Ending your day dipping in refreshing water can easily uplift your stay in Bordeaux, especially as our wine capital tends to get very hot in the summer.
And while there are quite a few stunning beaches in the region, there’s nothing like having a pool in your hotel. In this article, you’ll find the list of the best hotels with pools in Bordeaux.
It’s worth noting that some of the luxury hotels on this list can be quite expensive, but I’ve also featured a few more budget-friendly alternatives. If you’re seeking even more relaxation, check out my recommendations for the best spa hotels in Bordeaux.
Located just next to Bordeaux’s main park, Jardin Public, Maison La Course is a romantic hidden gem you don’t want to miss. Set in a beautiful Haussmannian building, this hotel is a perfect place to enjoy the more elegant parts of Bordeaux, such as the Fondaudege and Chartrons neighborhoods.
Maison La Couse offers five spacious rooms all carefully designed using a mix of old and modern. The boutique guest house has a cozy terrace to eat your breakfast as well as a lounge area with a fireplace and comfy sofas. Its small pool is located on the rooftop and has an amazing view of the city rooftops. While the rooms themselves don’t have a kitchen, there’s a central kitchen that all guests can use.
Apart from the stylish decor they also pride themselves on their spa and wellness facilities. The hotel often organizes wine tastings and can help you plan a perfect stay in Bordeaux.
Maison La Course is located within walking distance from the Grand Theatre and in proximity to many great restaurants and coffee places.
For those of you looking for a luxury experience in the city center, Villas Foch is the place for you. A 5-star luxury hotel known for its spa facilities and specifically for its stunning indoor swimming pool.
The hotel is located in one of Bordeaux’s beautiful 18th-century buildings, bursting with style and charm in every room.
It’s located in proximity to the city center but within a quiet neighborhood. A few minutes walk will bring you to the Place des Quinconces, Jardin Public, Place de la Bourse, and the old town of Bordeaux.
Another fancy hotel with a pool in Bordeaux is Le Palais Gallien Hôtel. The 5-star hotel resides in a 19th-century building with a gorgeous facade and 18th-century limestone columns.
The hotel offers a variety of beautiful rooms including a Prestige room with a private Jacuzzi and the 100m² Montesquieu Suite with a private cinema and sauna.
Le Palais Gallien offers extensive spa facilities, including massages, beauty services, a jacuzzi and Turkish bath, personal trainers, and yoga classes, just to name a few. The highlights of the hotel are its rooftop with a cocktail bar and the garden with a heated outdoor pool.
Le Palais Gallien Hôtel & Spa – Lost in Bordeaux
The hotel is located in the quiet and posh Fondaudege neighborhood and has a great restaurant calledLa Table de Montaigne.
Renaissance Bordeaux Hotel features a big indoor swimming pool, a restaurant, and a fitness center. One of its best features is its rooftop bar Gina, a popular place for cocktails in the summer.
The 4-star hotel offers 149 spacious rooms and suites, all with a stunning view of either the river or the port of Bordeaux.
Whenever you want to get to the center of Bordeaux, jump on tram B which will take you there in 10 minutes. Or you can have a pleasant walk on Bordeaux’s riverfront and get there in about 25 minutes.
This is a perfect place for people who prefer an apartment over a hotel, but still desire a refreshing swim at the day’s end. The Luxe Loft with its clean modern design, features a stunning terrasse with a pool and an amazing city view. The apartment includes one big bed, perfect for a couple, a dining table, an equipped kitchen a TV, and more.
The Luxe Loft is located in Triangle d’Or, the posh neighborhood in Bordeaux with many luxury boutiques and restaurants.
Nearby you’ll also find the Grand Theatre, Bordeaux’s stunning opera house, and is overall perfectly located to discover Bordeaux.
If you’re looking for a more cozy family-owned place, Maison Rosa is what you might be looking for. A warmly decorated guest house located in a typical Bordeaux house. There are only three guest rooms in B&B Maison Rosa so it’s a very small and cozy place. The house is designed as a family home and that’s exactly how you’ll feel staying there.
Credit: Maison Rosa
In their charming garden, you’ll find an outdoor swimming pool, perfect for the hot summer days of Bordeaux.
