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The best beaches in Cap Ferret

Last updated on September 15, 2022 No Comments

Lège-Cap-Ferret is a narrow peninsula that sits on the western part of Arcachon Bay about an hour or two drive from Bordeaux, depending on traffic. Albeit its growing popularity, notably among Parisians, Cap Ferret managed to keep its raw atmosphere of simplicity and tranquility. The area consists of twelve little villages, one of them being the town of Cap Ferret, located in the south part of the peninsula. Its position between the bay and the Ocean turns it into an amazing place for a summer vacation with tens of small village beaches and wilder ones on the ocean side.

In this article, I’ll help you discover the most beautiful beaches in Cap Ferret. It’s important to note that during the low tide, it’s impossible to swim on the bay side and it’s thus very important to check out the tide hours before going. Here’s a site where you can see when the tide is high enough to enjoy the beach.

*The best beaches in Cap Ferret – by lost in Bordeaux*

If you have a few days to spend in Arcachon I have two other articles you might want to read. One is about all the best places to visit in Arcachon Bay and the other is a detailed guide for visiting Arcachon (the town) and the dune.

One last thing before we start, traffic to Cap Ferret can be quite heavy, especially in the summer. So you can either try to get there as early as possible or stay the night :). If you love camping check out my article about the most recommended camping sites in Cap Ferret. If camping is not your thing, here are a few recommended hotels in Cap Ferret: Domaine du Ferret Balnéo & Spa in the north part of the peninsula, the 4- star hotel Hôtel Côté Sable in the center of Cap Ferret town, or Les Chambres du Phare, a beautiful bed and breakfast, located near the lighthouse of Cap Ferret.

You can also rent a house near the beach, here are two recommendations: Cabane Japajo, a wooden cabin on the beach of le Four, or this rental unit in Claouey. Both are located in cute villages in the north of the peninsula.

Now let’s dive into the most beautiful beaches in Cap Ferret

The best beaches in Lège Cap Ferret

La Plage des Américains

Visiting the peninsula, many people go straight to Cap Ferret, which is the largest village in Lege Cap Ferret. You can find a number of nice beaches here, including the central one, but the best one in my opinion, is the Plage des Americains. This little piece of heaven is located a few minutes’ walk from jetée de Belisaire, the pier of Cap Ferret. The narrow beach with its beautiful water and the forest behind it will immediately put you in a state of tranquility. It feels like nothing in the world could bother you here. When the tide is low you can get there walking on the beach from the main pier of Cap Ferret.

Plage de la Pointe aux Chevaux

One of the most popular beaches in Cap Ferret is Plage de la Pointe aux Chevaux. The beach is located right next to a little oyster-port and you can see plenty of pinasses (oyster farming boats) floating on the calm waters of the bay. When the tide is low you can enjoy a beautiful walk on the beach and then continue into the foresty route located at the southern part of the beach. If you continue to ’avenue de la Pointe aux Chevaux’ you will reach a beautiful viewpoint overlooking the beach.

Finish your day with a plate of oysters at La Dégust du Grand Coin, which is located right on the beach. The beach is located between the two port-towns of Grand Piquey and Petit Piquey. Access to the beach is easier from the latter.

And here’s a pro tip from me, make the effort to get there early in the morning to see the amazing sunrise. If you’re not an early bird, you can do it in the winter when the sun rises after 8 am.

Plage de la Truquette

Plage de la Truquette is a little hidden gem located right to the north of Plage de la Pointe aux Chevaux. The beach is tucked in Foret Dromanile de la Lege et Garonne, so the access there goes through the forest. It’s one of the rawest beaches in Cap Ferret with solely the pine forest in the background.

Another way to access it would be through the little oyster port of Petit Piquey, Les Parcs de l’Impératrice. Park the car at the oyster park and walk through the Impasse des Pecheurs to get to the beach.

This beach is located in Petit Piquey which has plenty of cute little shops on its main road.

Plage de l’Herbe

L'herbe - one of the most beautiful villages in Cap Ferret — l’Herbe – by Lost in Bordeaux

L’Herbe is definitely my favorite place on Bassin d’Arcachon. Nothing matches the charm of this little village with its colorful oyster farmers’ cabins. Along the shore, you can find a handful of little oyster cabins where you can eat fresh oysters accompanied by white dry wine.

In the north of the village, you’ll find the main beach, Plage de l’Herbe. It’s a small beach with a few vacation houses of people that are coming here every year. It’s one of the most kids-friendly beaches on Bassin d’Arcachon with plenty of space for them to run around even when the tide is high.

When you go to l’Herbe you must do the little trail to the upper part of the village and enjoy the view of the cabins from the top. To go up, take the stairs from the southern part of the beach (just next to the public toilets ).

The best beaches in Cap Ferret – Ocean side

Plage Du Truc Vert

Surfers’ favorite, le Truc Vert is one of the wildest beaches in the region. This beach is so long that if you walk far enough, you’ll have the beach all for yourself.

The beach is located on the ocean side of Cap Ferret and you have to walk a bit to get there. Park your car in the forest near the Truc Vert camping. Then cross the route Forestiere du Truc Vert and walk along the path to the Truc Vert beach.

If you have little kids who hate walking (like mine do) I wouldn’t necessarily recommend going there. Otherwise, it’s a perfect beach for surfers and anyone who loves the ocean and long walks on the beach.

Plage du Grand Crohot

Grand Crohot beach is located on the Ocean side of the Cap Ferret peninsula. As opposed to the calm water on the side of the Bassin d’Arcachon, on the ocean side, the waves are strong, making it a surfing paradise. This beautiful white sand beach attracts both kite surfers and families that love to swim in the ocean. In the summer the beach tends to be quite busy and sometimes parking can be an issue so try to come early. If you’re coming with kids, this beach is supervised during the summer. The beach is located in the north part of the peninsula which makes it a good choice if you want to avoid the heavy traffic of Lege Cap Ferret.

Plage de la Pointe Cap Ferret

Plage de la Pointe Cap Ferret is located at the most southern point of the Cap Ferret Peninsula which makes it one of the most special places in Arcachon. Due to its position, you can see both the ocean and the famous Dune du Pilat on the other side of the Bay. The beach is quite isolated and requires a bit of a walk to get to.
It’s important to note that due to the strong current of the bay it’s considered quite dangerous for swimming. Also, due to the erosion of the Cap Ferret point, the beach can be closed to the public from time to time. However, when open, it’s one of the most beautiful beaches in our region.

Need more ideas for things to do in and around Bordeaux? you should definitely join my newsletter with where I share all the best events in the region and all my other Bordeaux discoveries. I send an email every Fiiday in the afternoon– sign up here.

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

Facebook |Instagram |Email | Facebook group

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

*Note – Some of the links in this article include affiliate links for which I earn a small commission. It adds absolutely nothing to your cost and helps me continue writing about this amazing region. Don’t worry, I’m not getting rich here, I’ll never recommend anything I don’t believe in 🙂

In Weekend plans

What to do this week in Bordeaux

Last updated on September 9, 2022 No Comments

Welcome back to my “What to do this week in Bordeaux” list – a post where I give you an idea of something to do in the Bordeaux region each day of the week. These include events, markets, tours, and generally fun places to visit. If you want a full list of things to do on the weekend, don’t forget to subscribe to my newsletter (I send an email with plenty of events every Friday). Also, don’t forget to check out my September and October lists if you want to plan your stay in Bordeaux ahead.

Here’s your list of things to do in Bordeaux this week (September 12-18)

Monday (Sep 12)

Go for a glass of wine in La Cabane dans les Vignes a charming wine bar, located in the vineyards of the Cadillac appellation. The bar is about to close its doors for the winter in less than two weeks so that’s your last chance to enjoy it. You can combine it with a day trip to Cadillac, see more details about that little town in my article about the most beautiful villages around Bordeaux.

Tuesday (Sep 13)

Go to the morning market of Audenge on the Arcachon Bay that is taking place every Tuesday morning near the Halle du marché and on Avenue du Général de Gaulle. You can then continue to the Audenge beach or for a hike at the beautiful natural reserve called The Domain of Certes-Graveyron. See more details about this trail in my article.

Wednsday (Sep 14)

Enjoy the last weeks of summer in Bordeaux with a drink at the Les Planches Ephemeres, a summer bar that will be open until the end of September. See other open bars in Bordeaux in my article.

Thursday (Sep 15)

Go to a flamenco show of the talented dancer le Carmelita at the Thélonious Café Jazz Club in the Chartrons district. See more details here. Take that as an opportunity to discover Chartrons, one of the more lively neighborhoods in Bordeaux.
L’Astroshøw Open Air – a party at les Vivres de l’Arts – see details here.

Friday (Sep 16)

Le Caraïbos Cocktail Club – this fun cocktail bar will be installed for two weeks (Sep 15- October 2nd) at La Belle Saison in the Bastide. See the full program here.
If you don’t mind traveling outside of Bordeaux, don’t miss the night visit at Château Royal de Cazeneuve in Préchac. This visit is part of the Noctambules event, organized by the tourist office of Sud Gironde – see more details here.
Take it as an opportunity to visit a chateau in the Sauternes wine region – find my recommendations in this article.

Weekend in Bordeaux

Here are a few ideas for things to do this weekend, however the full list with all the events taking place this weekend will be sent to you by email this Friday – you can subscribe to my newsletter here.

Saturday (Sep 17)

La Grande Fête in Ayguemorte les graves – enjoy three days (September 16-18) of festivities in this little town in the South of Gironde. See all the info here.
2. Travel to the Basque country for the Anglet Jazz festival – see details here.

