This weekend the events are really varied so everyone can easily find something they like. We have a dance and circus festival, a climate change mega concert, a comics festival, a rosé party and more. If you’re heading to Arcachon this weekend, check out my latest post about things to do and eat in Arcachon. Here’s the list of things to do this weekend in Bordeaux (May 24-26).
Festival Echappée Belle in Blanquefort
The Echappée Belle festival is a great entertaining event for the whole family, merging theater, dance, circus and other forms of art. The festival will take place from May 23-26 in Blanquefort, starting in Parc Majolan and continuing for the weekend in Parc de Fongravey. See the full program here.
When: May 23-26 / Where: Different locations in Blanquefort (see the program)
WISFEST – Climate change festival
Wisfest is a climate change event that will take place this weekend (May 24-25) in the center of Bordeaux. The event includes plenty of debates on the most burning topics related to environmental and climate change. The climax of the event is the mega concert that will take place Friday night (May 24) at Place des Quinconces, with an incredible lineup of artists such as Mika, Tom Walker and more. You can see more details here and purchase tickets here.
When: May 24-25 / Where: Place des Quinconces, 33000 Bordeaux
Grand Crus Weekend
One of the most anticipated events in Bordeaux’s wine world is the Grand Crus Weekend that will take place on May 24-26. 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: May 24-26 / Where: many locations in Gironde, see the program
Le Mai talençais
A super fun and free event for kids will take place this weekend (May 25-26) in park Peixotto in Talence. The program includes concerts, a creators market, activities for kids and fireworks on Saturday night. For more details click here.
When: May 25-26 / Where: Parc de Peixotto, 33400 Talence
Festival de la BD in La Teste de Buch
Festival de la BD, a comics fair, will take place this weekend (May 25-26) in La Teste de Buch at the Bassin d’Arcachon. The event will host about 40 professionals from the illustration world. Among them cartoonists, writers and colorists. For more details click here.
When: May 25-26 / Where: 18 Rue du 14 Juillet, 33260 La Teste-de-Buch
Sous les pavés la vigne
Sous les pavés la vigne is a natural wine fair taking place this weekend (May 25-26) at Le Garage Moderne. More than 50 producers of wine, beer and other spirits will present their organic products during the two-day event. For the full program of the event click here.
When: May 25-26 / Where: 1 rue des Etrangers, 33300 Bordeaux
Les Cogitations
Les Cogitations is a mocking art festival taking place in the L’entrepot in Lehaillan on May 22-25. Check out the full list of the performers here.
When: May 22-25 / Where: 13 rue Georges Clémenceau – Le Haillan
Le grand Apérosé
This Saturday (May 25), Les Vivres de l’Art will host a fun Apérosé event. Rosé and music in one of the coolest places in Bordeaux, what more do you need on a weekend? For more details click here.
Les Vivres de l’Art by Lost in Bordeaux
When: May 25, from 12:00 to 20:00 / Where: 4 rue Achard, 33300 Bordeaux, France
Festival Escape Game et Imaginaire
An escape game festival will take place this weekend (May 25-26) in the charming village of Saint Macaire. Tens of different activities such as escape games, workshops and parties will take place in the first edition of the festival. For more info click here.
When: May 25 – 26 / Where: the center of Saint Macaire
Marché de créateurs et producteurs
Especially for the French mothers’ day, a creators market will take place this Saturday (May 25) in Parc du Castel in Floriac. For more details click here.
When: May 25 / Where: Parc du Castel 33270 Floirac
Caravansérail
Caravansérail is a design event that brings together creators and craftsmen from all over the world. Among the stands, you’ll find home decoration, candles, bags, jewelry and more. The sale takes place on May 22-26 at Chineurs du monde, the brocante shop in the Saint Michel neighborhood. For more details click here.
When: May 22-26 / Where: Boutique Chineurs du Monde, 75 Rue Camille Sauvageau, Bordeaux
Foire de Printemps in Noaillan
A fair of gastronomy and crafts will take place this Sunday (May 26) in Noaillan. The event will also include a big vide grenier. For more details click here.
When: May 26 / Where: Lieu-dit Antonion, 33730 Noaillan
PIK NIK ZIK – free concerts
Pik Nik Zik is a series of free concerts organized by the Les P’tits Gratteurs association, that will take place every last Sunday of the Month from April to August. This week the event will take place on Sunday (May 26) at the Quai des sports Saint-Michel. For more details click here.
When: May 26, starting 17:00 / Where: Quai des sports Saint-Michel, Bordeaux
Quatre Tendances – Dance show
Quatre tendances is a collaboration between several ballets groups and choreographers. Like every two years, Quatre tendances will take the stage for several nights to perform a number of contemporary choreographies. This year the national ballet of Bordeaux will collaborate with Ballet Preljocaj – CCN d’Aix-en-Provence, le Malandain Ballet Biarritz and le CCN-Ballet de l’Opéra National du Rhin. Four choreographies will be performed during nine shows, taking place on May 22-31. For more details and tickets click here.
When: May 22-31 / Where: Grand Théâtre, place de la Comédie, 33000 BORDEAUX
Jazz concert
The Thelonious Jazz bar in Chartrons will host two Jazz nights this Friday and Saturday (May 24-25). Check out their program here.
When: May 24-25 / Where: 18 rue Bourbon, Bordeaux
Le M.U.R de Bordeaux Performance
A-MO is the Bordelaise artist whose work will decorate the M.U.R de Bordeaux. You can meet him and see him perform his art on the wall this Friday (May 24). For more info check out the facebook page of the event.
When: May 24, at 18:00 / Where: place Paul et Jean-Paul Avisseau 33300 Bordeaux
Noche Del Pintxo
Noche del Pintxo is a fun event taking place in Halles de Talence once a month. As the name indicates, this event is all about Pintxos, with ingredients coming solely from the market. The event will take place this Friday (May 24). For more info check out the facebook page of the event.
When: May 24 18:30- 22:30 / Where: Place Alcala de Henares, 33400 Talence
Mama’s Brunch
Another fun event this Sunday is Mama’s Brunch. Mama Shelter invites you to its big buffet brunch which is a bit pricey (39 euros per person) but it includes almost four hours of activities and artistic workshops for kids, so it’s like brunch with a babysitter :). For more details and the menu click here.
When: May 26 / Where: 19, rue Poquelin Moliere, 33000 Bordeaux
Swing on the streets
Swing In Kiosque is a series of improvised dance events that are taking place in Jardin Public once a month. This weekend the event will take place on May 26. Take a look at the full program of events on their facebook page.
When: May 26 at 15:00 / Where: Jardin Public
Journées Portes & Bouteilles Ouvertes
An open doors event will take place this weekend (May 25-26) at Château de Bel located on the board of the Dordogne river. For more details click here.
When: May 25-26 / Where: Château De Bel, 1 Malbâtit, 33500 Arveyres
The Big Plants Sale
A big plants sale will take place this weekend (May 24-26) on Quai des Marques Bordeaux. The prices are guaranteed to be quite low (from 2€ to 10€) so it’s a good opportunity to fill your house with summer plants. For more details follow the facebook page of the event.
When: May 24-24 / Where: Hangar 15 à 19 – Quai des Chartrons, 33000 Bordeaux
Arcachon is the main town on the Bassin d’Arcachon, a bay of the Atlantic ocean that attracts many visitors from Bordeaux. Less than 60 km separates the capital of the Southwest from Arcachon and its beautiful villas, clear blue beaches and delicious seafood. This is also one of the main osticulture (oysters farming) centers of France so eating oysters is a “must” when coming to the area. I know many of my readers are less enthusiastic about oysters than the French are, but don’t worry, this place is a gem even if you’re not a fan of “huitres“. In this article, I will walk you through the best things you can do in Arcachon, where you should eat and even how to get there.
I have to warn you though, Arcachon is one of the most popular sea resorts in France and in the summer, it’s flooded with tourists and locals alike. The best time to go there is either May-June or September. To avoid the crowded places you can visit one of the other charming villages on the Bassin d’Arcachon, such as la Teste de buch and Gujan Mestras. There are other amazing towns in the north and west parts of the bay, such as Andernos les Bains and Cap Ferret. However, in my opinion, if it’s your first time in Arcachon, you can by no means miss the incredible Dune du Pilat, south of the bay, and so I’ve focused my recommendations on that area.
Arcachon is divided into 4 regions: the summer city is the city center with walkways and restaurants; the winter city is adorned with beautiful 19th-century villas; the autumn city includes the fishing area; and the spring city covers the most beautiful beaches in the Southern part of the bay. In most cities, people usually get to visit only the city center, but in Arcachon each part offers something completely different and you have to visit at least three to fully discover it. To help you do just that I’ve made a list of all the places I think you should visit and things you should do while in Arcachon. Hope you enjoy it 🙂
Best things to do in Arcachon
La Ville d’Eté – the main beach and the Arcachon market
The summer city is the touristic center of Arcachon. Typical to most towns in the region it has a nice pedestrian area with plenty of restaurants and boutiques. You can start your visit directly on the waterfront, just stroll along the beautiful promenade next to the main beach (Plage d’Arcachon). Its location on the Arcachon bay protects it from the threatening waves of the Atlantic Ocean and makes it the safest beach for kids. During the summer this beach tends to be very crowded so you might consider searching for a quieter one in Ville de Printemps (see below).
Arcachon market
One of the main attractions in Arcachon’s city center is the main market, Marché d’Arcachon. Like many towns in the area, Arcachon too has a fantastic covered market gathering plenty of food stands with local delicacies. The best thing is that the market is open daily from mid-June to mid-September and from Tuesday to Saturday the rest of the year so you can rely on it for great home-cooked meals or just a breakfast snack. In the summer, a night market takes place several days a week, with stands of clothes, accessories, jewelry and more. The night market is open until 23:00 (for the dates click here).
La Ville d’Hiver – Beautiful villas and the main park of Arcachon
The Architecture of La Ville d’Hiver
This neighborhood might not be the city center but La Ville d’Hiver is definitely the most beautiful part of Arcachon. The winter town, built on the hills of the city in the late 19th century, attracts many visitors thanks to its gorgeous architecture. Strolling the calm – green streets you will discover beautiful villas, each designed with different elements, giving the neighborhood an elegant yet eclectic style. Among the 300 villas, there are a few that should not be missed, among them Villa Tolledo, Villa Teresa, Villa Alexandre Dumas, and Villa Bremontier. If you can read some French, here’s a site with a short history of the most famous villas in the winter city.
Parc Mauresque – a beautiful park with a panoramic view
Overlooking La Ville d’Eté you will find the charming Parc Mauresque, built in 1843. It’s located on a hill which you can spot right from the city center. If you don’t want to climb too many stairs, there’s a lift that will bring you all the way up to the park’s center. That’s also the best way to pass from the summer city to winter city. The park is equipped with great playgrounds for kids and many cute spots for a picnic. This would be a great time for a picnic before heading to the beach.
Just next to the park, you’ll find the Observatoire de Sainte Cécile, a belvedere built from metal on which you can climb to see an incredible panoramic view of the Arcachon Bay. If it reminds you of the Eiffel Tower, that’s because Gustave Eiffel took part in the project!. The site is open daily and is free.
The beaches of La Ville de Printemps
The best beaches of Arcachon are located in “Spring town”, the western part of the city. The most famous beach is Plage Pereire, which starts right after the pedestrian promenade (bordered by Jetée de la Chapelle). It’s a beautiful three km beach with white sand and a view of the Cap Ferret peninsula on the other side of the bay. This beach is equipped with many sports facilities, a cycle path and green lawns for people to have a picnic on.
If you walk south on the beach line, you’ll get to Plage des Abatilles and des Arbousiers, the last one attracting the windsurfers and kite surfers coming to the area. Most beaches in Arcachon are supervised and well-equipped, so you just have to choose between the calmer beaches on the bay or the big ocean waves.
A visit to Le Moulleau
Le Moulleau beach
Le Moulleau, located in the far west, is officially a part of the city of Arcachon. However, in reality, it feels like a completely separate little resort town with its own center, beaches and restaurants. Le Moulleau is built around the beautiful Notre Dame des Passes square and its pier. There are several restaurants on the main street (Boulevard de la côte d’argent) and the Chemin des Pères promenade. The hotels and some restaurants in Le Moulleau are quite pricey as the area attracts a lot of wealthy French tourists. The resort is located mid-way between the center of Arcachon and the famous Dune du Pilat, so this could be a nice stop on the way there. If you’re coming by public transport, line 1 (Baia company) will take you from the Arcachon train station to the main street of Moulleau.
