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As someone living in this city, writing an article about things to do on a weekend in Bordeaux is not as easy as you might think. In the last few years, this amazing city has been booming with festivals, art events, amazing coffee places, and a sea of gastronomic restaurants. So choosing the best things to do over a few days is almost impossible, but I will give it a try nevertheless 🙂 

I have a longer article where I talk about my 50 favorite things to do in Bordeaux and its region. However, if you have only a few days to spend here, this article will guide you step-by-step through all the must-see things Bordeaux has to offer. 

A weekend in Bordeaux France
Bordeaux by @Lostinbordeaux

For many years, Bordeaux was nicknamed the sleeping beauty. A stunning city turned into a somewhat shady town following years of neglect. However, in the last two decades, the beautify has been awakened following a massive restoration work done by its administration. The goal was to make Bordeaux an attractive town to tourists again and give it back its well-deserved glory. 

The makeover included the restoration of monuments, modern tram lines, a building of a long beautiful promenade, an extensive cleaning of all the facades, and more. That plan was a great success with Bordeaux becoming one of the most interesting and popular destinations in Europe in the last decade. 

Bordeaux has 362 historic monuments (second only to Paris), to visit them all will probably take weeks. So here in this article, I will cover only the most interesting/ beautiful ones. If you’re interested in a more deep understanding of the history and architecture of Bordeau you might consider the two hours guided walking tour, offered by the tourist office. Or a guided bicycle tour that will allow you to discover some of the most interesting spots in Bordeau in just a few hours.

Guided cycling tour in the Bordeaux
Cycling in Bordeaux – by lost in Bordeaux

Also, despite it being the world capital of wine, I did not include wine-related activities in this article. I believe you need more than two days from that. If however, you do want to include a wine-related experience on your visit here, check out my articles about the Bordeaux wine region and wineries in Saint Emilion

Although this guide proposes a specific route to follow, feel free to take whatever you want from the list, and adapt it to your style of travel. You can switch the order of places you’re planning to visit but pay attention to things that are taking place only on Saturdays or Sundays. This list is quite dense so if you come for more than two days, feel free to reduce the pace and take some time to visit the city more calmly, and enjoy its cafés and the general atmosphere.

One last thing before we dive in. If you’re looking for a hotel to stay in during your visit here, check out my posts about the best districts in Bordeaux and about the best places to stay in Bordeaux. I’ve included some beautiful boutique hotels and several more affordable ones.

*If you’re also planning to visit Toulouse while traveling in the region read my detailed guide to a weekend in Toulouse.

A weekend in Bordeaux -Day 1

Place de la Victoire

Start your day from Place de la Victoire, on the southern end of Bordeaux’s shopping street rue Sainte Catherine. The impressive square you can recognize by the 18th-century arc and the marble obelisk at its center. 

Place de la Victoire in Bordeaux - one of the liveliest sqaures
Place de la Victoire – by Lost in Bordeaux

Its proximity to the busiest street in the city, the University campus, and the numerous cafes and bars give it a very young and happy vibe. It’s not one of my favorite squares in Bordeaux but it’s a great place to start your discovery tour of Bordeaux. If you only have one day in Bordeaux, you can skip Place de la Victoire and focus on the most beautiful monuments in the city.

MarchĂ© des Capucins – discover local gastronomy

It’s never too early to start your gastronomic discovery of Bordeaux and for that, there’s no better place than MarchĂ© des Capucins. 

The Capucins, the biggest daily market in Bordeaux has everything from stands of fruits and vegetables, sweets, spices, and a bunch of lively cafĂ©s and restaurants. It’s the best place to taste some of the specialties of this region like oysters, duck products, and sheep cheese. 

It’s a covered market so you can enjoy it on the city’s numerous rainy days. Most cafes and restaurants also have tables outside where you can have a coffee or an early lunch. During the weekend, the market is packed with locals, who gather to eat oysters accompanied by white wine. Be sure to come early if you want to catch a table. 

Marche des Capucins
MarchĂ© des Capucins – for an early lunch with the locals

Before you go, be sure to check out my article about the best places to eat at the Marché des Capucins. The market is open from Tuesday to Sunday, however, be aware that not all the restaurants and stands are open on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Now after opening the morning at the market we can start touring Bordeaux and admire its beautiful architecture. 

If you followed my advice and went to the market, your next destination should be Saint Michel. From Place des Capucins continue to rue Clare which brings you to the heart of the Saint Michel neighborhood. If you don’t have two full days in Bordeaux skip Saint Michel and go to the next item.

Discover the Saint Michel neighborhood

Saint Michel is skipped by many tourists. But I think that its authentic atmosphere, chic cafes, and markets make it one of the more interesting places in Bordeaux. There are many things to do and see in this area and you have more time to discover the neighborhood, be sure to read my detailed guide to Saint Michel. If, however, you are short in time and just want the “best of”, this is what I suggest:

The Basilica of Saint Michel – classified as a world heritage by UNESCO in 1998 stands at the heart of this lively neighborhood. It is located on the main square, Place Meynard, surrounded by plenty of cafes, restaurants, and bars.

la Flèche Saint-Michel – Just next to the basilica you’ll find the Saint Michel bell tower, one of the main monuments of the city. I highly recommend climbing it to see a magnificent view of Bordeaux.

The view from la Flèche Saint-Michel
The view from la Flèche Saint-Michel

The market on SaturdayEvery Saturday there’s a local market around the Basilica. Even if you don’t need to buy anything I’d still recommend going there on a Saturday morning just for the atmosphere

Antiquesif you love antique markets, whether it’s to buy or just to have a look, you’re at the right place. This neighborhood has several antique places that are open daily. Check out my guide to Saint Michel for a detailed list of addresses.

We are now going to enter the historic center of Bordeaux! If you’re short on time, I recommend starting the tour here!

The Grosse Cloche – one of the most impressive monuments in Bordeaux

From Place Meynard (in Saint Michel) take rue des Faures to get to one of the main streets in the center of Bordeaux (rue Victor Hugo). After a minute’s walk, on your right, you’ll see the spectacular bell town called the Grosse Cloche. 

The 15th-century bell tower is one of the most prominent symbols of Bordeaux. The gate was built on the remains of Porte Saint-Éloy, through which the pilgrims of Saint Jacques passed on their way to Santiago de Compostela in Spain.

grosse cloche

You will now be entering the historic center of Bordeaux through the Quartier de la Grosse Cloche/ Saint Paul. Let yourself be charmed by the narrow paved streets of this small neighborhood. It’s one of my favorite districts of Bordeaux, full of chic cafĂ©s and boutiques. 

Rue Saint James

The first street you encounter when entering through the Grosse Cloche gate is Rue Saint James. This is one of the most charming streets in the neighborhood, with beautiful coffee shops (such as books and coffee ) chic boutiques, and specialized shops. Take some time to discover this street as well as the lovely narrow streets around it.

Quartier de la Grosse Cloche on of the best district in Bordeaux
Quartier de la Grosse Cloche – by Lost in Bordeaux

Continue on the street until you get to Place Fernand Lafargue. A long time ago this square used to be the city’s market and today it’s one of the best spots for a nice Lunch. The square and the emerging streets are a real food hub with plenty of cafes, bars, and a variety of restaurants from hamburgers to Sushi and Ramen soup.

A few of my recommendations are Apollo bar for a drink, Wine More Time for a glass of wine, Frida restaurant for a brunch on a nice terrace, Kokomo for a great hamburger, and Piha for a great coffee.

After you finish strolling around the Grosse Cloche continue on Cr d’Alsace-et-Lorraine until you get to rue Sainte Catherine.

Shop on rue Sainte-Catherine

Sainte Catherine is the longest pedestrian street in France. A long strip of shops where you can find all main clothing retail stores as well as boutiques of cosmetics, jewelry, books, and more. 

The Southern part of the street (closer to Place de la Victoire) is where you’ll find most of the cheap clothing shops. The big chain clothing stores are located in the northern part of the streets. After you finish your shopping go back to Place Saint Projet, a square in the middle of rue Sainte Catherine. Now take rue des Trois-Conils and walk towards the main cathedral of Bordeaux on Place Pey Berland.

rue sainte Catharine Bordeaux
Sainte Catharine – the main shopping street in Bordeaux

Visit the main Cathedral of Bordeaux on Place Pey Berland

Place Pey Berland is one of the most central squares of Bordeaux and home to the main Cathedral of Bordeaux and its town hall. It’s also one of the liveliest neighborhoods in Bordeaux with many coffee places, chocolate shops, museums, and art galleries.