Sunday (Sep 18)

1. Journées Européennes du Patrimoine – the European Heritage Days will be taking place on September 17-18 and it’s an amazing opportunity to discover the most interesting buildings in Bordeaux, some of which are usually closed to the public. You can see the full list of the places that will be open for visits here.

2. Go to Saint Emilion to celebrate the harvest with the Ban des Vendanges – see the full program here.

That’s it for this week!

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

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

Facebook |Instagram |Email | Facebook group

In Bordeaux Monthly

Things to do in Bordeaux in September

Last updated on August 4, 2022 No Comments

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

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

Also, I update about many more events taking place every weekend in Bordeaux in my newsletter, so don’t forget to subscribe to my email list if you’re not on it yet. If it’s your first time in Bordeaux free to also join my Travel in the southwest of France group on Facebook or follow me on my Facebook/ Instagram accounts.

Here are some of the best things you can do in Bordeaux in September 2022!

What to do in Bordeaux Metropole in September 2022?

Discover the Chartrons neighborhood

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

Ouvre La Voix Festival

Ouvre La Voix Festival gives you the opportunity to discover the beautiful Entre-Deux-Mers region in Gironde in a special way. The three-day program of the festival (September 2-4) combines concerts, wine, and gastronomy with biking routes taking you to places like Créon, Frontenac, Sauveterre de Guyenne and more. See more details here.

When: September 2-4 / Where: Different places at the Entre-Deux-Mers region (check out the program)

Get to know your neighbors at the Pique-nique des Quartiers

Do you ever feel like you have no idea who is living around you? Pique-Nique des quartiers, taking place on September 2 will give you the chance to socialize with your neighbors. The picnics are organized by the local associations operating in the neighborhoods. Find the event near you in the list published by the town hall and on the Facebook page of the event.

When: September 2 / Where: Different locations in Bordeaux, check out the program

Climax Festival

Darwin will host its annual Climax festival on September 9-11. The festival focuses on environmental issues and climate change and its program include conferences debates and many cultural events and concerts. This is one of the biggest festivals in the center of Bordeaux located in one of the hippest places in the city. Take a look at the site of the festival for the full program.

When: September 5-8 / Where: 87 Quai des Queyries, 33100 Bordeaux

Bordeaux Open Air

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

When: August 7, 21, 28 Sept 11, 18 / Where: Follow the website for the exact location

ODP Music Festival in Peixotto

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

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

The Big Scooter Race

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

When: September 10 / Where: la Maison Eco-citoyenne , 33000 Bordeaux

Journées Européennes du Patrimoine

The European Heritage Days are a great opportunity to discover some of Bordeaux’s most beautiful and interesting buildings. During the weekend of September 17- 18, many public and private places will open their doors and allow you to peek into parts of this city’s history otherwise hidden from our daily view. Some of the most interesting places to visit during the weekend are the Opera of Bordeaux, the Grosse Cloche, and many more. You can see the full list of the places that will be open for visits here.

Grosse Cloche - Bordeaux — *Grosse Cloche*

You can also see the program all over France here.

When: September 17-18 / Where: Many places across the city, check out the program above.

Echo a Venir – an electronic music festival

The big visual art and electronic music festival will take place this weekend in Bordeaux (September 15-18). The program of the festival includes a lineup of DJs, a screening on one of Bordeaux’s churches, an exhibition, and more. See all the details here.

When: September 15-18/ Where: several locations in Bordeaux

Summer Rock in Bouliac

The annual “Bouliac on the Rock” event will take place this year on September 17. The program of the event includes an American car exhibition, a rock concert, a raffle, vinyl discs, and food stands. The festival is free, see more info here.

When: September 17 / Where: Parking du stade, Bouliac

Latin Music Festival

Corazon Latino, a Latin Music and dance festival will take place this weekend (September 23-25) in Rocher de Palmer in Cenon. The Program includes music concerts, dance shows, three Latin parties and international dancers that came especially to teach you some moves. For more info and tickets to some of the concerts check out the website of the event.

When: September 23-25 / Where: 1 rue Aristide Briand, 33150 Bordeaux, France

Festival Arts Mêlés

Arts Mêlés is a festival of magic and supernatural experiences organized by the town of Eysines. As always the program is full of magic shows, illusionists, acrobats, and more, making it super fun for kids. The event is free and will take place on the weekend of September 24-25. Check out the full program here.

When: September 24-25 / Where: Different locations in the center of Eysines

Vélotour Bordeaux

Discover Bordeaux by bike through places where bicycles are usually not allowed: museums, sports centers, cultural and historic places and more. More than ten places have opened their doors for this unusual experience. The tour will take place on September 25 and will start at the Maison Écocitoyenne Bordeaux. For tickets click here and for more info about the event click here.

When: September 25 / Where: Quai Richelieu, 33000 Bordeaux

A similar event will take place in Saint Emilion on September 10, see all the details here.

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

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

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

Dance at la guingette chez Alriq

La Guinguette chez Alriq is a tavern in the Bastide neighborhood, on the rive droite of the Garonne. During the summer the place is full 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 concert program for September click here.

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

What do in September in Gironde and other parts of SW France?

Visit the Vineyards of Sauternes and Barsac

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

The Medoc Marathon

Running 42km is only a small part of the Medoc Marathon experience. It’s mostly about enjoying the amazing scenery accompanies by great wine and food. This year the celebrated Marathon will take place on September 10.

You don’t have to run to enjoy this event, many activities will take place on the day of the marathon and the day before, follow the program here. For more info check out the website of the marathon.

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

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

Festival Teste à Têtes

The Teste à Têtes festival, organized by the circus school Komonò Circus, will take place on September 9-11 in La Teste de Buch. For three days you can enjoy plenty of activities dedicated to street arts and music concerts. For more details click here.

When: September 9-11 / Where: Different locations in La Teste de Buch, see the program.

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

The Vino Voce festival

The vino festival in Saint Emilion is a celebration of voices in all forms, from singing voices to the voice on the radio, voices of actors, and more. The festival (September 9-11) includes a rich program of music concerts, movie screenings, singing master classes and other platforms where voice plays an important role. For more info about the festival click here.

When: September 9-11 / Where: Different locations in Saint Emilion

Anglet Jazz Festival

If you don’t mind traveling a bit south, don’t miss the Anglet Jazz festival which will take this place on September 15-18. This big festival attracts every year many people to this beautiful area. Anglet is just a few minutes drive from Biarritz so you can enjoy some amazing beaches on the way. For more details and ticket prices click here.

When: September 15-18 / Where: Different locations in Anglet

Festival Cadences d’Arcachon

Festival Cadence is a dance festival taking place every year in Arcachon. The program of the festival is known for its diversity including classic, contemporary, hip-hop, flamenco, and more. The festival will take place on September 21-25, for the full program click here, and see more info here.

When: September 21-25 / Where: Arcachon

A day of Harvest at Château Grand Baril

Come spend a beautiful day in the vineyards at the heart of the Montagne Saint-Emilion appellation and participate, just for a little bit, in the harvest season. The event will take place on Saturday 24 at the Lycée Viticole de Montagne Saint Emilion. To see the full program and the registration form click here.

When: September24 /Where: Lycée Viticole de Montagne Saint-Emilion, 38 route de Goujon, 33570 MONTAGNE

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

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

Facebook |Instagram |Email | Facebook group

In Bordeaux Monthly

What to do in Bordeaux in October

Last updated on September 9, 2022 No Comments

Many people think that Bordeaux’s starting its winter sleep with the end of the tourist season and while that’s the case in many parts of France, in Bordeau it couldn’t be farther from the truth. October is an amazing month in the Bordeaux region with plenty of fun events and festivals. Just to give you a few examples, in October the Bordeaux region hosts the International art festival, the hot air balloon festival, open doors in wineries, and more. This article includes a list of all the best things to do this October in the Bordeaux region and beyond. I hope it’ll help you plan the best stay in our beautiful area.

Before we start, a little note to those of you new to this website. This article includes only the biggest events taking place this month. Throughout the month, however, I publish many more fun events like markets, concerts, festivals, and more. If you want to see the best things to do in the Bordeaux region during the week, follow my “What to do in Bordeaux this week” article. To see all the events taking place here during the weekend, subscribe to my newsletter. For more tips and info about traveling in the region, join my “Travel in the Sw of France” Facebook group.

Let’s start with my list of the best things to do in Bordeaux in October 2022!

Best things to do in Bordeaux in October

Festival BB

Festival BB, taking place on October 1st is an event celebrating the white wines of Bordeaux. The event, which will take place at Les Vivres de l’Art, will host 19 white wine producers, allowing you to taste and get familiar with new chateaux. The program also includes music, activities for kids, and food. See all the details here.

When: October 1 / Where: 4 Rue Achard, 33300 Bordeaux

La Grande Transhumance Urbaine

The Grande Transhumance Urbaine is a fun event taking place every October in Villenave d’Ornon (one of Bordeaux’s southern suburbs). The idea of this festival is to connect city people to local agriculture. The main event is a sheep march, passing through different farms. On the way, you can enjoy concerts and markets with local products. The event will take place on October 2nd, and the details about the exact location will be published soon. See more details here.

When: October 2 / Where: Villenave d’Ornon, check out the full program

FAB – International art festival

FAB is the annual International art festival of Bordeaux Metropole taking place this year on October 1-16. As one of Europe’s biggest art festivals, it attracts some known names from the international contemporary art scene. During the three weeks of the festival, more than 30 shows will take place in more than 20 different locations in Bordeaux. Click here to see the full program of the festival.

