In Around Bordeaux

The best music festivals in Bordeaux

Last updated on October 12, 2020 2 Comments

When you think about festivals in Bordeaux, the first thing that comes to mind is wine and gastronomy. But let’s not forget that Bordeaux is the capital of the Southwest of France and one of France’s cultural hubs. So it’s not a surprise that there are quite a few big music festivals in Bordeaux. In this post, I gathered the biggest music festivals in Bordeaux and a few other attractive locations in Gironde. The list is very varied and I deliberately included many music genres like Jazz, Rock, electronic music and even Reggae. I added the dates of the festivals in 2020 (if published). For more information about the time and place follow my monthly and weekly lists, or subscribe to my newsletter.

Music Festivals in Bordeaux Metropole

Bordeaux Rock Festival

The Bordeaux rock festival takes place every January in the best music venues around the city, among them places like the Iboat, Quartier libre, L’avant scène, Void, La Tencha, La Voute, L’imperio, L’Antidote, and Salle des fêtes du grand parc. This festival was founded in 2004 by Bordeaux Rock, an association created to promote emerging music through cultural events. This festival is considered the main rock festival of Bordeaux, with tens of local and international acts performing here every year. In 2020 the festival will take place on January 22-26.

Bordeaux Open Air

The Bordeaux Open Air festival is a series of music events taking place in different locations during the summer. These are all electronic music concerts, hosting djs from all over the world. They have a very young urban vibe to them and they are completely free! Some of the events are taking place in Jardin Public, right in the center of Bordeaux and in other parks around Bordeaux metropole. With this festival your summer Sundays are covered. The dates of the Bordeaux Open Air event are published closer to the end of the spring and will be updated here.

Bordeaux relache festival

Another “all summer” festival is the Relache Festival. This one was created by the Allez les filles association in 2015 with the goal of providing free quality concerts to everyone. The festival lasts around three months (from June to August), with one or two concerts taking place on one of the squares of Bordeaux during each weekend. The program usually includes concerts of both local and international bands in many genres of music. The dates of the concerts will be updated here as summer approaches.

Fête de la musique

La Fête de la Musique is a French national day, dedicated to the celebration of music, with free concerts and street parties happening on the same day (June 21) all over France. This is an extraordinary day where you have the chance to walk around the city and enjoy an endless amount of small and big concerts from many genres of music. Like every other city in France, Bordeaux too celebrates La Fête de la musique with its own street concerts and activities.

Climax Festival

Climax Festival is an annual electronic festival taking place in Darwin, one of the coolest places in Bordeaux. Besides the electronic live concerts, the festival includes many conferences, debates and cultural events related to climate change and other environmental issues. The festival takes place every year at the beginning of September. For more info about the festival click here.

Piano Festival

Here’s a festival that’s slightly different from other events on this list – the Piano festival of Bordeaux. Festival L’esprit du Piano takes place every year in the Auditorium of Bordeaux, usually mid November – beginning of December. Every year this festival hosts worldwide known pianists like Abdullah Ibrahim, Chick Corea, Yefim Bronfman and more. Read more about the festival here.

Music festivals close to Bordeaux (the Southwest of France)

Millesime festival

This is a great event for all electronic music lovers who want to enjoy the unique atmosphere of an electronic music festival and still stay in the region of Bordeaux. Festival Millesime takes place in the early summer days in a beautiful town, La Réole, located about 40 minutes drive from Bordeaux. The festival hosts more than 30 electronic artists on three stages that are located on the banks of the Garonne river. Live electronic music with a beautiful view, sounds like a perfect summer festival to me.

This year (2020) the festival will take place on May 29-30– click here for more details.

Jazz Festival in Saint Emilion

Saint Emilion with its romantic scenery is the perfect place to host this elegant event. The Saint Emilion Jazz festival was founded in 2012 and since then has been taking place every year in June / July. It has become one of the most popular music events in the South West of France, attracting around 10k visitors every year. During the three days of the festival Saint Emilion offers a great mix of jazz concerts, wine tasting and tasty food. In the festival area you will find a wine bar with the wines of Saint Emilion and a gourmand market with local products and food trucks. In 2020 the festival is taking place on June 26-27.

Festival Garorock

One of the biggest music festivals in our region is about to take place in June in Marmande (about an hour drive from Bordeaux). Garorock is an international festival with 5 big stages that usually hosts more than 50 French and international artists. In 2020 the festival is going to take place on June 25-28. For more info and tickets click here.

Arcachon en Scene

Arcachon en Scene is a popular music festival that brings big French and international acts to perform in this beautiful beach resort town. The festival usually takes place at the end of July/ beginning of August.

Les Estivales de Musique

Les Estivales de Musique en Medoc is the only music festival in France dedicated exclusively to young laureates of international competitions. The festival was created in 2003 to discover new talents in classical music. The concerts are hosted in some of the most prestigious châteaux in the Medoc area and are followed by wine tastings. The dates of 2020 will be updated closer to the event. See more info about the festival here.

Festival Musicalarue

One of the biggest music festivals in the Bordeaux area actually takes place in a small village in the Landes department, named Luxey. The Musicalarue music festival usually takes place in mid August in the forest, just next to the village. The lineup includes a very long list of artists and bands, which in previous years included some big names such as Shaka Ponk, Gaël Faure and Matmatah, Patti Smith, Orelsan and more. In 2020 the festival will take place on July 31- August 2 – click here for more info.

Reggae Sun Ska music festival

Sun Ska is a huge Reggae festival taking place every August in Vertheuil, between the vineyards of the Medoc area. The lineup includes tens of artists with some big names like Ziggy Marley and the French Dub Inc. The festival was created in 1998 and besides music, it has a strong environmental agenda. During the days of the festival, many activities are taking place to raise environmental awareness among the participants.

In 2020 the festival is taking place on August 7-9 – for more details click here.

In this list, I included only the main music events taking place in and around Bordeaux. These, however, represent only a fraction of the cultural life in the region. There are tens of music, gastronomic and other cultural events taking place during the year. If you want to be up to date on all other events taking place in Bordeaux you can read my monthly lists or follow the Lost in Bordeaux Facebook page where I regularly post about activities in the region. If you want to know more about events taking place in other parts of the Southwest of France join the Travel in Southwest of France Facebook group.

In Bordeaux Monthly

What to do in Bordeaux in June

Last updated on June 16, 2023 2 Comments

I was really hoping to release my “What to do in June in Bordeaux” list earlier this year, but there were so many events I had to include here that it took forever to finish! So I apologize to those who have been waiting for it 🙂

So what’s happening in June in Bordeaux this year? We have plenty of music festivals, wine events, a medieval festival, and Bordeaux’s famous wine festival. It’s hard for me to recommend which one of these events to attend as all of them are great, but I invite you to follow me on Instagram where I always share stories from the events I go to.

If it’s your first time here don’t forget to check my article about the 50 best things to do in Bordeaux as well as my Bordeaux district guide (especially helpful for those looking for accommodation in Bordeaux). Also, don’t miss my post about the best rooftops and terrace bars in Bordeaux.

Let’s start the list of the best events taking place in Bordeaux in June 2023!

Note: You can get a discount on all the exhibitions mentioned in this article if you purchase the Bordeaux city pass.

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

Fête de la Morue

For more than two centuries, Bègles has been an important center of Morue (codfish) in France. Since 1996, this suburb of Bordeaux celebrates the Morue every year with la Fête de la Morue, a famous culinary and culture festival that gives a stage to young artists. This year the festival will take place on June 2-4, and as always it comes with a rich program of concerts, cooking workshops, exhibitions, tastings, conferences, and more. For more details follow the Facebook page of the event or check out the program.

When: June 2-4 / Where: Different locations in Bègles (see program).

Soulac 1900

The Soulac 1900 jazz festival is taking place this year on June 2-4 in the charming town of Soulac sur Mer located in the north part of the Medoc area. The idea of the festival is to get you into the vibe, art, and culture of the 1900s. All the events and concerts will take place on the streets of the town and the access is free. For more details click here.

Read more about what to do in Soulac and other towns nearby in my article about Medoc.

When: June 2-4 / Where: Soulac sur Mer

Festival Echappée Belle in Blanquefort

The Echappée Belle festival is a great entertaining event for the whole family merging theater, dance, circus, and other art forms. The festival will take place from June 1-4 at Parc de Fongravey. See the entire program here.

When: June 1-4 / Where: Parc de Fongravey in Blanquefort (see the program)

Rendez-vous aux Jardins

Nature lovers will love this weekend! On June 2-4, more than 200 parks and gardens (some are private) in Nouvelle Aquitaine are going to be open to the public. The events include guided visits, exhibitions, gardening workshops for kids, and more. For the full list of parks and gardens click here.

When: June 2-4 / Where: choose a park from the list above

Read my article to discover the most beautiful public parks in Bordeaux.

Festiv’Asques

Festiv’Asques is a rock festival on June 2-3 in Asques, a small village in Gironde, located on the Dordogne River. For the full program and tickets click here.