Cathédrale Saint-André de Bordeaux

The Cathedral of Saint AndrĂ© is the main church of Bordeaux and the seat of the Archbishop of Bordeaux. It is a Roman Catholic church that was 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 de Bordeaux
Cathédrale Saint-André de Bordeaux

Tour Pey Berland

Just next to the Cathedral, you’ll find its 15th-century bell tower – la Tour Pey Berland. On the top of the tower, the statue of Notre Dame d’Aquitaine rises to the height of 66 m. 

If you want to enjoy a beautiful view of Bordeaux climb the 231 stairs of the tower to get to the top. A ticket to the bell tower is 6 euros and free to people below 26 years old. I recommend climbing it only if the weather is good, otherwise, you won’t see much. See the hours and buy tickets here
*If you have the Bordeaux City Pass, you get free entry to the Tour Pey Berland.

Good places for a coffee break:

Although I’m not a big fan of French coffee, somehow Bordeaux has figured out the secrets of a great brew. Some of the best coffee places in the city are actually in this central neighborhood, among them: Sip, Black list, and l’alchimiste cafĂ©. If you’re a coffee-lover check out my article about Five coffee places in Bordeaux you don’t want to miss.

l'alchimiste café - one of the best coffee places in Bordeaux
L’alchimiste cafĂ© – by Lost in Bordeaux

Other interesting streets in the Pey Berland neighborhood

From Place Pey Berland continue on rue Vital Carles, alongside the tram B line which goes through the main spots of the center of Bordeaux. On your left, don’t miss one of the city’s establishments –  Librairie Mollat, the oldest independent bookstore in France since 1896.

Another place worth mentioning is Porte Dijeaux. This pretty arc is another gate to the historic center of Bordeaux and has been classified as a historic monument in 1921.

Visit one of Bordeaux’s museums

If you have some time to visit a museum or two in Bordeaux, three of them are located in the Pey Berland neighborhood. It can also be a great option in case it’s a rainy day in Bordeaux

Here are three museums in the neighborhood you should know about (all three have free entry with the Bordeaux City Pass):

Musée des Beaux-Arts: is the fine-art museum of Bordeaux and one of the largest art galleries in France outside Paris. See the ongoing exhibitions on their website

The address:  20 Cours d’Albret, 33000 Bordeaux

Museum of Decorative Arts of Bordeaux – installed in a beautiful chateau, the museum is home to collections of furniture, ceramics, and many other objects dating to the 18th and 19th centuries. The museum also has a nice outdoor coffee place in the beautiful courtyard of the building. See the ongoing exhibitions on their website

Address: 39 Rue Bouffard, 33000 Bordeaux

Musée des arts décoratifs bordeaux
Musée des arts décoratifs bordeaux

MusĂ©e d’Aquitaine – If you want to learn about the history and archaeology of Bordeaux and its region (Nouvelle-Aquitaine), this is your best source.

Address: 20 Cours Pasteur, 33000 BordeauxIf you skipped the museums continue walking on Vital Carles street and be ready for a beautiful surprise. At the end of the street, you will turn right to one of the most impressive streets of Bordeaux Cours de l’Intendance. This street conveys the feeling of Bordeaux – historic, beautiful, and very calm- just stand there and take a breath for a second.

Cours de l'Intendance - a street to discover on your weekend in Bordeaux
Cours de l’Intendance – by Lost in Bordeaux

Continue on Cours de l’Intendance until you get to Place de la ComĂ©die.

Grand Théâtre – one of the landmarks of Bordeaux

The beautiful 18th-century building on Place de la ComĂ©die will be hard to miss. The Grand Théâtre, the home of the National Opera of Bordeaux is one of Bordeaux’s most important landmarks.  

Grand Théâtre de Bordeaux
Grand Théâtre de Bordeaux

If you have the chance, try to book tickets to one of the concerts at the Opera or the national ballet. If you speak French, I recommend taking a tour of the Grand Théâtre. The tours take place twice a week, not during school breaks or the summer period. You can book your visit here.

Have a fancy meal in one of Bordeaux’s great restaurants

If you want to have a fancy meal while in Bordeaux, Place de la Comedie and its surrounding streets are one of the main spots for fine dining in Bordeaux. 

One of my favorite restaurants in Bordeaux is le Quatrième Mur, which belongs to the famous French chef Philippe Etchebest. The restaurant is located inside the Opera of Bordeaux complete with all its lavish decor.

There are of course many other amazing restaurants in Bordeaux such as Bo Tanique, Lauza, and Mably.

Place des Quinconces

Place des Quinconces

Next on our list is Place des Quinconces, the largest city square in France and one of the biggest ones in Europe. On one of the sides of this enormous square, you’ll find le Monument aux Girondins, a spectacular monument dedicated to the members of a political faction that were killed during the French Revolution. 

Throughout the year, many different events, festivals, and fairs (like the Brocante de Quinconces and the Foire aux Plaisirs) take place on this square. I tend to write a lot about the events that take place in Bordeaux in my newsletter and monthly to-do lists in Bordeaux.

The tram passing Place de Quinconces
The tram passing Place de Quinconces

If you’ve been following my guide so far, you’ve probably walked quite a bit. This would be the perfect time to rest in one of Bordeaux’s most beautiful parks.  From Place des, Quinconces continue to Cours du Marechal Foch until you get to Jardin Public.

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. It has a large pond (with ducks and geese!), great facilities for kids, and even a nice coffee place. If you’re traveling with kids, it’s really worth visiting the Natural history museum which is situated in the park.

Read my article about all the other fun stuff you can do with kids in Bordeaux.

Jardin Public Bordeaux
Jardin Public – a green island in the city

If you want to know more about parks and gardens in Bordeaux check out my article with plenty of places for picnics in Bordeaux.

Now back to the city and to the last stop on the first day of discovering Bordeaux – the Chartrons neighborhood.

Leave the park from Cours Xavier Arnozan and continue towards the Garonne river. On your right don’t miss the CAPC, the Contemporary art museum of Bordeaux. This beautiful building was previously used as a warehouse for colonial foodstuffs and today is the house of contemporary art in Bordeaux, curating many exhibitions.

Now turn left on rue Notre Dame to enter the Chartrons neighborhood.

Visit the northern chic district of Bordeaux –  Les Chartrons

Located to the north of Bordeaux’s center, Chartrons is a very popular neighborhood with chic boutiques, antiques, and a lot of restaurants. The most interesting part of Chartrons is the main street, rue Notre Dame which is also one of the most foodie streets in Bordeaux. Don’t miss Eglise Saint-Louis des Chartrons, a 19th-century Neo-Gothic church.

rue Notre dame - one of the prettiest streets on Bordeaux
rue Notre Dame – by Lost in Bordeaux

Turn left straight after the church to get to the heart of the neighborhood- Halle des Chartrons. There are plenty of restaurants around the central square, with good lunch menus. The Halle des Chartrons often hosts activities and exhibitions, so take a peek inside to see if there’s anything going on. 

If you want to discover all the interesting places you can visit in the Chartrons district check out my article about the best things to do in Chartrons.

How to spend a weekend in Bordeaux – Day 2

Start the day at Place du Palais Station (Tram A) to enter the Saint Pierre Neighborhood.

Enjoy the squares of the Saint Pierre neighborhood

Saint Pierre is the most ancient district of Bordeaux and the tourist heart of the city. There aren’t any major monuments to see in this part of town but the little narrow paved streets and the beautiful lively squares are what make it one of the more pleasant places in Bordeaux.

I’ll mention some of the best things to do in this neighborhood, but I really recommend just taking a few hours to get lost in the charming narrow streets and get a feel of historic Bordeaux.

rue parlement saint pierre - one of the most beautful streets in the Saint Pierre neighborhood in Bordeaux
rue Parlement Saint Pierre in Saint Pierre – by Lost in Bordeaux

Porte Cailhau

From Cours d’Alsace et Lorraine turn to place du Palais. This is the first of many squares you’ll see while touring the neighborhood and probably the most beautiful one. 

The magnificent Porte Cailhau, a monument that looks like it has been taken from a fairy tale cannot be missed. This gate was built in 1495 to commemorate the glory of king Charles VIII. On the square itself, you’ll find a few nice cafes and restaurants with a view of the medieval gate. 

One I particularly like here is Tutiac, Le Bistro Vignerons.