The guest house is located between Bordeaux’s two stunning parks Jardin Public and Parc Bordelaise. The nearest tram station is within a five-minute walk from the house, take line D and you’re in town in just a few minutes.
Another stunning hotel offering Spa facilities with a pool is Hôtel Maison Pavlov. The hotel is located in one of Bordeaux’s best suburbs, le Bouscat, and has a direct tram line to the city center.
The hotel offers the serenity and isolation of the countryside while only being a short tram ride from the city center.
Hôtel Maison Pavlov is situated in a chartreuse (a French-style manor house) and offers eight rooms and suites hidden at the end of a lush garden. In the backyard, just next to the restaurant’s terrace, you’ll find the spacious heated pool.
Maison Pavlov also has an amazing restaurant that brings many people from the city center, attracted to this calm, charming place. Everything is sourced from local farms, except for the restaurant’s aromatics and herbs, which are harvested directly from the property’s garden.
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 🙂
I know that most people travel to Bordeaux for its vibrant city life, amazing wine, and beautiful surroundings, but why not make a real treat out of it on the way? Bordeaux has some amazing Spa hotels with spa treatments, pools, and luxury restaurants. In this article, I’ll help you find the best Spa hotels in Bordeaux.
Every hotel I decided to include on this list offers something unique but all of them offer unforgettable experiences. I tried to include hotels in different parts of the city as well as a few in its stunning surroundings. If you want to stay in Bordeaux and are not sure what’s the right neighborhood for you, I invite you to read my Bordeaux Districts guide first.
If you’re looking for a hotel located in a vineyard, be sure to look at my winery hotels list too. And now let’s dive into the best Spa hotels in Bordeaux.
Villas Foch is a standout in this article for its beautiful architecture and its proximity to unbeatable sites like Jardin Public, Bordeaux’s most beautiful park. Classic Bordeaux architecture is similar to the architecture of Paris, both of which were largely built by the famous architect Georges-Eugène Haussmann, and Villas Foch offers no shortage of this beautiful style.
Villas Foch is a 5-star luxury hotel that perfectly combines a modern interior design with Bordeaux’s famous architecture and 18th-century limestone. If you want to feel like a prince or princess in Sleeping Beauty (Bordeaux’s nickname), this is the place for you.
It has on staff a butler, a bellhop, a concierge, a driver, room service, and a bar on site. Its spa facilities include a lovely heated swimming pool, a sauna as well as a fitness room. Its quiet yet central location and amazing facilities make it one of the best Spa hotels to stay in Bordeaux.
Hôtel de sèze is a 4-star hotel in the fancy Triangle d’Or district next to many luxury boutiques and wine and chocolate shops. Situated in a beautiful 18th-century building, the hotel has 55 rooms with 18th-century decor that gives it an exquisite look. It also harbors a spa, a beautiful library, and a golf course (15 minutes by shuttle).
When it comes to location, this is one of the best choices on this list. It falls along the Allées de Tourny, which is the central boulevard in Bordeaux. This means that it is steps away from Place des Quinconces, the Grand Théâtre (my favorite Bordeaux building), and the Eglise Notre Dame, Bordeaux’s hidden church.
The spa is lovely and beneath the hustle and bustle of the city. It boasts a Hammam, Sauna, Jacuzzi, Sensory Shower, Ice Fountain, and Herbal Tea Room. The restaurant, the Comptoir, is a favorite among the Bordelais and is frequently full for lunch. It is also available for breakfast for hotel guests, either as a continental or a full breakfast.
Le Palais Gallien Hôtel & Spa looks like it should be exclusively a hotel for royalty. It is located in the quiet and posh Fondaudege neighborhood in Bordeaux. The 5-star rating of the hotel is immediately apparent as soon as you see the gorgeous facade, 18th-century limestone columns illuminated by discrete soft lighting.
As stylish as all the other hotels on this list, a major bonus is its beautiful pool out back lined in wooden deck and bookended by manicured hedges. Enter the building through its gorgeous marbled entryway with the classical-style hanging lantern and squared archways.
The sports facilities and spa have much to offer, including massages, beauty services, a jacuzzi and Turkish bath, personal trainers, and yoga classes, just to name a few. There is a parking garage for those who drive into Bordeaux hoping to visit some vineyards during their stay.