When: October 1-16 / Where: Different locations in Bordeaux metropole – check out the program

Foire aux Plaisirs

This is the fall edition of the traditional Bordelais Fair that is taking place at Place des Quinconces from October 7 to November 2. It’s a perfect activity for kids and for those who are young in spirit as La Foire aux Plaisirs de Bordeaux has it all: a big wheel, roller coasters, ghost trains, bumper cars, donuts, crèpes, candyfloss and more. The fair is open daily from 14:00, you are not required to pay any entry fee, only for some of the attractions. See more info about the fair here.

Place des Quinconces - what to do in Bordeaux in October

When: October 7 – November 2 / Where: Place des Quinconces, Bordeaux

Festival Animasia

Animasia is a festival of Asian pop culture bringing together many elements like J-POP music, Yosakoi dance, karaoke, and Cosplay performances. The place will also include thematic areas with martial arts, video games, board games, and more. The festival will take place on the weekend of October 8-9 at the Parc des Expositions. For more info and tickets check out the website of the festival.

When: October 8-9 / Where: Parc des Expositions, Bordeaux

Le Pressoir – a festival in Entre deux Mers

Le Pressoir is an annual festival celebrating the end of the harvest season in the Entre Deux Mers wine region with plenty of concerts and fun activities. The event will take place on October 7-9 in Targon, check out the program here.

When: October 7-9 / Where: Targon

Lire en Poche – books festival

Lire en Poche is a pocketbooks festival that will take place in Gradignan on October 7-9. Besides a huge book sale, a wide range of activities are offered to the participants, among them: reading sessions, theater shows, music, games, workshops for kids, and more. For more info click here.

When: October 7-9 / Where: Théâtre des Quatre Saisons et à La Médiathèque Jean Vautrin, 32 route de Léognan – 33170 Gradignan

Montgolfiades de Saint-Emilion

Montgolfiades is an annual festival of hot-air balloon flights organized by Le Ciel est à Toi association. The flights will take place on October 14-16 above Saint Emilion and the vineyards around it, so the sight is promised to be breathtaking. For more info click here.

Before you go be sure to check out my article about the best wineries to visit in Saint Emilion.

When: October 14-16 / Where: in the vineyards of Saint Emilion, just follow the balloons

Open doors in the Chateaux of Graves

Graves, one of the wine regions in the Bordeaux wine area, invites you to an open doors weekend, allowing you to discover its wines and châteaux. During the weekend (October 15-16) tens of châteaux will open their doors to visits, wine tastings, wine workshops, and different activities for kids and adults. See the full program of the event and the list of participating châteaux here.

wineries in Graves wine region Bordeaux - Château Méric

When: October 15-16 / Where: Graves area – chose your chateau from the program

Village des Sciences

On October 15-16 Bordeaux’s science museum will host its annual Village des Sciences weekend. This year’s theme is “climate and biodiversity”. See more details here (the program will be published soon).

When: October 15-16 / Where: Hangar 20, Quai de Bacalan, Bordeaux

If you’re interested in more museums in Bordeaux check my article about museums in Bordeaux.

FIFIB- Bordeaux international festival of independent movies

Bordeaux Independent Films Festival will take place on October 12-17 at Rue Mably in the center of Bordeaux. The program includes film screenings, concerts, and meetings with special guests. Every evening, the festival village will transform into an open cinema theater and a dance floor. The full program will be published soon on the site of the festival.

When: October 12-17 / Where: Le Village du FIFIB, 3 rue Mably, Bordeaux

Tremplin de 2 Rives

This is the 10th edition of the Tremplin de 2 rives festival which aims to promote the musical talents of Bordeaux. The festival includes eight evenings from October 13 to November 12 in different districts of Bordeaux. For more details click here.

When: October 13 to November 12/ Where: different venues in Bordeaux

More events in the Southwest of France

Laruns La Foire Au Fromage / Hera Deu Hromatge

Every first weekend of October Laruns in the Pyrenees celebrates the end of the summer pastures grazing season with a big cheese fair. The event introduces the different cheese producers in the region and has an entertaining program for adults and kids. This year the event will take place on October 1-2. See more details here.

When: October 1-2 / Where: Laruns

Armagnac en Fête

Armagnac en Fête is a fun festival celebrating the beginning of the distillation process in the Armagnac region. The event will take place on the main square of LaBastide d’Armagnac on October 29-30. See all the details here.

Labastide d’Armagnac is a beautiful little village in Les Landes, that’s really worth a visit if you’re traveling in the region. See my article about this part of the Les Landes department.

When: October 29-30/ Where: LaBastide d’Armagnac

Fête du Piment d’Espelette

Piment d’Espelette is the red pepper that decorates every market in the Basque country and every shop selling Basque products. Like every important ingredient in the French kitchen, this little pepper needs a “fête”. Fête du Piment d’Espelette is taking place on October 29-30 in the beautiful village of Espelette. The program includes a big parade, a huge market, musical concerts, activities for kids, a mass with the choir of Espelette, and more. For more details click here.

Read more about this beautiful village in my article about Espelette.

When: October 29-30 / Where: Espelette, 64250

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

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

Facebook |Instagram |Email | Facebook group

In Around Bordeaux

The best wineries to visit in Sauternes and Barsac

Last updated on August 2, 2022 No Comments

The Sauternes and Barsac wine AOC is a small segment of the Bordeaux wine region where sweet white wine is produced. And while Bordeaux is mostly renowned for its red wine, the Sauternes appellation is actually one of the most prestigious wines in the world attracting many tourists traveling to Bordeaux.

There are many options when it comes to visiting the vineyards of Sauternes, everything from small family-owned wineries to big producers settled in stunning châteaux. If you have limited time in Bordeaux, knowing which wineries to visit isn’t always obvious and that’s where my article comes in handy. In this article, I gathered all the wineries I enjoyed visiting in Sauternes and Barsac, including the touristic experiences they offer.

It’s important to know that most wineries ask you to book your visit in advance (even though some might offer you a spontaneous tour), that’s why I included a link to book a tour next to every château mentioned in this article. Public transport in this region is not very developed so you will need a car in order to get from Bordeaux to Sauternes and visit wineries, here you can find some good offers.

If you like Bordeaux wine, you should also check out my articles about the best wineries to visit in Saint Emilion and the Medoc wine route, two of the other famous wine areas in Bordeaux.

What you need to know about Sauternes wine

The Sauternes (and Barsac) appellation covers five small villages in the South of Gironde: Sauternes, Barsac, Preignac, Fargues, and Bommes located between two rivers, the Garonne and the Ciron. Sauternes wine owes its rich taste to Botrytis Cinerea, a fungus found on the grapes in this small part of Gironde. In Autumn, a morning mist is created when the cold water of the Ciron river meets the warm water of the larger Garonne, stimulating the formation of a fungus, also known as the noble rot.

In order to achieve the sweet taste, only the ripe grapes are picked up, which makes the harvesting process longer and more complicated. But that’s also what makes the visit to Sauternes so interesting.

Wineries not to miss in Sauternes and Barsac

Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey – the fancy winery

The Sauternes oped doors weekend introduced me to the Lafaurie-Peyraguey winery, which back then I chose to go to mostly based on how impressive the château was.

Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey in Bomme is one of the oldest chateaux in the region, dating back to the 13th century. The Château with its 18.5 hectares is located on a hill, 70 m above sea level, just next to its prestigious neighbor Château d’Yquem. It is also one of the most esteemed wineries in the Sauternes wine region, recognized as a Sauternes Premier Grand Cru Classé in the 1855 classification.

Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey is open every day (10:00 – 19:00) in the high season and from Thursday to Monday (10:00 – 18:00) in the low season. You can visit the winery by appointment only.

You can book your tour in Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey here.

Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey - Sauternes wineries — Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey

However, this beautiful place is more than a winery! The Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey 5 stars Hotel was opened in 2018, receiving a Michelin star for its Lalique restaurant in its first year. Since then it became a must-stop for those looking for a luxurious experience in the Bordeaux wine region. If you’re looking for an idea for a romantic weekend, this one is definitely a great option. Book a stay here.

Château d’Arche

Another chateau I had the chance to visit this year is château d’Arche. The 50-hectare winery in the Sauternes village dates back to the 17th century and has one of the most beautiful views of both the vineyards and the little church of Sauternes. The visit itself takes place at their modern facility where you will find the vat room, tasting room, and a beautiful shop. Just across the road you will find the beautiful 17th-century house where their hotel is located.

Château d’Arche is open daily all year long and offers many touristic experiences. One is the discovery visit of the Sauternes wine, a tour that takes about an hour and includes an explanation of the Sauternes making process. On this visit you get to see their cellars and vineyards and taste 3 different wines of the chateaux – you can book the visit here.

Château d'Arche - one of the best wineries to visit in Sauternes — *View from Château d’Arche*

If you want something more active, you can also rent an electric bike at the chateau for a day/ half day, stroll around Sauternes admiring the view, and then finish with wine tasting at the chateau. If you’re mainly interested in wine tasting, book their workshop where you’ll learn to better understand the characteristics of the different wines the château offers. See other activities offered by Château d’Arche here.

If you’re planning to discover several wineries in the region, you could also stay the night in Château d’Arche. Book your stay here.

Château Guiraud

Château Guiraud is one of the biggest wineries in the Sauternes and Barsac AOC, spreading over 128 hectares. The winery, specializing in biodiversity, is classified as Premier Cru Classé (first growth) in the original classification of 1855.

