There are plenty of great articles you can find about the main attractions and monuments to visit in Bordeaux. However, I feel they don’t reveal all the treasures and hidden gems this city has to offer. You need to fully experience Bordeaux to understand why people love it so much. In this article, I summarized my 50 best things to do in Bordeaux.
The list includes everything from food, chic cafés, shopping, fun neighborhoods, music venues, art, day trips, and more. Hope you’ll enjoy it! And if this article made you feel like you already love Bordeaux, please share it 🙂
If you still haven’t booked a hotel in Bordeaux check out my article about the best districts in Bordeaux and my article about the best hotels in Bordeaux for every budget.
Before we start, if you have only one day in Bordeaux, check out my article about what to do and see on a one-day trip – read it here. Also, check out my Travel in the Southwest of France group on Facebook for many more tips. Now let’s start!
Let’s go!
Best things to do in Bordeaux and its surroundings
Admire the stunning gates of Bordeaux
Before becoming a modern 18th-century city with spacious squares and boulevards, Bordeaux was once a little town. The old town was surrounded by ramparts with impressive entrance gates.
Today, five of the gates are still standing, marking the old borders of Bordeaux. La Grosse Cloche and La Porte Cailhau in the city canter, Porte de Bourgogne facing the river, Porte d’Aquitaine on Place de la Victoire, and Porte Dijeaux at the western part of the historic center.
The first two are the only original gates from the 15th century when Bordeaux was still a fortress. These are real architectural masterpieces that you cannot miss.
The city is rich with history and different architectural styles so if you have time, take a historic tour in the center of Bordeaux. Here’s a tour that’s offered by the Tourists office in several languages. If you don’t like big groups you can always take a private tour.
The Famous Water Mirror
Cross the street from Place de la Bourse towards the riverfront to get to one of Bordeaux’s main attractions, Le Miroir d’Eau. The huge water mirror is the most popular monument in Bordeaux attracting many families with kids to splash their feet on hot summer days.
For more activities for kids check out my article about 30 things to do with kids in Bordeaux.
Taste Canelé
Canelé is the national pastry of Bordeaux so tasting one is a must when visiting the city.
Like many other things in this region, the story of Canelé is related to the wine world. Legend has it that the first canelés were made by nuns at the Couvert de L’Annociade de Bordeaux at the end of the 17th century. Canelé is made out of flour and egg yolks that were given to nuns by winemakers who used egg whites to purify the wine.
Today the little brown striated pastry can be found in many sizes all over the city. My all-time favorite canelé is la Toque Cuivrée whose small boutiques are spread all over the city center. See all their shops here.
Read about all the other sweet specialties of Bordeaux in my article about specialty pastries and chocolate in Bordeaux.
Stop for a coffee
Bordeaux is a surprising city when it comes to good coffee places. While France doesn’t have a strong reputation for making good coffee, Bordeaux prides itself on its coffee scene, with cute little coffee places popping up on every corner.
There are quite a few great coffee places in the city center but here are some of my favorites: Kuro, Sip, and l’Alchimiste in the city center and Café Eriu, and Café Gusco within a few minutes walk of the center. Read more about some of the best coffee places in Bordeaux here.
Check out my video about Café Eriu
If you’re also visiting Toulouse, here are a few of my favorite coffee shops in the pink city.
Bike along the Garonne River
Bordeaux is a very flat and bike-friendly city with many interesting cycling trails you can do around the city. However, the most recommended one in the city center is the bridge-to-bridge trail. The circuit goes from Pont Pierre (the central bridge of Bordeaux) to the new Pont Chaban Delmas, on both sides of the Garonne river.
Besides the very pleasant ride on the riverfront, you get to see some of the most beautiful and fun places in Bordeaux. These include the stunning 18th-century buildings along the riverfront, the Cité du Vin, Darwin, and more. You can read all about it in my article about the Bridge to Bridge trail.
There’s also a really fun biking tour that takes you through all these places and more.