Take a boat to go eat lunch in Cap Ferret
If you’re around Le Moulleau during lunchtime, you can upgrade your lunch to a fun adventure. Just in front of Le Moulleau beach lies the peninsula of Cap Ferret. It’s one of the most charming villages on the Bassin d’Arcachon and is known particularly for its oyster farming. Many people go there from Arcachon just for a few hours to eat the freshest oysters in one of the restaurants on the beach. The village is located on the other side of the bay so going there by car will take more than an hour. But you can totally skip the long route and go by sea. From April to mid-September there’s a fairy that takes you from le Moulleau to Cap Ferret in just 20 minutes (leaving from Jetée du Moulleau). You can also take the fairy from the center of Arcachon, which takes 30 minutes to reach Cap Ferret. For the schedule and tickets reservation click here.
A boat trip to Iles aux Oiseaux and the Cabanes Tchanquées
The Arcachon bay is not just another resort town. The biodiversity and natural conditions which helped its famous oyster farming industry also make for fascinating adventures. If you really wish to discover the Bassin d’Arcachon beyond its beautiful beaches visit two of its landmarks, Les Cabanes Tchanquées and L’Ile aux Oiseaux. Les Cabanes Tchanquées, the two wooden huts decorating almost every postcard in Arcachon, are one of the most emblematic symbols of the bay. They were originally used for supervising the oysters farms but are no longer in use and can only be seen from outside. L’Ile aux Oiseaux, the birds’ island, owes its name to the many birds that reside in the Island yearlong.
There are several companies that offer both group and private tours to these and other parts of the bay. You can go by regular boat or by pinasse, which is a traditional boat from Arcachon. The tours are usually in French but many of the guides speak some English and can easily explain the most important details. The tour leaves from Jetée Thiers, located on the main beach of Arcachon. You can also get more information about different tours in the tourist office.
Dune du Pilat – the amazing sand dune
If there’s one thing in this list I consider a “must” it’s definitely this one. The gigantic sand dune is one of the wonders of the area, with its 60 million metric cubes of sand it’s quite astonishing the first time you see it. Dune du Pilat is Europe’s tallest sand dune, rising to an impressive 110 m high. It’s also 500 meters wide and 2.7 km long so you’ll have plenty of room to wander. You can climb the dune by stairs that are installed from the end of May to early November. If you come during the low season or just feel energetic, you can just climb straight up the sandy slopes.
Dune du Pilat
Once you reach the top, a stunning panoramic view will be revealed with the Cap Ferret peninsula on one side a huge pine forest on the other and the magnificent Banc d’Arguin nature reserve just in front. After working so hard climbing the dune, you can slide to the other side (when the sand is not too hot of course) and go straight to the beach. If you’re not in a rush you can easily spend the day here, have a nice picnic and swim in the crystal clear water. It’s hard to describe the beauty of this site in words, you really must see it yourself.
If you’re coming by public transport, line 1 (Baia company) will take you from the Arcachon train station to Dune to Pilat.
Discover Arcachon by Bike
There are many bike paths and roads with very little traffic in the Bassin d’Arcachon which makes it a perfect place to discover by bicycle. The bike lanes go along most of the waterfront and lead from one beach to the other quite easily. You can also take the circuit from the center of Arcachon to Dune du Pilat and go through le Moulleau and Pyla sur Mer, the village where Dune du Pilat is located. To follow the path see the map here. There are many bike rental places in Arcachon where you can rent a bike for a few hours or for the whole day, see their details here.
Have a drink at la Co(o)rniche
Credit: Booking
La Co(o)rniche is a 5-star hotel designed by Philippe Starck with the most amazing view of the bassin. The hotel is luxurious and expensive so it’s for special occasions, but you can still enjoy the stunning view with a cocktail in the terrasse. The Co(o)rnice is just a few minutes by car from the Dune du Pilat.
Theater and Casino
If you want to finish your day with an artistic program, go ahead to Theater Olympia. This great theater hosts a variety of shows and concerts almost every night. For more details and tickets clickhere. If you’re staying the night in Arcachon you can also check out the Casino located in the city center.
Where to eat in Arcachon
There’s quite a few restaurants in Arcachon, but you should know where to go in order to avoid tourist traps. A few good places are located right at the market.
Le Bouchon du marché is located in the heart of the market with plenty of tables outside as well. The restaurant serves excellent local food, is open daily and has a great vibe to it. The market is also a good opportunity to taste some of the best oysters in Arcachon. l’Oyster Bar is an excellent spot to taste the local delicacies as well as other seafood. If you want to enjoy a better view, go to Chez Pierre located on the main beach of Arcachon.
You don’t have to stay in the city center for Lunch, there are some nice spots in Le Moulleau as well, among them is Le Jardin with the magnificent terrace and the Royal Moulleau on the riverfront. For desserts head to the center of Moulleau where you can find plenty of great ice cream on every corner.
For special occasions, there are several fine dining places worth mentioning, among them Thierry Renou’s Le Patio on the port of Arcachon. You can also stop for lunch at the Haaitza hotel which has an amazing restaurant, located just a few minutes by car or bicycle from the Dune du Pilat.
Ha(a)ïtza Credit: Booking.com
How to get to Arcachon and where to park?
By public transport
The easiest way to get to Arcachon is by train from the Saint-Jean station in Bordeaux. The train leaves every 30 to 60 minutes depending on the hour (with a break of two hours between 9:00 and 11:00). It takes about 50 minutes to get there and if you want to avoid traffic this is how I recommend getting to Arcachon. However, the train tickets aren’t cheap so if you’re more than two people, renting a car is a better option. It’s a local train without seat reservation and tickets can be bought online or at the station. See the hours of the trains here.
By Car
It can take about an hour to get from Bordeaux to Arcachon, depending on traffic. During the summer, the bay is packed with locals and tourists so the traffic can be a bit heavy. If you’re planning to visit only the town of Arcachon and the dune, getting there by train would be the easiest option.
However, if you also want to visit some of the other magical spots on the bay, a car is a more practical way to get around. Except Dune du Pilat mentioned above, there are plenty of other fascinating places you can visit on the way, such as the oyster capital Gujan-Mestras and the Teich bird reserve.
By air
The Bordeaux airport in Merignac is less than an hour drive from the Bassin d’Arcachon. You can rent a car at the airport and avoid entering the city if you’re planning to go straight to Arcachon. If you want to do everything by public transport, take bus number 1 from the airport to the train station and a train to Arcachon from there, as explained above. There’s also an airport for private jets if you want to make a classy entrance to the bay 😉
Parking
If you’re coming in low season parking is not a big issue. Between October 1st and March 31, you can park in most of the streets of Ville d’hiver which is only a few minutes walk from the city center. However, during the summer, finding free parking is nearly impossible and you should get familiar with some of the parking spaces the city proposes. On July and August, the cheapest way to park in Arcachon is to leave your car at the Parking Relais, and then take their Navette to the city center and other parts of Arcachon. Some other parking places in the city include the Parking du centre ville, Parking de la gare, Parking place de Verdun, Parking place Peyneau and Parking place Carnot.
The main events
Arcachon is a very lively place with plenty of entertaining events. Besides the local small events taking place throughout the year, there are several big ones you should pay attention to when planning your visit.
Andernos Jazz Festival at the end of July – a jazz festival in one my favorite towns on the bay (Andernos les Bains). This place was not mentioned in the article as it’s located a bit far from the city of Arcachon but if you come during the festival I highly recommend going there.
Music O Teich in July – a world music festival with free concerts every night on the port of Teich.
Fêtes de la mer in August – the city celebrates the sea and its maritime traditions. Festival Arcachon en Scéne at the end of July, beginning of August – a big music festival you should check out
Festival Cadences in September – a dance festival on the beach and at the Olympia theater.
Cabanes en fete in December – another fun event celebrating oysters, taking place in Andernos les Bains.
To be honest, this area is pretty amazing even without any special events but those definitely add to the fun atmosphere of the Bassin d’Arcachon.
That’s it, that’s my first article about the Bassin d’Arcachon. As someone who lives close by I know that there’s plenty more to do around the bay. However, some of the other towns deserve a separate article, that’s exactly what I intend to do in the future. For now, I hope you’ve enjoyed this list!
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.
Need more ideas for things to do in and around Bordeaux? you should definitely join my newsletter where I share a lot of info about the area – sign up here.
You can say summer is here just by looking at the list of events this June in Bordeaux! There are so many things to do this month that it was truly hard to choose only 20. Luckily, I have my weekend lists to fill with all the other great events that are not on this list. So what do we have in June 2019? Bordeaux will celebrate the Garonne and international music day. We also have the open doors weekend in Cadillac, the geek festival, a food festival and plenty of music events and festivals. So think outdoor, sunny and fun!
Here’s the list of the best 20 things to do in Bordeaux in June 2019.
Bordeaux fête le fleuve
Bordeaux fête le fleuve is one of the most beautiful and entertaining events the city has to offer. During a long weekend (June 20-23), Bordeaux will celebrate the Garonne River with plenty of festive activities and big beautiful vessels docking on the banks. The program includes a big concert every night, water activities, a visit to big impressive boats, gastronomic pavilions, art exhibitions, a white wine festival, fireworks on the river and more. The entrance is free but if you want to enjoy some of Bordeaux’s wine as well, you can get a pass here. For more details and the full program click here. It takes place only once in two years so if you’re here this June, don’t miss it!
When: June 20-23 / Where: The banks of the Garonne
Les Epicuriales
This foodie event taking place on June 13-23 has become an early summer Bordelaise tradition. For 11 days les Epicuriales festival transforms Allées de Tourny (next to the Opera) to a gastronomic heaven with about twenty restaurants set up especially for the event. The highlight of the event is ”Les Étoiles d’Épicure”, a restaurant that will host a different Michelin star chef every evening. The website is still in construction, but you can see more details on their facebook page.
When: June 13-23 / Where: Allées de Tourny 33000 Bordeaux
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 popular culinary and culture festival that gives a stage to young artists. This year the festival will take place on June14-16, 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 14-16 / Where: Different locations in Bègles (see program).
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 (June21) 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
Saint Emilion celebrates 20 years in Unesco
In 1999, Saint Emilion was the first vineyard to enter the UNESCO world heritage list. This year, to marks the 20th anniversary of this nomination, Saint Emilion invites you to a weekend full of fun events in the village and the châteaux around it. The program includes concerts, markets, guided tours, open doors at the wineries and more. For more details click here and for the full program here. The event will take place on June 28-30.
This is the biggest gathering of food trucks in the region of Nouvelle Aquitaine. Tens of different food trucks will be spread around the Gironde department in five events that will take place between June and September. 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 the specialties of food coming from all corners of the world: French, Italian, Brazilian and many more. The program of the festival also includes free concerts, exhibitions, escape games, activities for kids and more. The first food-truck weekend will take place on June 1-2 in Château de Portets in Graves. To purchase tickets for the different events in the Château click here. See all the details about the five weekends of the Bordeaux food truck festival here.
When: June 1-2 / Where: Rue de Mongenan, 33640 Portets
Salon de l’agriculture of Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Salon de l’agriculture of Nouvelle Aquitaine is an annual ten-day event where you get to discover the agricultural richness of our area through different activities. For example, a farm area with many animals and plants will be put in place, offering interesting activities for both kids and adults. Another feature that may attract you is the Gastronomy and Wine space, which will highlight the exceptional heritage of the region. The Salon de l’agriculture is part of a larger event taking place at the same time (Foire Internationale de Bordeaux) and will take place on June 1-10in Parc des Expositions. For more info check out the website, for tickets click here.
When: June 1-10 / Where: Parc des Expositions, Cours Jules Ladoumegue, 33300 Bordeaux
ODP Music Festival in Peixotto
This is the fifth edition of the ODP Festival, whose objective is to raise funds for the orphans of firefighters that have died on duty. The festival will take place on June 6-9 at Peixotto Park in the center of Talence. 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 8-9 / Where: Parc du Château Peixotto, 33400 Talence
Take your picnic to the Vineyard
Wine related activities and picnics are two favorite French pastimes, so why not combine them? Usually, the vines, owned by the different chateaux can only be visited as part of a guided tour in the chateau. However this month you have an opportunity to bring your picnic basket and spend a great day with your family and friends in the vineyards. The principle is quite simple: You bring your own picnic and the chateau will provide the wine and entertainment. Around 400 different wine domains from all over France are participating in the event taking place during the long weekend of June 8-10. More than 1000 activities will be proposed to families by the participating chateaux, they will reflect the specialties of the chateaux and the area, among them: art workshops, concerts, bike tours and more. There are 18 participating Chateaux in the Bordeaux area See the list here. To find a chateau in other areas in France click HERE. The places are limited so I recommend reserving a spot as soon as possible!