When: June 2-3 / Where: 340 Rue de l’École, 33240 Asques

Dance at la guinguette chez Alriq

La Guinguette chez Alriq is a tavern in the Bastide neighborhood, on the rive droite of the Garonne. Especially loved by the local public, chez Alriq is a fun place to enjoy a summer evening in Bordeaux while listening to live music. The Guinguette is open from Thursday to Sunday. See the full program for this month here.

When: all summer / Where: ZA Quai des Queyries, Port Bastide, 33100 Bordeaux

Festival Jazz 360

This is the 10th edition of the Jazz 360 festival which was initiated to support the creation of Jazz music. During the six days of the festival, tens of professional and young artists will take the stage in several different towns and villages in Gironde. The festival will take place on June 2-11 in six different locations: Langoiran, Saint-Caprais-de-Bx, Cénac, Camblanes-et-Meynac, Quinsac, and Latresne. For more details visit the site of th e festival.

When: June 2-11 / Where: see different locations here.

ODP Music Festival in Peixotto

ODP is an annual music festival taking place in Parc Peixotto in Talence. This year the festival will take place on June 8-11. That’s one of the best music festivals in Bordeaux metropole and always has a great lineup. For more details and tickets go to the festival’s website and their Facebook page.

When: June 8-11 / Where: Parc Peixotto, Talence

Bambino Party

On June 10-11 l’Île aux Enfants in Hourtin (Medoc Atlantic) will hold a kids festival for children up to 12 years old. This annual kids’ celebration will host plenty of artistic workshops and sportive activities. For more details click here.

When: June 10-11/ Where: L’Île aux Enfants, 33990 Hourtin

For more kids-related activities check out my article about 30 things to do with kids in the Bordeaux region.

The pride parade

The pride parade of Bordeaux will take place on June 10. The parade will start at 13:00 at Place des Quinconces. See more details and updates here.

When: June 10 at 13:00 / Where: Place des Quinconces

The Medieval Festival of South Gironde

The Medieval Festival of Gironde will take place on June 10-11 in the Cabiros forest in Landiras (about 40 min. south of Bordeaux). This unique site, at the heart of the forest, creates a perfect medieval-times atmosphere for this unique festival. The medieval village, the costumes, and the sword fighting are only part of the activities that will help you discover the history and habits of those ancient times. For more info check out the website of the festival.

When: June 10-11/ Where: Landiras, 33720

Festival Le Haillan Chanté

The 12th edition of the singing festival, Le Haillan Chanté, is taking place on June 6-10 in Le Haillan. French song lovers will adore this event which is full of performances of both current and more nostalgic songs. To see the full program of the festival click here.

When: June 6-10 / Where: 13 rue Georges clémenceau 33185 Le haillan

Jazz and Blues Festival in Leognan

The 26th edition of the Jazz and Blues Festival of Leognan will take place on June 7-10. Four concert nights will be given at three different towns in the area: Saucats, Martillac et Léognan. Take a look at the full program here.

When: June 7-10/ Where: See all the locations in the program above

Grand Crus Weekend

One of the most anticipated events in the Bordeaux wine region is the Grand Crus Weekend which will take place on June 9-11. This event, organized by the Union des Grands Crus (the regional wine classification), aims to create an international meeting of wine lovers. The highlights of this weekend will include tasting wines from over 110 Grand Crus and meeting different chateaux owners as part of pre-organized dinners in the châteaux. Read more about the event and the full program here.

When: June 9-11/ Where: many locations in Gironde, see the program

Dali and Gaudi – Les Bassins de Lumières

Les Bassins de Lumières is hosting a new amazing exhibition! This time the immersive exhibition is dedicated to Dali and Gaudi. Les Bassins de Lumières is a visual arts space, situated in an old submarine base, that is known for its immersive exhibitions.

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

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

Madame Loyal

A huge electronic festival will take place on June 17-18 at the Parc des Expositions in Bordeaux. More than 30 live sets are waiting for you in the rich program of the Madame Loyal festival. See all the details and tickets here.

When: June 17-18/ Where: Parc des Expositions de Bordeaux

La Fête du Vélo

The 26th edition of La Fête du vélo will take place on June 17. In the morning a big cycling parade will take place at Parc de Bourran in Merignac and will continue to other parts of Marignac. See all the details here.

When: June 17 / Where: Different parts of Merignac, check out the program in the link above.

Bordeaux Open Air

Bordeaux Open Air is a series of free summer electronic music events, all set in different locations and with a great city vibe to them. The events usually take place on weekends from mid-June to the end of September. The full program for this summer is going to be on their website soon. For now, you can enjoy the first event that will take place on June 18 at Parc des Sports in Saint Michel Bordeaux. See details here.

When: From June 18 to October 1st. / Where: Follow the website for the exact location

Fête de la musique

The Fête de la Musique is a French national day, dedicated to the celebration of music, with free concerts and street parties happening on this day (June 21) all over France. This is an extraordinary day where you get to walk around the city and enjoy an endless variety of small and big concerts from any genre of music. Like every other city in France, Bordeaux too will celebrate La Fête de la Musique with its own street concerts and activities. Follow Lost in Bordeaux for more information about specific concerts, which will be published in June.

When: June 21 / Where: All over the city of Bordeaux

Bordeaux Wine Festival

This month (June 22-25) the banks of the Garonne will be again filled with wine lovers celebrating the Bordeaux wine festival, Bordeaux Fête le Vin. During the days of the festival, big sailing boats will be docking along the banks of the river, be sure to reserve your spot if you want to visit them. Discover the other activities proposed during the festival here.

Wine Festival on the quai in Bordeaux — Wine Festival on the Quai

When: June 22-25 / Where: The banks of the Garonne

La Cité du Vin

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

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

Nuits Atypiques Festival

This multidisciplinary festival in south Gironde has been taking place every summer since 1992. From June 4 to July 22, plenty of events will take place in 12 towns in the Gironde department. The program includes a variety of activities such as concerts, theater, films, debates, tours to discover the towns, and more. Check out the full program here.

When: June 4- July 22 / Where: South Gironde- check out the exact location of every event in the program.

Baroque Festival

Festes Baroques is a Baroque music festival taking place at different wine chateaux in South Gironde. So if you want to enjoy wine, beautiful music, and some of the most interesting patrimony in this region, this event is for you. The event will take place from June 27 to July 6. See more details here.

When: June 27- July 6/ Where: Different chateaux in South Gironde

Street art at l’Institut Bernard Magrez

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

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

Big events and things to do in other parts of the SW of France

Rio Loco – the biggest music festival in Toulouse

Rio Loco, created in 1995, is one of the best festivals Toulouse has to offer. The festival is focused on world music and culture and aims to promote cultural diversity. Each year, the program includes plenty of open-air concerts, shows for kids, visual arts, and more. This year Rio Loco will take place on June 14-18. See more details here.

The festival takes place at Prairie des Filtres in the Saint Cyprien neighborhood (read more about Saint Syprien in my district guide).

When: June 14-18/ Where: Prairie des Filtres, Toulouse

Free music festival

A three-day music festival will take place on June 22-24 on the beach of Lac de Montendre in Charentes Maritimes (about an hour’s drive from Bordeaux). See info and tickets here.

When: June 22-24/ Where: Lac Baron Desqueyroux, Montendre

Take your kids to an inflatable water park in Biscarrosse

The huge inflatable water park in Biscarrosse (about an hour’s drive from Bordeaux) is about to reopen for the Summer at the beginning of June. The AquaPark is equipped with water ziplines, several diving boards of different heights, trampolines, catapults, climbing walls, slides, and more. The park is accessible to kids over 4 years old. For more details and tickets click here.

Where: Port Maguide, 18 Chemin de Maguide, 40600 Biscarrosse

If you need more ideas for activities with kids check out my post about 30 things to do with kids in Bordeaux.

Festival Garorock

We’re going to end our list with of the biggest music festivals in our region, the Garorock! The popular festival is about to take place from June 29 to July 2 in Marmande (about an hour’s drive from Bordeaux). Garorock is an international festival with 5 big stages that usually hosts more than 50 French and international artists. Click here for more info.

When: June 29- July 2 / Where: Plaine de la Filhole 47200 Marmand

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

If you’re looking for more ideas for day trips in the Bordeaux region here are a few other articles you might want to read:
The best beaches around Bordeaux
Day trips around Bordeaux – wine, beaches and villages
10 day trips from Bordeaux by Public transport
A weekend in Medoc – Bordeaux wine tours
What to do and eat in Saint Emilion

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

Facebook |Instagram |Email | Facebook group

In Bordeaux Monthly

Things to do in Bordeaux in September

Last updated on September 8, 2023 No Comments

September is hands down the best month to visit Bordeaux! It’s still hot enough to go to the beach, many summer bars are still open and don’t even get me started with how beautiful the vineyards are this time of the year. So you don’t really need events to enjoy the SW of France in September, but I’m going to tell you about them anyway! And that’s because I believe it’s the best way to discover the hidden gems of Gironde.

