Before we dive in, I want to reassure you that taking a wine tour to Saint Emilion isn’t necessary. Many wineries offer English-speaking visits (both group and private), and it’s easy to reach Saint Emilion by car or train. You can find my recommended wineries here, where you can book directly with the château.
That said, a guided tour can be a fun and enriching experience, especially with a great guide. In this article, I’ll share a few of my favorite tours from Bordeaux to Saint Emilion. For more wine tours in the region, check out my post on Bordeaux wine tours.
The Best Group Tours in Saint Emilion
Semi-Private Tour with Ophorus This excellent tour company offers great small-group tours in Saint Emilion, including guided visits to top wineries and a tour of the charming village. They offer two options:
Full-day tour: Explore three classified wineries (1st, 2nd, and 3rd growth) and the village. Book here.
Half-day tour: Visit one winery and the village. This tour is available mornings and afternoons. Book here.
This full-day tour includes visits to three châteaux and a picnic at one of them. It’s a 6-hour trip full of wine and culinary delights. Book the tour here.
Perfect for an afternoon visit, this tour includes tastings at two wineries (a family estate and a Grand Cru) and an early evening village tour. Book the tour here.
Biking Wine Tours in Saint Emilion
Cycling through the vineyards is a must-try experience, especially with electric bikes to tackle the hilly terrain. A la Francais offers one of the best biking wine tours, where you’ll visit two wineries, savor local specialties, and explore hidden gems of the medieval village. You can start from Bordeaux or meet directly in Saint Emilion. Book your tour here.
Ebike wine tour in Saint Emilion – by Lost in Bordeaux
Best Private Tours in Saint Emilion
Private Wine Tours from Bordeaux Private wine tours from Bordeaux can be pricey, but with the right guide, they’re unforgettable. The best guides have personal connections with winemakers, offering exclusive access to hidden gems.
For Saint Emilion, I recommend Nicolle from SIP, who focuses on small producers. Nicolle has been a wine guide for over 20 years and can also arrange tours in Médoc and Pessac Leognan. For Sauternes, consider Anne from Aquitaine Travel Guide.
If you want to plan your wine visit without a guide, here are a few of my guides that can help you in this task:
If you’re planning on a wine road trip with several winery visits, I highly recommend renting a car. You can find good prices for rental cars in Bordeaux here. If you’ve already decided what chateaux you’re planning to visit and you just want a driver to take you there, you can find one 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:
*Note – Some of the links in this article include affiliate links for which I earn a small commission. It adds absolutely nothing to your cost and helps me continue writing about this amazing region. Don’t worry, I’m not getting rich here, I’ll never recommend anything I don’t believe in 🙂
There are many ways to discover Bordeaux’s fascinating history and cultural heritage, its gastronomy, and its wine industry. You can plan a great trip to Bordeaux using all my Bordeaux articles, especially if you’re planning day trips from Bordeaux. But I think that the capital of the SW of France is so rich with history and landmarks that taking at least one tour in Bordeaux is almost a must!
Jumpstarting your Bordeaux adventure with a guided tour isn’t just about finding your way around – it’s like having a local friend with the inside scoop. Whether you want to walk, sail, or pedal in the historic city or focus on other parts of Bordeaux’s culture like cuisine or wine, Bordeaux has a tour to offer.
In this article, you’ll find the best tours in Bordeaux, anything from walking tours to gourmet tours, cycling, and more. As you’re visiting the world wine capital, you should consider taking a wine tour, which you can also find on this list. However, if you’re mainly interested in wine, I recommend checking my article about the best wine tours from Bordeaux.
photo by Lost in Bordeaux
If you need more ideas of fun stuff to do in Bordeaux after (or before) your tour, you should also check my article about the best 50 things to do in Bordeaux. Now let’s discover the best tours in Bordeaux.
A walking tour of historic Bordeaux
Bordeaux boasts historic landmarks, impressive gates, and architectural richness that’s almost impossible to absorb in a short visit, without the right guidance. I highly recommend taking a walking tour of the historic part of Bordeaux to get the context of how the city was developed and why it encompasses such different styles in its little center.
Bordeaux Private walking tour
This excellent private guided walking tour of old Bordeaux will take you to the most popular landmarks such as the Grand Theatre, Porte Cailhau, and the Saint André Cathedral. The tour lasts 2-3 hours which is enough to give you a dipper understanding of Bordeaux’s magic without it getting too havie.
The great thing about this walking tour is that it has a bit of everything. The historical details about the main monuments of Bordeaux but also local anecdotes and interesting cultural references. So if you want a fascinating and intimate guided tour of Bordeaux, this one is for you. Book the tour here.
photo by Lost in Bordeaux
Bordeaux group walking tour
If you don’t mind big groups, you can also take the Bordeaux guided walking tour proposed by the Bordeaux Tourist Office. This 2-hour walking tour offers a taste of Bordeaux’s fantastic mix of city urban landmarks and architectural marvels. It’s also a nice opportunity to meet other tourists from all over the world!