Le Palais Gallien Hôtel & Spa – Lost in Bordeaux
Many guests laud the staff for being extremely friendly and helpful, and they appreciate the quiet nature of the neighborhood while still being very close to the center. Many of the rooms overlook the rooftops of Bordeaux. The hotel is also home to an amazing chef’s restaurant called La Table de Montaigne.
Hôtel Maison Pavlov is located in one of Bordeaux’s best suburbs, le Bouscat, and has a direct tram line to the city center. The hotel offers the serenity and isolation of the countryside while actually only being a short tram ride from the city center.
The hotel is a standalone building made with … you guessed it, 18th-century limestone. The owners imagined it with wellness at its center.
The restaurant is renowned not only for its delicious dishes but from its direct-from-the-source nature. Everything is sourced from local farms, with the exception of the restaurant’s aromatics and herbs, which are harvested directly from the property’s garden. They even get their honey from local beehives. The rooms are spacious, and you will be welcomed with a tray of little candies and other treasures from local providers.
The spacious pool is heated and directly in the backyard. Children are even given alarm bracelets for security. The hotel also offers fitness classes and private coaching.
Everyone’s heard of the Radisson, and this one offers everything that the world-renowned brand brings to mind. It also has an amazing rooftop overlooking Bordeaux’s port and the Base sous Marine building, an old submarine that is now hosting one of the best immersive exhibitions in town.
The neighborhood, known as Bassin à Flot, is home to many of the city’s hipper clubs and restaurants and is where many boats come in and out. It’s also next to Les Halles de Bacalan, a food court that is the perfect place to try all French cuisine at once, and the Cité du Vin, the city’s endlessly interesting wine museum overlooking the Garonne River.
Its spa, Sothys, offers every treatment imaginable, including makeup application sessions, and sells many of its own products.
This is the most central and famous hotel in Bordeaux, where all the stars stay on their visit to Bordeaux. The decor is a bit outdated, but the service is amazing. It’s one of the only 5-star hotels in Bordeaux. The rooftop is also highly sought after for its views overlooking the Grand Théâtre and the Garonne River beyond that.
Its spa, of course, does not disappoint. The Spa Guerlain consists of a fitness center, indoor swimming pool, hammam, and sauna. The spa has 10 treatment rooms including 2 couple rooms and an outdoor terrace with a hot tub.
Grab a coffee on their terrace that overlooks Place de la Comédie to people-watch. In the winter, they replace the outdoor decor with bubbles that have heating inside, as if you’d been placed inside a snow globe without the snow (that’s kind of the idea).
This grand dame boasts 19th-century furniture in all of the rooms and will make you feel like royalty. The hotel’s 2 Michelin star restaurant is called the Pressoir d’Argent and is owned by the famous British chef Gordon Ramsay.
If you’re willing to drop a dime on staying at heaven-on-Earth, Les Sources de Caudalie is an excellent option, located in the luxurious Chatêau Smith Haut Lafitte vineyards. This is where the king and queen of England stayed on their visit to Bordeaux in September.
You can stay in a suite on the property. Each of them has been designed with its own unique design using antique furniture and mood lighting. Also, if you’re looking to pair the wines with great food, there’s no need to leave the property as the hotel offers a few dining options: a two-star Michelin restaurant, a bistro, a bar, and a grocery store.
The spa is focused on what the property calls “vinotherapy.” The entire spa is made of all-natural materials and the water for the hammam comes from a natural hot spring in the area. It includes an outdoor pool and jacuzzi.
So if you’re looking for a sophisticated yet cozy atmosphere in the magnificent grounds of one of the best wineries of Pessac Leognan, this hotel Les Sources de Caudalie is your place.
Located in the heart of my favorite wine sub-region, Pessac Léognan, Chatêau Leognan’s impressive facade will make you feel like you’ve entered Never Never Land. Built from beautiful stone, it boasts two turrets that frame a covered front porch, and it is buffeted by its beautiful vineyards.
The spa is special in that the services are offered in yurts or lodges, which overlook the vineyards, countryside, or lake – up to you!