Go to the Capucins Market
In my opinion, Capucins is one of the best markets in France, here I said it! 🙂 If you love food or at least want to discover a bit of the rich gastronomic culture of the southwest of France, there’s no better place than the Capucins market.
This is the biggest daily market in Bordeaux and has everything from stands of fruits and vegetables, sweets, spices, and a bunch of lively cafés and restaurants. I have a whole article about the best places to eat at the Capucins market, so be sure to read it before going.
Don’t miss the little stall with a local pasty called le Puit d’amour, you’ll thank me later.
Drink at the Bacalan market
From a traditional market to the newer chic market of Bordeaux -Marché de Bacalan. This impressive hangar is located just in front of the famous Cité du Vin and hosts more than 20 different artisans and merchants that were chosen for the quality of their products.
Many locals flock to the market on weekends for drinks and tapas and the great vibes. The Bacalan district is one of my favorite places in Bordeaux and I have a whole article about it – check it out here.
If you love markets, discover all the best markets to visit in Bordeaux during your stay.
See the best exhibitions at the Base Sous-Marine
La Base Sous-Marine is one of the most unique art venues in Bordeaux. Built by the Germans during the Second World War, this old submarine base has been converted into a space dedicated to contemporary art.
Currently, the place is called le Bassin des Lumières hosting mesmerizing immersive exhibitions of painters like Monet, Dali, Klimt, and others.
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The exhibitions change every year so go on their website to see what’s up at the moment. You can purchase the tickets to the Bassins des Lumieres here. You also get a free entrance if you have the Bordeaux city pass.
Cité du Vin – the world’s biggest wine museum
This impressive piece of modern architecture is a unique cultural center, all dedicated to the discovery of wine. Through its interactive exhibition, it offers a journey to both French and global wine history. You will learn about winemaking, see movies and interviews with wine producers and then smell and taste wine.
Read about what to expect when visiting the museum in my article about my visit to the Cité du Vin. You can avoid the lines at the entrance by booking the tickets online – book here.
Visit Bordeaux’s real wine museum
I know I just talked about the big wine museum in Bordeaux but it’s not really focused on Bordeaux wine, but rather a wine all around the world. The real Bordeaux wine museum is Musée du Vin et du Négoce. This is the best place to help you discover how the Bordeaux wine area has developed over the years.
The museum is situated in what used to be a typical house of a négociant (wine trader) in the 18th century in the Chartrons district. It ends with a very nice wine-tasting session where you get plenty of explanations about the different wine appellations in Bordeaux.
It’s not as modern and interactive as the Cité du Vin but if you want to learn about the history of the Bordeaux wine region this is the place to go. You can purchase the tickets to the Musee du Vin here. You also get a free entrance if you have the Bordeaux city pass.
Discover other museums in Bordeaux in my article about the best museums to visit in Bordeaux.
See a concert at the Opera of Bordeaux
Le Grand Théâtre de Bordeaux is a cultural landmark you should not miss when visiting Bordeaux. It’s Arguably the most beautiful building in the city.
The historic monument, built in 1780, is home to the National Opera and Ballet of Bordeaux and its program often includes some of the best ensembles from all over the globe. The demand for tickets is usually very high so book your tickets in advance.
Even if you don’t have the time to see a concert I recommend taking a tour of the opera as the interior design is spectacular. Check out all the details here (currently the tours are in French only).
Classic music concert at the auditorium
Getting tickets to the opera at the Grand Théâtre requires buying tickets well in advice. Going to a classical music concert, on the other hand, is much easier. The Auditorium of the Opera National of Bordeaux is one of the largest music venues in Bordeaux hosting several classical music concerts every week. See the program here.
Every first Sunday of the month there’s a family-friendly concert taking place in the Auditorium. See details here.
Go to the CIBC for Bordeaux wine tasting
It’s time to sip some wine! If you want to discover the wine variety Bordeaux has to offer there’s no better place for that than le Bar à Vin. This classic wine bar is located in the 18th-century residence of the Conseil Interprofessionnel des Vins de Bordeaux (the Bordeaux Wine Council). The best thing about the Bar à Vin is that they let you taste half glasses so you can discover fantastic local wines at very low prices.