As the group can get big, you usually won’t cover as many landmarks and history as you would in a private tour. However, if don’t want to spend much on a tour, this is a great option to start your discovery of Bordeaux. Also, in case you purchase Bordeaux’s City Pass, you can take the tour for free.
A night walking tour in Bordeaux
As much as Bordeaux is beautiful in daylight, there’s something even more magical about the city at night. The yellow smokie light reflected on the old limestone houses makes it look mysterious. It almost feels like the city is inviting you to discover its night secrets.
To make your night date with Bordeaux more interesting I recommend taking the Night Walking Tour.
photo by Lost in Bordeaux
The tour is led by a friendly local guide who loves to spread his love for Bordeaux. Discover the city’s key attractions at night and immerse yourself in the enchanting ambiance of this splendid city. On this tour, you also get to taste a canelé, which is Bordeaux’s most famous pastry.
Bordeaux is a perfect place for cycling! The city is flat and has many designated cycling paths in the center and the suburbs, which makes locals cycle everywhere around Bordeaux. That’s why a cycling tour in Bordeaux is such a great option!
The Monsieur Bacchus Bike Tour company offers a great biking tour of the historic center and the Chartrons district. Casually cycle through the street of Bordeaux while learning about its main monuments, high-class French culture, and modern life. If you love history but don’t love walking too much, a cycling tour is an easy way to explore Bordeaux.
The three hours tour will bring you to parts of parts of Bordeaux, that you will not see on a regular walking tour. You get to visit the posh Chartrons district as well as the more hip right bank of the Garonne River. The tours are offered from March to November. You can book them here.
Food Tours in Bordeaux
Did you know that apart from its notorious wines Bordeaux is also known for its exceptional culinary scene? Boasting the highest number of restaurants per capita, it’s no wonder the capital of the southwest was crowned the best food city in France.
Some of Bordeaux’s specialties include oysters from Arcachon, duck products and canelés. However, being new to the city, choosing the best spots to taste these delicacies can be tricky. Taking a food tour is a great way to taste Bordeaux while exploring the city.
photo by Lost in Bordeaux
There are many food tours in Bordeaux however many of them feel more like historic tours with a snack, so it’s important to choose right. There are a few that I particularly like.
NO DIET CLUB – Unique food tour in Bordeaux
NO DIET CLUB is the best gastronomic group tour for real foodies! It’s a 3.5-hour tasting tour in a warm and friendly atmosphere with a group of 12 people max. You’ll be offered plenty of tasting, ranging from savory snacks like cheese, burgers, and mussels to Bordeaux’s sweet treats. You can book the tour here.
photo by Lost in Bordeaux
Bordeaux traditional food tour
Another great option is the Bordeaux Traditional food tour, offered by Do Eat Better Experience. This tour is a great mix of food and history, two important features in Bordeaux. You will be tasting plenty of local bites in Bordeaux’s best spots while learning the secrets of the city along the way. The tour starts with wine tasting and ends with a delicious lunch in a classic French Bistro. An absolute treat!
If you’re a foodie visiting Bordeaux in high season, be sure to book the tour in advance as it’s likely to sell out.
photo by Lost in Bordeaux
Bordeaux Gourmet Food Tour
If you’re looking for a more high-end private food tour in Bordeaux, you should check out Aquitaine Travel Guide. The company is run by Anne who is a chef and also a brilliant guide that offers a deeper glimpse into the gastronomic culture of this region.
For centuries, the Garonne River, among the longest rivers in France, has served as a lifeline to the heart of Bordeaux. In the past, it was the main route for trade, helping Bordeaux become a flourishing port and trading center. The Garonne had an immense economic impact on the city and is considered the key factor in the rise of Bordeaux as a global power in the wine business.
Today, the riverside remains a vibrant and vital part of Bordeaux’s landscape that serves as a space for many social events (especially in summer). Along the riverfront, you can see some of Bordeaux’s most beautiful architecture. So Taking a River Cruise in Bordeaux is a cool way to experience the city!
River Garonne Cruise with Glass of Wine
This relaxed 1,5 hours cruise on a yacht named Luna will help you discover Bordeaux from the river. And, it comes with a bonus—a complimentary glass of wine! Doesn’t it make everything better?
What sets this cruise apart is the combination of sightseeing and wine sipping, the best way to enjoy Bordeaux. The cruise starts from the city center and passes by iconic landmarks like the Place de la Bourse and the Saint Pierre Stone Bridge. If you’re looking for a laid-back adventure with a light touch of luxury, don’t hesitate to book this Bordeaux-guided cruise.