When: June 8-10 / Where: Different châteaux around Bordeaux and France
Bordeaux Geek Festival
Comics, science fiction, video games, parallel worlds, creative industries – you’ll find all of these at the next Bordeaux Geek festival (BGF), taking place June 8-10 at Parc des Expositions. The goal of this festival is to experience geek culture and share knowledge on topics that are at the heart of the Geek community. The BGF brings together different players from these industries, among them: video artists, gamers, illustrators, designers, scientists, authors, comedians and more. For more details and tickets click here.
When: June 8-10 / Where: Hall 3 and 1 – Parc des Expositions, 33000 Bordeaux
Open doors at the chateaux of Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux
If you just missed the Open doors in Saint Emilion, you can make up for it with another wine area in the Bordeaux region: Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux. An open doors weekend will take place on June 8-9, with 45 different chateaux hosting you for wine tastings and other activities. For the full list of chateaux click here.
When: June 8-9 / Where: different locations around Cadillac (see program)
So Good Fest
The So Good Fest is an electronic music festival of the Gironde department that takes place every year at Plaine du Courneau in Canéjan. The 8th edition of the festival will take place on June 7-8 and will include a two-day lineup of French and international artists in the Electro, Dub and Techno music. For more details and tickets check out the site of the festival.
When: June 7-8 / Where: Plaine du Courneau in Canéjan
The Medieval Festival of South Gironde
The Medieval Festival of Gironde will take place on June 15-16 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. Don’t miss the free fire show that will be offered on Saturday night! For more info check out the website of the festival.
When: June 15-16 / Where: Landiras, 33720
Echo a Venir –electronic music festival
Echo a Venir is a big visual art and electronic music festival that will take place on June 24-26 on the riverfront. The program of the festival includes a lineup of Djs, audiovisual performances, digital workshops and more. Check out the facebook page of the festival for more info. To see the full program click here.
When: June 24-26 / Where: Placette de Munich (quais de Bordeaux)
Festival Garorock
One of the biggest music festivals in our region is about to take place on June 27-30 in Marmande (about an hour drive from Bordeaux). Garorock is an in international festival with 5 big stages that will host more than 50 French and international artists. For more info and tickets click here.
When: June 27-30 / Where: Plaine de la Filhole, 47200 Marmande
Trajectoires is a unique cultural event where talented students of music, theater and choreography will perform their works of art to pass their diploma. Around 50 different performances of theater, comedy, dance and music will be put on stage in different locations in Bordeaux. Take a look at the full list of performances and details about all the events here.
When: from May 11 to June 23 / Where: different locations around Bordeaux (see program)
Nuits Atypiques Festival
This multidisciplinary festival in south Gironde has been taking place every summer since 1992. From June 1 to July 21, 22 events will take places 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 and info about the locations here.
When: July 1- July 21 / Where: South Gironde- check out the exact location of every event in the program.
Last chance to see the Interactive special effects exhibition
Do you ever wonder how the special effects you see in movies are made? If you do then you should check out the “Effets speciaux” exhibition taking place these days in Cap Sciences. It’s an interactive exhibition that allows you to see the behind the scenes of the cinema world and experiment with different special effects like the green screen. Entry prices range from 6.5€ to 9€ and free for kids under 5 years old. For more info click here.
When: until June 10 / Where: Hangar 20 quai Bacalan, 33000 Bordeaux
Instincts – an exhibition of Mika
Another exciting exhibition is about to take place at the Institut Bernard Magrez, a place dedicated to street art. Starting May 28, an exhibition of Mika, one of Bordeaux’s most prominent street artists will be presented at the museum. If you live in Bordeaux, you’re most definitely familiar with the works of this brilliant artist as you can spot them in different places around the city. The vernissage of the exhibition will take place on May 28, for tickets click here.
When: from May 28 to September 1st / Where: 16 rue de Tivoli, Bordeaux
Dance at la guingette chez Alriq
La Guinguette chez Alriq is a tavern at the Bastide neighborhood, on the rive droite of the Garonne. During the summer the place is full with 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 concerts program of June click here.
When: all summer / Where: ZA Quai des Queyries, Port Bastide, 33100 Bordeaux
So as I told you earlier, Bordeaux in June is pretty amazing! Be sure to follow Lost in Bordeaux on facebook / Instagram for more updates about events taking place this month. Or better yet, join my newsletter where I share a lot of exclusive info about Bordeaux and the region – sign up here..
Saint-Émilion is one of the most prestigious wine areas in the world. With more than 800 wine producers, an endless landscape of vineyards, and its vicinity to Bordeaux, it became one of the top destinations in the southwest of France. More than a million visitors arrive each year to explore the nine communes of the Saint-Émilion region: Saint-Émilion, Saint-Christophe des Bardes, Saint-Sulpice de Faleyrens, Saint-Hippolyte, Saint-Etienne de Lisse, Saint-Laurent des Combes, Saint-Pey d’Armens, Vignonet and parts of Libourne.
With so much excellent wine and beautiful châteaux, choosing which wineries to visit in Saint-Émilion can be quite a difficult task. The fact that many of the well-known châteaux are only open to professionals in the wine industry doesn’t help either. So to help you build your trip to this amazing wine region, I gathered my list of the best wineries to visit in Saint-Émilion. The list includes wineries having great wine (obviously), beautiful properties and interesting tours. I featured both small family run wineries and bigger châteaux, and if time permits I would recommend combining both in your visit.
Château Coutet
Château Coutet by lost in Bordeaux
This elegant château is located about 20 minutes’ walk from the center of Saint-Émilion. The property has a 400-year history as it has been handed down from generation to generation since at least the early 17th century. Today, the family’s 14th generation lives in the property and runs the winemaking business. One of the things that won me over when I first visited was their amazing garden with its own pond and ducks. Combine that with a glass of wine and you will enjoy an amazing picturesque scenery. It’s particularly great if you’re visiting with kids as they can enjoy the garden while you’re taking the wine tour. The David-Beaulieu family is very welcoming and they guide the tours themselves giving a very personal feel to it.
There are two tours to choose from: The “Tradition” (45 min – 5€) which includes the history of the estate, a visit to the winery and the family cellar, and wine tasting. And the “Prestige” visit (1h30 – 12€), which is for 8 people max, and also includes a tour through the vineyards and an exploration of Coutet’s treasures. The tours have to be scheduled ahead. To book a visit call ++33 (0) 5 57 74 43 21 or ++33 (0) 7 82 22 01 05 or write an email to [email protected] . Website:http://chateau-coutet.com/en/wine-tour/ Address: Coutet, 33330 Saint-Émilion
Château Bernateau
Château Bernateau by lost in Bordeaux
Château Bernateau is also a family run winery owned by the 11th generation of the Lavau family. The tour is run by the lovely Karine who is married to one of the sons running the family business. The visit, which lasts around an hour and a half, takes you from the vineyard to the glass. You will see 60 years old vines as well as new ones, visit their beautiful new gravity vat house and then taste wine from different years and styles. It’s a beautiful property with a green and charming garden and a small playground for kids. So if you want to spend some time in the château beyond the tour itself and maybe have a picnic, this place is highly recommended.
They are open daily and offer tours in English and French. The price is 6 euros if you join a group and 10 euros for a private tour. Click here to book a tour online. You can also book a tour by phone (++33 (0) 5 57 40 18 19) or by email: [email protected] Address: Château Bernateau, 33330 Saint-Étienne-de-Lisse
Château Beaurang
Château Beaurang – by lost in Bordeaux
The Beaurang winery is located in the southern part of Saint-Émilion, about 5 km from the center. This isn’t a fancy château, but if you’re looking for a warm welcome, a family feel and great wine this is the right place for you. Claude Puyol and his daughter Delphine represent the third and fourth generation in this artisanal wine-making family. They have an interesting history as they are descendants of Spanish immigrants who came to the region in the early 20th century as simple workers and were eventually able to buy the château and start making their own wine.
The visit will teach you quite a lot about the wine in the region and about the life of a winemaker. In a fascinating way, Claude presents both the beauty and the struggles of wine growers including the effect weather has on their business. At the end of the tour, you will taste some of their great wine, which was one of our favorites in Saint-Émilion. The tours are offered every day from 10:00 to 12:00 and from 14:00 to 18:00. They offer the visit for free but require a reservation. You can book a tour by phone (++33 (0) 6 81 56 35 58) or by email: [email protected] Website: https://www.chateau-beaurang.com/ Address: Château Beaurang, 1, Beaurang, 33330 Saint-Emilion
Château La Croizzille
Chateau La Croizzille – by lost in Bordeaux
Château la Croizille offers a fascinating journey combining old and new. The modern château stands right next to the traditional Château of Tour Baladoz, owned by the same family. This tour allows you to discover the differences between the traditional techniques and the innovative ones for which Château la Croizille is known for. One of the highlights of this tour is the amazing view from the tasting room overlooking the vineyards from the top. The basic tour (12€ per person) is offered daily and includes the modern cellars and tastings. You can also get a picnic basket full of local goodies for 35€. Click here to book online. Another option is to book a private tour (35€ per person) by phone (33) 05 57 74 55 86 or by email: [email protected] Website: http://www.chateaulacroizille.com/en/ Address: lieu-dit Baladoz, 33330 Saint-Laurent des Combes (Saint-Emilion)
ChâteauGuibeau
Chateau Guibeau – by lost in Bordeaux
Château Guibeau is a bit far from Saint-Émilion (15 minutes drive) but totally worth the ride. It’s considered a big winery in Saint-Émilion, with 38 hectares on which they produce around 120,000 bottles a year. It’s owned and run by Brigitte and Eric Destouet. Brigitte is the one running the tours and she will easily make you fall in love with their property and bio wine.
The visits to the chateau are possible from Monday to Friday from 10h30 to 12h and from 14h to 18h for only 5€ per person. You can also take the gourmand tour, with a delicious basket to take to a picnic in the garden of the chateau with an amazing view. Book both tours here or by email to [email protected] or by phone: ++33 (0) 5 57 55 22 75. The owners also have a guesthouse on their property so if you’re looking for an immersive experience that includes a stay in a wine chateau, this is a great opportunity. Click here to book a room. Website: http://www.chateau-guibeau.com/ Address: 51 Guibeau Ouest, 33570 Puisseguin
ChâteauSoutard
Chateau Soutard by lost in Bordeaux
At a mere 10 minutes walk from the center of Saint-Émilion stands the impressive 18th-century Château Soutard. If visiting a beautiful château is high on your list, this is a great option. Since 2006, its owned by La Mondiale company, so it doesn’t have the cozy family feel like many of the other chateaux on this list. But it’s a very popular and highly rated experience. The Château offers plenty of fun activities such as a wine blending workshop, biking in the vineyards, a gourmet picnic and of course, wine tours. Their basic wine tour (12€ / person) starts at 14h every day from April to October, no reservation is required. It includes a visit to their vineyards and cellars. At the end of the tour, you have the chance to taste their renowned Grand Cru Classé wines. To book any of their activities click here. Website: http://www.chateau-soutard.com/ Address: Soutard, 33330 Saint-Émilion
Château Cantenac
Château Cantenac by lost in Bordeaux
Another charming family-run winery is Château Cantenac, built in 1870 on the locality “Cantenac”. The property and its vineyards are located about 3.5 km west of the center of Saint Emilion. Since 1937, the winery is owned by the Roskam-Brunot family, which are now in their 3rd and 4th generations of winemakers. The family is very friendly and their tours are full of knowledge about the winemaking process. The tours are guided by a family member, who is really passionate about the heritage, the wine and the whole process of producing it. The tour ends up with a comparative and educational wine tasting experience. The winery offers two tours: The one-hour classic tour (10 € / person) and the Prestige tour ( 25 € / person ) which also includes some snacks and more wine. You can visit the château from Monday to Friday (10h30 to 14h) upon reservation. Click here to book the tour directly through their site. Website: https://www.chateau-cantenac.fr/histoire/la-famille-roskam/ Address: 2 locality Cantenac, 33330 Saint-Emilion
Château de Ferrand
Château de Ferrand by lost in Bordeaux
Another impressive château on our list is Château de Ferrand, located about 6km from the center of Saint-Émilion. Part of the tour will include the history of the Château that dates back to the 17th century. The wine is a Grand Cru Classé and with its 32-hectare, it’s considered a big winery in the Saint-Émilion wine region. During the tour, you’ll get to visit the vineyard and their big wine cellars. While many of the wineries on this list have a family feeling to them this one is a bit different. It’s much more professional and the wine tasting part is conducted by a professional sommelier that will teach you how to taste wine. Tour prices range between 17 and 21 euros depending on the number of glasses you’re going to taste. The most expensive tour (21 euros) includes tastings of cheese and charcuterie. Click here to book a visit through their site. You can also book by phone + 33 (0) 5 57 74 47 11 or email: [email protected] Website: http://www.chateaudeferrand.com/en-gb/home.aspx Address: Château de Ferrand, Saint-Hippolyte, 33330 Saint Emilion
Château Villemaurine
Château Villemaurine
If you come to Saint-Émilion by train and you really don’t want to leave the village, Château Villemaurine is perfect for you as it’s a short walking distance from the village center. The Château combines tradition, modernity, centuries of history and the refined production of great wines. Château Villemaurine offers three guided tours. The first one is a group discovery tour (15€ / person) where you get to visit the vineyards and the monolithic cellars which are located underneath the vines of the estate. Second is the Heritage tour (15€ / person ) where you will discover the stunning network of quarries owned by the Château Villemaurine. Last is a private tour (45€ / person) which is personally designed for wine enthusiasts. All the tours include wine tasting in the end. Click here to book the tour online. Website: https://www.villemaurine.com/index.php/en/ Address: 23 Villemaurine-Sud, Saint-Émilion
Visiting with kids
photo by: tourist office Saint Emilion
If you’re visiting Saint-Émilion with kids and you’re afraid that a visit to a winery will bore them, take the train tour. The little train leaves every 45 minutes from Espace Villemaurine (next to the bus parking). It’s a 35 minutes tour (7€ / person) that takes you through the vineyards and the big châteaux of Saint-Émilion. If you wish to combine that with a winery visit, the 11€ tour includes a stop at Chateau Rochebelle and its stunning, beautifully lit monolithic cellars (with wine tastings at the end). The tickets can be bought in the tourist office in Saint-Émilion or online (24 hours in advance). For all the details and to book a train tour click here.