So this September we have everything from the Medoc Marathon to the European heritage days and a dance festival on the beach. If you’re reading this in August, don’t forget to check out my article about the best things to do in August as well.

September is the best month to visit the Bordeaux region — *Beaches around Bordeaux in September*

There are only the biggest events taking place in September in the region. There are of course many other smaller festivals, markets, and concerts happening here all the time. These usually appear in my weekend newsletter so don’t forget to subscribe to my email list if you’re not on it yet.

If you want to discover more of the region I also invite you to join my Travel in the Southwest of France group on Facebook or follow me on my Facebook/ Instagram accounts.

Here are some of the best things you can do in Bordeaux in September 2023!

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

The Rugby World Cup is coming to Bordeaux!

This year Bordeaux is one of the cities hosting the Rugby World Cup which means that the city is going to be extra lively in September and October 2023. Bordeaux is about to host five matches at the Matmut Atlantique stadium on September 9 – 30. You can buy tickets here.

Bordeaux is going to welcome the worldwide fans at the Rugby Village that will be set up at the Parc des Sports de Saint Michel. There you’ll be able to socialize with other fans, enjoy interactive activities, and watch the match together on a 52m² screen.

See more details about the Rugby village here.

The Medoc Marathon

Running 42km is only a small part of the Medoc Marathon experience. It’s mostly about enjoying the amazing scenery accompanies by great wine and food. This year the celebrated Marathon will take place on September 2nd.

You don’t have to run to enjoy this event, many activities will take place on the weekend of the marathon (September 1-3). follow the program here.

See all the other things you can do in Medoc in my article about a weekend in Medoc.

When: September 10 / Where: the Marathon will start in Pauillac

Initial Festival

In September, Bordeaux will be hosting one of the biggest electronic music festivals in France. The initial Festival will take place on September 1-2 at the Parc des Expositions. The long program includes 3 stages and 22 artists that will make you dance non-stop for two days. See more details here.

When: September 1-2 / Where: Parc des Expositions in Bordeaux

Ouvre La Voix Festival

Ouvre La Voix Festival gives you the opportunity to discover the beautiful Entre-Deux-Mers region in Gironde in a special way. The three-day program of the festival (September 1-3) combines concerts, wine, and gastronomy with biking routes taking you to places like Créon, Frontenac, Sauveterre de Guyenne, and more. See more details here.

When: September 1-3 / Where: Different places in the Entre-Deux-Mers region (check out the program).

Festival des Gueilles de Bonde in Macau

Festival des Gueilles de Bonde is an art and music festival taking place in Macau in the Médoc region. This year the free festival will take place on September 1-2. The program includes music concerts, street theater, and a gastronomic market. Check out the program of the festival here.

When: September 1-2/ Where: place de la Mairie, MACAU, 33460

Les Noctambules de Septembre

Every Friday during the month of September you have a chance to discover one of the most beautiful castles in Gironde. However, these are not just regular visits, but rather special night tours accompanied by a short wine tasting. See all the events here.

Discover the Chartrons neighborhood

There’s no specific event taking place here in September, but I don’t want you to miss one of the most beautiful neighborhoods in Bordeaux on your visit. Elegant buildings with flower-covered balconies, chic coffee places, some of the best pastry places in Bordeaux, and many antique shops are only some of the things you can find in Chartrons. See all the best things to do in Chartrons in my article.

Bordeaux Open Air

Bordeaux Open Air is a series of free summer electronic music events, all set in different locations and with a great city vibe to them. For more details and the full summer program click here.

When: Sept 3, 10, 24 / Where: Follow the website for the exact location

Festival Teste à Têtes

The Teste à Têtes festival, organized by the circus school Komonò Circus, will take place on September 9-10 in La Teste de Buch. The program includes plenty of activities dedicated to street art and music concerts and circus workshops for kids. For more details click here.

When: September 8-10 / Where: Different locations in La Teste de Buch, see the program.

See my other recommendations about places to visit in Arcachon in my article about a day trip to Arcachon.

The Big Scooter Race

The Nire Laguna Thomas Association organized a wonderful event to help raise funds for research on pediatric cancer. A kid’s scooter race will take place on September 9 on the Quai of Bordeaux, starting from Placette de Munich. The race is open to kids aged 5 -10 years old, register here.

When: September 9 / Where: Placette de Munich , 33000 Bordeaux

The medieval festival of Bouliac

Every year, Bouliac, one of Bordeaux’s suburbs, organizes a fun medieval celebration full of art, games, and amazing costumes. This year the festival will take place on September 9-10. Check out all the details here.

When: September 9-10 / Where: Rue de l’Esplanade, 33270 Bouliac, France

The Vino Voce festival

The vino festival in Saint Emilion is a celebration of voices in all forms, from singing voices to voices on the radio, voices of actors, and more. The festival (September 8-10) includes a rich program of music concerts, movie screenings, singing master classes, and other platforms where voice plays an important role. For more info about the festival click here.

When: September 9-10 / Where: Different locations in Saint Emilion

Climax Festival

Darwin will host its annual Climax Festival on September 15-17. The festival focuses on environmental issues and climate change and its program includes conferences debates and many cultural events and concerts. This is one of the biggest festivals in the center of Bordeaux located in one of the hippest places in the city. Take a look at the site of the festival for the full program.

When: September 15-17 / Where: 87 Quai des Queyries, 33100 Bordeaux

Journées Européennes du Patrimoine

The European Heritage Days are a great opportunity to discover some of Bordeaux’s most beautiful and interesting buildings. During the weekend of September 16- 17, many public and private places will open their doors and allow you to peek into parts of this city’s history otherwise hidden from our daily view.

Some of the most interesting places to visit during the weekend are the Opera of Bordeaux, the Grosse Cloche, and many more. You can see the full list of the places that will be open for visits here.

Grosse Cloche - Bordeaux — *Grosse Cloche* – Lost in Bordeaux

You can also see the program all over France here.
When: September 16-17 / Where: Many places across the city, check out the program above.

The ceremony of the harvest in Saint Emilion – Ban des Vendanges

The ceremony that kicks off the annual harvest in Saint Emilion is called Ban des Vendanges, meaning ‘the harvest ban’. The ceremony is held in front of the beautiful front collegiate church of Saint Emilion by the Jurade, winegrowers dressed in red caps and robes.

This year the events of the “Ban des Vendanges” will take place on September 17, as part of the European heritage days. For more info about this special day check out my article about the harvest season in Saint Emilion.

There are a few wineries that host harvest events where you can come and take part in the harvest process. For now, the only winery that has published an event like that is Château St-Ferdinand, you can see all the details here.

As usual, when I’ll have more details I will update this list.

Summer Rock in Bouliac

The annual “Bouliac on the Rock” event will take place this year on September 16. The program of the event includes an American car exhibition, a rock concert, a raffle, vinyl discs, and food stands. The festival is free, see more info here.

When: September 16 / Where: Parking du stade, Bouliac

Festival Cadences d’Arcachon

Festival Cadence is a dance festival taking place every year in Arcachon. The program of the festival is known for its diversity including classic, contemporary, hip-hop, flamenco, and more. The festival will take place on September 18-24, for the full program click here, and see more info here.

When: September 18-24 / Where: Arcachon

Week-end anniversaire – le Capc a 50 ans

The contemporary museum of Bordeaux, le CAPC is celebrating its 50th birthday this year! For this special event, the museum is hosting a festive weekend with free dance performances, meetings with artists, and a kids’ party. The events will take place on September 23-24, see details here.

When: September 23-24 / Where: Arcachon

Vélotour Bordeaux

Discover Bordeaux by bike through places where bicycles are usually not allowed: museums, sports centers, cultural and historic places, and more. More than ten places have opened their doors for this unusual experience. The tour will take place on September 24 and will start at the Maison Écocitoyenne Bordeaux. For more info about the event click h e re.

When: September 24 / Where: Quai Richelieu, 33000 Bordeaux

A similar event will take place in Saint Emilion on September 9, see all the details here.

See other things you can do in Saint Emilion in my article about a day trip to Saint Emilion.

Visit the Vineyards of Sauternes and Barsac

Bordeaux is mainly famous for its red wines but a small part of this huge wine region is actually dedicated to white sweet wine. The Sauternes and Barsac AOC produce some of the most prestigious sweet wines in the world. But what makes the visit there even more interesting are the beautiful chateaux in which these wines are produced. See my latest article about wineries to visit in Sauternes and Barsac.

Les Campulsations

Les Campulsations is a student festival, celebrating the beginning of the new academic year in different locations in the Aquitaine region. The program is varied and includes such events as a brocante party, music concerts, theater shows, exhibitions, and more. Check out the full program and find an event near you. The festival will take place from September 28-29.

When: September 28-29 / Where: Different locations, consult the program.

