In Bordeaux, summer officially starts when La Guinguette chez Alriq reopens their amazing place on the river banks. This means we’re now officially entering the best season of the year. However, this weekend, Bordeaux has a hard competition with its charming neighbor Saint Emilion, which is hosting the open doors weekend at its chateaux. For this and more events taking place this weekend (May 3-5), check out my weekend list!
Open doors in Saint-Emilion
An open door weekend will take place on May 4-5 in Saint Emilion where 81 wine producers will open their chateaux to the public. The weekend will include many activities such as wine tastings, visits to the chateaux, games for kids and bike rides. Check out the full program for the participating châteaux, the activities and the wine tasting proposed for that weekend – here.
When: May 4-5 / Where: different locations around Saint Emilion
Tous à l’Opéra
This Saturday (May 4) you are invited to an open door day at the National Opera of Bordeaux. The program includes public rehearsals, performances, workshops for kids and more. The events will take place from 10 am to 6:30 pm, some activities require prior registration. For more info check out the site of the Opera and the facebook page of the event.
When: May 4 (10:00 to 18:30) / Where: Place de la Comédie, 33000 Bordeaux
The opening of La Guinguette chez Alriq
The best place for sunny weekends in Bordeaux is about to reopen for their summer season. La Guinguette chez Alriq is a taverne at the la Bastide neighborhood, on the rive droite of the Garonne. On a sunny day you can enjoy a cold beer, nice food and daily concerts with a magnificent view of the Garonne. The opening night will take place on May 2 with a concert of Bojan Krstic. To see the program of concerts that will take place in May, click here.
When: Starting May 2 / Where: ZA Quai des Queyries, Port Bastide, 33100 Bordeaux
Printemps de Cauderan
This weeked (May 4-5) the Cauderan neighborhood celebrates spring with two days full of activities for kids, concerts, workshops, games and more. The event will take place at the beautiful Parc Bordelais. For more details click here.
When: May 4-5 / Where: rue du Bocage, 33200 Bordeaux
Let your kids discover the art of circus at the Jubil’à Jongle festival
The 13th edition of the festival will start with an inauguration evening on May 3, which will include magic and fire shows, different activities for kids and even a rock concert. On the second day of the festival (May 4), you will discover the art of circus and street entertainment through shows of Juggling, magic, games and introductory workshops. The festival will take place at the Parc de Fongravey in Blanquefort. For more info click here.
When: May 3-4 / Where: 4 Parc de Fongravey in Blanquefort
Vide dressing de printemps
This weekend (May 4-5) Darwin invites you to a huge clothes sale with more than 80 stands of merchants and creators. The event will also include a kids corner, a workshop of natural cosmetics, food trucks and space where you can donate your old clothes. For more details click here.
When: May 4-5 / Where: 87 quai des Queyries, 33100 Bordeaux, France
Un Marché Pas Comme Les Autres
A creators market will take place at Place Camille Jullian this weekend (May 4-5). The Pas Comme Les Autres market will host 38 creators and designers from different fields such as home decoration, fashion, art, well being and more. For more details click here.
When: May 4-5 / Where: Place Camille Jullian, bordeaux
Burdi’Color run in Pessac
La Burdi’Color is an annual event of running (5km), color and music taking place in Pessac. During a color run natural color powder is thrown at you by other participants and the runners end up looking like running rainbows. The event will take place on May 5. For more info click here.
When: May 5 / Where: The festival village will be located in front of the BEC, next to la maison des arts, PESSAC (33600).
Bourbon Street – Jazz festival
Bourbon street is a local Jazz festival that will take place on May 3-4 in different locations in the Bassin a flot neighborhood. The festival has a long artistic program that was chosen by the residents of the neighborhood. Besides concerts, at the various local bars the festival offers activities for the whole family, such as a books sale on the quai and games for kids at Kfé des familles. You can find more information during the festival at Les Halles de Bourbon and the full program here.
When: May 3-4 / Where: Different locations close to the Bassin a flot
La Plage aux Écrivains
This weekend (May 4-5) writers and avid readers will meet in Arcachon for the 15th edition of Plage aux Ecrivains. For more details and the full list of writers taking part in the event click here.
When: May 4-5 / Where: Hôtel de Ville, Place Lucien de Gracia CS 90133, 33120 Arcachon
La Fabrique Pola – celebrates its new location on the Garonne
La Fabrique Pola is a very cool Bordelaise organization dedicated to the creation of local contemporary art. This Saturday (May 4) it celebrates its new location on the rive droite with a day full of fun activities such as guided tours, film screenings and cooking workshop for kids. For more info click here.
When: May 4, starting 15:00 / Where: 10 quai de Brazza, 33100 Bordeaux, France
Search for beautiful antiques at the Brocante
The big brocante of Bordeaux is hosted twice a year at place des Quinconces with 200 antique dealers, horticulturists, restaurants and craftsmen. It’s the biggest brocante event in the area and the selection is huge, from vintage home decor, to paintings, antique furniture, garden accessories and more. The brocante started on April 19 and will continue until May 5. For more info and the list of exhibitors click here.
When: April 19 – May 5 / Where: Place des Quinconces, Bordeaux
L’Orangeade 5 ans en flèche !
L’Orangeade is an association that organizes free music events around Bordeaux. This Friday, to celebrate its fifth anniversary, the association invites you to a big party at the main square of Saint Michel. For more details and the full program click here.
When: May 3, starting 17:00 / Where: Place Meynard, 33000 Bordeaux, France
Free museums Sunday
Like in most cities in France, the first Sunday of the month is a free museums day. You have a free entrance to all the public museums and to most exhibitions. Check out the full list of museums in Bordeaux that you can visit for free this Sunday.
D’un soleil à l’autre
In the D’un soleil à l’autre exhibition artists present their poetic journey in space. Aspects like elastic distances, weightlessness, dazzling, infinitely large landscapes and incandescent materials are beautifully translated into contemporary digital art. La Base sous marine is known for the phenomenal use of their unique space for art, so don’t miss this one. The exhibition will be presented at the museum from March 9 to May 19. For more info click here.
When: March 9 – May 19 / Where: Boulevard Alfred Daney, 33000 Bordeaux
That’s all for this weekend! If you’re not on my email list yet, join me and get more exclusive tips about Bordeaux – subscribe here!
If you want to know what other events are taking place this month in the city, check out my post about the 20 things not miss in May in Bordeaux.