For other great options for wine tasting read my article about wine tasting in Bordeaux.
L’intendant – the wine library of Bordeaux
L’intendant is the most beautiful and rich wine store in Bordeaux. The shop holds a collection of more than 15,000 bottles all stacked on its walls, following a 12 meters high spiral staircase.
Established almost 30 years ago, L’intendant has become one of the go-to places to shop for the famous wines of the region. It’s often referred to as the Library of Bordeaux wines.
I have quite a lot of articles about visiting the Bordeaux wine region, in case you’re interested to explore the area beyond.
Explore the Saint Michel neighborhood
Saint Michel is one of the most cosmopolitan and lively neighborhoods in Bordeaux. Although It’s not part of the traditional sightseeing tours of Bordeaux, I recommend spending a few hours in this cool district.
The neighborhood is home to some of the best markets of Bordeaux, numerous places where you can browse for vintage clothes and furniture, and an endless list of lively restaurants and cafes. Read about all the things you can do there in my Saint Michel guide.
Sunday flea and antique market
Every Sunday morning more than 80 dealers gather at the square in front of the Basilica of Saint Michel for the Brocante du Dimanche. This is the weekly flea market of Bordeaux where you can find real bargains and purchase everything from toys for kids to antique frames and electronic devices.
Discover Bordeaux’s amazing street art
Like many other cities, Bordeaux has street art fever, with plenty of stunning wall paintings decorating its streets. Darwin is one of the places that have the largest concentration of street art by local artists in Bordeaux. Other spots in the city include the Bassin a Flot district, rue Bouffard, Quai des Platitudes, the Mur in Chartrons, rue Bergeret, and more.
In the city center, you can follow the huge animals by the local artist A-mo pained on walls and shatters of many shops (don’t miss the huge gorilla and the fox) – I won’t give you the specific locations, I’m sure it’ll be a lot of fun to find them by yourself. If you speak French, you can also take a street art tour.
L’entrepôt Saint Germain – the best vintage shop
L’entrepôt Saint Germain is a huge hangar with plenty of vintage furniture, beautiful house decor, antiques, and many creepy, funny, and probably unnecessary items. It’s designed like a little street with different boutiques and cafés (not real ones, unfortunately) where the items are perfectly placed.
The place is open daily and is located a few minutes walk from the train station of Bordeaux on 96 Rue Amédée Saint-Germain.
Time for chocolate!
There are quite a few amazing chocolate shops in the center of Bordeaux. Some are owned by young talented chocolatiers (chocolate makers) and others are established places dating centuries back.
Here are just a few of the best chocolate shops in the center of Bordeaux: David Capi (my personal favorite); Cadiot Badie, the oldest chocolate store in Bordeaux; Hasnaa, the rising star of the Bordeaux chocolate world and Saunion, founded in 1893 and considered one of Bordeaux’s classics.
See all my other favorite chocolatiers in Bordeaux in my article about the best chocolate shops in Bordeaux.
Do a picnic in Jardin public
Jardin Public is the largest park in the center of Bordeaux with more than 300 trees and vast green planes – a perfect place for a picnic. Besides being visually stunning, it has a large pond (with ducks and geese!), great facilities for kids, and even a nice coffee place.
Discover other perfect picnic spots in Bordeaux as well as the most beautiful parks in Bordeaux.
Freep’show – a funky vintage shop
If you like second-hand shops you’re going to love Freep’show, a little hipster store with an impressive selection of plaid shirts, short jeans, and colorful dresses.
Once you take your eyes off the big Slash mannequin in the entrance, you can spot plenty of second-hand items from the 80s and 90s that will make you instantly nostalgic. Add to that the vinyl records decor, uplifting music, and stylish employees dancing to its beats and you get one of the best vintage stores in town. You can read my full article about the best second-hand shops in Bordeaux here.
Have a delicious meal
In recent years Bordeaux is gaining popularity as a gastronomic city and even holds the record for the number of restaurants per person in France. So trying at least one restaurant in Bordeaux is a must!