Go for a drink in one of Bordeaux’s summer bars

Many of the outdoor bars of Bordeaux are still open this month and many of them have fun musical programs over the weekend. Don’t miss the last month of a proper Bordolais summer! Check out the list of the best summer bars in Bordeaux.

Dance at la guingette chez Alriq

La Guinguette chez Alriq is a tavern in the Bastide neighborhood, on the rive droite of the Garonne. During the summer the place is full of locals who escape the more touristy rive gauche and come to enjoy live concerts on the river bank. The Guinguette is open from Thursday to Sunday. For the concert program for September click here.

When: every weekend during September / Where: ZA Quai des Queyries, Port Bastide, 33100 Bordeaux

Big events in other parts of the SW of France – September 2023

Piano aux Jacobins (Piano concerts)

Piano aux Jacobins is a Piano festival taking place every September at the Couvent de Jacobins in the center of Toulouse. Le Couvent de Jacobins is one of the landmarks of Toulouse and a must-stop on your visit there. This year (2023) the festival is taking place on September 6-29, see the program here.

See other places not to miss on your visit to Toulouse.

When: September 6-29 / Where: Le Couvent de Jacobins, Toulouse

Montgolfiades de Rocamadour

The hot-air balloon festival of Racamadour is taking place this year on September 23-24. It is one of the most beautiful festivals in the region, attracting tens of thousands of people every year. See all the full programs here.

When: September 23-24 / Where: Rocamadour

Sarlat celebrates gourmet taste

This is an amazing culinary event taking place every year in the medieval town of Sarlat. Every fourth weekend of September Sarlat is holding an event that celebrates the gastronomy of the region with a big market, an open-air meal, and a walk to see the seasonal migration ramble. The event is taking place on September 23-24. See more details here.

When: September 23-24 / Where: Sarlat

If you’re looking for more ideas for day trips in the Bordeaux region here are a few other articles you might want to read:
The best beaches around Bordeaux
Day trips around Bordeaux – wine, beaches, and villages
10 day trips from Bordeaux by Public transport
A weekend in Medoc – Bordeaux wine tours
What to do and eat in Saint Emilion

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

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In Bordeaux Monthly

What to do in January in Bordeaux

Last updated on January 12, 2020 No Comments

A happy new year to all my wonderful readers! It’s the first month of the year, a moment for new resolutions and some fresh energy!. And what better way to do it than a good shopping session and a lot of music ;). The winter sales are taking place this month together with several music events and beautiful spectacles. If you want to go to one of the shows mentioned on my list, be sure to book now! If you’re looking for more recommendations of things to do in the Southwest of France region, you can join my new and very active Facebook group, Travel in the Southwest of France – join here. Here’s what you can do in Bordeaux in January 2020. Enjoy!!!

Winter Sales

Who cares if it’s raining and cold? January is the winter sales month!!
Soldes d’hiver are several weeks in the winter during which you can find really good deals on clothes, shoes, appliances, toys and more. This year the winter sales were shortened to 4 weeks from the previous six weeks period. But from my experience even if you come to Bordeaux a week or two after the sales many shops will still have a lot of items on discount. Les soldes d’hiver will take place from January 8 to February 4.

Arcachon still celebrated Christmas

If you’re moody about Christmas being over there is one place that continues the Christmas spirit just a little bit longer. The Christmas market in Arcachon will be open until January 5th and it even has an ice skating rink, so it’s a great place to go to with kids. For more details click here.

When: December 14 – December 5 / Where: Place Thiers, Arcachon

Trial Indoor International de Bordeaux

This is a great show for motorbike and action lovers. Trial Indoor International de Bordeaux will take the stage of Arkéa Arena this Saturday (January 10). The show will include plenty of acrobatic stunts and amazing urban decorations. For tickets and more details click here.

When: January 10, 20:30 / Where: Arkéa Arena, 48-50 avenue Jean Alfonséa, 33270 Floirac

Tremplin de 2 Rives

This is the 7th edition of the Tremplin de 2 rives festival which aims to promote the musical talents of Bordeaux. The festival includes eight evenings from January 10 to February 8 in different districts of Bordeaux. For more details click here.

When: January 10- February 8 / Where: See location in the program of the festival

Le Salon du Livre Ancien de Bordeaux

Le Salon du Livre Ancien de Bordeaux brings together more than 40 French exhibitors for the biggest ancient books event in the Southwest of France. Every year more than 3000 people attend this event to look for rare pieces of literature and discover old books from every genre: fiction, kids’ books, old magazines and more. The event will take place at Cours Mably on January 18-19. Read more about the book fair here.

When: January 18 -19 / Where: Cours Mably, 33000 Bordeaux

Le monde des dinosaures au parc des expositions de bordeaux

If your kids love dinosaurs they will be happy to hear that this month the exhibition “The world of Dinosaurs” is coming to Bordeaux. The exhibition will present 25 species of dinosaurs, among them the huge T-REX measuring 13/5 m long and 4.5 m tall. The exhibition will take place on January 18-19 at the Parc des Expositions de Bordeaux. For more info click here.

When: January 18 -19 / Where: Parc des Expositions de Bordeaux, Cours Charles Bricaud, 33000 Bordeaux

Trente Trente – Emerging arts Festival

Trente Trente is an annual festival, created to promote emerging artists in Bordeaux and Nouvelle Aquitaine in general. The festival includes more than twenty performances by artists from all genres, with some experimenting with interdisciplinary arts. Check out the full program that includes dance, music, theater, circus and more. The festival takes place on January 21-February 1st in different theaters and cultural spaces across the metropole (see the full list here).

When: January 21 – February 1st / Where: Different venues in the Bordeaux area (check out the full program)

Bordeaux rock Festival

Bordeaux Rock festival is the big gathering of independent and alternative bands that takes place every year in Bordeaux. This year it will take place on January 22-26 in different music venues in Bordeaux like the Iboat and Salle des fêtes du grand parc. For the full program and tickets click here. Some of the events are free.

When: January 22-26 / Where: Different venues in the Bordeaux area (check out the full program)

International magic festival

The international magic festival will take place in Théâtre Fémina on January 25-26. This year seven world-class artists (magicians and illusionists) will offer you breathtaking spectacles that you wouldn’t want to miss. For more info and tickets click here.

When: January 25-26 / Where: 10 Rue de Grassi, 33000 Bordeaux

Hostens Trails 2020

Every year the Gironde department organizes plenty of sporting events that are open to the public. The first one in 2020 will take place on the weekend of January 25-26 in Hostens. The event offers several trails for both runners, walkers and Nordic walkers. The price varies according to the trail and prior registration is mandatory. For more info click here.

When: January 25-26 / Where: Secteur de la Base Nautique Hostens

La nuit des conservatoires

This Friday (January 31) le Conservatoire de Bordeaux invites you to a special night with concerts and performances from all the disciplines taught at the conservatory. Besides concerts, the night includes workshops and lectures. The concert is free and open to all. For more info click here.

When: January 31 / Where: Jacques Thibaud 22 quai Sainte-Croix, Bordeaux

Coulisses des Sciences

Coulisses des Sciences is a week dedicated to different scientific themes, organized by Dealers de Science. The program of the event includes debates, conferences, a movie and debate night and more. As usual, the event will end with the Marché des Connaissances, a special fair taking place at Cour Mably that will reunite different scientific associations and players in the cultural scientific scene in Bordeaux. The event will take place on January 21-25. For more details click here.

When: January 21-25 / Where: Different locations in Bordeaux

Truffles markets in Dordogne

January is the middle of winter truffles season with many truffles markets in the region taking place during the month. Dordogne is known as the capital of truffles of the Southwest of France and starting mid-December it hosts several truffles markets in its different villages. You can see the full list of truffles markets taking place from December to the end of January here.

Festival Bouche à Bouche – Bordeaux

Following the success of the event in Paris, the Bouche à Bouche festival is arriving this year to Bordeaux for the first time. During the two nights of the event you will discover the signature dishes of five Bordeaux chefs like Jérôme Billot from Madame Pang and Julien Camdeborde of L’avant comptoir du palais. The event that will take place on January 17-18 also includes a lot of music, shows and street art. For more info click here.

When: January 17-18 / Where: See the program of the event

Go to the Opera

This January the Opera of Bordeaux invites everyone to come and enjoy a big variety of concerts from dance, to Jazz and Classical music. See the full list of January concerts and shows here.

When: January / Where: Place de la Comédie, 33000 Bordeaux

Black History Month in Bordeaux

The third edition of the Black History Month in Bordeaux will take place from January 9 to February 18. It is a month of reflection on the dark history of slavery that Bordeaux was part of as well as a celebration of black culture in France and around the world. The program of the Black History month includes conferences, music concerts, exhibitions and more. This time the main two themes are the one hundred years mark to the sinking of the “French Titanic” with 192 Senegalese workers onboard and the role Boxing played in the Black liberation. For more info and the full program click here.

