think again, as the libraries in this city are much more than that. Throughout the year they propose plenty of events, courses and activities for kids. Nuit des Bibliothèques will take place on October 13, and is your opportunity to discover the libraries across the city. 25 libraries in 20 different towns in Bordeaux Metropole will participate in this event and will offer such activities as concerts, theater shows, science workshops, games for kids and more. See the full list of all the participating institutions here.
When: October 13 – evening Where:Â Bordeaux, Merignac, Talence, Pessac and more – check out the full program
Montgolfiades de Saint-Emilion
Montgolfiades is an annual festival of balloon flights organized by Le Ciel est Ă Toi association. The flights will take place October 19-21 above Saint Emilion and the vineyards around it, so the sight is promised to be breathtaking. For more info click here.
When: October 19-21 Where:Â Bordeaux, Merignac, Talence, Pessac and more – check out the full program
Bordeaux Swing Festival
The international festival of Lindy hop (part of the Swing family) will take place on October 19-21 in the Bordeaux region and this year they have invited a special guest, one of biggest stars in the the New York swing scene- Gordon Webster. Two swing parties will take place at the beautiful le Rocher de Palmer in Cenon, with a battle between the Gordon Webster Hot Swing Sextet bands. The program of the festival also includes 7 hours of classes with 11 international teachers. For more details check out the website of the festival.
When: October 19-21 Where:Â Different locations in Bordeaux – check out the full program
FĂŞte du Vin nouveau & de la brocante
On the last weekend of this month (October 27-28) the Chartrons neighborhood invites you to celebrate the Autumn with a festival of new wine and a brocante. During these two days, the main street, rue Notre-Dame , will be transformed into a brocante with wine stands and roasted chestnuts. Come and spend a festive weekend on one of the most interesting streets in Bordeaux.
When: October 27-29 Where: Rue notre dame, 33000 Bordeaux
First exhibition at the Musee de la Mer et de la Marine
New exhibition at the Base Sous Marine-Â Medio Acqua
It is no secret that the Base sous marine is one of my favorite places in Bordeaux so the fact that they’re about to open a new exhibition is making me very happy. The Medio Acqua exhibition will include installations by major French and intentional artists as well as a selection of video works by young emerging artists, recently graduated from the prestigious Fresnoy School. The main theme of the exhibition will be inspired by the world of water, while the location and the structure of the base sous marine plays an important role in it.
When: October 26- January 6 Where: Boulevard Alfred Daney, 33300 Bordeaux
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Do you have other events to add to the list? Please share them in the comments so all of us can enjoy themÂ
With the sunny weather outside, many of you will probably spend the weekend at a park, the beach or a terrace with oysters and cold white wine. But for those of you who love their weekends more active, there are plenty of things to do and you don’t want to miss them: big gardening events, the brocante of Quinconces, live painting on the M.U.R de Bordeaux and many more.
Here is the list of things to do this weekend in Bordeaux (April 19-22):
Festivals and Salons
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 spring is the 100th edition of the brocante and it will take place from April 20 to May 8.
When:Â April 20 – May 8
Where:Â Place des Quinconces
Tauzia FĂŞte les Jardins
 Tauzia is a gardening festival that takes place on April 20-22 at the Tauzia chateau in Gradignan. The event, which received a great amount of interest from the Bordelaise public last year, is full of events and activities for gardening enthusiasts. It will bring together more than 80 exhibitors specialized in the world of plants: plant producers, landscape designers, artists, collections, horticulturists and in general people with an exceptional knowledge of plants. You will be able to buy plants, flowers and shrubs in the beautiful English park of Chateau Tauzia and also get advice from the specialists on how to maintain your garden.
This Saturday (April 21) Cannele d’adresses, the free guide of Bordeaux, will launch its 9th edition in a big event that will take place at the Place Pey Berland. The program includes: concerts, social games for kids and adults, live art creation (live painting and creation of jewelry), catering facilities and more.
When:Â April 21-22
Where: Quai des Queyries, 33100 Bordeaux
Discover Black Kites at the Bouscat forest
An interesting tour will take place on April 21 at the Bois du Bouscat that will introduce you to the world of black kites and other birds of prey like hawks, owls and buzzards. The event requires a reservation:Â 05 57 22 27 62.
When:Â April 21 – 10:00
Where: Bois du Bouscat
Culture
Le M.U.R de Bordeaux
The work of Zarb, the street artist will be the one decorating the big graffiti wall, called le M.U.R de Bordeaux. You can meet him and see him perform his art on the wall on April 18-20.
Get the full list of all artists and more info about the event here.
Street Color at Institut Bernard Magrez
An extensive street are exhibition will be presented from April 5 to June 24 at the Institut Bernard Magrez. The expo will include some well known street artists (mostly French ones), such as MAD C (GER), Seth (FRA), d’Alexöne (FRA) and more. This institute is a historic monument dated to the 18th century, so the combination of an ancient chateau with street art will most certainly add to the atmosphere of the exposition.
Reservations can be made by phone  05 56 11 58 88 or on la fourchette, for more info.
When: April 21- 19:30
Where: 114-115 quais des Chartrons, 33000 Bordeaux, France
How much: 46€
Open doors at Lalande de Pomerol
An event of open doors at the Lalande de Pomerol appellation will take place on April 21-22. During the weekend, 28 Châteaux will offer tours, tastings and many other activities.
When: April 19
Where: La Coupole,36 chemin de Nice, 33450 Saint-Loubès
How much: 27 €
Go for a concert and drink at Casa Latina
Casa Latina hold concerts of different singers and bands almost every night. This weekend the program includes shows of two reggae bands. Check out the full list of events.
Where: 59 quai des chartron, 33300 Bordeaux
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