There are a lot of excellent restaurants in the city center and choosing one won’t be easy, but let me suggest just a few. Here’s a list of a few restaurants I like in the city: l’Atelier des Faures, Au Bistro near the market, Le Bouchon Bordelais, Botanique, Mets Mots, Le Chien de Pavlov, La Belle Saison, and the list goes on and on.
I post about my foodie experiences in Bordeaux on my Instagram, so be sure to follow.
Discover one of the most charming streets in Bordeaux
Rue Notre Dame in the Chartrons district is a posh street with plenty of coffee places, trendy boutiques, antique shops, and more. You can spend several hours admiring the beautiful architecture, shopping, and trying great pastries. It’s one of the most beautiful streets in Bordeaux with a lot of tiny balconies decorated with planters full of colorful flowers. The perfect street for Instagram addicts 🙂
See what’s not to miss on rue Notre Dame in my article about the Chartrons district.
Discover the oldest boulangerie in Bordeaux
Au Pétrin Moissagais on 72 Cours de la Martinique is the oldest bakery in Bordeaux, established in 1765. Serge, the owner is very proud of his Gascognian traditions and still makes the original Gascognian white bread in the 18th-century oven. And yes, it’s the same oven since the opening of the boulangerie (bakery), some 24 years before the French Revolution!
The bakery has a completely different look compared to a standard French bakery and makes you feel like you’ve gone back in time to the 18th century.
Eat oysters at the Sunday Market
Every Sunday morning dozens of food trucks and stalls are installed at the Marche des Quais, on the Quai des Chartrons. These include the best oysters in the region, fresh fruits, vegetables, cheese, fish, wine, and more.
For many visitors, the main attraction is the few stalls with oysters which cost around 6/7 euros per plate and come with a glass of white wine. It kind of embodies the good life atmosphere in this region 🙂.
See a concert on the Iboat
The Iboat is a big three-level ferry anchored to one of the docks of Bassins a flot, the port of Bordeaux. Since its opening in 2011, this funky concert venue has been promoting emerging artists, especially in the electronic music scene.
Over the years it has become a multidisciplinary place with a concert hall and a club hosting more than 250 events a year, a terrace hosting Dj sets and happy hours. During summer you could also enjoy the outdoor area on the deck, with an exceptional view of the basin. Take a look at the program of events.
Read about other outdoor places in my article about the best summer bars in Bordeaux.
Buy cheese
There are a few cute cheese shops in Bordeaux where you can find all the famous French cheese. However, this can be a great opportunity to try out regional cheese from the southwest of France. When going to the shop ask about Ossau- Iraty from the Basque country, the goat cheese Rocamadour, or the excellent Tomme de Bazas.
My two favorite cheese shops in the city center are Fromagerie Beillevaire (8 bis Rue Michel Montaigne) and Fromagerie Deruelle (66 Rue du Pas-Saint-Georges).
Check out other food-related shops and streets in my article about the best foodie streets in Bordeaux.
Try the best patisseries
Can you really visit a French city without tasting at least one pastry? There are several amazing patisseries in the center of Bordeaux. Here are a few that I particularly love: David Capy next to Marché des Grands Hommes, Pâtisserie Valantin in the Nansouty district, Pâtisserie S. with a special French-Japanese vibe, and Mi-Cielo with a sweet creative collection.
Don’t miss the main Cathedral of Bordeaux
Cathédrale Saint-André de Bordeaux is a Roman Catholic church and the seat of the Archbishop of Bordeaux. Located on the main square of Pey Berland, the cathedral is one of the most impressive monuments of Bordeaux and is labeled as a national monument of France. In the evening the Cathedral often hosts concerts of classical music, choirs, and an organ festival during the summer. You can check out more info about the concerts here.
Shopping of course!
Bordeaux is not Paris when it comes to shopping but it doesn’t mean we don’t have a lot of great boutiques here 🙂
All the main clothing retail stores are located on the main shopping street, rue Sainte Catherine. For the more fancy shops head to the Triangle d’Or district and you’ll find all you need around le Marché des Grands Hommes. However, if you’re interested in small independent boutiques here are a few recommended ones in the center of Bordeaux: Jane de Boy, Blue Madone, Boutique Addict, and several other boutiques on rue Saint James and rue Notre Dame.