EXHIBITIONS:

La déferlante surf – last chance to see it

The Atlantic coast of the south-west of France is a popular destination for surfers these days and it looks like this sport has always been here. But did you know that surfing was actually introduced to Europe through our region in the 50s? Thus it only makes sense that Musée d’Aquitaine, which explores the history of the region, will also explore the surfing culture in Aquitaine. The déferlante surf exhibition deals with different aspects of surfing from the sport itself to its economic and environmental influences. Among others, the items presented include videos, sounds, different traditional objects, images from different beaches and more. The exhibition will be presented until January 5th. If you go to the museum on January 5th the entry will be free. For more details click here.

When: Until January 5th / Where: 20 Cours Pasteur, 33000 Bordeaux

Muséum de Bordeaux – Rire!

According to scientific research, we laugh 18 times a day on average. Laughter, however, is not unique to us human beings, different animal species also have different expressions of laughter in their language. The super fun exhibition at the natural history museum in Bordeaux offers different activities that provoke laughter. It’s a very interactive and kids friendly exhibition that includes videos, sounds, games, and painting. This is your last chance to see the exhibition as it ends on January 26! For more details click here.

When: until January 26 / Where: 5 Place Bardineau, 33000 Bordeaux (in Jadin public)

Robots in Cap Science

Robots is a cool exhibition for kids presented these days at the Cap Science, the children science museum in Bordeaux. The exhibition is dedicated to robots and their functions in our lives. It will be presented until May 3, 2020. For more details and tickets click here.

When: Until May 3, 2020 / Where: Cap Sciences Hangar 20

Finally, if you are looking for a fun and delicious activity in Bordeaux, check out my food tours in which I’ll take you through a three hours journey in the culinary scene of the Southwest of France.

Lost in Bordeaux helps you enjoy the city and region in many ways so be sure to follow us on facebook/Instagram for more daily updates on things to do and see. Or better yet, join my newsletter where I share a lot of exclusive info about Bordeaux and the region – sign up here.

In Weekend plans

This weekend in Bordeaux (November 16-18)

Last updated on November 20, 2018 No Comments

This weekend Bordeaux hosts the big foodies festival, S.O. good. It’s also a good weekend to be heading to Bassin d’Archachon where two interesting festivals are about to take place: the Geek festival and the Gees Festival (they kind of sound the same, now that I think of it :)). Darwin is always a perfect solution for the weekend and this time they are hosting an organic wine market. Other events this weekend include a piano festival, Cirque du Soleil shows, a literature festival, concerts, exhibitions and more. The list is long so let’s get started on things to do this weekend in Bordeaux (November 16-18):

S.O. Good Festival

This is one of the biggest events to take place during fall in Bordeaux. The S.O Good festival is a gastronomic happening that aims to highlight the talent found in the Nouvelle Aquitaine gastronomic scene and to celebrate local products. The event will take place at Hangar 14 (Quai des Chartrons) on November 16-18. The festival’s program 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 exclusively French, 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 star 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

Organic Wine Market in Darwin

Les Barriquades is the biggest market of bio wines in the region, an event that will take place this weekend (November 17-18) in Darwin. On the menu, a huge selection of organic wines from Bordeaux, Saint Emilion, Bergerac, Jurançon and other regions in France such as Alsace, Fitou, Minervois and more. The entry is free. For more info click here.

When: November 17-18
Where: 87 quai des Queyries, 33100 Bordeaux, France

Piano Festival

The 9th edition of the Festival L’esprit du Piano is currently taking place at the Auditorium of the Opera of Bordeaux (until November 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 tickets here.

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

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 circus 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 look here.

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

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

Burdigame Games Festival

Come share your passion for games at the annual Burdigame Games Festival taking place this weekend (November 17-18) in Lormont. Cooperative , construction, board and outdoor games, this festival has it all. It’s a chance for you to discover new games and to get nostalgic with old childhood games. Entry is 2 € and the family pass is 4 €.For more info click here.

When: November 17-18
Where: Pôle Brassens Camus, Rue des Gravières 33310 Lormont

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 more.
You can enjoy this festival even if you don’t speak French as most of the writers participating in the lectures are coming from around 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

Bordeaux Cata Raid 2018

The 6th edition of the the Catamaran race will take place this weekend (November 16-18) in the Garonne river, just next to the central quais. This beautiful event, organized by the les Marins de la Lune club include tens of crew members that will pass next to the quai to honor the city. The view is guaranteed to be spectacular. For more details click here.

When: November 16-18
Where: starts at 103 quai des Queyries, 33100 Bordeaux, France

Geese Festival

Every winter more than 50,000 gees find refuge in the Arcachon area. The gees festival (Festival de la Bernache), taking place on November 17- 25, gives you a unique opportunity to discover this species in a festive atmosphere. In the program: boat trips, guided tours, conferences, concerts, workshops on comics creation, photo exhibition and more. The activities of the festival will be held in different places on the Bassin, among them: Gujan-Mestras, Andernos-les-Bains, Arès, Lanton, Arcachon, La Teste-de-Buch and more. Don’t forget to reserve a spot for the different activities here. For more info click here.

When: November 17-25
Where: Different places on the Bassin d’Arcachon

L’Arche de Noël – creators market

L’Arche de Noël is a creators market taking place in the Chartrons neighborhood every weekend until Christmas (December 22-23 is the last event). Each week a group of local talented craftsmen and artists will present their original creations. This weekend (November 17-18) the stands will include jewelry, kids toys and clothes, textiles, bags and more.

See more details here.

When: November 17-18
Where: 23 Rue Minvielle, 33000 Bordeaux

Second hand toys market

If you are planning to travel in the South of Gironde, stop by the charming village of Villandraut, where a second hand market for toys will take place this Saturday (November 17). For more info click here.

When: November 17
Where: Salle Des Fetes, 1 Place Paul Dunesme, 33730 Villandraut

Kids books and comics festival

The annual kids books and comics festival will take place this Saturday (November 18) at the Halles de Gascogne in Leognan. More than 3000 books will be presented at the event which also includes spectacles, activities for kids, games and more. Many authors and editors will take part in the event and will sign books. See the full program here. For more details check out the facebook page of the event.

When: November 17
Where: Place Joane, 1 Rue Louise Michel, 33850 Léognan

Arrested Development at the Rocher de Palmer

Arrested Development, a hip hop group that gained world popularity in the 90th with its hit “People Everyday” will take the stage of Rocher Palmer this Sunday (November 18 at 20:30). Tickets range between 23 € and 28 € – click here for more info and tickets.

When: November 18 at 20:30
Where: 1 Rue Aristide Briand, 33152 Cenon

Open Stage at the Grande Poste

This Saturday (November 17) the Grande Poste will host professional and amateur musicians, comedians and dancers for an open stage evening. Come and enjoy an evening of music and fun around drinks and a piano. The event is free and open for all. For more info click here.

When: November 17 starting 21:00
Where: 7 Rue du Palais Gallien, 33000 Bordeaux

Kaléidoscope – 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 Kaléidoscope 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 exhibition will be presented until February 17. For more info click here and here

When: November 13- February 17
Where: 16 rue de Tivoli, 33000 Bordeaux

Exposition 3/1 – Espace Saint-Rémi

La Spirale association invites you to a collective exhibition by three local artists: Magalie Darsouze (visual artist), Benjamin Monteil (engraver) and Chris Pillot (painter). The exhibition will be presented at the beautiful Espace Saint-Rémi on November 7-17. The entrance is free. See more info here.

When: November 7-17
Where: 4 rue Jouannet à Bordeaux

If you want to plan ahead check out my general list of things to in Bordeaux in November 2018.

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Have a great weekend!

In Bordeaux Monthly

What to do in Bordeaux in November 2018

Last updated on December 13, 2018 No Comments

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.

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

Kaléidoscope – 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 Kaléidoscope 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

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 drôle 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

In Weekend plans

What to do in Bordeaux this weekend (September 1-2)

Last updated on September 5, 2018 No Comments

While September is packed with great events, this “la rentrée” weekend, in which the French take some time to relax from their vacation before going back to work, is light on events in the city. But for those of you who are still looking for something interesting to do, there are some very nice suggestions; from a festival in Cadaujac to antique cars and free concerts in the center of Bordeaux. Here is the list of things to do this weekend in and around Bordeaux:

Tribus Libres Festival

Tribus Libres festival in Cadaujac invites you to celebrate the end of the summer with more the 50 hours of musical, cultural and culinary discoveries and activities. The program includes theater and circus shows and street art, a market with products produced in Gironde, creative workshops and game spaces for kids. Check out the full program and the details about the festival here , for tickets click here. The festival will take place from August 31 to September 2.

When: August 31 – Sep 2
Where: Parc du Château, 33140 CADAUJAC

Antique cars Exhibition

An exhibition of antique cars and motorbikes will take place this weekend (Sep 1-2) at Place des Quinconces. This annual event is always fun for vehicle amateurs and is accompanied by activities like a car elegance competition, a vintage village, aperitifs and concerts. For details and updates check out the facebook page of the event. The name of the event is “15éme Traversée de Bordeaux en véhicules anciens et d’exception” and you can read the story behind it here.