After your spa treatment and a vineyard tour, consider any of the château’s other activities – Thursday acoustic nights, family lunches, the property’s guingette (French for pop-up party), or Cocktail Fridays.
The rooms are tastefully and beautifully done with natural earth tones highlighted by notes of luxury in the form of crystal chandeliers and velvet chairs.
Ha(a)ïtza is the sister hotel of La C(o)orniche, a beautiful hotel and restaurant overlooking the region’s famous sand dune, Dune du Pilat. The design is one of Philippe Starck’s projects in the region, which successfully created a delicate style with warm white tones and touches of steel.
It’s yet another 5-star luxury hotel that hosts one of the best restaurants in Arcachon – the two-Michelin-starred Le Skiff Club. They also have a bistro with great food and more affordable prices.
The highlight of the hotel is the covered swimming pool under a glass roof that’s open all year long. Ha(a)itza also offers other great facilities like a spa, a fitness room, and a hairdresser.
The hotel is located on the main street of Pyla sur Mer, the quiet town of Dune du Pilat. Within a few minutes walk from the hotel you can enjoy the calm beaches of Dune du Pilat which are the best ones to go to when the main beaches are getting too crowded.
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 🙂
Bordeaux is a gem of a destination for families. The city is very safe and offers quite a few attractions and museums where kids can spend hours and hours. It’s also a great base for all the day trips in the region, from Arcachon to Saint Emilion. The only thing you need to make it a perfect vacation is to find a family-friendly hotel in Bordeaux.
Before you start your search, you need to understand what neighborhoods in Bordeaux are the best ones to stay in. For that purpose, I created a very detailed guide to the best districts of Bordeaux.
This article gathers my recommendations for the 8 most kids-friendly hotels in Bordeaux. These include chains like Novotel but also small boutique hotels which I find to be a bit more cozy with kids. Whether you’re traveling on a budget or looking for a more luxurious experience, you’re guaranteed to find something that fits you on this list.
As I have been living in Bordeaux for quite a few years now I want to warn you that the summer here is hot! very hot! air conditioning is a must! So even if you decide to book a hotel that is not on this list, make sure it has AC. Needless to say everything on this list is equipped with AC.
Before we start, here are a few other articles I recommend you read if you’re traveling with kids to Bordeaux.
FirstName is a new hotel from the Hyatt group that has been attracting quite a lot of buzz since its opening. If you like modern and clean design, this is the perfect place for you!
If you’re visiting Bordeaux with kids, I recommend taking the Tribe rooms. These include an extra large bed for the parents and a separate room with twin beds for the kids. If you travel with a baby, they can supply you with a cot.
One of the best features of FirstName Bordeaux is its restaurant. As it’s open the whole day you can enjoy a big breakfast, a delicious lunch and finish with amazing cocktails in the evening. The restaurant is quite kids friendly so you don’t have to go far to have a nice dinner in the evening when the kids are tired.
FirstName Hotel in Bordeaux
The hotel is located in Meriadeck, the administrative district of Bordeaux, positioned just a few minutes walk from one of the main squares, Place Pey Berland. Crossing the road from the hotel you enter Meriadeck, the main mall in the center of Bordeaux.
It’s not a cheap experience but the modern fun design and the proximity to everything makes it worth it. The hotel has parking available, a bonus in Bordeaux as parking can get quite expensive in the city center.
Maison Manège is a unique hospitality concept that blends the advantages of a guest house with the impeccable service and design of a boutique hotel. Each room is uniquely decorated giving it a general cozy feeling.
The place offers a few common areas like a little terrace, a dining table, a big living room, and a kitchen where you can cook your meals. There’s also a possibility of breakfast at the hotel. Their Massai Mara suite is perfect to host a family, and they can also provide a baby cot if needed.
Maison Manege is perfectly located in a residential area, just a few minutes walk from the most central parts of Bordeaux. You’re within walking distance from the main shopping street, the Opera house, and Place Gambetta, a perfect square for a picnic with the kids.
B&B La Maison Galiène is probably my favorite location on this list. Nested at the Jardin Public neighborhood, you’re in proximity to the best park in the center of Bordeaux, a perfect place for little ones. It’s also a few steps from rue Fondaudege, one of the rising streets of Bordeaux, especially for foodies.