A day trip to Saint Emilion
Saint Emilion has long gained a reputation as one of the greatest wine regions in the world. It’s no wonder it attracts more than a million tourists every year. For many decades this picturesque town has been an economic and religious center attracting royals, winegrowers, and pilgrims. Every square in the small village center is packed with history and some incredible architecture.
Thousands of hectares of vines surround the medieval village making the landscape an unforgettable scenery. Read about all the things to do there in my article about Saint Emilion. Also, check out my list of recommended wine chateaux to visit.
You can get there by train but I recommend renting a car for a better experience – click here to find the best car deal. Here’s a list of the recommended chateaux to visit by public transport in case you still want to go by train. If you’re planning to do a weekend in Saint Emilion, here are my recommendations for the best places to stay in the Saint Emilion region.
If you want to learn more about the Bordeaux wine – read my guide to the Bordeaux wine region and how to visit it.
See a movie in Utopia
Utopia is an independent cinema theater installed in an ancient church, l’église du Vieux Bordeaux. It’s the cheapest cinema in Bordeaux and the one with the most diverse program, from little independent productions to big-budget movies and old classical ones. Utopia has also a big terrace café which is particularly fun on sunny days. See the program here.
It’s also one of my recommendations for places to go to when it’s raining in Bordeaux.
Do a cocktails night
The Bordelais might love their wine but they sure do appreciate a good cocktail, and the number of great cocktail bars is a testament to that. Here are some of my favorite chic cocktail bars in the center of Bordeaux: Mama Shelter (cocktails with an amazing view of Bordeaux), Madame Pang, la Comtesse, Simone, and the Ayawasca Cocktail Club.
Take a boat ride on the Garonne
Bordeaux is situated on the Garonne River and seeing it from the water is a fun experience you should try.
Several companies offer boat tours on the Garonne, but you can sail on the Garonne for at least a few minutes for the price of a tram ticket. As part of its public transport system, the city of Bordeaux provides a ferry (navette fluviale), that has five stops: Stalingrad, Quinconces, Les Hangars, La Cité du Vin, and Lormont (take a look at the ferry timetable here).
You don’t have to do the whole line, you can use it to just cross the river to the other side. You can use it for free if you have the Bordeaux city pass.
If you do choose to take a cruise in the Garonne here’s a good one.
Darwin
Darwin is probably one of the most surprising places in Bordeaux. An old military base turned into an urban space with a workspace/incubator for startups, a skate park for all ages, a restaurant, and many other surprises, all with an agenda of ecological awareness.
Darwin is also an extraordinary place for street art and includes some amazing works by a lot of talented artists on every one of its buildings. They host many cool events so don’t be surprised if suddenly you see an artisan market or a collection of old cars on display.
Darwin is also one of the best places for rainy days in Bordeaux.
See a concert at La Guinguette chez Alriq – the best tavern in town
The Guinguette chez Alriq is a big tavern located on the right banks of the Garonne in the Bastide neighborhood (right in front of Darwin), hosting plenty of open-air concerts every summer. The performing bands and artists are coming from all over the world and create a laid-back party atmosphere.
There’s usually a small price to pay for the concerts taking place on Wed-Sat and Sundays the entry is free. You can see their program here. The place is very popular so expect to see a line at the entrance.
Read about other outdoor places in my article about the best summer bars in Bordeaux.
See a beautiful view from Parc de L’ermitage
The Parc of Lormont, or by its official name: Parc de l’Ermitage Sainte-Catherine, is a beautiful hilly park located on the east bank of the Garonne River. If you climb on the upper side of the park you can enjoy a stunning view of the Aquitaine bridge covering the Garonne.
If you’re coming with strollers or generally with little kids, beware that it’s not a very easy climb to the top of the park. In that case, I would advise you to spend your time near the lake at the bottom of the park and then re-enter the park again through Haut Lormont (the higher part of Lormont) to visit the hilly part.