Now for the more practical part. While some châteaux will welcome spontaneous visitors, most of the wineries require prior reservations. So be sure to book the tours in advance. In addition, unless you’re coming during the summer, some of the châteaux are closed on the weekends, so if you have the chance, try visiting during the week. Lastly, while visiting Saint-Émilion is a beautiful experience any time of the year, there are some months that are less recommended for wine tours. During the winter (from December to March) and especially in January when it gets cold, many wineries are closed for visits. September is one of the most interesting times in the area as it’s the harvest season but take into account that many small châteaux don’t have enough staff to offer tours during that time so make sure to contact the château in advance.
Saint-Émilion is the queen of wine tourism and one article cannot possibly cover all the tours you can take in the area. In this article, I simply wanted to highlight some of the tours I personally enjoyed and to offer a variety of both big and small châteaux to help my readers plan their trip to the area. Hope you liked it 🙂
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 journey in the culinary scene of the Southwest of France.
Need more ideas for things to do in and around Bordeaux? you should definitely join my newsletter where I share a lot of info about the area – sign up here.
Bordeaux is a very lively city with plenty of restaurants, boutiques and interesting places to visit. So if you want to fully enjoy all this city has to offer, choosing the right hotel or apartment location is crucial. The most vibrant and central neighborhood in Bordeaux is Saint Pierre and if you don’t have a tight budget or other constraints (kids, noise, vicinity to the train station, etc.) it’s a great area to stay in. But you shouldn’t limit yourself to Saint Pierre, there are lots of good neighborhoods in Bordeaux. In this guide, I’ll help you discover the best areas to stay in Bordeaux: lively neighborhoods, hipster districts and the best areas for families visiting the city. If you need specific recommendations for hotels in the city center, check out my post about the best hotels in Bordeaux for every budget. Let’s dive in!
Saint Pierre and Saint Paul – The historic center of Bordeaux
Saint Pierre and Saint Paul districts represent the historic heart of the city. These are the most vibrant and lively areas in Bordeaux, where you stroll by paved narrow streets, charming squares and several famous monuments (the Miroir d’eau, place de la Bourse and others). it’s also the heart of the gastronomic scene in Bordeaux, with plenty of amazing restaurants, cocktail bars and hip cafés. Many are concentrated around the Place Fernand Lafargue, especially on rue Saint James. In Saint Pierre, almost every street has a good restaurant, but the best bars are on rue Parlement Saint Pierre and rue Parlement Sainte Catherine.
The neighborhoods are bounded by the Opera of Bordeaux from the north and rue Victor Hugo from the South. Going east you can enjoy a pleasant stroll on the gorgeous promenade of the Garonne River. The western border of the historic center is marked by rue Sainte Catherine, the longest pedestrian shopping street in Europe hosting all the main retail stores as well as several smaller boutiques.
You can find plenty of Airbnb apartments in this area but they will usually be more expensive. Also, you should know that some of the streets can be a bit noisy at night. You can see a few recommendations for hotels in the Saint Pierre district in my post about the best places to stay in Bordeaux.
Pey Berland and Meriadeck – the administrative district of Bordeaux
Bordering the historic center is the Pey Berland neighborhood, home to the main Cathedral of Bordeaux, Saint André and the city hall (Hotel du Ville). This is one of Bordeaux’s central neighborhoods located within a walking distance from all the main monuments in Bordeaux. Pey Berland is also known as the museum district of Bordeaux with several good museums worth visiting: Musée des Beaux-Arts, Musée des Arts décoratifs et du Design and the Musée d’Aquitaine (a regional history museum).
Musee des beaux arts
in Bordeaux
This district is also a hub for the new wave of hip quality cafés emerging around Bordeaux such as SIP, The Blacklist, l’alchimiste and Gusco. If Sainte Catherine left you hungry for more shopping, this district will not disappoint you. Plenty of clothing boutiques and art galleries are located between the town hall, place Gambetta and Cours de l’independance. On rainy days, you can also visit the Mériadeck, the only shopping mall in the center of Bordeaux. If you’re looking for accommodation in this area but still want to feel the historic vibe of Bordeaux, try choosing a place to the east side of Cours d’Albret.
Quinconces and Triangle d’Or – The fancy area of Bordeaux
The Opera of Bordeaux
To the north of the historic center, we find the Triangle d’Or district, where the architecture mostly dates back to the 18th century. You’ll immediately notice the contrast in scenery coming from the narrow paved streets of old Bordeaux to the wide boulevards and elegant facades of the Triangle d’Or. This is the fancy part of Bordeaux, abundant with luxury boutiques and some of the best chocolatiers in Bordeaux.
The neighborhood also borders Jardin Public, the biggest park in the center of Bordeaux, making it a very kid friendly area. Triangle d’Or is also the home of the Opera of Bordeaux as well as the Esplanade des Quinconces, one of the biggest squares in France. Several times a year, different fairs take place at the square or on the Allée de Tourney. Among them are the Christmas market, the big brocante (flea and antiques market) of Bordeaux and an amusement park. In my blog I cover all the main events taking place in the city during the year, so for more updates follow my monthly and weekly lists.
Chartrons – the posh area of Bordeaux
The Chartrons district in Bordeaux
The Chartrons district, neighboring esplanade des Quinconces, starts the northern part of Bordeaux. It’s quite a big district but the more interesting part of it lies next to the riverfront and around the long rue Notre Dame, one of the most posh streets in Bordeaux. This central street and the little ones surrounding it are full of excellent restaurants, trendy boutiques and antique shops.
The Chartrons riverfront is characterized by warehouses once used by foreign merchants to age and store wine. It gives the neighborhood a vibe different than the rest of the city. Also, every Sunday a big market takes place on Quai des Chartrons, gathering many tourists and locals from all parts of the city. So even if you don’t stay there, don’t miss this charming neighborhood.
Saint Michel, Saint Croix and Victoire – the Cosmopolitan areas of Bordeaux
Saint Michel in Bordeaux
If you’re looking to lower your budget or change the scenery from classic Bordeaux, the southern districts of the city are a great option. Saint Michel, Saint Croix and Victoire are the cosmopolitan districts of the city. A very mixed population lives in these neighborhoods, you could find international students, artists and immigrant merchant families. The area has a lively culinary scene, from the main market of Bordeaux to local bars and cute little restaurants. Although it’s only a few minutes walk from the city center, apartments in this area are considerably cheaper than the neighboring Saint Paul district.
Jardin Public and Saint Seurin – the quiet and green area of Bordeaux
Jardin Public and Saint Seurin are two residential neighborhoods, located quite close to the city center. If you’re planning a trip to Bordeaux with kids, these neighborhoods are perfect as they are calm and close to the main park of Bordeaux, Jardin Public. They are within a short walking distance from the Opera of Bordeaux and some of the best restaurants in the city so you won’t feel isolated.
The more distant neighborhoods in Bordeaux
Bordeaux is not a big city and you can easily reach the center from several other more distant districts. So if the center of Bordeaux is a bit out of your budget, consider some of the following areas. Another advice is to look for something on one of the tramlines as those are very regular, as opposed to buses in Bordeaux. Here is the map of the tramline in Bordeaux, to make it easier for you to do your search.
Bastide – the other side of the river
The hip area of Bordeaux
While most of the historic monuments are located on the west side (rive gauche) of the Garonne, rive droite has its own charm and can be a good place to stay in Bordeaux. By crossing the central bridge of Bordeaux (Pont Pierre) you arrive at the Bastide neighborhood. Until quite recently it was a sleepy residential neighborhood but in the last decade, it transformed into a hip area where many locals love to spend their weekends.
This district is especially charming from May to October when you can enjoy all its green areas and all the summer bars and restaurants on the riverfront which are then open for the summer season. Bastide is still much cheaper then the center of Bordeaux and can be a great option if you’re on a budget. However, to still feel like you’re close to the city center, search for a hotel or apartment close to Tram A. This line will take you through Pont Pierre to Hotel du Ville in just a few minutes ride.
Bacalan – The grungy area of Bordeaux
The grungy part of Bordeaux
Neighboring Chartrons from the north is the Bacalan district, located about 30 minutes walk from the center of Bordeaux. They are a far not only in their geographical distance but also in their landscape. The Bacalan neighborhood is built around the port of Bordeaux and has a very grungy look to it as opposed to the classic city center. In recent years, the city of Bordeaux has been transforming this neighborhood into one of the most interesting areas in the city. Apart from the magnificent Cité du Vin, it also houses some of the best music venues and has a thriving street art scene. If you chose to stay in this area, be sure to stay in the Southern part (close to the Chartrons district) and as close as possible to the tramline (Tram B) that will take you to the city center in a few minutes.
If you want to learn more about things to do in the Bacalan neighborhood, click here.
Gare Saint Jean – next to the train station
Saint Jean isn’t one of the best neighborhoods to stay in Bordeaux and in some parts can be a bit shady. However, if you need to catch a train early in the morning staying there can be quite practical. And it’s also much more affordable than the center of Bordeaux, which you can easily reach with the Tram Line C. There are some nice hotels on the way from the train station to the riverfront (the quai) and, generally speaking, this is the nicer part around Gare Saint Jean. Also, Quai des Paludate is home to some of Bordeaux’s night clubs and to the new Boca food market. Gradually and with a lot of investment from the city of Bordeaux, this area is becoming more popular and the stay can indeed be quite nice.
Saint Agustin
One of the most family friendly neighborhoods in Bordeaux is Saint Augustin. It’s a small quiet neighborhood, located about 20 min (by tram) from the city center and a walking distance from two beautiful parks in Bordeaux, Parc bourran and Parc Bordelais. The neighborhood has a little center with a few restaurants and a weekly market.
Saint Genes and Nansouty
South to the center, you can find Saint Genes and Nansouty. These are two quiet neighborhoods bordering Place de la Victoire from the South. There isn’t much to do here but it’s only about a 15 minutes walk from the center and it’s conveniently placed on the tram line B that takes you to all the main spots in Bordeaux.
Bordeaux Lac
The Bordeaux Lac district is located in the north, quite far from the center of Bordeaux. Apart from cheaper rates, its main advantage is being close to the parc des expositions, where many of Bordeaux’s fairs and salons take place. So if you come to Bordeaux for a conference this will be a good option for you. Also, if the shopping in the city center was not enough, Bordeaux Lac has one of the biggest shopping centers in the region.
As its name suggests, the neighborhood has a big lake with a popular beach that is open to the public during the summer. You can reach the exhibition park, the shopping center and the beach by line C from the center of Bordeaux.
