About Bordeaux
Bordeaux is a city on the river Garonne in the Gironde department, southwestern France. A port city, it is the capital of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, as well as the prefecture of the Gironde department. Its inhabitants are called "Bordelais" (masculine) or "Bordelaises" (feminine). The term "Bordelais" may also refer to the city and its surrounding region.
Places to visit in Bordeaux
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Place de la Bourse
LandmarkAn elegant 18th-century square of classical facades facing the Garonne River. Visit at dusk when the shallow Water Mirror in front of it reflects the lit buildings, and walk the riverside quays afterward.
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Cité du Vin
Museum · 2 mi from centreA museum dedicated to the history and culture of wine, with a distinctive curved design. Your ticket includes a tasting at the top-floor bar with city views.
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Bordeaux Cathedral
ReligiousA large Gothic cathedral dedicated to Saint Andrew, with a separate 15th-century bell tower called the Pey-Berland Tower. Climb the tower's narrow stairs for wide views over the city's rooftops and river.
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Grand Théâtre de Bordeaux
LandmarkA neoclassical opera house from the 1780s, fronted by a row of twelve columns topped with statues. Book a guided tour or attend a ballet or opera performance to see the richly decorated auditorium.
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Saint-Émilion
Historic · 21 mi from centreA medieval wine village with a monolithic church carved into rock. It is about 40 km from Bordeaux, so plan a day trip with wine tastings.
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Dune of Pilat
Nature · 35 mi from centreEurope's tallest sand dune, overlooking the Atlantic and the Arcachon Bay. Climb to the top for sunset, but bring water and avoid the midday heat.
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Jardin Public
ParkAn 18th-century English-style park with lawns, a pond, a botanical garden and the city's natural history museum. It is a peaceful spot for a picnic, and easy to reach on foot from the city center.
Things to do in Bordeaux by type
13 tours, tickets and experiences across 2 categories. Pick a type to see what is available for your dates.
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Gastronomy & nightlife 8 experiences Afternoon Wine Tour Saint-Emilion -
City tours 5 experiences Bordeaux Private Walking Tour
- 1-3 hours 3
- 3-6 hours 1
- Private 3
- Small group 3
- Wheelchair accessible 1
Top experiences in Bordeaux
Tours, tickets and experiences you can book with Destina Holidays, from 13 available.
Afternoon Wine Tour Saint-Emilion
From $100 per adult
Explore Bordeaux Historical District and Market with Tasting - Small Group Tour
From $134 per adult
Explore Wine District Chartrons with Tasting - Small Group Tour
From $125 per adult
Morning Wine Tour to Saint Emilion
From $89 per adult
City Exploration Game: Explore Old Town
From $10 per adult
Bordeaux Private Walking Tour
From $291 per adult
Morning Wine Tasting Class - Make Your Own Wine!
From $45 per adult
Discover Bordeaux City Highlights and Hidden Gems with a Local - Private Tour
From $59 per adult
Where to stay in Bordeaux
Popular hotels in Bordeaux, out of 369 properties you can book.
Best Western Premier Bordeaux Bayonne Etche Ona
From $139 per night
Staycity Aparthotel Bordeaux City Center
From $163 per night
Quality Hotel Bordeaux Centre
From $124 per night
Apparthotel Victoria Garden Bordeaux
From $74 per night
Hotel Konti by HappyCulture
From $149 per night
Hotel Majestic
From $189 per night
Hôtel Burdigala by Inwood Hotels
From $169 per night
Ibis Styles Bordeaux Lac Bruges
From $127 per night
All Suites Appart Hôtel | Bordeaux Centre Gare
From $83 per night
La Maison Bord'eaux
From $147 per night
Campanile Gradignan
From $139 per night
Kyriad Bordeaux Lormont
From $116 per night
Best time to visit Bordeaux
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Bordeaux is August, when average daytime highs are around 84°F and rain falls on about 6 days a month.
Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.