Château Guiraud is renowned for the many touristic activities and events it has been offering in the past 30 years. There are two English tours you can do on a regular basis. A tasting tour where you’ll learn all about their wine-making process and compare different vintages. The other is a more active tour where you take an electric bike from the château and use a special app to discover the property. Book their tours here.

Château Guiraud one of the best wineries to visit in Suaternes — *Château Guiraud*

Château de Rayne Vigneau

Le Château de Rayne Vigneau in Bommes is another one of my favorite wineries to visit in Sauternes. Imagine yourself sipping wine at a bar in a beautiful little château, glancing at a sea of vines from the top of a hill, that’s what a visit to Château de Rayne Vigneau feels like.

The château is positioned at the center of a single-block vineyard of 84 hectares and was labeled as 1er Grand Cru Classé de Sauternes in the original 1855 classification, making it one of the top wines of Sauternes.

Rayne Vigneau is known for being very welcoming to tourists and will usually offer wine tastings even if you didn’t book a visit in advance (even though I always recommend doing so in case there’s a surge of visitors). In addition to their classic tours, Château de Rayne Vigneau offers fun activities like wine tasting on a tree, an escape game, and a trip around Sauternes on an electric scooter. See all the details here.

The winery is open daily from April to November and is closed on Sunday during low season.

*The cellar of Château de Rayne Vigneau*

Château de Myrat

Château de Myrat is located in Barsac and it’s one of the wineries I love to recommend to families visiting the Bordeaux wine region.

The Château dates back to 1700 but since 1937 is owned by the famous Pontac family. Apart from their great wine and the beautiful property, what makes the visit fun for kids is the cute animal garden, with chickens, rabbits, dogs, and more. See more details about the château here.

Château de Myrat is open for visits every day, upon appointment only. Here’s the email to contact and book: myrat@chateaudemyrat.fr

Château Filhot

Château Filhot, another Grand Cru Classé winery, is one of the most impressive castles in the Sauternes AOC. The chateau was built by Romain de Filhot, an advisor to the Bordeaux Parliament in 1709, and has stayed in the family since. It’s one of the biggest estates in the region, covering 350 hectares with 65 hectares of vineyards in the village of Sauternes. Château Filhot is also known for its stunning English park, created by Bernard Fischer in 1845.

The winery offers tours without prior appointment from Monday to Friday, although I recommend booking in advance if you want a tour in English. If you’re planning to visit on weekends, booking is required, here’s the email to contact the château: filhot@filhot.com

See opening hours and more information about the winery on their site.

Need more ideas for things to do in and around Bordeaux? you should definitely join my newsletter where I share a lot of info about the area – sign up here.

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

Facebook |Instagram |Email | Facebook group

If it’s your first time in Bordeaux you may also like to read some of the following “intro to Bordeaux” articles I wrote:
The Ultimate Guide to a weekend Bordeaux
The best districts in Bordeaux
Where to stay in Bordeaux
What to do in one day in Bordeaux
Things to do with kids in Bordeaux

In Around Bordeaux

The best kid-friendly wineries in Bordeaux

Last updated on July 8, 2022 No Comments

I dedicate this article to all the parents who want to enjoy a whining-free hour of wine drinking while visiting Bordeaux. As someone who has three kids and also loves to visit châteaux in Bordeaux, I know how quickly a winery visit can turn into a frustrating experience for both parents and kids. There are thousands of châteaux to visit in the Bordeaux wine region, but to really enjoy a wine tour you now have to find a place that offers a fun experience for your kids as well. In this article, I gathered some of the most kid-friendly wineries I had the chance to visit here in Bordeaux. Not all of them have special activities for kids, but most have a big garden where kids could run around allowing you to have a fun family experience. Here’s my list of the best family-friendly wineries in Bordeaux!

Note – You need a car to get to most wineries on this list (with two lovely exceptions), click here to find a car.

For more kid-friendly activities in Bordeaux check out my article about 30 things to do with kids in Bordeaux. And if visiting wineries is your thing you should also check out my article about the best wineries in Saint Emilion and about a dream wine trip in the Medoc wine region.

Kid-friendly wineries in Saint Emilion and Fronsac – the right bank

Château de la Rivière

One of the most beautiful châteaux in our region also happens to be a winery and a beautiful B&B. Le Château de la Rivière, overlooking the Dordogne valley, is an award-winning winery in the Fronsac appellation. It’s one of the biggest vineyards in the region, covering an area of 100 hectares and producing both red and white wines. Besides great wine, what makes the visit so interesting is the castle itself, a defensive fortress that was built in the 16th century. All the bottles are kept in caves dug in the 19th century, and visiting them with flashlights was my kids’ favorite part of the tours. Apart from that, the chateau has a huge garden and an inner court where your kids can run around while you’re tasting wine.

Château de la Rivière is open for visits all year long from Monday to Saturday, by appointment only. Free for kids under 10 yo and reduced price from 10-17 yo.

Book your visit here.

The chateau also has a beautiful B&B with a pool overlooking the vineyards, so if you want to make it a weekend experience, you can book it here.

Address: rue Goffre, 33126 La Riviere

Château Coutet

This elegant château is located about a 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 on 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 the 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.

Chateau Coutet is open from Mon-Sat, you can book a visit here.

Address: Coutet, 33330 Saint-Émilion

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. They offer several tours but the one your kids will probably enjoy the most is the Underground quarries tour where you’ll discover the secular underground labyrinth and follow the path of the quarrymen who worked there. This tour is usually proposed on weekends, see all the details here.

Address: 23 Villemaurine-Sud, 33330 Saint-Émilion

If you’re traveling to Saint Emilion don’t forget to check my article about what to do and eat in Saint Emilion.

Visiting wineries in Medoc with kids

Château d’Arsac – Wine and art

Château d’Arsac - family friendly winery in Medoc — *Château d’Arsac*

If you love art, this would be a perfect winery to visit with kids. Château d’Arsac is one of the most extensive wine estates in Medoc and one of the highlights of the visit is the impressive collection of modern art sculptures spread all over the property. Every year, the owner of chateau d’Arsac expands the collection by acquiring new artworks which makes the visit there feel like an art tour. The château offers a variety of tours, which include wine, art, and live music. You can also just pay for the wine tasting alone and let your kids enjoy running around the garden, discovering huge and colorful sculptures.

Château d’Arsac is open from Mon to Sat from 10:00 to 14:30, by appointment only. If you’re interested to visit the estate by yourself before going on a tour, the gardens are open from Mon to Fri from 9:00 to 17:00. Book your visit here.

Address: 1, allée du Comte Arsac-en-Médoc, 33460 MARGAUX

Chateau Saint Ahon

You don’t have to go far from the city center to enjoy a family-friendly château, one of them is located in one of Bordeaux’s suburbs. Château Saint Ahon is a family-owned winery located in a town called Blanquefort, which you can reach by public transport if you don’t want to rent a car. For my kids, the highlight of the visit was definitely the gardens, called Les Jardins de Mirabel. At the beginning of the tour, your kids receive a few working sheets with questions and missions guiding them through the different parts of the garden. This discovery trial will teach them about winemaking and nature in the region in a very fun way. For more info about the visit and the gardens click here. The winery is open all year long apart from August and you don’t have to book the visit in advance, just check out the opening hours before going.

Address: 57 Rue de St Ahon, 33290 Blanquefort. To get there by public transport take line C from the city center to the Blanquefort train station and then walk for 20 minutes (or take bus 38 from the Blanquefort train station if you want to avoid walking with little kids).

Family-friendly wineries in Graves (and Pessac Leognan)

Moving to the south part of the Bordeaux wine region, the Graves appellation, where you can enjoy a few stunning chateaux with your kids.

Château de Cerons

Château de Cerons is one of the more impressive properties on the list and its surroundings make it one of the best places to visit with kids. The château is a historical Chartreuse (little house) dating back to the 17th century. The winery produces both red and white dry wines and offers a range of different visits that include wine tasting, picnic baskets with regional products, and more. You can also rent bikes at the château and go on a beautiful rural path discovering the heritage of the village and the Garonne river.

You can book their standard tours here.

For picnics and bike rentals, you can check their website.

The winery is open Mon-Sat from May to October and Mon – Fri from November to April – by appointment only.

Address: 1 Latour, 33720 Cérons

Château Smith Haut Lafitte

Château Smith Haut Lafitte is one of the most prestigious châteaux in the Pessac Leognan appellation, producing both red and white wines. It has a variety of tours from simple tasting visits to winemaking masterclasses, however, what makes it a kid-friendly winery is its magnificent senses forest. La Forêt des sens is a beautiful trail in the forest with tree houses and amazing sculptures made by local artists. The entry ticket to the forest for adults is 19 euros, free for kids under 6 yo and a reduced price for older kids. No need to reserve your places. See all the details here.

Open daily from 10 am to 7 pm during the summer, hours may change in the low season.

Address: 33650 Bordeaux Martillac, France

Château Larrivet Haut Brion

Another winery you can visit with your kids around Bordeaux is Larrivet Haut Brion. Located about 20-minutes drive from Bordeaux in the Pessac Leognan appellation. This chateau has one of the most impressive gardens in the region, le Jardin Millesime, designed by Soline Portmann. My kids absolutely loved discovering the beautiful garden with their new treasure hunt game (a few months ago they had only a French version, but they promised to work on an English version of the game as well). They usually also allow their visitors to do a picnic at the park, which is yet another fun experience for kids. And finally, another attraction is their vat room where you can find amazing concrete tanks decorated by local artists. It is probably one of the most special vat rooms I have had the chance to visit in the region. Château Larrivet Haut Brion is open from Monday to Saturday.