I hope this article covers everything you need to know about the different neighborhoods you can stay in when visiting Bordeaux. If you need more specific recommendations, check out my post about the best hotels in the city center.
If you’re moving to Bordeaux, be sure to check out the Bordeaux Expats website which is full of valuable knowledge for newcomers.
Need more ideas for things to do in and around Bordeaux? you should definitely join my newsletter where I share a lot of info about the area – sign up here.
There are several important events related to wine about to take place this May in Bordeaux. One of them is the Open doors in the chateaux of Saint Emilion, a great opportunity to visit this magical village. We all know, however, that Bordeaux is not all about wine and so this month we’ll also have several festivals of arts, dance, and circus as well as cultural events like the European museums night. All you have to do to get up-to-date about things to do in Bordeaux this May is to keep on reading…
Open doors in Saint-Emilion
An open door weekend will take place on May 4-5 in Saint Emilion where 81 wine producers will open their chateaux to the public. The weekend will include many activities such as wine tastings, visits to the chateaux, games for kids and bike rides. Check out the full program for the participating châteaux, the activities and the wine tasting proposed for that weekend – here.
When: May 4-5 / Where: different locations around Saint Emilion
The opening of La Guinguette chez Alriq
The best place for sunny weekends in Bordeaux is about to reopen for their summer season. La Guinguette chez Alriq is a taverne at the la Bastide neighborhood, on the rive droite of the Garonne. On a sunny day you can enjoy a cold beer, nice food and daily concerts with a magnificent view of the Garonne. The opening night will take place on May 2 with a concert of Bojan Krstic. See the full program for the weekend here.
La Guinguette chez Alriq
When: Starting May 2 / Where: ZA Quai des Queyries, Port Bastide, 33100 Bordeaux
Let your kids discover the art of circus at the Jubil’à Jongle festival
The 13th edition of the festival will start with an inauguration evening on May 3, which will include magic and fire shows, different activities for kids and even a rock concert. On the second day of the festival (May 4), you will discover the art of circus and street entertainment through shows of Juggling, magic, games and introductory workshops. The festival will take place at the Parc de Fongravey in Blanquefort. For more info click here.
When: May 3-4 / Where: 4 Parc de Fongravey in Blanquefort
Search for beautiful antiques at the Brocante
The big brocante of Bordeaux is hosted twice a year at place des Quinconces with 200 antique dealers, horticulturists, restaurants and craftsmen. It’s the biggest brocante event in the area and the selection is huge, from vintage home decor, to paintings, antique furniture, garden accessories and more. The brocante started on April 19 and will continue until May 5. For more info and the list of exhibitors click here.
When: April 19 – May 5 / Where: Place des Quinconces, Bordeaux
Bordeaux Tango Festival
The 7th edition of the Bordeaux Tango Festival will take place on May 7-12. This hot festival connects Bordeaux and the place where Tango was born, Buenos Aires. A variety of activities will be offered to celebrate the link between these two cities, such as dance, music, art, literature and even food. Most of the events will take place in Espace St. Remi and Rocher Palmer in Cenon. See the program of the festival.
When: May 7-12 / Where: Different locations in Bordeaux
Vinexpo Bordeaux
Vinexpo is one of the most famous wine-related events in Bordeaux, intended for professionals in the wine world. The program includes master classes, wine tastings, conferences, and networking events. The fair will take place at the Parc des Expositions de Bordeaux on May 13-16. For the full program and more details click here and for tickets click here.
When: May 13-16 / Where: Cours Jules Ladoumègue, 33000 Bordeaux, France
European Museums Night
On May 18 some of the best museums and cultural establishments in Bordeaux will open their doors to the public with free exhibitions and activities. This year the event will have a 90’s vibe to it and the organizers encourage you to dress up in a 90’s style: so pull out your high jeans and too colorful clothes, you know the drill :). Besides exhibitions, the museums will host lots of kids friendly activities, concerts and more. See the full list of museums and events here.
When: May 18 – 6pm until midnight / Where: Different museums around the metropole
Big Bang – Air and Space Festival
The Big Bang festival in Saint-Médard-en-Jalles will take place on May 14-18. This year the cultural and scientific festival is dedicated to the moon. The program includes art and science exhibitions, conferences, films, concerts and much more. Check out the full program of the event.
When: May 14-18 / Where: Le Carré des Jalles, Place de la République, 33160 Saint-Medard-En-Jalles
Le Marché des créateurs
The 29th edition of the creators market (Marché des créateurs) will take place on May 18-19 at Place Camille Jullian (next to Utopia cinema). This market proposes a great variety of items giving everyone a chance to find something fitting their tastes and budget: clothes, accessories, jewelry, decorations, kids accessories, toys and more. For more details check out the facebook page of the event.
When: May 18- 19 / Where: Place Camille Jullian, 33000
Belem, the famous French vessel arrives to Bordeaux
Belem, the oldest big French vessel (launched in 1896, 51 meters long) will arrive in Bordeaux for five days and will be open to the public. The beautiful ship, classified as a historic monument, will dock at Quai Richelieu on May 16-20. Follow the facebook page of Belem for updates about the hours you can visit the vessel.
Festival de Caves (the Cellars festival) is an underground theater festival, gathering a small number of spectators in cellars and other underground places throughout the city. In Bordeaux, the festival will take place on May 11-25 and will run the whole month of May in different cities in Aquitaine. The festival will premier on May 11 (at 18:30) at the Maison Cantonale. Check out the full program on the website of the event. For more details click here.
When: May 11-25 / Where: Different locations in Bordeaux
Festival Echappée Belle in Blanquefort
The Echappée Belle festival is a great entertaining event for the whole family merging theater, dance, circus and other forms of art. The festival will take place from May 23-26 in Blanquefort, starting in Parc Majolan and continuing for the weekend in Parc de Fongravey. See the full program here.
When: May 23-26 / Where: Different locations in Blanquefort (see the program)
Grand Crus Weekend
One of the most anticipated events in Bordeaux’s wine world is the Grand Crus Weekend that will take place on May 23-26. 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: May 24-26 / Where: many locations in Gironde, see the program
Take your kids to an inflatable water park in Biscarrosse
The huge inflatable water park in Biscarrosse (about an hour drive from Bordeaux) is about to reopen for the Summer at the beginning of May. 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
The Iboat, mostly known as a concert venue, is a three-level ferry spanning 687m2, anchored to one of the docks of Bassins a flot. One of the special features of the place is the Upper deck where events and exhibitions are held during the evenings. Every Wednesday at 19:00 the Iboat hosts the SHAKE SHAKE SHAKE, an after-work party with very creative cocktails :). For this and other events taking place at the Iboat click here.
Quatre tendances is a collaboration between several ballets groups and choreographers. Like every two years, Quatre tendances will take the stage for several nights to perform a number of contemporary choreographies. This year the national ballet of Bordeaux will collaborate with Ballet Preljocaj – CCN d’Aix-en-Provence, le Malandain Ballet Biarritz and le CCN-Ballet de l’Opéra National du Rhin. Four choreographies will be performed during nine shows, taking place on May 22-31. For more details and tickets click here.
When: May 22-31 / Where: Grand Théâtre, place de la Comédie, 33000 BORDEAUX
Last chance to see the D’un soleil à l’autre exhibition
In the D’un soleil à l’autre exhibition artists present their poetic journey in space. Aspects like elastic distances, weightlessness, dazzling, infinitely large landscapes and incandescent materials are beautifully translated into contemporary digital art. La Base sous marine is known for the phenomenal use of their unique space for art, so don’t miss this one. The exhibition will be presented at the museum until May 19. For more info click here.
When: March 9 – May 19 / Where:Boulevard Alfred Daney, 33000 Bordeaux
When art and design take on glass
A new temporary exhibition was inaugurated at the Cité du Vin in March. The exhibition beautifully combines the wine and glass worlds. It includes the works of several glass designers who all modified and reinvented wine glasses and bottles. For more details click here.
When: March 15 – June 30 / Where: Esplanade de Pontac, 134 quai de Bacalan, 33300 Bordeaux
Les chōchin du Japon- exhibition
This is the last chance to see the Les chōchin du Japon exhibition at the Musée des art décoratifs that is dedicated to special lamps that were declared a “traditional craft knowledge” in Japan. The exhibition will be presented at the museum until May 19. For more info click here.
When: untilMay 19 / Where: Musée des Arts décoratifs et du Design, 39 rue Bouffard, 33000 Bordeaux
Festins – a funky exhibition at the Bernard Magrez Cultural Institute
Yet another great exhibition is presented these days at the Institut Bernard Magrez. Festins is an exhibition by two artists, Gérard RANCINAN and Caroline GAUDRIAULT, that have been working together in the last 20 years and have now agreed to present their works at the museum. For more details click here. The exhibition will be presented at the institute until June 9.
When: March 7 – June 9 / Where: 16 rue de Tivoli, 33000 Bordeaux
If you’re visiting Bordeaux for one of the wine events, be sure to check out my ultimate guide to Bordeaux, that will get you familiar with all the “must” places to visits in Bordeaux. Also, if you have more days to spend in our beautiful region, check out my article about the best day trips from Bordeaux.
Need more ideas for things to do in and around Bordeaux? you should definitely join my newsletter where I share a lot of info about the area – sign up here.
Bordeaux attracts many tourists coming for the wine, fine dining and beautiful architecture. But many are unaware that it’s also a family-friendly city with plenty of things to do with kids. Beautiful gardens, adventure parks, climbing, biking and even discovering the wine world, the Bordeaux area has it all. In this list, I gathered 30 things you can do in Bordeaux and its surroundings with both small and big kids. This is a long list of ideas for both tourists and locals and is meant to be exhaustive, a kind of reference to keep for the future. It includes both outdoor and indoor activities (for those rainy days), both calm and active, in both Bordeaux and its surroundings. I hope it will give you some ideas you didn’t think about! Let’s dig in!
Things to do with kids in Bordeaux center
Splash in the Miroir d’eau
The biggest water mirror in the world is one of the best things to do with kids when the temperatures rise in Bordeaux. Every 15 minutes the water rises and creates a very shallow pool where kids can run and splash in the water. When tired you can have a picnic at the little garden right next to it.
Eat in a kids friendly restaurant
Bordeaux is the city of restaurants but we all know how exhausting it can be with kids. That’s why you must have a list of a few good kids friendly restaurants you can go to when you start recognizing those kids hunger tantrums :). Here are a few kids friendly restaurants in Bordeaux: Osteria pizzeria de bartolo and It for Italian food, Santosha next to the Grosse Cloche for Thai food, Kokomo for hamburgers, Horace and Cofete B for coffee and cake and a light lunch, Mama Shelter for a more chic experience.
Cap Sciences
Cap Sciences is a kids science museum and one of the most fun and educative places in Bordeaux. The museum proposes interactive exhibitions and activities all dedicated to different aspects of science. Another interesting feature of the museum is the kids’ workshops arranged by different age groups. Among them you can find photography, molecular cooking, eco-citizens and more. For more details click here. Where: Hangar 20, Quai de Bacalan, 33300 Bordeaux
Take a scooter or bicycle and go to the quai
One of the main accomplishments of Bordeaux’s makeover in the last decade is the beautiful new dock on the left bank of the Garonne river. A pedestrian only 4.5 km quais stretches out between Gare Saint Jean and Bassin a flot in the north of the city. When it’s sunny outside you can see plenty of families with bikes, scooters or skates riding the paths. You also have an amazing view of the river on one side and the beautiful architecture of Bordeaux on the other. If you don’t have bicycles you can take the (almost) free city bike, all you need is a credit card. Check out all the station in Bordeaux here.
Puppet show in the parc
Le Guignol Guérin, founded in 1853, is the oldest puppetry show in France which holds daily spectacles for kids in the 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. Where: Rue du Bocage, 33000 Bordeaux
Picnic in the park (Jardin public and many others)
A picnic in the park is one of the easiest ways to spend some time outside with your kids. You can enjoy your bottle of rosé while they run around the park. When in Bordeaux, many people head straight to Jardin Public, and while it’s a beautiful park, it’s far from being the only green spot in the city. To help you get familiar with the green parts of the city, I gathered a list of the best places to have a picnic in Bordeaux, which include both big parks and little gardens and some necessary playgrounds – click here to read the post.
Parc Bordelais by Lost in Bordeaux
Take the little train to tour the city
If you want to discover Bordeaux in a fun way, take the little train which departs from the tourists’ office. This 45 minutes tour passes by the main sites of the historic city like place des Quinconces and Place de la Bourse (with Scripted commentaries available in 8 languages). The train leaves every two hours from the Tourist information office, where you also buy the tickets. For more details and tickets click here.