Porte Cailhau on Place de Palais
Porte Cailhau on Place de Palais

There are three other squares worth mentioning in this neighborhood, all of which are beautiful and abundant with cute terrace restaurants. Each one is quite unique and worth a visit, but if you don’t have much time don’t feel obligated to visit all the squares.

Place Camille Julian

Place Camille Julian is one of the busiest squares in towns. Its main highlight is Utopia, a monastery turned into a cinema with a varied program of both blockbuster movies and small independent films.

Place Saint Pierre

The little square of Place Saint Pierre is where Bordeaux was born in the 3rd century. In the center stands the main church of the neighborhood Gothic Flamboyant styled Église Saint-Pierre. This historic monument used to be the main praying temple of the craftsmen and traders living in the area in medieval times. 

Place du Parlement

Another beautiful square in this lovely neighborhood is Place du Parlement, which was classified as a historic monument in 1952. This is yet another spot with many cafĂ©s with tables outside, perfect for a sunny day in Bordeaux. The Parlement square is located just a few steps from one of the important squares of Bordeaux – Place de la Bourse.

place du parlement bordeaux
Place du Parlement

Miroir d’eau – the most popular attraction in Bordeaux

From Place du Parlement continue to rue Fernand Philippart until you reach Place de la Bourse, a masterpiece of classic French architecture from the 18th century. Don’t miss the famous mascarons of Bordeaux, the little faces looking at you from the arches of the buildings.  There are more than 3000 of them decorating the buildings and monuments of Bordeaux.

In front, on the quay of the Garonne river, you’ll find one of the most popular attractions in Bordeaux – le Miroir d’eau! This modern monument, built in 2006, is the world’s largest reflecting pool. The surface is made from blue granite covered in water, reflecting the 18th-century Place de la Bourse.

Miroir d'eau bordeaux
le Miroir d’eau – the world’s largest reflecting pool

During the summer months, the system of le miroir d’eau operates in cycles of 15 minutes creating a shallow pool where you can wet your feet. The sight of little kids running in the water creates one of the most beautiful and photogenic moments that you can experience in Bordeaux.

Take a walk on the quai – Bordeaux’s promenade

The promenade on the board of the Garonne is one of Bordeaux’s highlights. In recent years, since the renovation of the area, the riverfront became one of the city’s most central spots, hosting many events and festivals during the summer. 

The 4.5 km promenade is also perfect for a walk or a bicycle tour. The most interesting part of it is between the two bridges of Bordeaux – Pont Saint Pierre in the center and Pont Chaban Delmas in the north of the city. This trail includes the water mirror as well as big playgrounds for kids, restaurants with a view of the river, and the Chartrons Market, which is our next stop.

This is part of the trail you’ll do if you take the guided cycling tour.

Wine Festival on the quai in Bordeaux
The wine festival of Bordeaux in the summer

Shop and dine at the Chartrons market

One of the best markets in Bordeaux takes place every Sunday morning at Quai de Chartrons. The Chartrons market hosts dozens of food stalls, fruits, vegetables, cheese, fish, and plenty of food trucks. 

The Chartrons market - one of the best markets in Bordeaux
Marche des Quais – by Lost in Bordeaux

The market is usually quite busy with both locals and tourists, especially if you come towards noon, but it’s still worth the visit. For many visitors, the main attraction is the few stalls with oysters and a bottle of dry white wine. This, in a way, embodies life in the region 🙂

For more info about the market and other places around it read my article about the best places to visit in the Chartrons district.

Bacalan – discover the northern part of Bordeaux

From here (if you have more time left) will start discovering Bacalan, the northern district of Bordeaux, with is rather different from the center of Bordeaux. From the market just continue walking north on the riverfront until you reach the Chaban Delmas bridge.

Pont Chaban Delmas in Bordeaux
Pont Chaban Delmas – by Lost in Bordeaux

Pont Chaban Delmas

Pont Chaban Delmas is a modern bridge, named after the previous mayor of the city, which was inaugurated in 2013. It’s the longest vertical-lift bridge in Europe and seeing it elevating to let the tall ships pass is a very impressive sight. On the way there you will pass by several hangars that were turned into restaurants, boutiques, and a fantastic science museum for kids (Cap Sciences).

La CitĂ© du Vin – Bordeaux wine museum

Cité du vin in Bordeaux

Just next to the bridge, you’ll find one of Bordeaux’s main attractions – la citĂ© du vin. The wine museum of Bordeaux is a one-of-a-kind cultural center, all dedicated to discovering the wine world. It’s a “must” place for wine lovers but can also be very interesting and enjoyable for people who don’t drink at all. 

The museum offers an immersive exhibition to help you discover both French and global wine history. You will learn about winemaking, see movies and interviews with wine producers and then smell and taste wine. 

Click here to buy tickets to the wine museum in advance to avoid the line.

Read more about visiting the world’s best wine museum in my article about the CitĂ© du Vin.

Les Halles de Bacalan

Les Halles de Bacalan is a covered market that was inaugurated in 2017 and immediately became one of the most popular spots in Bordeaux. This impressive 950m2 hangar is located just in front of the famous Cité du vin and hosts tens of stalls with amazing food and drinks.It’s a perfect place to stop by for a snack or a drink when discovering the Bacalan district.

Marché de Bacalan
Les Halles de Bacalan – a new covered market

Take a boat to the other side of the Garonne

Now it’s time to discover the other side of the Garonne river – the Bastide neighborhood. It’s yet another district of Bordeaux worth exploring if you have time. There are a few ways to get to the Bastide district. You can either cross the bridge (it’s a very nice walk but will take some time), take a bus or take a boat. 

Since 2013 the public transport system in Bordeaux has introduced a ferry (navette fluviale)  that will cross you over to the other side. The ferry which operates from 7 am to 7 pm, stops at five stations: Stalingrad, Quinconces, les Hangars, La CitĂ© du Vin and Lormont. If you followed my guide up to now, take the navette at La CitĂ© du Vin and get down at Stalingrad (on the other side of the river).

Take a look at the ferry timetable here.

You can use the boat and all other public transport in Bordeaux free of charge if you have the Bordeaux City Pass

Jardin Botanique

Arriving from Place de Stalingrad you have a nice walk on the riverfront to get to our next stop. On the way don’t miss le Jardin Botanique de Bordeaux. This beautiful park was created to allow the wide public to discover the world of plants, biodiversity, and sustainability. It’s definitely not a must-stop, but can be a great spot for a picnic with kids. 

From the part continue straight on the riverfront until you get to our next stop – Darwin.

Darwin – the hipster hub of Bordeaux

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. 

Whether alone or with kids you can spend hours in Darwin. One of the buildings hosts the restaurant and the Darwin products store with a huge selection of different organic products. 

Darwin
Darwin – one of the coolest places in Bordeaux

Darwin is also an extraordinary hub of street art done by many local and international street artists. The place hosts many cool events so don’t be surprised if suddenly you see an artisan market or a collection of old cars on display.

It’s also one of the best places to hide from the rain on one of Bordeaux’s many rainy days.

This is the end of our weekend journey in Bordeaux! Before I leave you, here are some useful links:

Useful links and info when visiting Bordeaux

The Bordeaux expats blog is a great source of info for people considering moving to Bordeaux. 

The site of the tourist office in Bordeaux has loads of information about all the points of interest in the city as well as about most of the main events. They also offer a lot of tours in and around Bordeaux – so check it out here.

The official site of Bordeaux offers a lot of interesting info about the places you will see (in French)- read it here.

As I said, Bordeaux has a lot to offer! It’s hard to see everything if you only have a day or two but don’t be stressed, just take the time to enjoy the city. 

If you have only one day, I recommend following this article instead.

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

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

Facebook |Instagram |Email  | Facebook group

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

If you like this article and want to read it again when you’re in Bordeaux – Save it to your Pinterest board!

*Note â€“ 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 🙂 

Bacalan is a northern district of Bordeaux, an area that, until recently, has largely been avoided by tourists and locals.  The grungy landscapes of the port and its distance from the city center aren’t as appealing as the beautiful architecture and lovely squares of the historic center of Bordeaux. In the last few years, however, the Bacalan district has been changing its face, emerging to be one of the most interesting places in Bordeaux, with plenty of new neighborhoods and places to explore.