To book a visit click here.

Address: 84 Avenue de Cadaujac, 33850 Léognan

Visiting wineries in Sauternes and Barsac with kids

Château de Myrat

Château de Myrat is a popular destination for families wishing to discover Barsac, Bordeaux’s famous sweet wine appellation. The Château dates back to 1700 but since 1937 is owned by the famous Pontac family. Apart from their great wine and the beautiful property, what makes the visit fun for kids is the cute animal garden, with chickens, rabbits, dogs, and more. See more details about the chateau here.

They are open for visits every day, but you have to contact them by email to book a visit: myrat@chateaudemyrat.fr

Address: 33720 Barsac – France

If you’re visiting Bordeaux for the first time, be sure to check up my ultimate guide to Bordeaux, that will get you familiar with all the “must” places to visits in Bordeaux. To help you to choose a hotel in Bordeaux I’ve gathered a list of the best hotels in the center of Bordeaux as well as a guide to the districts of Bordeaux to help you choose your preferred location.

If you’re looking for more ideas for day trips in the Bordeaux region here are a few other articles you might want to read:

What to do every month in Bordeaux
The best beaches around Bordeaux
Day trips around Bordeaux – wine, beaches and villages
10 day trips from Bordeaux by Public transport
A weekend in Medoc – Bordeaux wine tours

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

Facebook |Instagram |Email | Facebook group

In Around Bordeaux

Night markets in the Southwest of France

Last updated on July 4, 2022 No Comments

Going to night markets (marchés nocturnes) in the southwest of France is one of the best ways to discover small villages in the region and to get a nice dose of French rural vibes. During market days, the beautiful villages of the Southwest of France suddenly become very lively and festive. Complete with regional food stalls, music, and happy tipsy locals 🙂

There are many markets taking place on a daily basis in the region but finding information about them is not an easy task. That’s why I did some research for you and came up with a relatively complete list of night markets taking place in Gironde, Dordogne, Lot et Garonne, and Les Landes. Not all the info regarding night markets exists online so consult your local tourist office if you want to attend one closer to where you’re staying.

If you want more ideas for things to do this summer in the Bordeaux region check out my article about what to do this summer in Bordeaux. If you love visiting French markets check out my article about the best markets in Bordeaux. Also, if you want recommendations on what night market to go to you can join my Facebook group “Travel in the Southwest of France“, there are many locals there that can give you their opinion on the matter 🙂

Now let’s dive into the night markets of the Southwest of France.

Night Markets in Gironde and Les Landes

Monday – Biscarrosse Plage (Every week until August 31 – info), Talais (Every week Jul 18 – Aug 22 – info)

Tuesday – Arcachon (Every week until August 31 – info), Biscarrosse Plage (Every week until August 31 – info), Parentis en Born (Every week until August 31- info), Soulac Sur Mer (Every week until August 31- info), Lacanau city ( July 19, August 2, 23- info), Biganos ( Jul 5, Aug 23 – info)

Wednesday – Arcachon (Every week until August 31 – info), Biscarrosse Plage (Every week until August 31 – info), La Bastide de Monségur (Every week until August 31 – info)

Thursday – Arcachon (Every week until August 31 – info), Biscarrosse Plage (Every week until August 31 – info), Audenge (July 14 – info),

Friday – Arcachon (Every week until August 31 – info), Biscarrosse Plage (Every week until August 31 – info), Lacanau Ocean (Every week until Aug 31 – info )

Saturday – Sanguinet (Every week until August 31 – info), Biscarrosse Plage (Every week until August 31 – info)

Sunday – Biscarrosse Plage (Every week until August 31 – info), Hourtin (July 3,10, 24 – Aug 7, 21 – Place de la Mairie)

Here you can find more night markets taking place this summer in Gironde

If you’re planning to go to the night market in Arcachon, check out my guide to Arcachon for more info on what to do and see there. You can also check my article about the most beautiful villages in Gironde for more ideas for places to visit in the region.

Night Markets in Dordogne

Dordogne is the king of night markets! There are usually at least 3-4 different markets taking place daily in different villages all around the Dordogne department, you just have to choose the ones closest to you. You can find all of them on the websites of Bergerac tourist office and Perigord noir tourist office but here are a few honorable mentions:
Monday – Beaumont du Perigord, Montignac, Sainte Mondane
Tuesday – Eymet, Bergerac, Saint Amand de Coly , Monpazier, Villefranche du Périgord
Wednesday – Belves, Saint-Geniès
Thursday – Cadouin, Issigeac, Sarlat, Biron
Friday – Le Buisson de Cadouin, Salignac
Saturday – Saint-Meard de Gurson (July 9), Audrix
Sunday – Monbazillac

If you’re traveling in Dordogne check out my articles about visiting Eymet and kayaking on the Dordogne river.

Night Markets in Lot et Garonne

Monday – Mézin (every week until September 5 – info)
Tuesday – Nerac (every week until August 30 – info), Monteton (info here)
Wednesday – Francescas (every week until August 31 – info),
Thursday – Duras (Every week until September 1 – info), Lavardac (Every week until September 3 – info)
Friday – Lévignac de Guyenne (every week until August 26 – info), la Sauvetat-du-Dropt (every week until August 26 – info)
Saturday – Saint Sernin (info here)

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

Facebook |Instagram |Email | Facebook group

In Discover Bordeaux

The best Summer bars in Bordeaux

Last updated on June 17, 2022 4 Comments

Bordeaux is a lively city throughout the year, with plenty of restaurants, pubs, and wine bars where you can get a drink every day of the week. However, summer is when Bordeaux really shines with plenty of rooftops, terrace cafes, and open bars are opening all over the city. Some of the open bars in Bordeaux are posh and chic, others more simple and chill however, many of them are open only during the summer season so you have a limited amount of time to enjoy them. In this list, I included some of my favorite rooftops and terraces all over the Bordeaux metropole. You need to know that every district in Bordeaux has a different vibe to it so you need to visit a few to really enjoy the Bordeaux spirit 🙂

If you’re about to spend the summer in Bordeaux be sure to also check my article about the best things to do in Bordeaux in the summer. If you’re interested in wine tastings in Bordeaux check out my article about the best places in Bordeaux that offer wine tasting sessions. For specific events and other ideas for things to do every weekend, I invite you to subscribe to my email list here.

If it’s your first time on Lost in Bordeaux and you want to get more tips about traveling in Bordeaux and the Southwest of France feel free to join my Travel in the southwest of France group on Facebook or follow me on my Facebook/ Instagram accounts.

Here’s a list of the best places summer bars in Bordeaux for a perfect cocktail evening or an afternoon apero!

La guinguette chez Alriq – the best tavern in town

La Guinguette chez Alriq is one of my favorite places in Bordeaux and its opening event usually means that summer has officially started! The Guinguette is a big tavern located on the right banks of the Garonne in the Bastide neighborhood, hosting plenty of open-air concerts every summer. The performing bands and artists are coming from all over the world and create a laid-back party atmosphere. There’s usually a small price to pay for the concerts taking place on Wed-Sat and on Sundays the entry is free. You can see their program here. The place is very popular so expect to see a line at the entrance.

what to do in the summer in Bordeaux — *by Lost in Bordeaux*

Where: ZA Quai des Queyries, Port Bastide, 33100 Bordeaux / When: Thu-Sat from 19:00 to 1:00 and Sunday from 12:00 to 22:00

Les Chantiers de la Garonne

Just next door to La guinguette chez Alriq you can find one of Bordeaux’s best-hidden gems. Les Chantiers de la Garonne is an old hangar turned into a sailing club and a restaurant with one of the best outdoor spaces in Bordeaux. The restaurant is located on the board of the Garonne river and the outdoor space feels like a real beach with plenty of low tables standing on fine white sand and fresh seafood with cold bottles of white wine on them. You can find more info about the restaurant and other activities proposed by the Chantiers de la Garonne here.

Where: 21 Quai de Queyries, 33100 Bordeaux / When: The bar is open daily, see the hours here.

Mama Shelter

Mama Shelter is probably the most popular summer rooftop bar in Bordeaux. It has a funky design and many original cocktails but I believe its location should also get a lot of credit for its popularity. It’s one of the only rooftops in the center of Bordeaux, located just next to the Cathedral Saint André, and has one of the best views of the city. If you come in the evening hours, booking in advance is recommended.

Where: 19 Rue Poquelin Molière, 33000 Bordeaux / When: Open daily for lunch, dinner and drinks, see specific hours here.

Plage de L’IBOAT

The Iboat is a three-level ferry spanning 687m2, anchored to one of the docks of Bassins a flot and mostly known as a concert venue. During the summer they also open their “beach”, a fun outdoor space on the board of the Bassin a flot with a bar, comfy sofas, and different outdoor events. La Plage de L’IBOAT is definitely one of the best summer bars in Bordeaux for an afternoon drink! You can see the list of concerts and events here.

Iboat Bassin a Flot Bordeaux — *by Lost in Bordeaux*

For more cool places to visit in the Bassin a flot area check out my article about the Bacalan district.