Bordeaux Lunch Cruise
If you’re planning to take the tour around lunchtime, which not take a Bordeaux lunch cruise. A guided cruise where you get to see some of Bordeaux’s fabulous monuments while enjoying a classic French lunch. The 2-hour cruise starts at noon at Quai des Chartrons. Book your table here.
Wine tour to the vineyards of Bordeaux
When traveling to the most famous wine region in the world, a trip to the vineyards is kind of a must. There are thousands of vineyards to visit in the Bordeaux wine region, some of which you can find in my article about wineries in the Medoc, Saint Emilion, and Sauternes regions. So you definitely plan a self-guided tour in one of Bordeaux’s wine appelations.
photo by Lost in Bordeaux
However, there’s something about a good wine tour (especially a more intimate one) that can elevate the whole experience. Also, the fact that they drive you, choose the wineries, and do all the scheduling is a big advantage.
Here are my recommendations for the two best wine tours from Bordeaux. You can read all my other recommendations in my article about Bordeaux’s best wine tours.
A full day to Saint Emilion
Go on the Saint-Emilion Full-Day Wine Tour from Bordeaux for a comprehensive and enriching wine adventure. This tour takes you through the picturesque vineyards of Saint-Emilion, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its exceptional wines. The 8-hour tour includes a visit (and wine tasting of course) at 3 Châteaux and also Free time to discover Saint-Emilion.
photo by Lost in Bordeaux
Throughout the day, you’ll get to witness the artistry behind the production ‘from wine to bottle’, sharing the secrets of the winemaking craft and making the technical details accessible and enjoyable for participants of all levels of wine expertise.
Perfect for wine enthusiasts seeking a comprehensive and immersive experience, this tour provides historical and cultural explanations, tasting, and exploring of the rich culture of Saint-Emilion. You can book the full-day tour from Bordeaux here.
A half day to Medoc
The half-day wine trip to Medoc will allow you to visit two wineries from different appellations in Medoc and observe the differences between the more prestigious chateaux and smaller family-owned properties. All the chateaux on the tours are either Grand Cru classé or Cru Bourgeois, so good wine is guaranteed. The tour is usually offered in the tourist season in the morning and the afternoon. You can book the tour here.
photo by Lost in Bordeaux
A street art tour of Bordeaux
Bordeaux prides itself on a very dynamic street art culture and talented artists that decorate many murals in the city. In the city center, which is a UNESCO site, painting on most of the buildings is strictly forbidden. Nevertheless, the city does a wonderful job of incorporating street art where it’s possible. That’s why you will find the huge animals of AMO, the colorful faces of Alber, and the expressive characters of Nasty on hotel buildings and shutters in the city.
However, if you want to discover the real richness of Bordeaux’s street art you need to leave the city center and explore other neighborhoods. There you will discover vibrant murals and eye-catching graffiti, showcasing the creativity of local and international artists.
A Street Art Guided Tour in Bordeaux is the perfect way to dive into this lively street art scene. During this 1,5 hour tour, you’ll see the urban landscape of Bordeaux through its most colorful creative side. The advantage here is that the guide helps you uncover hidden gems of art you might miss on your own.
photo by Lost in Bordeaux
If you’re curious about street art and want a relaxed and enjoyable way to explore Bordeaux, this tour is for you. No art degree is required—just an open mind and a love for urban expression. Book your tour 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:
*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 🙂
Looking for the best wine tours in Bordeaux? You’re in the right place.
As the wine capital of the world, Bordeaux is packed with unforgettable tasting experiences—from prestigious châteaux to hidden family-run estates.
After years of exploring the region, I’ve curated this guide to the top Bordeaux wine tours, including guided day trips, private tours, and self-guided visits.
Whether you’re a wine connoisseur or just curious about Bordeaux’s vineyards, you’ll find the perfect tour for your style, budget, and schedule.
If you’re short on time, I recommend checking out Rue des Vignerons’ selection of Bordeaux wine tours. This French platform specializes in wine tourism experiences and offers a great range of semi-private and private tours in Médoc and Saint-Émilion.
Semi-private tours are small group experiences (usually 6–8 people). They offer a more intimate vibe than big group tours and are much more affordable than private ones. Plus, they include transport—huge bonus! Here are a few of my favorites.
A semi-private tour in Saint Emilion
A Saint Emilion wine tour
One of the top choices is a full-day tour , a highly rated travel company in Bordeaux.
Their full-day Saint-Émilion tour includes:
Visits to three wineries from different growth classifications (1er, 2e, and 3e)
A guided walk in the picturesque village of Saint-Émilion
If you’re short on time, their half-day tour is a great option too. It includes:
A visit to one classified winery
A guided walk through the village
Both tours are available daily with morning and afternoon slots.
The full-day Médoc tour takes you to three wineries, mixing prestigious Grand Cru Classé châteaux with smaller, family-run estates. It’s a great way to explore Médoc’s diversity.