The B&B is very calm and brightly designed, all recently renovated and air-conditioned. There’s also a shared lounge area for you to relax in if you’re too tired to go out to the city.
Families love this place, so be sure to book fast. Their Duplex Quadruple Room is perfect for families.
Aparthotels are usually the best option when traveling with little kids. I mean, you know that dinner at a restaurant is not going to happen, so you might as well enjoy a proper kitchen. Adagio is one of the most popular aparthotels in Bordeaux and that’s why I added it to the list.
All their apartments include a little kitchen, a refrigerator, and a dining table. The room has AC, and there is an elevator, which is important if you have a stroller with you.
Like many other hotels on this list, Adagio is located between the commercial center Meriadeck and Place Gambetta, just a few minutes walk from the city center.
Another really great aparthotel in Bordeaux is Residhome on Quai de Bacalan, near the Bassin a flot district. While it’s not very close to the city center, it’s one of the most popular districts of Bordeaux with plenty of stuff to do.
Within a few minutes walk you’ll get to the famous wine museum, a kids’ sciences museum, and Halles de Bacalan, one of the most posh markets in town. Residhome is also located on tram line B, which will get you into the city center within 10-15 minutes.
The aparthotel offers 97 fully-equipped apartments, ranging from studios to one-bedroom units. Each unit has a kitchen, a small living room, an office area, and more. Their one-bedroom apartment fits a family of 4. The design of the apartments is modern and pleasant.
This little gem of a place is located in Merignac, one of the western suburbs of Bordeaux. The Shandita B&B is one of the most welcoming places on this list with big rooms and a magical garden.
The lovely owner of Shandita, Laurence, will pamper you with a delicious breakfast and homemade Crêpes. The B&B has an outdoor pool which is perfect for the hot summer days in Bordeaux.
For guests with children, Bed and Breakfast Shandita provides a babysitting service.
Whenever you need to get to the city center, you can take tram A. The closest station is located within a 10-minute walk in the Saint Augustin neighborhood, which is another hidden gem of Bordeaux.
Maison Labruyère is located two steps from the main park of Bordeaux, Jardin public, which makes it a perfect location for families. It’s positioned in the Chartrons neighborhood, which is one of the more chic districts in Bordeaux with plenty of cafes and cute shops.
The beautiful 18th-century building is home to several, chic and very bright apartments. Some have a direct view of the park and others of the city. Some of the apartments even have a cute terrace.
As a family, you can get the Deluxe Apartment, which has a double bed and a sofa bed in the living room. There’s also a little kitchen and a dining table, which is handy for kids.
A bit far from the city center but if you’re looking for an affordable option for a family visit to Bordeaux, this is one of the most popular family hotels in the city. It’s one of the only options on my list that has a pool, so if that’s a must for you, this hotel is recommended.
If you don’t have a car you can reach the city within about 15 minutes by taking the C tram line.
If you’re visiting Bordeaux for at least a few days and are planning to travel a lot, this is a great location for you as you’ll be just a few minutes drive from the highway. The hotel is also located within a few minutes walk from Bordeaux Lac, the only beach in Bordeaux.
Address: Av. Jean Gabriel Domergue, 33300 Bordeaux
If you’re planning to spend some time in Arcachon, check out my article about where to stay in Arcachon.
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 🙂
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 🙂
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.
Grosse Cloche
Porte d’Aquitaine
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Halle de Bacalan – Lost in Bordeaux
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.
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.
Here are
Monet, Renoir, Chagall and others called “Voyages en Méditerranée”
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.
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).
Opera House of Bordeaux
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.
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.
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 market in Saint Michel – Lost in Bordeaux
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.
Street art in Bordeaux -Amo
Bordeaux street art – Selor
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.
L’entrepôt 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.
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.
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 🙂
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.
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).
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.
Cathédrale Saint-André – Lost in Bordeaux
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.
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.
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.
Mama Shelter
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Palais Galien
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.
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.
Chateau Pape Clement
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. In case you’re looking for a unique experience in the vineyards of Bordeaux, check out my article about the best wine hotels in the region.
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!
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.
Dune du Pilat
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.
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.
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.
Château de la Brede
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
Dunes Blanches
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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