Where: Bassin à Flot n°1, Cours Henri Brunet, 33300 Bordeaux / When: Every day, check out the list of events on their website

Terrasse 14 – a pop-up bar

This hip rooftop is located on the roof of Hangar 14 on the riverfront and thus the name Terrasse 14. Besides an amazing view of the Garonne river, this place has all the hipster 101 kit 🙂 A cool bar, a petanque court, great local beers, wines, and tapas, and a lot of chic bordelaise people. This rooftop is usually open only for the summer so hurry up if you want to try it. See more details here.

Where: Hangar 14, Quai des Chartrons, Bordeaux / When: Wed-Sun from 17:00 to midnight

Le Bar de la Marine

Le Bar de la Marine is a real hidden gem and like many places in this list, it’s also located in the Bacalan district. A few minutes walk from the Cite du Vin, you’ll pass by a little restaurant that doesn’t seem very impressive from the outside, but once you enter the door you’ll discover a magical universe. Since 2019, the Bar de la Marine belongs to chef Frederic Coiffe who not only makes great food but also understands the importance of attracting people who are looking for great vibes. The restaurant has a secret garden in the back where you can enjoy lunch, meet friends for an afternoon drink or have a delicious family brunch on Sunday. See more details on their Facebook page.

La Bar de la Marine in Bordeaux — *by Lost in Bordeaux*

Where: 28 Rue Achard, 33300 Bordeaux / When: open daily – see hours on their Facebook page

Le Solztice

Another comeback from last year is the popular tavern (they call themselves a beer garden 🙂 ) called Le Solztice. The outdoor bar is located close to Bordeaux’s main train station, in the Belcier district which has been gaining a lot of hype in the last few years. Solztice is an associative bar that offers plenty of cool features like food trucks, live concerts, pétanque and more. See more details click here.

Address: 147 Rue des Terres de Borde, 33800 Bordeaux

Effet Mer

If you didn’t have enough reasons to go to Bassin a flot, here’s another one. Effet Mer is a fun summer bar, located just next to the Base Sous-Marine. This cool place is open seven days a week and offers daily life concerts and dj sets. For more details click here.

Address: 280 Boulevard Alfred Daney, 33300 Bordeaux

Les Planches Éphémères

Les Planches Éphémères opened its doors last year and quickly became one of the local’s favorites. A huge outdoor bar, located at the hippodrome of Bordeaux in La Bouscat, the place offers two bars, a dj set, and a huge chill-out area under the trees. The place is open every day until September 30. Check out their site for more info.

Address: 8 Avenue de l’Hippodrome, 33110 Le Bouscat

Gina

One of the most exciting places to open up last summer in Bordeaux is Gina, a rooftop bar, an Italian restaurant, and a coffee shop located in the new Renaissance hotel in the Bassin a flot district. The place is open seven days a week and on weekends offers a brunch as well. The restaurant requires a prior reservation, you can see more details and book here.

Address: Place des Millésimes, 33300 Bordeaux

Domaine de Raba

The beautiful chateau of Demaine de Raba is well hidden in a residential neighborhood in Talence. This place is a bit hard to describe as it has everything from a spa to a fancy restaurant, a bar, and different events like cinema nights and morning yoga. The menu of the bar changes every week and it has many special evenings with Dj sets and concerts. Booking in advance is recommended, you can do it online here.

Where: 35 Rue Rémi Belleau, 33400 Talence

Les Halles de Talence

The Talence market is the little brother of the Bacalan market, built by Biltoki in December 2018. Inside the market, you can find a very good cheese stand, tapas, Moroccan food, sushi, oysters, and more. The prices are a bit high except for the bar, which has a great variety of wines at a good price. The best part, however, is the outdoor area! Plenty of tables are spread in the afternoon between the market and the other restaurants in the Forum and you can enjoy a really fun apero or dinner with a very local vibe.

Halles de Talence - chic market near Bordeaux — *by Lost in Bordeaux*

If you want to discover other markets in Bordeaux check out my articles about the best markets in and around Bordeaux.

Where: Place Alcala de Henares, 33400 Talence / When: Daily except for Mondays, the market closes for a break between 14:30 to 16:30 on weekdays

Canopee Café in Merignac

If you want to avoid going to the city center the Canopée Café is a great option! The Canopée Café in Merignac has both an indoor restaurant (open for lunch and dinner) and a very chic rooftop with a huge selection of cocktails and a petanque court, called the Bodega.

This rooftop is located in the industrial zone in Merignac and thus lacks the beautiful view in Bordeaux’s rooftop bars but the place itself is super chic and there’s plenty of parking 🙂 If you’re a group of 15pl, you must book a table- all the details are here.

Canopée Café Mérignac - chic rooftop near Bordeaux — by Lost in Bordeaux

Where: Face Mérignac Soleil, 1 Chemin de Pouchon, 33700 Mérignac / When: The rooftop (La Bodega) is open Mon to Sat from 17:30.

Eklo’s Guinguette

Eklo in the bastide neighborhood is an eco-friendly hotel and also a fun bar/restaurant with a huge terrace. The atmosphere there is very chill and less posh than some of the other places on this list, and it’s definitely a positive thing. The menu mostly includes charcuterie, cheese, and some snacks so don’t expect a proper dinner. There’s usually a D.j set in the evening, see the program here. The guinguette is open Wed to Sat. See all the details here.

Where: 10 Rue de la Gare d’Orléans, 33100 Bordeaux / When: Wed to Sat from 16:00 to 23:00

Moxy

A similar vibe of a light, fun, and unpretentious terrace bar you can find at Moxi, yet another hotel located next to the Bacalan market. The bar has a chic interior space (which is even kids-friendly) and a fun outdoor space. Like many other summer bars, they have quite a lot of live shows and dj sets. See the program here.

Where: 25 quai du Maroc, Bordeaux 33000 France

Le Café Utopia

This isn’t specifically a Bordeaux summer bar but it’s one of my favorite Terraces in Bordeaux all year long (when it’s not raining of course). For those who’re not familiar with the place, Utopia is an independent cinema theater, installed in an ancient church, l’église du Vieux Bordeaux. At the entrance to this beautiful building, you’ll find le Cafe Utopia, a nice bistro, and a good to take your laptop for a few hours of work. However, the best part is the terrace which has plenty of tables on one of the liveliest squares in Bordeaux, Place Camille Jullian. If you’re looking for a nice, simple place for a drink in the center of the city, this one is recommended.

Cafe Utopia - one of the best terraces in Bordeaux — Cafe Utopia – one of the best terraces in Bordeaux

Where: 5 Place Camille Jullian, 33000 Bordeaux / When: Daily from 10:00 to 22:30

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

Facebook |Instagram |Email | Facebook group

If it’s your first time in Bordeaux you may also like to read some of the following “intro to Bordeaux” articles I wrote:
The Ultimate Guide to Bordeaux
The best districts in Bordeaux
Where to stay in Bordeaux
What to do in one day in Bordeaux
Things to do with kids in Bordeaux

In Around Bordeaux

Best things to do in Bordeaux during the Summer

Last updated on June 20, 2022 No Comments

I really love the summer in Bordeaux! And although I have a full guide to the best things to do in Bordeaux as well as a guide for a weekend in Bordeaux, I decided that I must dedicate an article to all the best things to do in Bordeaux in the summer. This list mostly includes my favorite summer places as well as activities that you can do all summer long in Bordeaux and more generally in Gironde. If you want to discover all the best events taking place in the region, you must read my monthly lists and subscribe to my newsletter where I update you about all the best things happening in the city every weekend.

So now let’s dive into all the best things to do in Bordeaux in the summer!

Things to do this summer in Bordeaux Metropole

Dance at La Guinguette chez Alriq

The Guinguette is a tavern on the right banks of the Garonne hosting plenty of open-air concerts every summer. The performing bands and artists are coming from all over the world and create a laid-back party atmosphere. The place is open from Wednesday to Sunday with concerts taking place daily. You can see their program here.

Dance on the Quai – learn to dance

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

Enjoy a fun day in Darwin

For those new to Bordeaux, Darwin is an old military base turned into an urban space with a huge chic restaurant and a cafe/organic food shop, a skate park for all ages, a second-hand shop, and many other surprises, all with an agenda of ecological awareness. It’s also one of the most extraordinary places for street art and includes some amazing works by a lot of talented artists on each one of its buildings.

It’s also one of the places I like to go to on rainy weekends and it’s on my list of the things to do when it’s raining in Bordeaux, so take a look.

Have a drink at the terrace bar of the Bordeaux design Museum

Musée des Art décoratifs et du Design is located in a beautiful 18th-century mansion and is one of UNESCO’s heritage sites in Bordeaux. It has a large collection of furniture, porcelain, and art objects, dating to the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries. This museum is a cute cultural gem but what makes it even more attractive is the new terrace café that has been operating there for the last few years. The little outdoor restaurant is owned by Julie, who’s also the owner of one of my favorite coffee shops in Bordeaux. If you’re dreaming of a glass of wine on a terrace in a beautiful location, this is the place for you! Café Madd by Sip is open from Wed to Sun, see more details here.

Fun beach activities in Bordeaux

You will be surprised to discover that you don’t need to leave the city to go to the beach in Bordeaux, instead just catch a tram to Bordeaux Lac! Plage du Lac is open from June to August and during the summer offers plenty of activities such as kayaking, SUP, and more! The activities are taking place daily from 14:00 to 18:00, see the schedule here.

Puppet Theater for Kids

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

Go to the IBOAT beach

Well, it’s not really a proper beach where you can swim but it’s definitely one of the coolest places in town. La Plage de L’IBOAT is a fun outdoor space with a bar, comfy sofas, and different outdoor events. 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.