Natural History Museum
After years of renovations the museum of natural history of Bordeaux has finally opened its doors on March 2019. Created in 1971, the museum has one of the biggest collections in France with more than a million specimens. Besides the new design and the incredible collection, one of the new features in the renovated museum is the “Early Years Museum” for kids under 6 years old. Where: 5 Place Bardineau, 33000 Bordeaux
Go to the pool
There are several kids friendly pools in Bordeaux metropole, two of them are not very far from the city center. Next to the Meriadeck, you’ll find the piscine Judaique located in a beautiful art deco building. A bit farther from the center is Piscine du Grand Parc. Both are very kids friendly with facilities like kids pool, water slides, floats and more.
Go ice skating at the meriadeck
La Patinoire de Mériadeck is a sports complex in Bordeaux center that hosts hockey games as well as many different concerts. However, several days a week the place is open to the public and you can come with your family and enjoy ice skating in this huge arena. As the Patinoire hosts many different events during the year, it’s opening hours might change from time to time, so before heading there with your kids, check out the schedule. It is usually closed during the summer vacation. Where: 95 Cours Maréchal Juin, 33000 Bordeaux
Artistic workshop in institut Bernard Magrez
Institut Bernard Magrez is one of the best places in the city for art lovers. They present beautiful street art exhibitions several times a year and frequently hold kids creative workshops around the theme of the exhibition. To be updated on their future workshops follow them on facebook. Where: 16 Rue de Tivoli, 33000 Bordeaux
Surfing in a coffee place
This is a super cool activity for kids (over 8 yo). The Wave Surf Café is the first indoor cafe where you can surf! The Big artificial wave in the middle of the coffee shop imitates the ocean waves and allows you to feel like a professional surfer in the city center :). It’s a nice experience for kids who don’t live next to the sea and don’t have the opportunity to surf. For more details click here. Where: 174 Cours du Médoc, 33300 Bordeaux
Go rollerblading with the whole family
Kids love rollerblades so if you’re looking for a fun family time, why not do it with them? You can join the Airroller club association that organizes a big family ride once a month. You don’t have to be a member to join the ride, but if you do, you can enjoy skating lessons adapted to all levels and ages. For more info about the activities of the association click here.
Skating
There are two great options for kids who like to skate. One is the skatepark on Quai des Chartrons which is a great facility. For those heading to the Sunday market on the quai, that would be a great break for the kids. If you need a change of scenery from the center of Bordeaux, cross the river to Darwin. It’s a super cool urban space that has a skateboard park made from recycled materials and a special cultural landscape of street art and electronic music. This is a good option for rainy days. Where: 87 Quai des Queyries, 33100 Bordeaux
photo by: @lost_in_bordeaux
Shopping in one of the malls
Who doesn’t love shopping, right? Well I personally don’t but I know that quite a lot of teenagers see it as legitimate site seeing in the city. So where do we shop in Bordeaux? The main shopping street is rue Sainte Catherine, the longest pedestrian street in France. Very close to it you have the Meriadeck which is the only shopping center in the city center. But if you’re looking for bigger malls, with plenty of clothing retailers, you’ll have to go a bit further to the shopping centers in the surrounding towns such as Rives d’Arcins in Begles, Aushopping in Bordeaux lac or Mérignac Soleil.
Spend time at the main library
If your kids are interested in books, the Bibliothèque in Mériadeck has a library for kids between 0 and 13 years old. The place includes novels, comics, manga, music, movies and even a coloring space for the little ones. Apart from books the Meriadeck library also hosts different events such as little shows for kids, story time and video games in groups. Where: 85 Cours Maréchal Juin, 33000 Bordeaux
Things to do with kids in Bordeaux – outside the city center
Go to a kids cinema
It’s not always easy to find movies for little kids, so I was happy to find a cinema fully dedicated to mini me’s. The cinéma Le Festival in Begles specializes in animation movies and special effects. Plenty of animated movies and cartoons, accessible to kids over 3 years old are screened every day. Check out their website for all the details and the program. Where: 151 Boulevard Albert 1er, 33130 Bègles
Go to the beach at Bordeaux Lac
The beach is the perfect summer spot for kids and if you’re in Bordeaux you don’t have to go very far for it. The cute beach of Bordeaux Lac has everything you need: a sandy clean beach with beautiful clear and calm water and a lot of shade from the nearby trees for those who don’t really like the sun. The beach is open to the public daily from June 1st to August 31 and starting July 1st it offers water and beach activities such as sailing, kayaking, mini-golf and more. Check out the list of daily activities here.
Bordeaux lac by Lost in Bordeaux
Soft play
When you really need your kids to let off some steam the best place to go is a soft play and there are several of those in Bordeaux: Yopi park Royal kids in Pessac, Happy park in Begles and Kidooland in Bordeaux Lac where you can actually have lunch while someone is watching your kids.
Kfe des familles – Café associative
Kfe des Familles is a cute associative café that allows parents to spend time with their kids while also enjoying a coffee or lunch. Besides a nice little restaurant, the place has a room for kids’ workshops as well as a space for the little ones, where they can play accompanied by their parents. The cafe organizes plenty of activities and events throughout the year. For more info click here. Where: 46 rue de New-York 33300 Bordeaux
Ferme urbaine des Iris
The Iris animal farm in Lormont is a magical place that allows you to spend a fun day with your kids in nature. In the farm your curious kids can learn about animals and feed them. They have a big variety of animals, among them rabbits, donkeys, and goats. The farm is closed for groups on school vacations. For more info click here. Where: 8 Rue Sourbes, 33310 Lormont
Discover the city on a canoe
The Bordeaux Canoe company offers you a fantastic tour on a canoe or a SUP. During the two hours tour you will discover the wild islands on the Garonne river, the traditional cabane on the riverbanks, and the river’s history. The starting point of the tour changes according to the flow of the river. The tour is adapted to kids over 10 years old on the Canoe and 14 on the SUP. For more info click here. Where: 21 Parc d’Activités des Queyries, 33100 Bordeaux
Climbing
Indoor climbing has become extremely popular in Bordeaux and there are numerous facilities where you can do that with kids. These are the climbing centers in or close to Bordeaux: Arkose, Block’out Roc’ Altitude and the newest one – Climb up.
Adventure park in Talence
The Loisirs et Aventures company runs an adventure park in Bois de Thouars in Talence where kids can practice treetop walking. The company offers six courses for different ages, starting from 4 years old. The adventure park is open on Wednesdays and during the weekend from April to October and every day on July and August. For more details click here. Where: Bois de Thouars, Avenue de la Marne – 33400 Talence
Go to the zoo
The zoo of Bordeaux, which is actually located in Pessac, is a beautiful family friendly place. It allows you to discover more than 250 different animals from monkeys to giraffes and white tigers. The zoo organizes plenty of events for kids throughout the year. For more details click here. Where: 3 Rue du Transvaal, 33600 Pessac
A bit farther – things to do around Bordeaux
Discover contemporary art in the forest
How about combining nature with art? One of the best ways to discover the massive forest of Landes de Gascogne in the south of Gironde is by following the map of la foret d’art contemporain. This is a cool project that aims to promote contemporary art by placing it in different spots in the forest. Around 20 different pieces of art were placed in all parts of the forest, usually close to one of the smaller towns, to allow you to discover the more rural parts of Gironde. Follow the map of the project – here.
La Ferme Exotique
La Ferme Exotique is a charming animal farm located in Cadaujac, about 20 minutes from Bordeaux. There are almost 1000 animals in the farm, coming from all over the world and in all sizes. It’s a unique experience as they allow kids to really connect with the animals and even help feed some of them. For more details click here. Where: Domaine de la Roussie, 1932 Chemin du Port de l’Esquillot, 33140 Cadaujac
The inflatable water park in Biscarrosse
Bordeaux is just one hour away from the biggest inflatable water park in the world! 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
Take the kids to an amusement park
Parc de la coccinelle is an amusement park in Gujan-Mestras, on the Bassin d’Arcachon. This park is a perfect day out that your kids will definitely enjoy. It has everything from water slides, roller coasters, trampolines and even an animal farm where you can feed baby goats. It’s open from April to the beginning of November, however, it’s not open every week, so check out the schedule before going. For more info click here. If you need more ideas on what to do with kids when going to Arcachon, check out my post about day trips from Bordeaux. Where: Parc de loisirs, La Hume, 33470 Gujan-Mestras
Route du vin with kids
Coming to Bordeaux with kids doesn’t mean you can’t discover the incredible wine of this region. Children are welcomed to many Bordeaux wine estates (wine chateaux) but some of them organize activities that will make it a super kids friendly visit. Chateau d’Agassac has a treasure hunt game. Château Gruaud Larose has a special path for families in the vineyards and Chateau Kirwan organized a gouter (a snack) for kids every Wednesday.
If you need ideas for what to do with kids when it’s raining in Bordeaux, click here. Apart from that list I constantly update about kids friendly events and activities taking place every weekend, so follow the blog for more update. And don’t forget to join me on my weekly newsletter where I share plenty of recommendations on where to go and what to do in and around Bordeaux – click here to subscribe.
This article was very fun to make. I, together with the super talented photographer Laura Macias , went out to check five coffee shops in Bordeaux. There are plenty of nice coffee places in Bordeaux, with quality coffee, beautiful design and a great atmosphere so choosing this list wasn’t an easy task. So how did I choose these five? First, all of them have amazing coffee and a cozy atmosphere. But I also wanted them to be spread out around the city so every coffee in this article is located in a different district of Bordeaux. And last but not least, as most of my readers are English speakers I chose coffee places that are English friendly. In all of them, the owners and most of the staff speak English and you don’t have to break your tonguewhen ordering a coffee. So let’s start discovering the best coffee places in Bordeaux!
Café Piha
This place, I must admit, is my coffee place of choice when I hang out with my girlfriends, I discovered it through my Kiwi friend Julie and it’s on our list ever since. The place is owned by Pierre Guerin, one of the nicest and most welcoming people in coffee land. The name Piha combines two of his big loves: kite surfing and coffee. Piha is the name of a surfing village in New Zealand, where Pierre used to live and surf for quite a while and where he learned the barista craft. Coming back to France, knowing that he wanted to continue his journey in the coffee industry, he started working as a Barista in the KB Cafeshop in Paris and then in Loomi cafe where he learned to roast coffee. Several years ago he and his wife Carole moved to Bordeaux, her hometown. After a stint in Arcachon, where he created the MaxiCoffee, two years ago he and his wife decided to open their own coffee place in the center of Bordeaux.
Piha was opened in February 2017 in what was previously a print shop. With the help of his interior designer friend they designed this elegant coffee shop, with mostly sofas instead of chairs to make you feel comfortable when you meet your friends for a coffee.
Pierre really loves his staff, you can see that he genuinely appreciates their contribution to the success of this place. From Pauline, the manager and tea expert to Joslin the Barista and Angele, the chef, who’s also responsible for the delicious desserts on the bar (you must try the homemade chocolate cookies). Most of Piha’s clients are people from the neighborhood and while Pierre loves Bordeaux his real dream is to move closer to the sea where he can roast his coffee and surf everyday.
What else? They offer a brunch every Saturday and the first Sunday of every month. On Saturdays, Pierre hosts coffee workshops and from the little course we received while making this article, I can assure you that it’s worth your time. Pierre has plenty of interesting collaborations with other places in the city. Other cafes use his roasted coffee and he sells other craft products in Piha (a local beer for example). These days he and Carole are developing their online shop selling freshly ground coffee roasted in the shop in Bordeaux, check it out here.
Address: 69 Rue des Ayres, 33000, Bordeaux Opening hours: Monday 10:00 – 18:30, Tuesday to Friday 8:30 to 18:30, Saturday 10:00 to 18:30. Find them on:Website, Facebook, Instagram
L’Alchimiste Café Boutique
We now move to the fancy district of Quinconces and to one of the most popular coffee addicts places, L’Alchimiste Café. Arthur Audibert is a pioneer in specialty coffee roasting in Bordeaux. After working for a decade in consulting in Paris, he came back to his home area to open the first roastery in Bordeaux. He was influenced by his many travels abroad where he tasted quality coffee and decided to contribute his part in developing the coffee culture in France. Five years ago he opened a roastery, L’Alchimiste torréfacteur de cafés d’exception, in Darwin. In the first year, he was roasting coffee for other establishments in Bordeaux, mostly serving fancy restaurants and hotels.