Discover other parks in my article about the best parks in Bordeaux.
Go to the beach
In Bordeaux you don’t need to travel far to enjoy the beach, you just have to take a 15-minute tram ride from the city center to the lake.
Bordeaux Lac has a sandy clean beach and a lot of shade from the nearby trees for those who don’t enjoy the sun. The beach is open to the public daily from June 1st to August 31 and starting July 1st it offers water and beach activities such as sailing, kayaking, mini-golf, and more. Check out the list of daily activities here.
Discover other beaches in my article about the best beaches near Bordeaux.
Palais Galien
Strolling the city center you’ve probably noticed a lot of impressive monuments dating back to the 13th,14th, and 15th centuries such as the Grosse Cloche or the Saint Michel Basilica. But Bordeaux’s oldest monument is actually located outside of the old city walls.
Palais Galien is the ruins of a Gallo-Roman amphitheater dating back to the second century when Bordeaux was called Burdigala. The site is located a few minutes walk from Jardin public and you can see all of it from the street. There are guided tours to Palais Galien during the summer season. You can book them by calling +33 5 56 00 66 00.
Buy French alcohol
If you want to discover what other spirits France has to offer besides wine, you must go to Émile et Marguerite. This cute little shop on 13 Rue Parlement Saint-Pierre has a huge collection of French alcohol, from Cognac, Armagnac, local gin, craft beer, and many more. They are super nice and offer tastings to those interested to discover more about local liqueurs.
However, if you have time I advise traveling to Cognac and Armagnac, both located about 1.5 hours from Bordeaux.
Visit the Natural history museum
After years of renovations, the natural history museum of Bordeaux has opened its doors on March 2019. Created in 1971, the museum has one of the biggest collections in France hosting more than a million specimens.
Besides the new design and incredible collection, one of the new features in the renovated museum is the “Early Years Museum” for kids under 6 years old. The museum regularly hosts great temporary exhibitions which are usually very kids friendly. The entrance is free every first Sunday of the month.
For more great museums in Bordeaux check out my Bordeaux museums article.
For other kid-friendly activities check out my article about the 30 best things to do in Bordeaux with kids.
Visit wineries by tram
The Bordeaux wine region has thousands of wine châteaux spread all over the Gironde department. Luckily there are several great wineries within the Bordeaux metropole you can visit by tram or by bus and I have a full article about it.
Here are two chateaux on my list that I particularly like:
Château Pape Clément in Pessac
Take line B to Pessac Centre and then continue for 20 minutes by foot or take a direct bus from Place Tourny in Bordeaux (line 4). You can book the tour online – just click here.
Château du Taillan in Le Taillan-Médoc
You can reach it by bus line 5N from Place Tourny in Bordeaux.
For more info click here.
For more instructions on how to get there and other day trip ideas check out my article about the best day trips from Bordeaux by train.
Librairie Mollat – one of the oldest bookstores in France
Librairie Mollat, a Bordelais establishment, opened in 1896, is the first independent bookstore in France and is one of the most iconic shops in Bordeaux. It is situated on rue Porte-Dijeaux where the latest house of Montesquieu was once located.
Visit one of the most beautiful parks in Bordeaux – Parc Majolan
Parc Majolan in Blanquefort is a great example of beautiful landscape design. Following the paths in the park feels like walking through a forest but then you suddenly discover the ruins of an old gate, beautiful flowers, and finally a stunning lake. The best part of the park is the artificial caves created in the 19th century. This park is so rich that it will take you hours to explore it all!
Discover other amazing parks in Bordeaux in my article about the most beautiful parks in Bordeaux.
Climb the Dune du Pilat for a magnificent view
The gigantic sand dune is one of the wonders of the area, with its 60 million metric cubes of sand it’s quite astonishing the first time you see it. Dune du Pilat is Europe’s tallest sand dune, rising to an impressive 110 m high while also being 500 meters wide and 2.7 km long so you’ll have plenty of room to wander.
