Our 5 favourites in Bordeaux
1. Major tourist sites
La Cité du vin
An attraction entirely dedicated to wine, la Cite du Vin museum is often called the beacon of Bordeaux wine tourism. You can taste some of the world's best wines at the top of the belvedere, dine in one of the three restaurants or shop in the 250 square metre concept store.
Useful : tour available in 8 languages • plan on a 2hrs’ visit • tickets from 20€
Les Bassins de Lumières
Opened in 2020, in a unique and unusual site, the Bordeaux submarine base has become a digital art centre called Les Bassins de Lumieres. This new site presents one of the largest multimedia exhibitions in the world devoted to the history of art and contemporary creation.
Useful : 2 new exhibitions as of February 2021 • plan on a 2hrs’ visit • tickets from 13,50€
Le Musée Mer Marine
Built in the floating dock district, this 3-floor museum presents the history of navigation, the discovery of oceans and the scientific conquest of the seas.
Useful : temporary exhibition and permanent tour - guided tours on request - Full price 18€.
These 3 must-see sites are located in the Bassins a Flot district, a district in full architectural effervescence, 10 minutes from Old Bordeaux.
2. Guided city tours
On foot, by bicycle, coach, cabriolet, imperial bus, by boat, on an excursion to the vineyards, or on a river cruise… There are many original ways to (re)discover Bordeaux, the largest UNESCO classified urban ensemble.
Useful : the Tourist Office organizes diverse and original tours for individual visitors and groups • plan on a 2 hours’ to 1 whole day’s visit • tours from 195€ for a group of 25 visitors.
3. Excursions or stays in the vineyards
Bordeaux, the starting point of many vineyard excursions: Margaux, Pessac-Leognan, Sauternes, Pomerol, Saint-Emilion and even Cognac...just under 90 minutes’ drive! 6 "Vignobles et decouvertes" labeled wine routes to discover the world of Bordeaux wines, taste a product on the spot where it was made and meet passionate winemakers.
Useful: full-day or half-day packages for individuals and groups available from the tourist office departing from Bordeaux - tailor-made program (visit and “grands crus classes” tasting, a winemaker's day, food and wine pairing, Best of tour, Urban wine tour...). - multilingual guides
4. Bordeaux along the water
Sea cruises
Over 50 liners come to Bordeaux each year. A special feature particularly enjoyed by cruise passengers : boats are docked directly in the heart of the city of Bordeaux, in an 18th century setting!
Useful : 48 cruise ships greeted in 2017 and nearly 30.000 passengers (Le Ponant, Crystal Symphony, Seven Seas Splendor...)
River cruises
Departing from Bordeaux, most cruise trips offer a discovery of the emblematic landscapes of the banks of the Garonne, the Dordogne and the Gironde estuary: the vineyards of the greatest fine wines in the world, Blaye and the Vauban citadel, Bordeaux with its noble 18th century facades and a whole heritage listed by UNESCO, the Cordouan lighthouse, secret islands... a unique and fascinating world.
Useful : 5 river cruise companies depart from Bordeaux (Scenic, Viking, Uniworld, AmaWaterways, CroisiEurope).
Boat rides
A day trip cruise, a bateau-mouche ride, a wine or gourmet cruise... there is a wide range of half-day or full-day cruises departing from Bordeaux.
Useful : several companies offer tours of Bordeaux, on the river: Burdigala cruises, Bordeaux River Cruise, Aquitaine cruises, Bordeaux be boat…
5. Shopping in Bordeaux
In the golden triangle with luxury department stores, jewelers, designers, perfume, leather goods or in the famous "Sainte-Catherine" street for fashion store brands or in the districts of Old Bordeaux for small designer boutiques.
Useful : A few very local addresses not to be missed : the Spa Caudalie boutique, Repetto, De Grimm, Parfumerie de l'Opera as well as Galeries Lafayette and marché des Grands Hommes…