After a year he was joined by Yohan Caunegre, another caffe enthusiast who wanted to learn from the master and open the coffee scene to the wider public. After living in Australia and working in a coffee shop, Yohan wanted to bring the rising culture of coffee shops with a quality cafe to Bordeaux. In 2016, in addition to their roastery in Darwin they opened their coffee shop on a cute paved street not far from hotel de ville, Rue de la Vieille Tour. Albeit the central location, opening the cafe on that street was a gamble as at that time it wasn’t such a popular spot. Today, when you see this popular street with all the beautifully designed boutiques and pastries on the way to the coffee shop it’s easy to see the gamble paid off.
This cozy little place is divided into three areas: the bar, the sitting room with a few little tables surrounded by forest themed wall decorations and a small gallery with changing works of art, chosen by Virginie, Arthur’s wife. The name, L’alchimiste comes for the idea of transformation – the fact that the product starts froma fruit and transforms into a coffee. This place is all about coffee, they don’t serve food, and the only snacks you can get are the cakes on the bar. Their coffee mostly comes from Central America and Eastern Africa (Ethiopia and Kenya).
What else? The first Saturday of every month they hold a 2 hours workshop of tasting and brewing coffee. The price is 10 euros and you can register on their website. Next Autumn is going to be big for the guys! They will open a new coffee shop in Darwin, where apart from their amazing coffee they will make their own pastry and natural juices.
Address: 12 Rue de la Vieille Tour, 33000, Bordeaux /Opening hours: Tuesday to Friday 8:30 to 18:00, Saturday 10:00 to 18:00 /Find them on:Website, Facebook, Instagram
Café Gusco
We finally get to the female representative on the list and for that, I will make you leave the center of Bordeaux. Gusco is run by Pauline Savin and is located in the Meriadeck district, distant from the buzz of Bordeaux center. Just a few minutes walk from Hotel de Ville you’ll get to a tiny square with turquoise tables from where you can spot the beautiful welcoming smile of Pauline.
Pauline started her career in the wine industry and learned to appreciate good coffee through her husband, a distributor of coffee beans. He used to bring home samples of green coffee which they would taste together. After many exhausting years in the wine industry and after becoming a mom, Pauline decided to open her own business. It took a trip to New-York, which included a marathon of visiting coffee places, for her to decide to open a coffee place back home. She wanted to prove that good coffee culture can exist in France. Another brave decision was to roast her own coffee in order to own its taste. As someone who didn’t come from the coffee word, she had to learn everything from scratch and this girl definitely owns it!
In June 2017 she opened her specialty coffee place, Gusco. The name is a combination of the names of her kids Gustav and Colombe. The place is small but beautifully designed. It is a combination of many ideas she saw in other coffee shops as well as Portuguese touches as its a country she really loves. I especially loved the sofa with the hanging tables. They cook their own food and many customers actually come to Gusco for lunch. Pauline is super funny and charming and makes you feel at home in a second, and if you combine that with her great coffee, it’s really worth the walk.
Address: 2 Rue Ligier, 33000, Bordeaux /Opening hours: Monday 8:30 – 14:30, Tuesday to Friday 8:30 to 18:00, Saturday 9:00 to 12:00/ Find them on:Facebook, Instagram
La Pelle Café
We are moving from the historic center of Bordeaux to the northern chic neighborhood of Chartrons. A charming street like notredame, deserves a beautiful place like La Pelle Cafe. The founders of the place is Carlos Pereira and his wife Paula.
Carlos, originally from Brazil, was surrounded by coffee from an early age and says he was always the one making coffee for his family so it’s no surprise he chose it as his profession. He left Brazil at the age of 26 and moved to Italy where he started his career in the coffee world. His first city in France was Paris, where he was one of the associates in a specialty coffee place, called Coutume Cafe.
In the end of 2015, he and his wife Paula have decided to move to Bordeaux and open their own little coffee place. While searching for the perfect place for their new “baby” they fell in love with the Chartrons neighborhood, and I can definitely see why. They are located on one of the most pleasant streets of Bordeaux, and they perfectly fit there with their chic design. The idea behind it is to make the bar the main scene with the baristas being the main actors in the play. The name Pelle comes from the Italian and Portuguese word for skin and it’s also the name of a coffee shovel in French.
He’s a real advocate for quality coffee and if you are interested in expanding your knowledge about different types of coffee and roasting he’s your guy. Pelle cafe usually has coffee from 10 different origins, from countries like Costa rica, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Brazil, Colombia, Salvador and Guatemala. They try to educate people about the coffee they drink and enrich their experience beyond just drinking coffee.Left to the bar you’ll notice coffee related equipment on sale that will help you make your own quality coffee at home, with some guidance from Carlos himself of course.
What else: From time to time Carlos runs coffee tasting workshops, you can see more details on their facebook page.
Address: 29 rue Notre Dame, 33000, Bordeaux/ Opening hours: Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 9:00 to 18:00, Thursday 9:00 – 22:00, Saturday and Sunday 10:00 to 18:00/ Find them on:Website, Facebook, Instagram
Cofete B
Coming back to the heart of the historic center we are heading to Cofete B in the saint Pierre district. Although it’s located in one of the most touristic areas in Bordeaux, it’s not very easy to spot and I discovered it through a friend who lives in the area. The owner is Lizbel Lombardi. Born in Peru, raised in Germany, studied in England and moved to France following her French boyfriend who she met in Spain. Quite an international gal.
Lizbel’s story is about not giving up and having a lot of patience and optimism to follow your dreams. Her studies and career in England looked very different from what she does now. After several years in the hospitality industry she arrived to Bordeaux with no prior knowledge of French and had to find work and reinvent herself. During her student years in London she had worked as a Barista is a coffee shop, where she got equipped with the techniques and with a dream to have her own place. Finding the right place wasn’t easy and took a very long time. But with her ambition and the support of her boyfriend and his family she opened Cofete B, less than a year ago. She chose this location because she wanted something central but on a small street for it to feel cozy and something that would draw the neighbors in. The name has a special meaning to her. Cofete is a beach in fuerteventura in Spain where she and her boyfriend met (yes, very romantic I know) and B stands for Bordeaux, barista and bio food.
While her coffee is amazing, it’s the food that gets her excited and she made it the focus of the place.The food is mainly vegetarian and there are always vegan options so for all of my vegan readers, here’s a great place for you. Saturday and Sunday are the brunch days and they have become very popular. On Sundays the place gets so busy that you have to book in advance.
Most of the clients are locals who come for a coffee in the middle of the week and then come back with their kids for a brunch on the weekend. You can see that people really love her, they come in and give her a bissou and tell her personal stuff about their lives. Others just come by to say hello on their way home. I can see why, she’s a really loveable person. Her vision for the place is a neighborhood coffee shop where people come to talk and be with friends.
What else? One of the spaces in the cafe is quite isolated from the bar and that allows for hosting different events, which is something Lizbel really loves. As she’s busy with making the food and coffee, the events are not coffee related. It can be anything from a language exchange to yoga.
Address: 22 Rue Chai des Farines 33000, Bordeaux/ Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday 9:00 to 18:30, Sunday 11:00 to 16:00/ Find them on:Facebook, Instagram
All these beautiful photos were taken by Laura, you can see her other amazing photos from Bordeaux and other places on her website and instagram.
Hope you enjoyed our list!!! I would love to read about your favorite coffee places in Bordeaux in the comments below!
Bordeaux is a very touristic city and as such it’s packed with boutique and budget hotels. However, not all of them offer good value for your money and finding a good hotel can be a hard task. That’s why I gathered this list of hotels to help you out. This list includes hotels from the city center and from surrounding districts. I included both basic hotels and beautifully designed boutique ones so the price range is quite big and you can easily find a place that fits your budget and needs. If this is your first visit to France, read my short article about things you should know before ordering a hotel in France.
This post includes affiliate links, meaning that if you book a hotel through my links I’ll receive a small commission. It will cost you nothing, and you will be supporting the work I do at Lost in Bordeaux. So thank you 🙂
Hotels in the center of Bordeaux – from budget to luxury
Mama Shelter
A super stylish central hotel with a great atmosphere and an incredibly good value for your money. Mama Shelter is part of a chain of hotels, located in several cities in France. It has 97 colorful and funky rooms designed by Philippe Starck. The hotel is located next to Hotel de Ville and so it’s very close to the historic center of the city. You’re at a walking distance from all the bars, boutiques and monuments the city has to offer. It has a great restaurant and one of the best rooftop bars, with an amazing view of Bordeaux. The price is really affordable, especially if you book in advance.
The Boutique Hotel is a 4- star luxury hotel which is quite popular among Bordeaux tourists. It’s located in the elegant district of Triangle d’Or, at just a few minutes walk from the Opera. The owners designed the rooms themselves with a lot of charm, combining the historic elements of the building with a more modern design. Each of the 27 rooms and suites reveals a different atmosphere and is named after one of the region’s famous chateaux. If you come with kids there are a few large apartment style rooms available. The rooms come with a view of Bordeaux’s rooftops or the green courtyard which also has a beautiful wine bar. Parking is not provided but you have a reduced price in the parking lot next to the hotel.
Hôtel Majestic is another establishment located close to the Opera of Bordeaux. The 4-star hotel, situated in a beautiful 18th-century building has 47 rooms, each with its own specific decor. The hotel is a few minutes walk from the Miroir d’eau and the historic center. But as it’s in the north part of the center it’s also quite close to Jardin Public which is perfect for sunny days. All the chic wine and chocolate boutiques are located just a few steps away. Private parking is available in the hotel.
Hôtel de sèze is a 4-star hotel, located in the fancy Triangle d’Or district next to many luxury boutiques and wine and chocolate shops. Situated in a beautiful 18th-century building, the hotel has 55 rooms with 18th-century decor that gives it a very elegant look. It also harbors a spa (not commonly seen in Bordeaux’s hotels), a beautiful library and a golf course (15 minutes by shuttle).
This is a 4-star hotel with 33 rooms complete with a late 20s art-deco atmosphere. The hotel is made of two beautiful houses dating from the 18th century, the Bayonne and the Etche-Ona, with an interesting story behind each one. A perfect location, just a minute walk from the Opera and next to le Marche des Grands-Hommes where you can buy some delicious souvenirs to bring back home. If you need a good coffee in the morning, Kuro is just a minute away. Parking requires prior reservation.
This hotel is located in the Saint Pierre district of Bordeaux, probably the best location you could think of. It’s the heart of Bordeaux’s historic center and the best bars and restaurants are just around the corner. The hotel itself is a simple 3-star hotel but it’s very clean and has everything you need for a nice stay. This is a great value considering its location. It’s important to note that the hotel doesn’t have a parking space but they do have a partnership with the parking lot of the Grand Hommes (5 minutes walk) with reduced prices at around 15 euros a day. The parking is closed on Sunday.
A very basic 2-star hotel, perfectly located just a few minutes walk from the hotel de Ville and the opera. There’s nothing very special about the decor or its atmosphere but it’s clean and very affordable. And as a bonus, you have one of the best coffee places in Bordeaux, L’alchimiste, just next door. The parking is a six minutes walk from the hotel and requires prior reservation.
A 2-star hotel located at the heart of the historic center of Bordeaux. It’s a basic hotel with small but clean rooms. The location is perfect! It’s situated on rue saint Remi, a street full of bars and restaurants, and just two minutes from the Miroir-d’eau, one of Bordeaux’s main attractions. It’s a great value if you want to stay in the city center.
This is a 3-star boutique hotel situated in a beautiful 18th-century house. La Maison du Lierre was named after the 200 years old ivy covering its terrace. It’s located on a quiet street, away from the hustle but just a few minutes walk to the opera of Bordeaux. The rooms are small but very nice and clean and it has a beautiful terrace which is a real upgrade.
Where to stay in the surrounding districts of Bordeaux center
Villa Victor Louis
Villa victor Louis is a charming boutique hotel with beautiful decor that combines 18th-century furniture with a contemporary style. You have a wonderful outdoor space where you can relax on sunny days. It’s located in the quiet Saint Seurin neighborhood, a few minutes walk from the main park of Bordeaux and the elegant Triangle d’Or district. While you won’t be located in the heart of the historic center (a 15 min walk), you’ll benefit from being a few minutes away from one of the best patisseries in Bordeaux, Maison Lamour.
A 4-star hotel located in the north of the Chartrons neighborhood. A bit out of the historic center but a good location nonetheless. The Seeko’o hotel has 44 spacious rooms with a chic and urban style, very different from the classic hotels in the city center. Some of the rooms’ windows turn to the bassin-a-flot, an old port with plenty of boats and a very unique architecture. The hotel also offers a sauna and a hammam which is a lovely bonus. The parking requires a reservation as there are only 10 places available.