When: Sep 1-2
Where: Place des Quinconces, 33000 Bordeaux

Open Air Festival

Bordeaux Open Air is a series of free summer electronic music events, all set in different locations and with a great city vibe to them. The next event will take place on September 2 at Square Dom Bedos and will be dedicated to Djs from Lyon.

See more info about the event on their facebook page.

When: September 2, 15:00
Where: Square Dom Bedos, Bordeaux

A free concert at the Pavillon d’été of L’Orangeade

The summer pavilion on le Quai Deschamps on the right bank of the Garonne is a great way to enjoy your evenings during the hot Bordelaise summer days. The pavilion, organized by the Orangeade association, is hosting free music and gastronomy events every Friday and Saturday until September 22. Take a look at the program for this Friday (August 31) and for this Saturday (Sep 1).

When: August 17-18, from 6pm
Where: Quai Deschamps, 33100 Bordeaux

A free cinema at Cour Malby

The Agora des Arts association will screen La La Land in Cour Malby this Saturday (Sep 1) at 21:00. If you haven’t had the chance to see the movie yet (and even if you have) this is a great musical to see and sing along with plenty of other strangers. See more details here.

When: Sep 1 , 21″00
Where: 3 Rue Mably, 33000 Bordeaux

Free museum day

Like in most cities in France, the first Sunday of the month is a free museums day. You have a free entrance to all the public museums and to most of the exhibitions. Check out the full list of the museums in Bordeaux that you can visit for free this Sunday.

Join a roller-blade ride group

If you are into Rollerblading or want to learn to rollerblade join the Airroller club. This weekend (like every first weekend of the month) there is a big family ride called la Rando des Familles where both kids and adults roll together. The ride will start from the Hotel de Ville at 14:45. For more details click here.

rollerblades group

When: Sep 2, 14:45
Where: Place Pey Berland

Guided visit at Darwin

Most of you probably have been to Darwin more than once. It’s by far one of the most surprising and fun places in Bordeaux. But do you know the story behind this urban treasure and what else is there in Darwin besides food and tons of graffiti? If you are interested to get to know it a little better, join the guided tour in Darwin that will take place this Saturday ( Sep 1) at 15:00. For more details and registration (obligatory) click here.

When: Sep 1 at 15:00
Where: 87 quai des Queyries, 33100 Bordeaux, France

Classic music on Sunday morning

Are you feeling cultural this weekend? How about dressing up and attending a classic music concert at the Grand Théâtre of Bordeaux on Sunday morning? In the program: Dimitri Chostakovitch Quintette op. 57 and Georges Enesco Octuor. To reserve your spot call 06 87 32 35 16 (Christine).

When: Sep 2 at 10:00
Where: 2 place de la Comedie, 33000 Bordeaux, France

Garden Party – in one of the nicest terasses of Bordeaux

A nice collaboration is taking place this summer between Frida, a restaurant with a beautiful inside garden, and the French Gin producer G’Vine Gin. Every Sunday during the summer a cocktail party takes place at Frida, with a selection of special cocktails and a discount price of 6 euros for Gin and Tonic. For more info click here.

When: September 2 , 17:00
Where: 27-29 rue Buhan, 33000 Bordeaux, France

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 them

Have a great weekend!

In Weekend plans

What to do this weekend in Bordeaux (August 4-5)

Last updated on August 12, 2018 No Comments

The post about things to do in August in Bordeaux , that was released this week, is full of events and activities for the last month of this summer. So this weekend the list of things to do will be a bit shorter and will focus only on the biggest events of Saturday and Sunday (August 4-5). This time we have a reggae festival, a picnic in the forest, a great beach close to city center and more. Let’s get started:

Reggae Sun Ska music festival

The 22nd edition of this fun reggae festival will take place at the Domaine Equestre de Nodri in Vertheuil, which is located in the Medoc area (about an hour drive from Bordeaux) on the first weekend of August (3-5). The impressive long line up includes tens of performers from the reggae scene. You can check out the full line up here.
Although it’s a bit far from Bordeaux you don’t have to own a car to enjoy the festival, you can get there by train (Lesparre ou Pauillac stations) or a bus (line 703). For more info check out the facebook page of the festival and for tickets click here.

When: August 3-5
Where: 1 rue du Maquis, 33180 Vertheuil, Aquitaine, France

The summer pavilion on the right side of the river

A few weeks ago the Orangeade association opened its summer pavilion on le Quai Deschamps (in the Bastide neighborhood) hosting weekly events for music and gastronomy lovers. The association calls their summer village “un espace de bonheur partagé (a space of shared happiness) and invites you every Friday and Saturday until September 22 to a musical and culinary journey. Take a look at the program for this Friday (August 3) and for this Saturday (August 4). All the events are free.

When: August 3-4, from 6pm
Where: Quai Deschamps, 33100 Bordeaux

Dance on the Quai

Dansons sur les Quais is a series of dancing classes and events where people gather to dance together and learn a variety of dancing genres like Tango, Salsa, Bollywood, Forro, Hip Hop, Street Jazz, Zumba, Country and more. These activities will be guided by professional dancers from different dance schools in Bordeaux and they are completely free, so this is a great opportunity you don’t want to miss. The dancing events will take place on the quai almost daily until August 19. For more details and the full program check out the website of Dansons sur les Quai.

When: Daily until August 19
Where: Quai Louis XVIII, 33000 Bordeaux

Quai des Sports

Like every summer the Parc des sports Saint Michel hosts plenty of sportive activities for kids and teenagers. The daily programs are extremely varied and include things like climbing for kids, beach volleyball, basketball and more. The event will take place until August 12. Check the full program here.

When: Daily until August 12
Where: Parc des sports Saint Michel

Bordeaux Metropolitan Summer

Like every year Bordeaux Metropolitan invites you to discover the city and the area around it through a series of cultural events and activities. More than 100 activities of music, dance, public reading, theater, circus and gastronomy will take place between July 8 and September 25. These events are so widely spread across the metropolitan area of Bordeaux that you are guaranteed to discover places (especially parks) that you have never heard of before. Some of the activities proposed this weekend are:

Ligne Art– guided tour on the tram to Merignac to discover the art on that route– Sunday at 14:00(August 5)
Biking tour in Bacalan – Sunday at 17:00 (August 5)
En Route – L’eau Bourde- Biking tour that starts in Pessac – Sunday at 9:00 (August 5)
Tour in the observatory of Floriac – Saturday at 10:00 (August 4)

Check out the full program of events here (the full list with the dates is in the end of the PDF)

Picnic in the Forest

If you haven’t visit the beautiful park of Bourgailh in Pessac this weekend is a great opportunity is a great opportunity to do just that. This Sunday (August 5) the park will host a big picnic event, and if you don’t bring your food, don’t worry, a new super delicious Toast food truck will be there to feed you. For more details click here.

When: Sunday August 5
Where: Ecosite du Bourgailh, 179 avenue de beutre, 33600 Pessac

Music festival in Le Barp

Festival Country Rock will take place this weekend (August 3-5) in Le Barp (about 30 minutes from Bordeaux). Besides three days of concerts the program of the festival includes activities for kids, food trucks, bike tours and many stands with rock-country clothes. For more info click here and for the full program here. Ticket price is 5-7 euros.

When: August 3-5
Where: Plaine des sports, 33114 Le Barp

Bègles plage

If it’s getting too hot and you feel like making it beach day you don’t have to go far. Bègles beach is a few minutes drive from city center and you can even get there by tram (Tram C – Terres Neuves station). It’s a nice, very local little beach, with a great play ground for kids and a perfect spot to end your day when the temperatures are rising in the afternoon.

Where: Bègles plage, rue Mendès France, 33130 Bègles

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 them

If you want to plan ahead check out my general list of things to in Bordeaux in August 2018.

Have a great weekend!

In What to do

Things to do in Bordeaux in August

Last updated on July 29, 2019 No Comments

Summer in Bordeaux is pure fun and you don’t really need much to entertain yourself here. But with so many events, festivals and activities scheduled for August, it’s good to be up to date so you don’t miss out on something special. This month I also added some info about fun locations in Bordeaux where you could spend your summer days doing nothing (swimming pools, a bar on the beach etc..). So here we go, this is the list of things to do in August in and around Bordeaux.

Summer events in Bordeaux Metropole

Starry Night in the Observatory of Bordeaux

The theme of the 28th edition “Nuit des Etoiles” event, that will take place on August 3, is ” Mars, the little sister of planet earth”. The program of the evening includes observing stars, a planetarium, an expo and more. The entrance to the event is free. See the full program here and more details here.