You can climb the dune by stairs that are installed from the end of April/May to early November. If you come during the low season or just feel energetic, you can just climb straight up the sandy slopes. Once you reach the top, a stunning panoramic view will be revealed with the Cap Ferret peninsula on one side, a huge pine forest on the other, and the magnificent Banc d’Arguin nature reserve just in front.
For more things to do close by read my guide about Arcachon city.
Discover the oyster-farming villages of Cap Ferret
Cap Ferret is a peninsula on the Western part of Bassin d’Arcachon and has been traditionally known as a summer getaway for the French upper class. Although it’s been recently gaining popularity among tourists visiting the south of France, it has yet to lose its relaxing beach village atmosphere.
The peninsula is known for its many oyster-farming ports that are located in small charming villages such as L’herbe and Le Canon. You can rent a car and go on a full relaxing day in this little paradise. Eat oysters directly from the farmers, go on a walk along the bay beaches, take a bike and discover the pine forest, and go surf on the beaches of the Atlantic coast.
Read about many other places to visit on Arcachon bay in my article about a day trip to Bassin d’Arcachon.
A day trip to Pessac
To discover all the treasures of Bordeaux you need to go out of Bordeaux center. Some of the most interesting things in the metropole can be found in Pessac, one of Bordeaux’s biggest suburbs. You can take a bike (or use the tram) and go on a full day of history, nature, wine, and street art in this beautiful historic town. I wrote an extensive guide on all you can see there, read all about it here.
Visit the chateau of Montesquieu
There are several historic castles in Gironde but there is one I particularly love and it’s located only 25 km south of Bordeaux. Château de la Brède was built in a Gothic style during the 13th to 16th centuries and is today surrounded by water-filled moats and an English garden.
The Château is famous for being the place of birth of Montesquieu, the great French political philosopher. The interiors of the castle are only accessible through guided tours which take you through the main room, the guest room, and his beautiful library where he wrote many of his works. See more details here.
See contemporary art in a beautiful building
CAPC is the contemporary art museum of Bordeaux located in the chic Chartrons district. The museum is housed in an impressive former warehouse from the 19th century where commodities, traded down the river, used to be stored.
In 1984 the city decided to transform this unique space into a museum of contemporary art, an idea that was very innovative at the time. In the permanent collection, there are almost 300 works of art and it regularly hosts temporary exhibitions that are dedicated to the history of art. I’ll admit that I’m not always a fan of their exhibitions, having said that, I think the place in itself is very impressive and worth a visit.
Taste the delicious dunes blanches
Last yummy thing before I finish my list! While most outsiders think of the canelé as our regional pastry, there’s another modern contestant that has become very popular amongst locals. The delicious dunes blanches were created in 2008 by the pastry chef Pascal Lucas in his patisserie in Cap Ferret.
The little choux pastry filled with whipped cream became an immediate success with several dedicated shops opening up in Arcachon, Bordeaux, and Paris. In the center of Bordeaux, you can find them at 7 Rue de la Vieille Tour, 33000 Bordeaux
Where to stay in Bordeaux
Before we end I want to help out those who are looking for accommodation in Bordeaux! If you’re looking for a hotel, I have an article with recommendations about the best hotels in Bordeaux for different budgets. If you’re looking for an Airbnb or just want to understand where you should stay in Bordeaux, you should definitely read my Bordeaux districts guide.
Need more ideas for things to do in and around Bordeaux? you should definitely join my newsletter where I share a lot of info about the area – sign up here.
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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If it’s your first time in Bordeaux you may also like to read some of the following “intro to Bordeaux” articles I wrote:
The Ultimate Guide to a weekend Bordeaux
The best districts in Bordeaux
Where to stay in Bordeaux
What to do in one day in Bordeaux
Things to do with kids in Bordeaux
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*Note – Some of the links in this article include affiliate links for which I earn a small commission. It adds absolutely nothing to your cost and helps me continue writing about this amazing region. Don’t worry, I’m not getting rich here, I’ll never recommend anything I don’t believe in 🙂