Personal note: if it’s a short stay and you really want to feel the vibe of the center of Bordeaux, then this hotel is a bit far. If you don’t mind walking 20 minutes to the city center (or taking the tram) then it could be a great option. It’s located at the southern border of the Bacalan neighborhood, which is now one of the coolest neighborhoods in the city, with a beautiful covered market, the wine museum and plenty of street art so you will enjoy your stay nontheless. Discover this funky district with my post about the best things to do in Bacalan.
There’s nothing fancy about this one but it’s a decent clean nicely designed hotel. The rooms are air-conditioned which is a big bonus if you’ll be staying in Bordeaux during the summer. It’s located at the Meriadeck district about 15 minutes walk from the historic center of Bordeaux. Not far from the hotel you can find the Meriadeck, the only shopping mall in the city center, and the ice skating rink of Bordeaux.
It’s the administrative district of Bordeaux and it’s not very chic, so if you really have the urge to feel the vibe of the historic center when you go out of the hotel, look at some of the hotels at the begining of this article. If you need a good coffee place, Gusco is perfect and nearby. All-in-all It’s a nice hotel and because the location isn’t perfect the price is usually affordable.
Maison Fredon is a little boutique hotel located in a renovated beautiful 18th-century building. There are only five rooms in this hotel, all uniquely designed to combine modern decor with the classic style of a bourgeois bordelaise house. The rooms are very spacious which is uncommon in French hotels. It’s located in Saint Michel, an old neighborhood just outside the historic center of Bordeaux, a special place by itself. In recent years it gained popularity having plenty of bars and restaurants open up on a monthly basis. In the same property you’ll find a very popular restaurant, Tupina, serving delicious French food.
On a personal note: This is a perfect gourmet location. It’s only 5 minutes walk from the main market of Bordeaux and has five restaurants on the same street. It’s also a few minutes walk from the train station, which can be great from those of you traveling by train. discover the Saint Michel neighborhood check out my post about the best things to do in Saint Michel.
Where to stay next to the train station of Bordeaux
Many people are looking for accommodations next to the train station as they are traveling to the area by train. That’s why I added two affordable hotels just next to gare Saint-Jean, although I’m not a big fan of this area.
Hôtel Mercure de la Gare Saint-Jean
The first one is hôtel Mercure de la gare Saint-Jean, one of the best options in the area. While the hotel is a bit old the rooms are clean and comfortable and the staff is very welcoming. It’s a 4-star hotel but very affordable. It’s located just a few minutes walk from the station but very close to one of the most beautiful churches in Bordeaux, L’église Sainte-Croix.
If you’re on a limited budget, Ibis gare saint jean could be a good solution as well. It’s not the most charming hotel but it’s definitely a good value for its price. It’s a 3-star hotel with nice clean rooms and it’s located 300m from the station.
I hope this post was helpful for finding accommodation on your next trip to Bordeaux! Just remember that Bordeaux is not a huge city so all of these hotels are relatively close to the center. If you found a hotel that interests you, it’d be amazing if you book it through the links on my site. It’ll add absolutely nothing to your cost and will allow me to continue writing more fun and useful articles about things to do in Bordeaux and Southwest France!
Having a picnic with your bottle of rosé and some fromage on a sunny day is one of the most French things you can do. If you ever tried to find a green spot in Bordeaux you’ve probably noticed that it’s not an easy task as there aren’t many parks in the center of town, especially comparing to Paris. But what many people don’t know is that there are actually quite a lot of green, magical islands between all these historical buildings, you just have to find them- and that’s what we’re here for.
I gathered the top places where you can join other Bordolaise for a picnic with family, friends or just on your own with a good book. Just in case you don’t come prepared, I added the location of nearby places to get some snacks and drinks. Also for those coming with kids, I give you my review on the playgrounds in place.
This is one of the most photographed places in Bordeaux, and rightly so. The reflection of Place de la Bourse on one side and the view of the Garrone on the other, turns it into one of Bordeaux’s must seen spots. On a hot day, one of the most pleasant things to do is to splash your feet in the water and then catch a spot in the gardens surrounding the miroir d’eau. The place is usually very crowded and there’s no shade, so it is recommended to get there in the morning, before it gets too hot and busy. So spread your blanket between the rows of flowers and bon appetite.
Where to buy snacks: The closest supermarket to get your fruits or a bottle of rosé on a hot day is the Monop’ at Promenade St Catherine – cross the road to Place de la Bourse, continue strait on rue Saint-Rémi until you reach Promenade St Catherine on your right.
What’s for kids: While there is no playground next to the Mirior d’eau, the monument itself is probably one of the most enjoyable places for kids in Bordeaux. As part of its operating cycle, the level of the water goes up for several minutes creating a shallow pool, letting kids splash in the water.
Le Miroir d’eau – one of the most photographed places in Bordeaux
Parc des Sports Saint-Michel
Parc des Sports is located just in front of quartier Saint Michel which is one of the most hip places in Bordeaux nowadays. Many people don’t pay much attention to this huge green spot in the city center, which leaves the whole area for the locals to enjoy. The lawns of the park are wide enough to forget that you are actually one step away from the the road. Also the view of the Garonne is quite impressive so try to find a spot closer to the river.
Where to buy snacks: if you need a big supermarket, take a few minutes walk to the carrefour on 13 Rue de Saget in the saint croix neighborhood. However, if you need just a few snacks head to the little superette on rue des allamandiers, just next to place saint Michel. If you happen to arrive there on Saturday or Monday, go ahead to the market at saint Michel to get some fruits for your picnic.
What’s for kids: As its name indicates, this place is very sport oriented. Besides a nice playground for kids, there are other sports facilities such as ping pong tables and a skate park.
Parc des Sports – two steps from the hip Saint-Michel neighborhood
Jardin Public de Bordeaux
The largest park in the center of Bordeaux needs no introduction. Jardin Public invites you to spread your arms (and body) on its vast green planes. It attracts most of the picnickers wandering around the center of town. Besides being visually stunning, it has a large lake (with ducks and geese!) and a chic caffee you can visit when not in the mood for sitting on grass.
What’s for kids: There is a very impressive playground in the park as well as a puppet theater and a lot of ducks in the lake (for little animal lovers).
Where to buy snacks: There are two supermarkets from both sides of the park, one is located in the Chartrons neighborhood (8 Rue Notre Dame) and a small casino on 76 Rue Lagrange.
Jardin public – beauty in the middle of the city
Parc Rivière
A green sprawling paradise in the midst of a residential neighborhood.
The vibe here is more wild and freestyle compared to the meticulously planned jardin publique.
You can find a lot of sweet spots to picnic beneath the trees. While strolling along you can visit the tiny cute castle and the Maison du jardinier et de la nature en ville, which holds gardening activities.
where to buy snacks : There’s a small Casino market between park Rivière and Jardin Publique on 76 Rue Lagrange or you can take a walk to Auchan market in the Centre Commercial de l’Europe, 19 Place de l’Europe.
what’s for kids: This is the main downside of this park. The playground is very small and older kids will be bored with it.
Parc Rivière- green paradise in the midst of a residential neighborhood
Place des Martyrs de la Résistance
A small local garden which draws its atmosphere from the beautiful Basilique Saint-Seurin. If you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city center but still stay close, this is a good spot. The green pasture is quite big and usually not very crowded.
where to buy snacks : to buy fruits for a picnic go ahead to Charlotte Clementine on 14 Place des Martyrs de la Résistance, if you need to add some wine, there’s a carrefour city on rue Judaique, next to Place Gambetta.
what’s for kids: This little garden has a a very small playground, mostly for the younger ones.
Place des Martyrs de la Résistance- when you need a quiet spot close to the city center
le Jardin de ta Soeur
Winner of the funniest public garden name of all time, this hidden spot in Chartrons, usually frequented by the local neighbors, has a very communal and cozy feel to it.
The designed playground and sitting areas give it a special artistic vibe.
where to buy snacks : for snacks go to the nearest intermarche on 67 Cours Edouard Vaillant.
what’s for kids: This garden is mostly used by the local community and hence is very kids friendly. As part of the overall original design of the park, the playground too has an artistic vibe to it.
le Jardin de ta Soeur – original landscape design
Quai des Chartrons
Why get dirty with grass when you can just get drunk on a cozy wooden deck?
If you fancy to get wasted on a Sunday or Thursday afternoon, this is the spot for you as it hosts the weekly Quai des Chartrons market full with wine, oysters, shrimps and local products.
where to buy snacks : At the market! Otherwise go to the Carrefour city at 8 Rue Notre Dame.
what’s for kids: This place is a heaven for kids! Right next to the market you’ll find both a playground and a big skate park.
yours truly doing what you should
La Place Gambetta
Yes, it’s a roundabout.. but a really really beautiful one, complete with a small pond and several really great spots to hang out with friends or alone reading a book.
Due to it’s central location, it gets full quickly.. so get there early.
where to buy snacks : The carrefour city on rue Judaique is just around the corner.
what’s for kids: nothing really… It’s a small place in the the city center and is more suitable for friends to get together rather than for a family picnic.
Place Gambetta – a green island in the middle of the city
The green spaces of Rive droite
Parc aux Angéliques
The Rive Droite of Bordeaux is usually the calmer part of the city, far from the busy touristic east side of the Garonne, which makes it a perfect spot for a quiet afternoon picnic or nap. Parc aux Angéliques on quai des Queyries offers a wide green space with a view of the most beautiful monuments in the center of Bordeaux. Closer to Darwin, the vibe gets more hipstery.. farther away and it’s more of an extended family kind of atmosphere 😉
What’s for kids: Place des Droits de l’enfant, a large playground both for little ones and for older kidsis located In front of the park, just next to Jardin Botanique.
Where to buy snacks: Magasin Général in Darwin would be the closest place to get some bio fruits, cheese and wine. For a larger selection go to the Carrefour supermarket on Allée Serr.
Parc aux Angeliques – quiet green space with a beautiful view of Bordeaux
Jardin Botanique de Bordeaux
Jardin Botanique de Bordeaux is a magical place of biodiversity and sustainable development, located in front of Quai des Queyries, in the middle of the Bastide neighborhood. There’s a big lawn in the middle of the park but if you are looking for a more intimate picnic, check out the western section where you can find cozy little green corners between the plant pools.
What’s for kids: Place des Droits de l’enfant is a large playground located just next to the park. Also, Jardin Botanique is a place where kids can explore rare and exotic plants and flowers, which can turn your outdoor activity into an educational one.
Where to buy snacks: The big Carrefour supermarket is located just next to the park in zone d’activité commerciale Coeur De Bastide-Allée Serr
Jardin Botanique – cozy little green corners for a more intimate picnic
The big Parks
Parc Bordelais
Parc Bordelais, the biggest parc in Bordeaux, is located in the northern part of the city in the Cauderan neighborhood. Although quite far from the city center, making an effort to get there really pays off. A lake, beautiful trees, huge green spaces and a lovely terasse cafe are only part of what parc Bordolais has to offer.
What’s for kids: This is probably the most kids oriented place in this list. Besides two large playgrounds (for younger and older kids), there is a puppet theater and a little train that takes you on a tour of the park.
Where to buy snacks: The little superette on avenue Charles de Gaulle is located just one minute walk from the park. if you need a better selection you can walk a few minutes to Carrefour city on 10 Rue de Marseille.
Parc Bordelaise- the biggest park in Bordeaux
Parc de Bourran
Parc de Bourran in Merignac is not officially in Bordeaux but is located along the tram’s A line making it a short ride from the city center. This park has a more foresty feeling to it. Besides picnicking on the big green lawn at the center of the park, you can also take lovely strolls along the many paths encircling this beautiful park and maybe find your own secret spot.
What’s for kids: There are two separate playgrounds in the park for different age ranges.
Where to buy snacks: If you enter the park from rue Alfred de Musset, the big Auchan super market on 19 Avenue du Maréchal Gallieni, 33700 is not very far.
Parc de Bourran – feels like a forest
Parc Peixotto
Another off Brodway candidate that you can reach with a short Tram B ride.
A very lovely park with a pretty little chateaux, a pond and lots of ducks.
A relatively big picnic area where you can mingle with the many students living and drooling around the park.
What’s for kids: Peixotto is very well eqiped for kids. It has a playground, a carousel and a little lake where you can feed the ducks.
Where to buy snacks: There is a big Casino market just next to the park at 412 Cours de la Libération, 33400 Talence.
Parc de Peixotto in Talence
Are you familiar with any other green spots in the city where you like to spend time with your friends? Please share your ideas in the comments below 🙂
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