When: August 3
Where:13 avenue Pierre Curie à FLOIRAC (33270)

Open Air

The third part of the Bordeaux Open Air festival will take place on August 12 in Parc Palmer and will include a lineup of three djs. Bordeaux Open Air is a series of free summer electronic music events, all set in different locations and with a great city vibe to them.

See more info about the event on their facebook page.

When: August 12
Where: Parc Palmer, 33150 Cenon

Dance on the Quai

Dansons sur les Quais is a series of dancing classes and events where people gather to dance together and learn a variety of dancing styles like Tango, Salsa, Bollywood, Forro, Hip Hop, Street Jazz, Zumba, Country and more. These activities will be guided by professional dancers from different dance schools in Bordeaux and they are completely free, so this is a great opportunity you don’t want to miss. The dancing events will take place on the quai almost daily until August 19. For more details and the full program check out the website of Dansons sur les Quai.

When: Daily from July 14 to August 19
Where: Quai Louis XVIII, 33000 Bordeaux

Quai des Sports

This is the 11th edition of this fun sportive event that takes place every summer (July 14 to August 12) at the Parc des sports Saint Michel. The program this month includes a variety of sportive activities such as a fitness night, beach volleyball, basketball, BMX, badminton evening (July 14th) and more. The festival will be accompanied by artistic and music events. Many of the activities are aimed for kids and teenagers and are a perfect solution for entertaining them in the center of Bordeaux during the summer. Check the full program here.

When: Daily from July 14 to August 12
Where: Parc des sports Saint Michel

International Mojito Festival

Sometimes all you need on a hot summer day is a refreshing alcoholic drink , and there isn’t much that beats a cold Mojito. The international Mojito Festival is a three days event (August 24-26) in which you could drink tasty Mojitos and dance salsa in many bars in Bordeaux. To participate in the festival you will have to purchase a 6€ pass.
To buy tickets click here. For more info follow the facebook page of the festival.

When: August 24 – 26
Where: Different bars in Bordeaux – follow their facebook page for updates.

Relache Festival

Relache Festival, created by the Allez les filles association, is a series of free concerts taking place at different venues and dates during the summer. This is the last month of the 9th edition of this festival and it will be full with performances by both local groups and international acts in many genres of music. Take a look at the full program of events on their website.

When: until August 31
Where: different locations in Bordeaux, take a look at the program above.

Bordeaux Metropolitan Summer

Like every year Bordeaux Metropolitan invites you to discover the city and the area around it through a series of cultural events and activities. More than 100 activities of music, dance, public reading, theater, circus and gastronomy are taking place between July 8 and September 25. These events are so widely spread across the metropolitan area of Bordeaux that you are guaranteed to discover places (especially parks) that you have never heard of before: Parc d’observation in Floirac, Parc du Viver in Merignac, Parc Camponac in Pessac and many more. Check out the full program of events here.

When: Daily from July 8 to September 25
Where: Bordeaux Metropolitan – check out the exact location of every event in the program.

Puppets Theater for Kids

Le Guignol Guérin, founded in 1853, is the oldest puppetry in France which holds daily spectacles for kids in Parc Bordelais during the summer (July and August). The show usually starts at 16:00 but can be cancelled or postponed when it’s raining or getting too hot. Read more about the theater here.

When: Daily during July – August at 16:00
Where: Parc Bordelais

Festival international d’orgues

This is a one of a kind festival in France, proposing numerous organ concerts during the summer in three of the biggest churches of Bordeaux. The concerts will take place between July 10 and August 31 in the following locations:

Every Tuesday in Cathédrale Saint André
Every Wednesday in Abbatiale Sainte Croix
Every Thursdday in Basilique Saint-Michel

You can see the full list of performances here.

cathedrale saint andre — Cathédrale Saint André by: Lost in Bordeaux

When: July 10- August 30 at 18:00
Where: Cathédrale Saint André, Abbatiale Sainte Croix, Basilique Saint-Michel

The summer pavilion on the right side of the river

Every summer in the last four years the Orangeade association opens its summer pavilion on le Quai Deschamps (in the Bastide neighborhood) with great weekly events that all music and gastronomy lovers will appreciate. The association calls their summer village “un espace de bonheur partagé (a space of shared happiness) and invites you every Friday and Saturday until September 22 to a musical and culinary journey. For the specific program of each event, follow my weekly weekend posts about what to do in Bordeaux.

When: Until September 22
Where: Quai Deschamps, 33100 Bordeaux, France

Les Chantiers de la Garonne – a sandy beach in the middle of the city

If you want to stay in the city but still have a beach atmosphere, this hidden gem is exactly what you need. Les Chantiers de la Garonne is a bar/ restaurant located on the right bank of the Garonne (in front of Darwin) with a beautiful view on the river and historic Bordeaux. While the interior of the restaurant is beautiful, I personally prefer the outside beach with low tables that create a very laid back and cool atmosphere. If you choose to sit outside you can order delicious oysters from the cold menu. This place is open only in the summer so don’t miss out.

summer in Bordeaux — photo by Lost in Bordeaux

When: open daily between 12-14:30 and 19″30 -22:00
Where: 21 Quai de Queyries, 33100 Bordeaux

Go to one of the city pools

The temperatures in August tend to get very high in Bordeaux and if you come with kids it can be a challenge to keep them busy outside. The pool is a great solution for that. There are several pools in Bordeaux with slides and plenty of other cool stuff for kids and adults. Check out the list of the best pools in this great post in the Bordeaux Expats blog- “Swimming with kids around Bordeaux“.

Summer events around Bordeaux

Reggae Sun Ska music festival

The 22nd edition of this fun reggae festival will take place at the Domaine Equestre de Nodri in Vertheuil, which is located in the Medoc area (about an hour drive from Bordeaux) on the first weekend of August (3-5). The impressive long line up includes tens of performers from the reggae scene. You can check out the full line up here.
Although it’s a bit far from Bordeaux you don’t have to own a car to enjoy the festival, you could get there by train (Lesparre ou Pauillac stations) or a bus (line 703). For more info check out the facebook page of the festival and for tickets click here.

When: August 3-5
Where: 1 rue du Maquis, 33180 Vertheuil, Aquitaine, France

Arcachon En Scene

Archachon en Scene is a popular music festival that brings big French and international acts to perform in this beautiful town. This year’s program includes Claudio Capeo (July 27), Martin Solveig and Ofenbach (August 1st) and IAM (August 3). For more info check out the facebook page of the event, for tickets click here.

When: July 27, August 1st and 3rd
Where: Stade Vélodrome d’Arcachon

Festival Musicalarue

The Musicalarue is a a big music festival that will take place in Luxey (about an hour drive from Bordeaux) on the weekend of August 10-12. The lineup includes a very long list of artists and bands, including some big names such as Shaka Ponk, Gaël Faure and Matmatah – to see the full program click here. For more info and tickets check out the facebook page of the festival.

When: August 10-12
Where: Les Cigales – 273 rue des écoles, 40430 Luxey, Aquitaine

La Bataille de Castillon

La Bataille de Castillon is a spectacle taking place on more than 10 evenings during the summer, replicating the famous fight from 1453. Castillon-la-Bataille, the town where the show takes place also hosts many activities and events revolving the big show: tours of the city, exhibitions and workshops of medieval art and more. For more info and tickets check out here and here.

When: Until August 25
Where: Association 1453, Mairie de Castillon, 33350 CASTILLON-LA-BATAILLE

Exhibitions in Bordeaux

Urban Legends Exhibition

Legendes Urbaines, an exhibition that hosts more than 50 street artists, will be presented from June 21 to September 16 at La Base Sous Marine, one of the most unique places in Bordeaux. The exhibition follows the evolution of street art from the 80s until today and presents different art styles from graffiti, to video art, vitrage paintings, works on wood, fabric and much more. This is a must for any street art lover.

For more details check out the facebook page of la Base Sous-marine.

When: June 21 – September 16
Where: La Base Sous Marine, Boulevard Alfred Daney, 33300 Bordeaux

Exhibition dedicated to Jack London

A photography exhibition that follows the life and work of the famous author, Jack London, will be presented in the Musée d’Aquitaine from May 29 to December 2. Besides photographs, the museum will put on display many objects and documents from his journey through the islands of the South Pacific, San Francisco and Sydney between 1907 and 1909. See more info on the site of the museum.

When: May 29 to December 2
Where: 20 Cours Pasteur, 33000 Bordeaux

New exhibition at the Musée des Beaux-Arts

“Par delà les frontières” is a new exhibition displaying materials representing relations and cooperations of American and Bordelaise artists, such as photographs, design pieces, interviews, videos and more. The exhibition will be presented at the Museum of fine arts from June 30 to September 16. For more info click here.

When: June 30- September 16.
Where: 20 Cours d’Albret, 33000 Bordeaux

Luminopolis at Cap Sciences

This is the last chance to see the Luminopolis exhibition that has been running since June 2017 in Cap Sciences. Luminopolis is a light exposition structured as an Escape game where you need to answer questions about light in order to get out. The exhibition is a perfect activity if you come to Bordeaux with kids (over 6 years old) and will be presented in the museum until the end of the month, price ticket in 8 euros. See more info here.