Smart planning transformed the otherwise unsavory port characteristics of the neighborhood into pleasant features. The gigantic hangars, the boats and the unusual infrastructure turned into places of emerging arts, music, food and leisure, transforming the neighborhood into one of the most intriguing places in Bordeaux. So if you haven’t yet had the chance to visit this amazing neighborhood or you feel there’s not much there for you to do, let me prove you wrong. From street art, to wine, whiskey and live music, here is the list of the best things you can do and see in Bacalan:

La Cité du Vin

la cite du vin in Bordeaux

La cité du vin is a “must” place for any wine lover but can be very interesting and enjoyable for people who don’t drink at all. This impressive piece of modern architecture is a one of a kind cultural center, all dedicated to discovering the wine world. Through its interactive exhibition, It offers a journey to both French and global wine history. You will learn about wine making, see movies and interviews with wine producers and then pass on to smell and taste wine. The cite du vin allows you to discover a selection of wines from all over the world and offers one of the best panoramic views of Bordeaux.

Address: 134 – 150 Quai de Bacalan, 33300 Bordeaux
Opening hours: weekdays from 10am to 6pm, weekends and holidays 10am to 7pm
For more info check out the website of cite du Vin

Have a drink or a snack at les Halles des Bacalan

marche de bacalan in Bordeaux

This fancy food market opened its gates on 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. This impressive 950m2 hangar is located just in front of the famous Cité du vin and hosts 23 different artisans and traders that were chosen for the quality of their products (85% of which are produced in the South-West region of France). Now, when all of this food is accompanied by several bars, you are guaranteed to have a good time.

Opening hours:  from Tuesday to Friday 8:00 – 14:30 and 16:30-20:30, Saturday 8:00- 22:00 and Sunday 8:00-17:00
Address: 149 Quai de Bacalan, 33300 Bordeaux

Les Vivre de l’art – emerging arts and impressive sculptures 

les vivres d'art - art and music events

Les vivres de l’art is one of the most fascinating arts projects in Bordeaux. Located just a few steps from the citĂ© du vin, in an architectural historic monument called les Vivres de la Marine. Iron sculptures made by the artist Jean-François Buisson (which works there since 2003) adorn the place and give it its creative characteristic. Since 2008 it has become an artistic association, holding cultural events, workshops, vintage sales, music festivals, exhibitions, and more. This is one place in the neighborhood you don’t want to miss, even just for a sneak peak of the beautiful and creative sculptures which can be seen from the road.

Opening hours: open daily from Monday to Friday 10:00 to 12:30 and from 14:00 to 18:00, and usually hosts different events during the weekend (consult the program on their site).
Address: Les Vivres de l’Art – Place Victor Raulin – 1 rue Achard – 33300 Bordeaux
For more info check out the website of Les Vivres de l’art

Le Garage moderne – a social garage

la garage moderne - social garage

Le Garage Moderne is a social garage, a brilliant gem of a place where you can come to fix your own car and bicycle while experiencing art and culture, workshops and social meetings. If you’re fed up with being clueless about your car or bike every time they break, then it’s time to join a social garage and acquire some skills. The mechanics in the garage moderne can accompany the reparation process  with explanations adapted to your level of mechanical ability. This incredible space is far more than just a garage. There’s a restaurant where you can eat lunch, an outdoor cafĂ© and a cultural space where weekly expos and concerts take place.

Address: 1 rue des Etrangers, 33000 BORDEAUX
Opening hours: The garage itself is open Monday to Friday (9:00 to 12:00 and 14:00 to 18:00, closed Tuesday morning), the restaurant is open from Tuesday to Saturday 11:00- 18:00
For more info check out the website of le garage moderne

Street art all over 

graffiti bacalan

As seen in many dynamic cities around the world, the street art scene has a tendency to bloom in emerging neighborhoods. It brings both new and established artists to portray their art on the walls of their neighborhood and in some cases it’s the city who invites these artists the use the urban space and get creative. This is exactly the case of Bacalan and the results are nothing but astounding. No matter where you go, you’ll cross by some of the most impressive paintings on building walls, warehouses, and different urban structures. Even if you don’t enter any of the places I mentioned in this list, Bacalan is worth a visit only for the art.

La Base sous marine – a German bunker turned into a museum

base sous marine

Built by the Germans during the second World War, this old submarine base has been converted into a space dedicated to contemporary arts, which allows you to enjoy the space itself no less than the art presented there. The fact that the expositions are usually of the digital, street and visual arts kind, allows the artist to leverage this unusual space to its full potential. There aren’t any permanent exhibitions in La Base Sous Marine so the place is open only when an exhibition is being presented. It is located on one of the most interesting parts of the Bacalan area  – the Bassins a flot, which are worth a visit even if the museum is closed. Finding the entrance can be quite tricky. So if you come from the” la citĂ© du vin“ tram station be sure to walk on rue Lucien Faure before turning right to Boulevard Alfred Daney. Also, if you come with kids, it’s important to know that strollers are not allowed in the structure as it’s dark and has a lot of stairs (you can leave the stroller at the entrance).

Open from Tuesday to Sunday 13:30 to 19:00 (only during exhibitions). Check out the facebook page of la Base Sous Marine for more details.
Address: Boulevard Alfred Daney, 33300 Bordeaux

Go to a concert on the I.boat

Iboat in Bordeaux

The Iboat, mostly known as a concert venue, is a three level ferry spanning 687m2, anchored to one of the docks of Bassins a flot. Since its opening in 2011 the I.boat has dedicated itself to promoting emerging artists, especially in the electronic music scene. Within 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 and a restaurant. One of the special features of the place is the Upper deck where they host events and exhibitions during the evenings and then transform it into a chill out area after midnight. 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.
The opening hours:
Concert from 7pm to 23pm | Club from 11.30pm to 6am  from Tuesday to Saturday
Restaurant: Lunch from Monday to Saturday from 12am to 2pm and Dinner from Tuesday to Saturday from 7pm to 23pm
Address: bassin a flot n°1 – Quai Armand Lalande

Have a lunch or a drink at one of the restaurants next to the basins 

standby coffee shop
Standby coffee shop

If you’re hungry or need a coffee break, I’ve got you covered. Although there are some bars and restaurants all over the Bacalan neighborhood, many of the cool places are concentrated on the southern side of the first basin (Bassin Ă  Flot n°1). On the long dock (which you can approach from rue Lucien Faure), you’ll find restaurants, coffee shops and plenty of bars on the dock, on the roof and on boats.
Some places worth mentioning are:
  • The Wallace Bar – the rooftop bar of the Radisson Blu hotel (Bassin Ă  flot n°1, Quai Armand Lalande).
  • CafĂ© Maritime – a very classical French restaurant with a beautiful decor (Bassin Ă  flot n°1, Quai Armand Lalande)
  • The standby cafe– on the main street – just in front of the Bassins – a cool place to grab a cup of coffee (80 rue Lucien Faure).
  • Loft 33 – a wine bar and a restaurant with live music – Hangar G4, 51 rue Lucien Faure.

Visit the Bordeaux Whiskey Distillery

Did you know that there’s a whiskey distillery in Bordeaux? While many activities and tours in Bordeaux revolve around wine, it’s actually the local whisky producer who is housed in one of the most special places in Bordeaux. The Moon Harbour Whiskey, opened in 2014, is 100% Bordelaise, from the grains that are growing in Saint Jean d’Illac to the barrels used to age the Whiskey that are coming from some of the most famous wine chateaux in the region (such as Sauternes). The barrel room is located inside a bunker built by the Germans during the Second World War as part of the constructions of the Submarine Base (mentioned above). Apart from  tasting the local whiskey and gin, the location of the barrel room is what makes the visit there so special. The tour (which is offered in French and English) is followed by explanations on malting and the production of whiskey as well as tastings of the three products of the distillery. The visit requires prior reservation by phone ( 05 56 29 86 60) or email (visit@moonharbour.fr). The price is 10€/pers for the visit and tasting.
Opening hours: Tuesday to Friday from 11:00 to 18:00 and Saturdays from 11:00 to 15:00 and from 16:30 to 18:00.
For more info check out the site of Moon Harbour.
Address: 492 Boulevard Adfred Daney, 33300 BORDEAUX

Find the UFO on the water

bassins a flot

Le “soucoupe volante”, a UFO shaped sculpture, the work of the artist Suzanne Triester, made quite a buzz in Bordeaux when it appeared in the middle of the basins last May. This piece of art was purchased by the Bordeaux Metropole as part of their vast investment in contemporary art in the city. Now all you have to do is take a walk on the docks of the basin to find it. As the area is quite packed with boats, buildings and a lot of construction machinery, the sculpture is not that easy to find. So to give you a little hint, try to look for it when you are searching for a bar/ restaurant on the docks :).