Short on time? A half-day option also exists, with one winery visit and a scenic drive through the vineyards.
If you want to combine wine tasting with local gastronomy, this full-day food and wine tour is a fantastic choice.
The day starts with a wine tasting at a beautiful château, followed by a picnic with local delicacies—think Basque charcuterie, cheese, and fresh bread, all paired with wine, of course.
After lunch, you’ll visit two more wineries, each offering a different perspective on Saint-Émilion’s unique grape varieties and winemaking traditions. It’s a fun, delicious, and insightful way to explore the region.
If you’re looking for a more personal experience, private wine tours are the way to go.
They’re more expensive, but they come with a dedicated guide who tailors the day to your interests—great for discovering hidden gems and small, family-run wineries.
A few guides I personally recommend:
Nicolle from SIP Wine Tours – A Bordeaux wine expert who focuses on independent producers. She offers tours in Saint-Émilion, Médoc, and Pessac-Léognan.
These guides are passionate and knowledgeable—you’ll be in good hands.
Nicolle from SIP wine tours – by Lost in Bordeaux
Wine Tours by E-Bike🚲
One of the most unique ways to explore Saint-Émilion is by electric bike. You get fresh air, stunning vineyard views, and plenty of wine tasting, all in one day.
A popular full-day e-bike tour starts in Bordeaux:
Shuttle to Saint-Émilion
Free time in the village
Cycling along the famous wine routes past châteaux like Petrus and Cheval Blanc
If you’re already staying in Saint-Émilion, you can join these tours at a reduced price.
E-bike wine tours in Saint Emilion – by Lost in Bordeaux
Group tours in the Bordeaux wine region 🚐
If you’re on a budget, group tours are a great way to explore Bordeaux’s wine country. Most tours cost under €50 per person and cover top wine areas like: Saint Emilion, Medoc, Blaye, Graves, and Sauternes.
You’ll usually visit one or two wineries, and the guides are fun and full of knowledge.
But heads up: the groups can be pretty big—up to 40 people—so if you prefer something more personal, you might want to go semi-private instead.
Tours leave daily at 13:30 from Bordeaux’s Tourist Office and last about 5 hours. Each day features a different wine region, so check their official website for the schedule.
💡 Tip: If you have the Bordeaux City Pass, you’ll get 15% off. ❄️ In winter, tours only run on weekends. Kids under 5 aren’t allowed.
Group wine tours in the Bordeaux wine region – by Lost in Bordeaux
Wine experiences in Bordeaux city
Short on time? You can still enjoy great wine without leaving Bordeaux.
Here are two great options:
Visit La Cité du Vin – Bordeaux’s Wine Museum
La Cité du Vin is a must for wine lovers. This modern museum takes you on an interactive journey through wine history and culture, from ancient times to today.
I wrote a full article about my visit, if you want more details → Cité du Vin guide
Take a Wine Tasting Class
You can also take a morning wine-tasting class with a Professional sommelier guide. This is a two-hour workshop where you’ll learn about and taste wines from different wine regions in France.
This is a full list of all Bordeaux wine-related articles with more winery recommendations, that will help you plan your Bordeaux self-guided wine tour:
Frequently Asked Questions About Bordeaux Wine Tours
1. Can I visit Bordeaux wineries without a car?
Yes! You can join guided wine tours that include transportation from Bordeaux, or visit châteaux that are reachable by train or bike. I also wrote a full guide on how to visit Bordeaux wineries without a car – read it here.
2. What’s the best Bordeaux wine tour if I only have half a day?
If you’re short on time, I recommend a half-day tour to Saint-Émilion. These typically include one winery visit and a guided village walk. You can find my favorites in the “guided tours” section above or in my article on day trips to Saint-Émilion.
Are there any wine tours in Bordeaux that are kid-friendly?
Yes, some châteaux in Bordeaux welcome families with open spaces, animals, or even grape juice tastings for kids. I created a whole list of kid-friendly wineries to help parents enjoy wine tasting too – check it out here.
What’s the difference between wine tours in Médoc and Saint-Émilion?
Médoc is known for prestigious red blends and grand châteaux, while Saint-Émilion offers more varied landscapes, medieval charm, and Merlot-driven wines. Both regions are amazing, but offer very different experiences. I break it down more in my guides to Médoc and Saint-Émilion.
What’s the best way to plan a self-guided wine tour in Bordeaux?
Start by picking a region (like Médoc, Pessac-Léognan, or Saint-Émilion), then book tastings in advance. My guides to the best wineries in each area and my Bordeaux wine region overview will help you plan the perfect DIY wine adventure.
Pin this article, so you can use it on your visit to the Bordeaux wine region!
📌 Planning Your First Trip to Bordeaux?
If it’s your first time visiting Bordeaux, I’ve got you covered!