Bordeaux weather forecast
- Wed 21 Oct 60° 51° 98%
- Thu 22 Oct 62° 51° 16%
- Fri 23 Oct 60° 54° 71%
- Sat 24 Oct 61° 52° 82%
- Sun 25 Oct 66° 54° 89%
- Mon 26 Oct 68° 54° 34%
Know before you go
- Currency
- Euro (EUR)1 US dollar ≈ €0.89
- Language
- French
- Calling code
- +33
- Driving
- On the right
- Time zone
- Europe/ParisUTC+2
- Capital
- Paris
Upcoming public holidays in France
- All Saints' DayToussaint
- Armistice DayArmistice 1918
- Christmas DayNoël
- New Year's DayJour de l'an
- Easter MondayLundi de Pâques
- Labour DayFête du Travail
Banks, offices and some attractions may close on public holidays, and flights and hotels often fill up early around them.
Getting to Bordeaux
These are the airports closest to central Bordeaux. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.
- BOD Bordeaux–Mérignac Airport7 mi (11 km) from the city centre
Getting around Bordeaux
Bordeaux's centrepiece is the elegant riverfront and former port, where fine 18th-century buildings stretch for 3 km (2 mi) along the west bank of the Garonne, from Quinconces in the north to St Croix in the south. The old central districts of St Pierre and St Michel extend inland for about 1 km. Most city sights are in this area. The railway station is south, at the foot of Cours de la Marne. To the north, Quai des Chartrons has been redeveloped as the “City of Wine”, and has the wine museum.
On foot
Although Bordeaux is a big city, the sights of interest are fairly close together in the old centre, and much of it is pedestrianised. A car here would be a handicap.
By bus
All public transport information is posted on the TBM website. Maps and times can also be easily accessed with Google Maps, just select route "By public transport" when getting directions.
By tram
There are several tram routes ( A , B , C , D , E & F) crossing the city. Tickets and fares are the same as for the bus, with unlimited transfers within one hour. The three central crossing stops:
Bordeaux travel FAQ
When is the best time to visit Bordeaux?
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Bordeaux is August, when average daytime highs are around 84°F and rain falls on about 6 days a month.
What is the weather like in Bordeaux?
August is usually the warmest month in Bordeaux, with average highs of 84°F (29°C). January is the coolest, with average lows of 39°F (4°C). The wettest month is typically March, with about 112 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Bordeaux?
Bordeaux–Mérignac Airport (BOD) is the closest airport, about 7 miles (11 km) from the centre of Bordeaux.
What currency is used in Bordeaux?
Bordeaux uses the Euro (EUR). At the latest exchange rate, 1 US dollar ≈ €0.89.
What time zone is Bordeaux in?
Bordeaux uses the Europe/Paris time zone (currently UTC+2). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.
How do I get around Bordeaux?
Bordeaux's centrepiece is the elegant riverfront and former port, where fine 18th-century buildings stretch for 3 km (2 mi) along the west bank of the Garonne, from Quinconces in the north to St Croix in the south. The old central districts of St Pierre and St Michel extend inland for about 1 km.
What are the best places to visit in Bordeaux?
Top sights in Bordeaux include Place de la Bourse, Cité du Vin, Bordeaux Cathedral and Grand Théâtre de Bordeaux. An elegant 18th-century square of classical facades facing the Garonne River. Visit at dusk when the shallow Water Mirror in front of it reflects the lit buildings, and walk the riverside quays afterward.
What are the top things to do in Bordeaux?
Popular experiences you can book in Bordeaux include Afternoon Wine Tour Saint-Emilion, Explore Bordeaux Historical District and Market with Tasting - Small Group Tour and Explore Wine District Chartrons with Tasting - Small Group Tour. Destina Holidays offers 13 tours and activities here.
What kinds of tours and activities can I book in Bordeaux?
The most popular types of experiences in Bordeaux are gastronomy & nightlife (8), city tours (5), art & culture (1) and classes (1). Filter by type when you search to compare prices and availability for your dates.
Where should I stay in Bordeaux?
Popular areas for hotels in Bordeaux include Bordeaux. Well-reviewed options include Best Western Premier Bordeaux Bayonne Etche Ona and Staycity Aparthotel Bordeaux City Center.
How many hotels can I book in Bordeaux?
Destina Holidays currently lists 369 properties in and around Bordeaux, from budget stays to luxury hotels. Search your dates to see live prices and availability.