Hope you enjoyed the list and that it will help you to discover new places in this surprising city.
If you liked the post, share the love on facebook, pinterest or twitter.
If it’s your first time in Bordeaux and you want to get to know the other parts of this beautiful city – check out my general guide to Bordeaux.
Thanks for reading!!

Just like in the last two weeks, most events on this list are related to Christmas. As we get closer to December 25, more and more Christmas markets are popping up in and around Bordeaux. I covered some of them in my article about Christmas markets in Bordeaux. If you still haven’t finished (or started) you Christmas shopping, take a look on my post about where to shop for Christmas in Bordeaux. However, if you’re fed up with Christmas I have few other suggestions such as the Bordeaux wine tasting festival, the kids theater festival, a special effect exhibition and more. 

This is the list of things to do this weekend in Bordeaux (December 14-16):

Taste the best French wines

This month you have a chance to taste some of the best French wines in one place at an event called “Bordeaux Tasting”. During two days (December 15-16) more than a hundred wine houses from Bordeaux area and other regions in France like Bourgogne, RhĂ´ne, Alsace and Loire will be there to present their best wines. The tasting will take places in six different sites around Place de la Bourse:
– Palais de la Bourse : les grands bordeaux / les cognacs / les grands invités
– Le Gabriel : Pomerol Séduction
– La Bulle : les bordeaux / bordeaux supérieur
– Le Musée national des Douanes : les grands étrangers
– l’Espace Saint-Rémi : les champagnes
– la Maison Darnozan : l’espace des vins bio

Tickets are 23-27€ depending on the day. For more details click here.

When: December 15-16
Where: Place de la Bourse, Bordeaux

Drôle de Noël

For the 9th time the city of Talence invites you to their big Christmas celebrations taking place on December 14-30 in Park Peixotto. For two weekends in a row (December 14-16, December 21-23) a Christmas market will take place in the park and on December 24-30 (except December 25) the park will host plenty of activities for kids.  For more info click here.

When: December 14-30
Where: Parc Peixoto, 33400 Talence

Les lumières de la ville 2018

Les lumières de la ville is a great chance to discover how Bordeaux’s monuments look at night. It’s an hour and a half biking tour that will start at Place Pey-Berland and will finish at the Garage moderne for Christmas drinks. On the way you will get to see the most important monuments and all the beautifully decorated little streets of Bordeaux. The event will take place this Friday (December 14) at 19:00, it’s free and open to all. For more details click here

les lumiers de la ville
When: December 14, at 19:00
Where: Place Pey-Berland, 33000 Bordeaux

Christmas Concert

A special Christmas concert will take place this Friday (December 14) at the Notre Dame church in Bordeaux. The girls choir of Bordeaux will take the stage accompanied by soprano Romie Estèves and JĂ©rĂ©mie Genet on a cello. The event is free. For more details click here

When: December 14, at 20:30
Where: 1 Rue Mably, 33000 Bordeaux, 33000 Bordeaux

Take your kids to Cirque Pardi!

Cirque Pardi! is a modern circus whose shows combine a lot of dance and humor and are very entertaining for both kids and adults. This year they are coming back to Bordeaux for the second time with their show BorderLand, which gained a great success on their last visit here in 2015.  Cirque Pardi! will perform 15 shows from November 30 to December 22. The temporary circus will be located on Quai de queyries, just next to Darwin. For all the dates and tickets click here.

When: November 30- December 22
Where: 86 quai des Queyries, 33 100 BORDEAUX

Xmas Market – Darwin

This market is gradually gaining a status as one of the main Christmas markets in Bordeaux. Like Darwin itself,  the Xmas market is an alternative event with craftsmen and regional creators. The market will include stands of clothes, jewelry, accessories, art objects, books, sport accessories and bio products. To make it more entertaining many activities will take place during these three days, among theme workshops for kids, tasting of bio products, concerts and other surprises. The market will take place on December 14-16, for more info click here.

xmasmarket darwin
When: December 14-16
Where: 87 quai des Queyries, 33100 Bordeaux

Marché & Cuisine De Rue

This is the other market Darwin will host this weekend (December 15-16) to accompany the Christmas market. The “market and street cooking” event will hosts local producers of organic food that will allow you to taste and learn about eco-responsible cooking. The event will take place at the Caserne de NoĂ«l just in front of the Christmas market. For more info click here

When: December 15-16
Where: 87 quai des Queyries, 33100 Bordeaux

Le Marché de Noël des Halles

Les Halles de Bacalan are holding their Christmas market this week (December 14-16). Tens of creators will participate in the market, selling products like soaps, jewelry, accessories, kids clothes and more. The rich program of the event includes activities like kids room with creative workshops, pizza making, pony tours, Raclette de NoĂ«l  and more. For more details click here

When: December 14-16
Where: 10 esplanade de pontac, 33300 Bordeaux

Festival « Sur Un Petit Nuage » de Pessac

The city of Pessac invites you to a fantastic kids festival with plenty of live shows. This is the 17th edition of the festival and this time the program includes circus, dance, music concerts, theater and a puppet show as well as artistic workshops for kids. The festival Sur un Petit Nuage, will take place on December 16-22 in different locations in Pessac. See the full program here

When: December 16-22
Where: different places in Pessac (check out the program)

Christmas Swing Party

Arbre de NoĂ«l is a Christmas swing party with a live band that will take place this Sunday (December 16) at La Salle Des FĂŞtes Bordeaux Grand-Parc. To get into the Christmas spirit, there is a dress code (white and red colors) and even a secret Santa game. if you want to take part in the Santa game be sure to bring a little gift (maximum 5€). Entry is 10€, for more info click here

When: December 16 at 15:30
Where: 39 Cours de Luze, 33300 Bordeaux

Noël 2018 à Bergerac

If you want to travel a bit this weekend, visit the Bergerac Christmas market. Bergerac is one of the best markets in the south-west region with tens of stands, beautiful decorations and activities. The market takes place at place Louis de la Bardonnie on December 8-24. For more details check out the website of the market. 

When: December 8-24
Where: place Louis de la Bardonnie, 24100 Bergerac

Marché de Noël de Bordeaux

The traditional Christmas market of Bordeaux will open its gates between November 30 and December 30. This is one of the biggest Christmas markets in the region with 150 pavilions selling all the traditional Christmas merchandise such as clothes, decorations, jewelry, toys and local products. Even if you don’t intend to buy any gifts at the market you can still enjoy the Christmas spirit with some hot wine and roasted chestnuts.  For more info click here.

When: November 30 – December 30 from 10:30 to 21:30
Where: Allées de Tourny, 33000 Bordeaux

Le MarchĂ© de NoĂ«l Solidaire 

The Solidarity Christmas market is part of the Social Economy and Solidarity month. This is a unique market, organized by the city hall and the local social development fund aiming to support young local creators who founded their company thanks to microcredits. The market will take place at Place Pey Berland on December 7-24. See more details here.

When: Until December 23
Where: Place Pey Berland

Arcachon Christmas market

The official Christmas market of Arcachon will start this weekend (December 15) and will continue until January 6. Besides the traditional market this one includes an open ice skating rink on place Thiers. For more info click here.

When: December 15- January 6
Where: center of Arcachon

L’Arche de Noël – creators market

L’Arche de NoĂ«l is a creators market taking place in the Chartrons neighborhood every weekend until Christmas (December 22-23 is the last event). Each weekend a group of local talented craftsmen and artists will present their original creations. See more details here.

When: Until December 23
Where: 23 Rue Minvielle, 33000 Bordeaux

Interactive special effects exhibition

Do you ever wonder how the special effects you see in movies are made? A new exhibition for kids (older than 6 yo) by the name of “Effets speciaux” is taking place these days in Cap Science. It’s an interactive exhibition that allows you to see the behind the scenes of the cinema world and experiment with different special effects like the green screen. Entry prices range from 6.5€ to 9€ and free for kids under 5 years old. For more info click here.

When: until August 26
Where: Hangar 20 quai Bacalan, 33000 BORDEAUX

I hope this weekend will be more cheerful than the last one! And if you’re afraid to go to the city center I hope I gave you enough ideas for events outside the center of Bordeaux. 

If you want more tips on things to do and places to visit, be sure to subscribe here to my newsletter. 

Have a great weekend!

Just like in the last two weeks, most events on this list are related to Christmas. As we get closer to December 25, more and more Christmas markets are popping out in and around Bordeaux. I covered some of them in my article about Christmas market in Bordeaux. If you are still haven’t finished (or started) you Christmas shopping, take a look on my post about where to shop for Christmas in Bordeaux. However if you’re fed up with Christmas  I have few other suggestions such as Bordeaux wine tasting festival, kids theater festival, a special effect exhibition and more. 