Address: Cap Sciences Hangar 20, Quai de Bacalan, 33300 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 them

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.

Enjoy the Summer!

In Weekend plans

Things to do this weekend in and around Bordeaux (July 20-22)

Last updated on July 24, 2018 No Comments

Bordeaux is fully prepared for the summer with plenty of events for adults and kids. So if you didn’t leave for your summer vacation yet, take advantage of all the things the city has to offer this weekend: plenty of sportive, music and cultural activities along the quais, a food truck festival in a beautiful château, electronic music in the park and more.

Here is the list of things to do this weekend in and around Bordeaux (July 20-22):

Events in Bordeaux Metropole

The summer pavilion on the right side of the river

Every summer in the last four years the Orangeade association opens its summer pavilion on le Quai Deschamps (in the Bastide neighborhood) with great weekly events that all music and gastronomy lovers will appreciate. The association calls their summer village “un espace de bonheur partagé (a space of shared happiness) and invites you every Friday and Saturday until September 22 to a musical and culinary journey. Look at the program for this Friday (July 20) and for this Saturday (July 21). All the events are free.

When: July 20-21, from 6pm
Where: Quai Deschamps, 33100 Bordeaux, Franc

Dance on the Quai

Dansons sur les Quais is a series of dancing classes and events where people gather to dance together and learn a variety of dancing genres like Tango, Salsa, Bollywood, Forro, Hip Hop, Street Jazz, Zumba, Country and more. These activities will be guided by professional dancers from different dance schools in Bordeaux and they are completely free, so this is a great opportunity you don’t want to miss. The dancing events will take place on the quai almost daily from July 14 to August 19. For more details and the full program check out the website of Dansons sur les Quai.

So what is waiting for you this weekend? Reggaeton, Swing, Salsa, Balkan dance, Jazz dance, Zumba and a Latin night- see the full program.

When: Daily from July 14 to August 19
Where: Quai Louis XVIII, 33000 Bordeaux

Bordeaux Open Air

The second part of the third edition of the Bordeaux Open Air festival will take place on July 22 in Jardin Public and will include a lineup of four djs. Bordeaux Open Air is a series of summer free electronic music events, all set in different locations and with a great city vibe to them. The third part of the festival will take place on August 12 in Parc Palmer.

See more info about the event on their website.

When: July 22, from 3pm to 8pm
Where: Jardin Public, 33000 Bordeaux, France

Urban Legends Exhibition

Legendes Urbaines, an exhibition that hosts more than 50 street artists, will be presented from June 21 to September 16 at La Base Sous Marine, one of the most unique places in Bordeaux. The exhibition follows the evolution of street art from the 80s until today and presents different styles from graffiti, to video art, vitrage paintings, works on wood, fabric and much more. This is a must for any street art lover.

For more details check out the facebook page of la Base Sous-marine.

When: June 21 – September 16
Where: La Base Sous Marine, Boulevard Alfred Daney, 33300 Bordeaux

Quai des Sports

This is the 11th edition of this fun sportive event that takes place every summer (July 14 to August 12) at Parc des sports Saint Michel. The program for this month is extremely varied and includes things like climbing for kids, beach volleyball, basketball and more. The festival will be accompanied by artistic and music events.

So what’s on this weekend? Kids can enjoy activities like table tennis, rollerblading, athletics, karate, boxing, football and more. For adults some more relaxing activities are offered, among them meditation, massage and Pilates. Check the full program here.

When: Daily from July 14 to August 12
Where: Parc des sports Saint Michel

Relache Festival

Relache Festival, created by the Allez les filles association, is a series of free concerts taking place at different venues and dates during this summer. The 9th edition of this festival will last about 3 months (May 30 to August 31) with performances by both local groups and international acts in many genres of music. The next evening will take place this Friday (July 20) at Square Dom Bedos and Saturday (July 21) in Sortie 13 in Pessac. Take a look at the full program of events on their website.

When and Where: July 20 at Square Dom Bedos and July 21 in Sortie 13 Pessac

Bordeaux Metropolitan Summer

Tour in the observatory of Floriac – Saturday at 10:00 (July 21)
Gastronomy event at the Marché Place du Centre in Bourg – Saturday at 11:00 (July 21)
Sound laboratory – learn how to be a dj in Le Dôme in Talence – Saturday at 16:00 (July 21) – for more info and reservations click here.

Check out the full program of events here.

When: Daily from July 8 to September 25
Where: Bordeaux Metropolitan – check out the exact location of every event in the program.

Skating in Darwin

Summer is a fun time for roller skating and if you’re not familiar with that sport, Darwin’s Roller Derby Bordeaux Club will introduce you to it with its weekly introductory sessions to roller skates. Until the end of August, Darwin will host skating sessions on Wednesdays (19:30 to 22:00) and Saturdays (10:30- 13:30). For tickets and more info check out the site and the facebook of the event.

When: Saturday July 21 – 10:00
Where: Darwin (rive droite – 87 Quai de Queyries, 33000 Bordeaux

Summer Braderie

During the next three days several streets in the city center will be filled with stands of clothes, shoes, toys, house supplies and more – this is the annual Bordeaux summer Braderie. If you are in town for summer sales (which will last until August 7), take the opportunity to check out the stands of more than 250 merchants on rue Porte Dijeaux, rue Sainte Catherine and rue des Trois Conils.

When: July 19-21
Where: Center of Bordeaux: rue Porte Dijeaux, rue Sainte Catherine and rue des Trois Conils

Listen to a Jazz concert at the Caillou

A jazz concert and a drink in an outdoor bar is a great thing to do on a summer night and Bordeaux has the Caillou bar especially for that. Like every summer, the Caillou had set up their summer stage and presents a long list of performances that will take place every weekend and some weekdays until the end of the summer. For more details and the full program check out their facebook page.

When: July 20-21
Where: Caillou Du Jardin Botanique, 33100 Bordeaux, France

Fête Champêtre in Bassens

Three festive days are about to take place in the sports center of Griffons Séguinaud in Bassens with a vide grenier, a market, sports activities, funfair, activities for kids, a mini farm, escape games and plenty of music concerts. The grande finale of this festival will be a musical fireworks show on Sunday evening. See the full program here.

When: July 20-22
Where: Chemin du grand came 33530 Bassens

En Plein Arts Festival

The city of Talence invites you to the annual festival in the Thouars forest (around the Dome) that will take place this Saturday (July 21). Come with your family and take part in many cultural and artistic activities such as a puppet theater, beatbox, acrobatics, music concerts and much more. For more info check out the facebook page of the event and for the full program click here.

When: July 21
Where: Avenue de Thouars, 33400 Talence (next to the Dome)

Events around Bordeaux

Bordeaux Food truck Festival

This is the biggest gathering of food trucks in the region of Nouvelle Aquitaine, with around 60 food trucks registered to participate in the five events of the festival, which are spread on different dates until the end of September this year. This festival aims to mix street food with the finesse of the wine world. As part of this gastronomic event, visitors can taste the wines of the hosting châteaux and specialty food coming from all corners of the world: French, Italian, Brazilian and much more.

The next food-truck weekend will take place on June 22 in Château Castéra. Besides plenty of food trucks the event includes many activities for adults and kids: a jeep tour in the vineyards, free wine tastings, games for kids, escape games, a music concert and an art expo. See the full program of the event on their website and facebook page. The event is free but requires prior reservation – you can do it here.

See all the details about the five weekends of the Bordeaux food truck festival here.

When: July 22
Where: Château Castéra, Rue du Bourg, 33340 Saint-Germain-d’Esteuil

Jazz Festival in Saint Emilion

This is the 7th edition of this Jazz festival in the beautiful town of Saint Emilion which will take place July 20-22. During the three days of the festival Saint Emilion will offer a great mix of jazz concerts, wine tastings and tasty food. In the festival area you will find a wine bar with the wines of Saint Emilion and a gourmand market with local products and food trucks. For more info and the full program check out the website of the festival. For those of you living in Bordeaux, a bus will be offered from Les Quinconces to Saint Emilion at the price of 9 euros (both ways).

When: July 20-22
Where: Douves du Palais Cardinal, Saint-Emilion.

Symphony Orchestra Festival

Festival Entre 2 Airs is an international festival of young Symphony Orchestras that takes place in the Entre Deux Mers region. This is the last few days of the eight days (July 14- 21) festival that is taking place in 25 different locations with the participation of more than 400 young musicians from seven different countries. For more info about the concerts, the locations and the tickets check out the site of JOSEM (Jeune Orchestre Symphonique de l’Entre-deux-Mers),

When: until July 21
Where: Entre deux mers (see the locaion of each concert in the program)

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 them 🙂

If you want to plan ahead check out my general list of things to in Bordeaux in July 2018.

Have a great weekend!