For more cool places to visit in the Bassin a flot area check out my article about the Bacalan district.

Have a drink at Mama Shelter

This is one of the best places for drinks in Bordeaux, a rooftop bar on top of the Mama Shelter hotel in Bordeaux center. In the summer, the rooftop is open daily from 12:00 to midnight, however, hours may change so check out their website before going. This place is very popular and tends to get busy in the late evening, so booking a table is recommended.

Mama Shelter is only one of the cool rooftops in Bordeaux Metropole, if you want to discover more hip rooftops and fun terrace cafes check out my article about the best summer bars in Bordeaux.

Enjoy the best markets in Bordeaux

Little red strawberries, mouth-watering cheese, and crispy baguettes, you saw them all in market photos uploaded to social media by people visiting France 🙂 Now go have the same fun touristic experience here, in one of Bordeaux’s numerous markets. The most popular market in Bordeaux is of course Marché des Capucins but there are plenty of amazing open-air markets in different neighborhoods in the city. Even if you live here you’ll probably discover a few new markets in my article about the best markets in Bordeaux.

Summer sales

Summer sales are a great opportunity to enjoy good deals on clothes, shoes, electronics, toys, and more. This summer the soldes d’été will take place from June 22 to July 19.

Go to the pool

There are several great pools in Bordeaux, two of them are located not very far from the city center. Next to the Meriadeck shopping center, you’ll find the piscine Judaique which is 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 a kids pool, water slides, floats, and more. If you have a car you can enjoy other outdoor pools in the region, like the Stade Nautique in Pessac or the new Centre Aquatique “La Calinésie” in Libourne.

Things to do around Bordeaux – Gironde and Dordogne

Taste the good life of Arcachon

Bassin d’Arcachon (the Arcachon Bay), located about 50 km from Bordeaux is one of the most popular summer destinations in France, and rightfully so. Tens of amazing beaches, oyster farmers’ villages, natural reserves, beautiful 19th-century architecture, and plenty of attractions for kids are part of what you can enjoy at this destination on the Atlantic ocean. A day trip (or a weekend) to the Bassin d’Arcachon is an absolute must when visiting Bordeaux. To help you decide where to go I wrote an article about the best places to visit on Arcachon Bay.

For a perfect summer afternoon gateway, head to Dune du Pilat and finish with a drink in La Corniche. Sounds splendid, isn’t it? Read more about these places in my article about the southern part of Arcachon.

Spend your Sunday at Bel Ami

If you’ve been following me on Instagram you probably know that this is one of my favorite summer places in the region. If you don’t, let me introduce you to Bel-Ami, a summer outdoor restaurant/ bar located in the cute little village of Plassac on the Estuary of Gironde. Now try to imagine, sitting on comfy sofas, eating a delicious meal, and drinking a Lillet cocktail, with the impressive Gironde estuary calmly flowing in front of you. Every Wednesday and Saturday they also have live music in the evening, so be sure to book ahead as the place gets busy. If this tranquility is not enough for you to make an hour’s drive from Bordeaux, you should know that Plassac is also known as the mosaic village so there’s a lot to discover. See more info here.

Do a weekend in Medoc

Medoc is one of the most interesting and beautiful regions in Southwest France, and luckily it’s located an hour’s drive from the center of Bordeaux. It is, of course, known for its wine, and the Medoc wine route is indeed one of the best ways to discover the Bordeaux wine world. However, the Medoc peninsula is much more than just winery visits! You have amazing beaches on the Atlantic ocean, plenty of markets with fresh local food, little ports on the Gironde estuary where you can go for a drink, and amazing lakes with beaches and water activities. So even a weekend is not enough to enjoy this amazing region. See all the things you can do there in my article about the Medoc region.
If you have time, don’t miss the Saint Emilion wine region as well, here are a few chateaux I recommend visiting in Saint Emilion.

Kayaking or Canoeing in the Dordogne river

Bordeaux is surrounded by many big and small rivers, it’s not a surprise then that there are quite a few places for Kayaking and Canoeing in the Bordeaux region. One of the biggest rivers near Bordeaux is the Dordogne, which splits from the Estuary of Gironde some 30 km north of Bordeaux. The low flow in most parts of the river makes it ideal for a kayak or canoe trip as you can easily descend and visit many beautiful villages and impressive chateaux on the way. I wrote an article about some of the best Kayaking clubs on the Dordogne river, some of which are located close to Bordeaux.

Kayak and Canoe on the Dordogne by Lost in Bordeaux

You can also enjoy kayaking on the Leyre river on Arcachon Bay. See more details about that in my guide to what to do with kids in Arcachon.

Enjoy the beautiful beaches in Gironde

Being close to the Atlantic ocean and surrounded by lakes are some of the best things about being in Bordeaux in the summer. We have an incredible amount of beautiful beaches with white fine sand, amazing views, and nice beach facilities. You can surf in the Atlantic ocean, enjoy the kids’ friendly beaches of Arcachon Bay or go to one of the beautiful lakes (and even hike around them!). If you’re here for a short period of time, it’s hard to choose where to go. To help you out I wrote an article about the best beaches around Bordeaux.

Discover the most charming villages in Gironde

Bordeaux itself is a beautiful and lively city but some of the best architectural treasures are spread around Gironde. The biggest department in France has some of the most charming villages in the Southwest of France. Bastide towns with arched squares, medieval towns with narrow streets, historic chateaux, and citadels are all part of the incredible heritage of this region. In my article about the most beautiful villages in Gironde, I listed all my favorite villages around Bordeaux.

Go hiking and discover Gironde’s nature

Besides impressive heritage and beautiful beaches, the Bordeaux region is also rich with nature reserves, forests, and parks. If hiking is your thing, the options are endless. If you need some ideas for fun and interesting hiking trails, check out my article about hiking in Bordeaux.

Visit the most beautiful chateaux in Gironde

Did you know that some of the most beautiful chateaux (castles) in this region are actually located in Gironde? Château Royal de Cazeneuve, Château de Roquetaillade and Chateau Villandraut are all located in the south of Gironde. These three are rich in history and beautiful architecture and are some of the most interesting heritage sites in our region.

Château de Roquetaillade - chateaux in Gironde — *Château de Roquetaillade by lost in Bordeaux*

Discover the Labyrinth of the region

Labyrinth is a really fun summer activity for a group of friends with or without kids and there are two cool places to do it close to Bordeaux. The first is Popcorn Labyrinth, a huge Labyrinth in Cestas that is open in July and August and usually also offers night sessions. You can see the hours and prices in this link.

The other one is Parc Mysterra in Montendre, which is set in a beautiful location but is recommended for slightly older kids (more than 8 yo). See more details here.

Taste white wine in Entre deux mers

Bordeaux is the capital of wine and is mostly associated with red wine. The hot summer in Bordeaux, however, is a great opportunity to discover the white wines of Bordeaux. The largest sub-region in Bordeaux is Entre Deux Mers, the area located between the Dordogne and the Garonne river. While both red and white wines are produced in this region, only the white ones can get the AOC label of the Entre Deux Mers appellation. The wine is usually drunk young and is absolutely perfect for the Bordelais summer and a plate of oysters. In this link, you’ll find many of the wineries you can visit in the Entre Deux Mers region.

If you need more advice about the wines of the region and about the best wineries to visit, you can visit the Maison des Vins which is located at the La Sauve Majeure Abbey, about 30 minutes drive from Bordeaux.

If it’s your first time in Bordeaux you may also like to read some of the following “intro to Bordeaux” articles I wrote:

The best districts in Bordeaux
Where to stay in Bordeaux
What to do in one day in Bordeaux
Things to do with kids in Bordeaux

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

Facebook |Instagram |Email | Facebook group

In Around Bordeaux

Discover Bordeaux wineries – Open Doors in the Bordeaux wine region

Last updated on April 8, 2022 No Comments

There are a thousand châteaux in the Bordeaux wine region which makes it almost impossible to choose just a few when you visit this region. However, if your timing is right, you might be visiting during one of the open doors weekends taking place at the wineries of Bordeaux throughout the year. There are around 60 different appellations in the Bordeaux wine region with many of them hosting “Portes Ouvertes” (open doors) weekends at least once a year. These events are usually hosted by the wineries of each appellation and include free tastings, tours, and activities for kids. In this article, I will be listing all the open doors weekends in the wineries in chronological order. Don’t worry If you’re visiting outside of these specific dates, many of these châteaux offer tours and tastings (by appointment). In the article, I will also recommend my favorite wineries to visit in each appellation of Bordeaux wine. The list is long so let’s go!

The Blaye Spring Wine Festival

The Blaye Spring Wine Festival is usually the first event to start the wine festivals season in the Bordeaux region. The event takes place at the Blaye citadel at the beginning of April, bringing together more than 80 winemakers from the Blaye appellation. The program includes discovery workshops (introduction to tasting, mixing, and food and wine pairing), guided visits to the citadel, and more. For the full program and tickets click here.

Open doors in the Médoc wine region

The first open doors event of the year is always the Portes Ouvertes weekend in Medoc, taking place in April. During the festive weekend, you can visit plenty of châteaux in the Medoc region and taste some of the finest wines in the world. I usually update about the event and the wineries you can visit in this article. This year the event takes place on April 8-10.

If you wish to make this trip an unforgettable experience, you should go on the Medoc wine road trip that includes all the wonders this area of Gironde has to offer. I personally did the Medoc wine route a few years ago and wrote a very detailed article about it, read it here.