This is the list of things to do this weekend in Bordeaux (December 14-16):

Taste the best French wines

This month you have the chance to taste all the best French wines in one place at an event called “Bordeaux Tasting”. During two days (December 15-16) more than a hundred wine houses from Bordeaux area and other regions in France like Bourgogne, RhĂ´ne, Alsace and Loire will be there to present their best wines. The tasting will take places in six different sites around Place de la Bourse:
– Palais de la Bourse : les grands bordeaux / les cognacs / les grands invités
– Le Gabriel : Pomerol Séduction
– La Bulle : les bordeaux / bordeaux supérieur
– Le Musée national des Douanes : les grands étrangers
– l’Espace Saint-Rémi : les champagnes
– la Maison Darnozan : l’espace des vins bio

Tickets are 23-27€ depending on the day. For more details click here.

When: December 15-16
Where: Place de la Bourse, Bordeaux

Drôle de Noël

For the 9th time the city of Talence invites you to their big Christmas celebration taking place on December 14-30 in Park Peixotto. For two weekends in a row (December 14-16, December 21-23) a Christmas market will take place in the park and on December 24-30 (except December 25) the park will host plenty of activities for kids.  For more info click here.

When: December 14-30
Where: Peixoto, 33400 Talence

Les lumières de la ville 2018

Les lumières de la ville is a great chance to discover how Bordeaux’s monuments look at night. It’s an hour and a half biking tour that will start at Place Pey-Berland and will finish at the Garage moderne for Christmas drinks. On the way you will get to see the most important monuments and all the beautifully decorated little streets of Bordeaux. The event will take place this Friday (December 14) at 19:00, it’s free and open to all. For more details click here

les lumiers de la ville
When: December 14, at 19:00
Where: Place Pey-Berland, 33000 Bordeaux

Christmas Concert

A special Christmas concert will take place this Friday (December 14) at the Notre Dame church in Bordeaux. The girls choir of Bordeaux will take the stage accompanied by soprano Romie Estèves and JĂ©rĂ©mie Genet on a cello. The event is free. For more details click here

When: December 14, at 20:30
Where: 1 Rue Mably, 33000 Bordeaux, 33000 Bordeaux

Take your kids to Cirque Pardi!

Cirque Pardi! is a modern circus whose shows combine a lot of dance and humor and are very entertaining for both kids and adults. This year they are coming back to Bordeaux for the second time with their show BorderLand, which gained a great success on their last visit here in 2015.  Cirque Pardi! will perform 15 shows from November 30 to December 22. The temporary circus will be located on Quai de queyries, just next to Darwin. For all the dates and tickets click here.

When: November 30- December 22
Where: 86 quai des Queyries, 33 100 BORDEAUX

Xmas Market – Darwin

This market is gradually gaining a status as one of the main Christmas markets in Bordeaux. Like Darwin itself,  the Xmas market is an alternative event with craftsmen and regional creators. The market will include stands of clothes, jewelry, accessories, art objects, books, sport accessories and bio products. To make it more entertaining many activities will take place during these three days, among theme workshops for kids, tasting of bio products, concerts and other surprises. The market will take place on December 14-16, for more info click here.

xmasmarket darwin
When: December 14-16
Where: 87 quai des Queyries, 33100 Bordeaux

Marché & Cuisine De Rue

This is the other market Darwin will host this weekend (December 15-16) to accompany the Christmas market. The “market and street cooking” event will hosts local producers of organic food that will allow you to taste and learn about eco-responsible cooking. The event will take place at the Caserne de NoĂ«l just in front of the Christmas market. For more info click here

When: December 15-16
Where: 87 quai des Queyries, 33100 Bordeaux

Le Marché de Noël des Halles

Les Halles de Bacalan are holding their Christmas market this week (December 14-16). Tens of creators will participate in the market, selling products like soaps, jewelry, accessories, kids clothes and more. The rich program of the event includes activities like kids room with creative workshops, pizza making, pony tours, Raclette de NoĂ«l  and more. For more details click here

When: December 14-16
Where: 10 esplanade de pontac, 33300 Bordeaux

Festival « Sur Un Petit Nuage » de Pessac

The city of Pessac invites you to a fantastic kids festival with plenty of live shows. This is the 17th edition of the festival and this time the program includes circus, dance, music concerts, theater and a puppet show as well as artistic workshops for kids. The festival Sur un Petit Nuage, will take place on December 16-22 in different locations in Pessac. See the full program here

When: December 16-22
Where: different places in Pessac (check out the program)

Christmas Swing Party

Arbre de NoĂ«l is a Christmas swing party with a live band that will take place this Sunday (December 16) at La Salle Des FĂŞtes Bordeaux Grand-Parc. To make get into the Christmas spirit, there is a dress code (white and red colors) and even a secret Santa game. if you want to take part in the Santa game be sure to bring a little gift (maximum 5€). Entry is 10€, for more info click here

When: December 16 at 15:30
Where: 39 Cours de Luze, 33300 Bordeaux

Noël 2018 à Bergerac

If you want to travel a bit this weekend, visit the Bergerac Christmas market. Bergerac is one of the best markets in the south-west region with tens of stands, beautiful decorations and activities. The market takes place at place Louis de la Bardonnie on December 8-24. For more details check out the website of the market. 

When: December 8-24
Where: place Louis de la Bardonnie, 24100 Bergerac

Marché de Noël de Bordeaux

The traditional Christmas market of Bordeaux will open its gates between November 30 and December 30. This is one of the biggest Christmas markets in the region with 150 pavilions selling all the traditional Christmas merchandise such as clothes, decorations, jewelry, toys and local products. Even if you don’t intend to buy any gifts at the market you can still enjoy the Christmas spirit with some hot wine and roasted chestnuts.  For more info click here.

When: November 30 – December 30 from 10:30 to 21:30
Where: Allées de Tourny, 33000 Bordeaux

Le MarchĂ© de NoĂ«l Solidaire 

The Solidarity Christmas market is part of the Social Economy and Solidarity month. This is a unique market, organized by the city hall and the local social development fund aiming to support young local creators who founded their company thanks to microcredits. The market will take place at Place Pey Berland on December 7-24. See more details here.

When: Until December 23
Where: Place Pey Berland

Arcachon Christmas markets

The official Christmas market of Arcachon will start this weekend (December 15) and will continue until January 6. Besides the traditional market this one includes an open ice skating rink on place Thiers. For more info click here.

When: December 15- January 6
Where: center of Arcachon

L’Arche de Noël – creators market

L’Arche de NoĂ«l is a creators market taking place in the Chartrons neighborhood every weekend until Christmas (December 22-23 is the last event). Each weekend a group of local talented craftsmen and artists will present their original creations. See more details here.

When: Until December 23
Where: 23 Rue Minvielle, 33000 Bordeaux

Interactive special effects exhibition

Do you ever wonder how the special effects you see in movies are made? A new exhibition for kids (older than 6 yo) by the name of “Effets speciaux” is taking place these days in Cap Science. It’s an interactive exhibition that allows you to see the behind the scenes of the cinema world and experiment with different especial effects like the green screen. Entry range from 6.5€ to  9€ and free for kids under 5 years old. For more info click here.

When: until August 26
Where: Hangar 20 quai Bacalan, 33000 BORDEAUX

I hope this weekend will be more cheerful than the last one! And if you’re afraid to go to city center I hope I gave you enough ideas for events outside the center of Bordeaux. 

If you want more tips on things to do and places to visit, be sure to subscribe here to my newsletter. 

Have a great weekend!

November is all about the good life with gourmet and life style events like the S.O. Good and the Salon Vivons.
Art lovers won’t be bored this month, plenty of new street art and an art salon are on the list. If you’re hunting for furniture or home decoration, this is a great month with both the vintage salon and the big brocante of Bordeaux. In this list I included only the biggest events taking place in November, for more events coming up on weekends, check out my weekend lists, which I publish regularly on the site. There are plenty of things to do this month in and around Bordeaux, so let’s get started!

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 Vintage 

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: 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, decoration,  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 work of arts. 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

Salon Ob’Art

Le salon Ob’Art (Objets de créateur) is a creators fair with a rich pedagogic program of activities, workshops and demonstrations. The aim of the event is to create a dialog between artists, craftsmen and the wide public in order to transfer their know-how and to make the young generation discover a variety of professional vocations. The event will be dedicated to the philosophy and craftsmanship of the Japaneses culture. Le Salon Ob’Art will take place in Hangar 14 (Quai des Chartrons) on November 9-11. Entry is free for kids under 18 years old and 6€ for adults (free on the first day). For more info check out the website of the event.

When: November 9-11
Where: 173 Quai des Chartrons, 33300 Bordeaux

Piano Festival

This is the 9th edition of the Festival L’esprit du Piano that will take place at the Auditorium of the Opera of Bordeaux on November  9-26. This magnificent festival hosts some important pianists like Chick Corea, Yefim Bronfman, Deszo Ranki and Bertrand Chamayou and others, some of whom will collaborate with the National Orchestra of Bordeaux and the choir of the Opera of Bordeaux. One of the biggest names to take the stage of the Auditorium is the Jazz legend, Abdullah Ibrahim. See the program of the festival here and info about the tickets here.

When: November 9-26
Where: Grand Théâtre, Place de la Comédie – 33 000 Bordeaux

Halles de Bacalan – 1 year anniversary 

Halles de Bacalan invites you to celebrate their first anniversary with a super gourmand event on the weekend of November 9-11. This fun market is one of the best places for drinks with friends, especially on rainy weekends, so this event is guaranteed to be good. For more info check out the facebook page of the event.

When: November 9-11
Where: 10 esplanade de pontac, 33300 Bordeaux,

Jazz Festival in Caudéran

The second edition of the Jazz festival of Caudéran will take place on November 8-10. Three days with 6 concerts: Robin & the Woods, IepXtet- création musicale de Sébastien Iep Arruti, Lorenzo Naccarato trio, Itamar Borochov quartet, Saxtape  and Nicolas Folmer Horny Tonky experience. For more info about prices and the full program click here.

When: November 8-11
Where:  La Pergola Theater, Rue Fernand Cazères, 33200 Bordeaux

Centenaire de l’armistice de la 1ère Guerre Mondiale – Exhibition

This year is the centenary of the armistice of the First World War and as part of the commemoration the city will present an exhibition of different objects, posters and archives related to the war. The exhibition will be presented at the Town Hall in Floriac between November 6 and November 17 and in Espace Lucie Aubrac on November 11. For more info click here.

When: November 6-17
Where:  6 avenue Pasteur BP 110, 33270 Floirac

Cirque du Soleil 

The magnificent Cirque du Soleil are coming to Bordeaux with the show, Ovo, a tale about insects with original music and beautiful new costumes. The Cirque will give six shows on November 14-18 at the Arkea Arena in Floriac. For tickets click here and for more info about the show here.

When: November 14-18
Where:  Arkéa Arena, 48-50 Avenue Jean Alfonséa, 33270 Floirac.

S.O. Good Festival

This is one of the biggest events  to take place during the fall in Bordeaux. The S.O Good is a gastronomic happening that aims to highlight the talent found in the Nouvelle Aqutaine gastronomic scene and to celebrate local products. The event will take place at Hangar 14 (Quai des Chartrons) on November 16-18. The program of the festival includes more than 100 local producers hosted by the Hangar, many chef workshops in the city center, a night feast on Saturday and a farmers’ brunch on Sunday. This festival is not only about France, the opening event in Palais de la Bourse will be dedicated to Italian cuisine. This is one of the most important culinary events in the region and many Michelin stars chefs are taking part in it. The price of the festival pass is 12€ and 10€ on pre-sale. For tickets and the full program click here.

When: November 16-18
Where: 173 Quai des Chartrons, 33300 Bordeaux, France

Lettres du monde

The literature festival, Lettres du monde, will take place on November 16-25 with lectures and debates in different venues across Bordeaux Metropole. Events will take place in libraries, schools, book stores, cinemas  and others.
You can enjoy this festival even if you don’t speak French as most of the writers participating in the lectures are coming from all over the world, from Yemen to Syria, Spain and Haiti. For the full program click
here and for more details here.

Mollat book store Bordeaux

When: November 16-25
Where: Different places in Bordeaux – check the program

KalĂ©idoscope – Street art exhibition

One of my favorite art venues in Bordeaux, l’Institut Culturel Bernard Magrez, is about to open a new art exhibition this month. The KalĂ©idoscope exhibition is all about feminine art, hosting nine female street artists to present their works in a genre that is usually considered more masculine. The opening of the expo will take place on November 13 at 18:30. The exhibition will be presented until February 17. For more info click here and here

When: November 12- February 17
Where: 16 rue de Tivoli, 33000 Bordeaux

Bassin Geek Festival

If you enjoyed the Bordeaux Geek Festival a few months ago, it’s time for the winter edition with the Bassin Geek Festival. The program includes all the things the geek community loves:  comics, sci-fi, web culture, video games, parallel worlds, creative industries and more. The festival will take place at the Parc des Expositions de La Teste De Buch on November 17-18. Check out the full program and all the details here  and ticket prices here.

When: November 17-18
Where: 940 Avenue de l’Europe. 33260 La Teste-de-Buch

International History films festival

The theme of the 29th edition of the Festival international du film d’histoire of Pessac is “1918-1939 La drĂ´le de paix” (the funny peace) and it will take place on November 19-26. The rich program of the festival includes debates and lectures with several historians as guests and screenings of more than a 100 movies, from classics to works of heritage, rare or unpublished films, previews, fiction and documentaries. For more info and the full program click here and for ticket prices click here.

When: November 19-26
Where: several venues in Pessac center – check out the end of the program

Festival Zéro Déchets Zéro Gaspi (ZZ)

Festival ZZ is a an event that aims to make you reflect on the changes you can make in your life to reduce your waste to the minimum level. Although the topic is serious, the event has a very fun and festive atmosphere: workshops, games, concerts, exhibitions, a fashion show, drones demonstrations, cooking competitions and more. This event is both fun and important for kids and adults. Festival ZZ will take place at at Hangar 14 (Quai des Chartrons) on November 23-24.

When: November 23-24
Where: 173 Quai des Chartrons, 33300 Bordeaux, France

les Journées Gourmandes Loupiac & Foie Gras

In the last twenty years Loupiac has been hosting the Loupiac & Foie Gras  event that allows people to get familiar with the sweet wines of Loupaic and meet the farmers of the department and taste their gourmet production. On the 21st edition of the festival, that will take place on November 24-25, 18 chateaux will open their door to the public and will offer plenty of activities such as workshops, guided tours, tastings, exhibitions and more. On Saturday evening a big gourmet cocktail event will be hosted by two chefs, Christophe Girardot (a Michelin star chef) and Solenn Lemonnier,
for reservations contact: 0556626271/ infos@vins-loupiac.com . For more details about the festival click here and here.

When: November 24-25
Where: Different chateaux in Loupiac-De-Cadillac

Brocante des Quinconces

The big brocante of Bordeaux is hosted twice a year at place des Quinconces with 200 antique dealers, horticulturists, restaurants and craftsmen. This fall edition of the brocante will take place from November 23 to December 9. Although it’s quite upscale, you can find some fine antiques and vintage pieces at a bargain price. For more info and the list of exhibitors check out the website of the event.

When: November 23- December 9
Where: Place des Quinconces

Les Contes d’Hoffmann Ballet

The Ballet and Orchestra of the National Opera of Russia will arrive to Bordeaux on November 29 to perform the magnificent ballet of The Tales of Hoffmann. The 3 act ballet will take place at the Arkéa Arena in Floriac. For tickets and more details click here.

When: November 29, at 18:30
Where:  Arkéa Arena, 48-50 Avenue Jean Alfonséa, 33270 Floirac.

Jazz weekends at the Caillou

This is the last month of the Fall program at the Caillou Jazz bar in Jardin Botanique and they have already published a great list of musicians taking the stage in November. The program is varied and includes many genres like swing, rock, folk, jazz, Latin and more. See the full program here. For more details click here.

When: from Tuesday to Sunday – until November 30
Where: Le Caillou du Jardin Botanique, Esplanade Linné, 33000 BORDEAUX

 

Hope you enjoyed the list! Now don’t be shy, share it with your friends!

Do you have other events to add to the list? Please share them in the comments so all of us can enjoy 🙂

If it’s your first time in Bordeaux and you want to discover it properly, check out my ultimate guide to your first visit in Bordeaux.