Medoc portes ouvertes - open doors in the chateaux of Bordeaux — *Chateau d’Arsac*

Recommended wineries in Medoc you can visit all year long

Château du Taillan (book a visit here), which is owned by 5 sisters, is one of the closest wineries to Bordeaux. Château d’Arsac, is one of the most beautiful properties in Medoc with an extravagant display of art in its enormous gardens (book a visit here). Closer to Margaux you have the charming family-run Chateau Siran (book a visit here), Chateau Kirwan (book a visit here), or the beautiful Chateau Marquis de Terme (book a visit here).

Open doors at Lalande de Pomerol

Another Open doors weekend in April is taking place at the Lalande de Pomerol appellation. A neighbor to the highly prestigious wines of Pomerol and Saint Emilion, this appellation produces some great wines you’d really enjoy discovering. Some of the Lalande de Pomerol properties are owned by famous wine families, such as La Fleur de Boüard, which is owned by Hubert de Boüard of Château Angélus. If you want to learn more about the Lalande de Pomerol appellation and its châteaux, click here. This year the event takes place on April 23-24.

Recommended wineries in Lalande de Pomerol you can visit all year long

Château Siaurac is one of the best wineries to visit in that part of Bordeaux’s wine region (check out their website). A bit less famous but also a great estate to visit is Château Tournefeuille (Book your visit here).

Open doors in Saint-Emilion

Saint Emilion, the most famous wine appellation in Bordeaux, celebrates its open doors weekend at the beginning of May. 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. You can also plan your trip to this wine region with my detailed guide to Saint Emilion. This year’s open doors weekend takes place on April 30-May 1.

Chateau La Croizzille - portes ouvertes in Saint Emilion — *Chateau La Croizzille in Saint Emilion*

Recommended wineries in Saint Emilion you can visit all year long

I tend to visit the Saint Emilion region quite often so I have many recommendations for wineries to visit there. I put some of them in my article about the best chateaux to visit in Saint Emilion.

Grand Crus Weekend

One of the most anticipated events in Bordeaux’s wine world is the Grand Crus Weekend that is usually taking place in June. This event, organized by the Union des Grands Crus (the regional wine classification), aims to create an international meeting of wine lovers. The highlight of this weekend is the major wine tasting event with more than 100 Grand Crus where you get to meet different chateaux owners. Read more about the event and the full program here. This year the event will take place on June 17-19.

If you want to visit some of the Grand Cru châteaux in Bordeaux, here are a few recommended ones:

In Saint Emilion: Chateau Franc Mayne (Book your visit here) and Chateau Beau Sejour Becot (Book your visit here).

In Pessac and Leognan: Château Larrivet Haut Brion (Book your visit here), Château Pape Clement (Book your visit here) and Château Latour Martillac (Book your visit here).

In Medoc: Château La Tour Carnet (Book your visit here), Chateau Fourcas Hosten (Book your visit here) and Chateau de Camensac (Book your visit here).

Open doors in the Côtes de Bourg appellation

Ô Chais is the annual open doors event taking place at the Côtes de Bourg appellation situated on the west end of the Dordogne river before it flows to the Gironde estuary. It’s less known than the renowned Saint Emilion or Medoc appellations but it’s an excellent wine you should try when visiting the Bordeaux wine region. This year the event is taking place on May 7-8. See more details here.

Château le Clos de Notaire in Bourg — *Château le Clos de Notaire*

Recommended wineries in Bourg you can visit all year long

One of my favorite châteaux in Bourg is Château le Clos de Notaire with its amazing view (see their website).

Bordeaux Wine Festival

Bordeaux Fête le Vin is the biggest wine event in Bordeaux! Once in two years in June, the banks of the Garonne river in Bordeaux are taken over by wine enthusiasts celebrating the Bordeaux wine festival. Apart from wine tastings, you should expect plenty of music, good food, and activities for kids. See more details here. This year the event takes place on June 23-26.

Sauternes Fête le vin

Sauternes is a prestigious wine area famous for its sweet white wines. This is the only wine appellation in Bordeaux that hosts two open-door events every year. The summer event is the Sauternes wine festival, which this year will take place on June 18. For more details click here.

Recommended wineries in Sauternes you can visit all year long

Château Guiraud is one of the most beautiful estates in Sauternes and often hosts interesting events (book you visit here). Also don’t miss the magnificent Château Lafaurie-Peyrague and its Michelin restaurant (book your visit here). Another fun option is the Château d’Arche (Book you visit here).

Open doors at the châteaux of Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux

Another smaller and less known appellation in Bordeaux wine is Cadillac Côtes de Bordeaux. This appellation has a very active Maison du Vin which organizes an annual open doors event every June, with close to 50 participating chateaux. This year the event will take place on June 4-5. See the list of participating Chateaux.
When there, don’t miss the beautiful Château de Cadillac, one of the most important historic monuments in Gironde. Check out other beautiful towns you can visit in that part of Gironde in my article about the most beautiful villages around Bordeaux.

Portes Ouvertes de l’Appellation Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux

Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux appellation hosts its annual open doors event in early September and it’s usually a great event to start the Autumn with. Contrary to other appellations where you get to visit different châteaux, this one is a rather small appellation and the event usually takes place at the beautiful Château de Pitray, with many stands of smaller producers. See more info here.

Château de Pitray- Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux - open doors — *Château de Pitray- Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux*

Les châteaux de l’appellation Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux

Another hidden gem in Bordeaux wine is Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux, located near the Blaye citadel in the north of Gironde. I already mentioned this wine appellation in the first event of the year, however, in September, there’s a real Open doors weekend where you get to visit the winemakers in their châteaux. Many of them are family-owned wineries and the visit there feels very cozy. The information about their next event will be published here.

Open doors in the Chateaux of Graves

Graves is another famous sub-region of Bordeaux wine, located on the left bank of the Garonne river. It’s a huge appellation that includes within itself a few other appellations like Pessac Leognan, which often participate in the Open doors weekend as well. The event usually takes place in October with more than 70 participating chateaux. See more info here.

If you want to visit Graves at any other time, one of the most interesting wineries to visit in that appellation is Chateau de Portets (book your tour here).

Portes ouvertes in Fronsac

Another great wine to try in Bordeaux is Fronsac & Canon Fronsac and their Portes Ouvertes is a good opportunity to do just that. The event usually takes place at the end of October with more than 30 chateaux hosting people for free tastings, guided tours, and more. One of the main events is taking place at the magnificent Château de la Rivière. The info about the next event will be published here.

Château de la Rivière in Fronsac - vin de Bordeaux — *Château de la Rivière in Fronsac*

Recommended wineries in Fronsac you can visit all year long

Château de la Rivière is probably one of the most interesting wineries to visit in the region (Book your tour here) however there are other great places to visit such as Chateau de la Dauphine with its impressive vat room (book your visit here) and Chateau George 7 with their fun summer terrace (see all the info here).

Open doors in the Chateaux of Sauternes et Barsac

The second event of Sauternes et Barsac wine appellations takes place in November. This wine area is famous for its sweet white wines and some of the chateaux look like historic monuments and are worth a visit. You can find the full program here closer to the event.

Recommended wineries in Sauternes you can visit all year long

Château Guiraud is one of the most beautiful estates in Sauternes and often hosts interesting events (book your visit here). Also, don’t miss the magnificent Château Lafaurie-Peyrague and its Michelin restaurant (book your visit here). Another fun option is the Château d’Arche (Book you visit here). Another amazing vineyard to visit in Barsac is Chateau de Myrat (book your visit here).

Portes Ouvertes in Pomerol

Pomerol is probably the most prestigious wine appellation in the Bordeaux wine region, however, for some reason, its Open doors weekend is not as well known as the other ones. The event usually takes place at the end of October and it’s a rather straightforward one. Most of their chateaux don’t offer tours or special activities during the event because they really only want you to taste their wine. But it’s Pomerol, so amazing wine is guaranteed! The list of the participating chateaux is usually published here.

Château Beauregard - Pomerol- portes ouvertes — *Château Beauregard – Pomerol*

Recommended wineries in Pomerol you can visit all year long

Château Beauregard has one of the most impressive Vat rooms I have ever seen and is one of the best places to visit in Pomerol (see info about visits here). Château de Sales is another magnificent chateau to visit, and they offer many different activities on and around their property (book a visit here)

les Journées Gourmandes Loupiac & Foie Gras

les Journées Gourmandes Loupiac & Foie Gras is a great opportunity to get familiar with the sweet wines of Loupaic, meet the farmers of the department, and taste their gourmet production. The event always takes place on the last weekend of November. See the list of participants here.

Open Doors in the Châteaux of Pessac-Léognan

The Pessac-Léognan appellation is usually the one closing the year with its Open doors weekend in December. This event includes tens of wineries that offer wine tastings, tours, gourmet food, and activities for kids. All the information about the event is published on this website. Pessac is a beautiful little town near Bordeaux so if you want to spend the day there, check out my article about it.

Chateau pape Clement Pessac — Chateau pape Clement

Recommended wineries in Pessac and Leognan you can visit all year long

Château Larrivet Haut Brion (Book your visit here), Château Pape Clement (Book your visit here), and Château Latour Martillac (Book your visit here), as well as the renowned Château les Carmes Haut-Brion (info about visits here).

I gave you a lot of information to process hoping it will help you choose the best time to come to Bordeaux. If you’re interested in more events taking place in Bordeaux, don’t forget to check out my monthly lists and also subscribe to my newsletter where I update you about all the best things to do in Bordeaux and the region every weekend.

Cheers everyone!

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

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

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