Have a great month 🙂

Get your cameras ready as this weekend the quais of Bordeaux are going to be fun and creepy with the zombie walk of Bordeaux. This is definitely not the only event to mark the Halloween season: Halloween in a beautiful chateau, a mask workshop in Darwin and a zombie after party are only part of the events celebrating this great holiday. If you want to know what’s happening in Bordeaux on October 31, check out my post – “Where to celebrate Halloween in Bordeaux“. Apart from that we have a wine feast and a brocante in Chartrons, a night market in Bacalan, a flamenco show, a concert in the Saint Michel Basilica and plenty of exhibitions.  Also, if you still have no idea what to do with your kids next week, check out my post on 10 great things to do with kids on school break.

This is the list of things to do this weekend in Bordeaux (October 26-28):

Zombie walk de Bordeaux

The Zombie Walk of Bordeaux is probably one of the best ways to get into the Halloween spirit. The walk will take place on October 27 and will have the theme of  “White walkers” , which is a nice surprise for Game of Thrones fans (however all zombie costumes are welcome). The event will start at 12:00 at l’Espace du MarchĂ© des Quais (The walk will leave from the skate park on the quai). The event is free but requires registration on the facebook page of the event or by emailing zombiewalk.bordeaux@gmail.com.

When: October 27, at 12:00
Where: Espace du Marché des Quais, Bordeaux

Zombie party

The walking zombies will need a party to celebrate this creepy get together! The Open Air electronic Zombie party will take place the same day (October 27) starting 18:00 in the Bacalan district. The entrance to the party is free to disguised zombies and 2 euros for the rest. For more info click here.

When: October 27, at 18:00
Where: 30 rue Francis Garnier, 33300 Bordeaux

FĂŞte du Vin nouveau & de la brocante

This weekend (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

Foire aux Plaisirs

This is the fall edition of the traditional Bordelaise 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: 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. See more info about the fair here.

When: October 12 – November 4
Where:Place des Quinconces , 33000 Bordeaux

Noche Del Pintxo

Noche del Pintxo is a fun event taking place in Halles de Bacalan every last Friday of the month. As the name indicates, this event is all about Pintxos, with ingredients coming solely from the market. This Friday (October 26) between 18:30 and 22:30 you’ll taste Pintxos and vote on the Pintxo of the month. One of the most fun things about these evenings are the prices: Pintxo = 2€, glass of wine = 2€.  For more info check out the website of the market or the facebook page of the event.

When: October 26, starting  18:30- 22:30
Where: 10 Esplanade de Pontac, 33300 Bordeaux,

Start celebrating Halloween 

We are warming up towards Halloween with some events and activities taking place this weekend, just a few days before the official celebrations next week. Check out my post about ” Where to celebrate Halloween in Bordeaux” to see what else is on next week.

Château de Vayres

Chateau de Vayres invites you to their 8th edition of their Halloween weekend on October 27-28 with all the Halloween classics: witches, phantoms and werewolves. The two days event will be accompanied by exceptional Halloween decorations and plenty of activities and will finish with a fireworks show. The event is free for kids under 4 yo, 10 €  for kids between 5 and 12 years old and 12,50 €  for those older than 12. For more details click here.

chateau de vayres halloween

When: October 27 from 14:00 to 20:00 and October 28 from 13:00 to 19:30.
Where: 63 Avenue de Libourne, 33870 Vayres

Halloween in Arcachon

The city of Arcachon invites you this Saturday to celebrate Halloween with a great variety of activities. Les Maisons de Quartier will host a special make up activity, the market hosts a free decoration workshop, in the city center kids can play trick or treat and the Mauresque park will host everybody for fun games and activities. For more details click here.

When: October 27
Where: The center of Arcachon

Make your own mask in Darwin

If your kids still don’t have their Halloween costumes they can learn how to make their own in Darwin. A very fun and creative workshop will take place in Darwin on October 28, where your kids could learn how to make their own masks using a serigraph printing technique. The activity is adapted to kids over 5 years old. The price of the workshop is 15€. For more info click here.

When: October 28 from 11:00
Where: 87 quai des Queyries, 33100 Bordeaux

Halloween in Ferme Exotique

la Ferme Exotique in Cadaujac invites you to celebrate Halloween with the animals of the farm during the two weeks of school break from October 20 to November 4. In the program: games, a pumpkin competition, Halloween make up and a phantom train. For more info click here.

When: October 20- November 31
Where: Domaine de la Roussie, 1932 Chemin du Port de l’Esquillot, 33140 Cadaujac

 

Discover the Area

Visit the Bourgailh park in Pessac 

Before it gets too cold and rainy it’s time to discover the beautiful spots of nature in the Bordeaux area. This weekend I encourage you to discover one of the most beautiful and surprising parks around Bordeaux, the Foret du Bourgailh in Pessac. This is not merely a nice park for a walk it’s a universe of plants, animals and beautiful design. The area of the Foret du Bourgailh includes a 2.6 km walking trail, the largest tropical greenhouse in the region,  sports facilities, a skate park, an amphitheater, a zoo and one of the most beautiful playgrounds you have ever seen, which for me is the highlight of this park.

Foret du Bourgailh in Pessac

A visit to a Saffron Farm

La safranière du Cabanon in Béguey (close to Cadillac) is a farm producing all the saffron of the Sud Gironde area. This Saturday (October 27) you get to visit the place, accompanied by Chantal et Thierry  who run the farm. Besides a guided visit of the Safranière,  you can also taste all the products produced at the place. For more details and tickets click here.

When: October 27,
Where: Chemin profond, 33410 BEGUEY

ART & CULTURE

NRITYA – Flamenco show

The Caramelita Flamenco Company is finishing their second creative residency session at the Cuvier in Artigues-pres-Bordeaux and will be presenting part of their new production, “NRITYA”, on Friday, October 26 at 20h30.
NRITYA (“emotion and storytelling created by movement” in Hindi) is a very personal project for flamenco dancer Deborah “La Caramelita”. It is the story of a first generation Canadian exploring her Indian background through flamenco dance. Unlike her first show, “Penas y AlegrĂ­as“, anchored in the traditional flamenco style, this new creation is strongly tinged with her cultural heritage. Through her dance and supported by the musicians who accompany her, she offers an initiatory journey and a search for parallels between her Indian roots and flamenco. There will be a Q&A session with the  audience after the show. The price is 6€. For more info click here.
When: October 26,at 20:30
Where: Le Cuvier – Avenue de l’ĂŽle de France, 33370 Artigues-près-Bordeaux

New exhibition at the Base Sous Marine- 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

First exhibition at the Musee de la Mer et de la Marine

The first exhibition of La Musee de la Mer et de la Marine has been finally presented this month. Although the museum itself is not due to open soon, it has decided to open an exposition room where a new photography expo will be presented between October 1st and April 30, 2019. The “Sous les mers, au-delà de l’image” exhibition consists of more than 100 photographs by Paul Nicklen and David Doubilet, two National Géographic  photographers. Check more info on the site of the museum.

When: October 1 – April 30, 2019
Where:89 rue des étrangers, 33300 BORDEAUX

Street art exhibition in the Vibrations Urbaines Festival 

Vibrations Urbaines is an annual urban festival organized by the city of Pessac, which includes exhibitions, a hip hop battle, urban sports, skating and more. As part of the festival, a street art exhibition is presented at the Médiathèque Jacques Ellul in Pessac (until November 4). The 15 works of art were selected in a national urban art competition. You can be a part of the competition and vote for the best artist. The exhibition is open from Tuesday to Friday  (between 13:30 to 18:30) and Saturday (10:00 to 18:00). For more info click here.

When: October 17- November 4
Where:Avenue du Colonel Robert Jacqui, 33600 Pessac

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: Hangar 20, Quai de Bacalan, 33300 Bordeaux

Eclair Circus celebrates its 30 anniversary

To celebrates its 30th anniversary Le Cirque Eclair invites you to a cool party full of concerts and fun! The party will take place this Saturday (October 27)  and the lineup will include CIE MOHEIN (Eastern European music), Le Roi Rogomme (Punk). For more info click here.

When: October 27, starting  19:30
Where:65 Quai de Brazza, 33100 Bordeaux, 33100 Bordeaux

An organ and accordion concert in Basilique Saint Michel 

Christophe d’Alessandro (Organ) and Olivier Innocenti (Accordion) will perform at the Basilique Saint Michel this Sunday (October 28) at 17:00. Ticket price is 15€ and free for kids under 12 years old. For more info click here.

When: October 28, at 17:00
Where: Basilique Saint Michel, 33000 Bordeaux

 

If you are new in Bordeaux and want to discover all the “must” places to visit check out my ultimate guide to a weekend visit in Bordeaux.

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Have a great weekend!