The 7 must-try experiences in Bordeaux

Nicola has just completed the latest edition of Dinogo Planet's Pocket Bordeaux guidebook, set to release in May 2024. Here, she shares her insights on the essential activities to enjoy in Bordeaux.

From tales of medieval romance and the century-long conflict involving wine-loving Englishmen to the beheadings of parliamentary rebels during the Revolution, Bordeaux’s history is as rich, dramatic, and monumental as its world-renowned wine.

As France’s sixth-largest city, Bordeaux is alive with museums, monuments, and urban adventures that draw visitors deep into the action. Take the time to discover its fascinating narratives—historical, cultural, or culinary.

Whether you’re visiting alone, with a partner, family, or on a budget, this enchanting UNESCO-listed university town and river port in southwest France deserves your complete focus. Here are the top experiences to enjoy in Bordeaux.

1. Discover the legendary tale of Bordeaux wine

Bordeaux’s iconic museum, La Cité du Vin (City of Wine), resembles a colossal wine decanter, shimmering in its curvy glory across from the city’s bustling wet docks. This is the perfect starting point to grasp the essence of this ancient city, where Romans cultivated vines over 2000 years ago.

However, save this 'Guggenheim of wine' visit for later in the day. Start your wine journey in the historic trading area of Chartrons, where 15th-century sailors loaded oak barrels of red wine onto ships destined for England, and where elegant mansions were built by négociants (merchant traders) along Cours Xavier Arnozan in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Wander through the neighborhood and don’t miss the intriguing Musée du Vin et du Négoce (complete with wine tasting) and the Musée de l’Histoire Maritime, offering insights into local maritime heritage.

Insider tip: Wine tasting at the Bar à Vins within the Maison du Vin de Bordeaux is one of the most budget-friendly options in the city. For a taste of organic, natural wines from exceptional boutique winemakers, book a table at Soif, a wine bistro nestled in medieval St-Pierre.

2. Discover the world’s largest urban UNESCO heritage site

There’s no better square to begin your Bordeaux journey than Pey Berland, which is dominated by the stunning Cathédrale St-André complex.

With flying buttresses, intricate stone carvings depicting biblical stories, and a forest of Flamboyant Gothic spires, this cathedral showcases remarkable architecture from the 13th to 16th centuries. Finish your visit with a spectacular view of the city’s 18-sq-km (7-sq-mile) UNESCO treasure from the cathedral’s standalone, gargoyle-adorned belfry. Take a deep breath and prepare to climb 233 steps to reach the top.

Travel tip: Visiting in the off-peak season offers delightful experiences like Luminiscence, an enchanting son-et-lumière (sound-and-light spectacle) projected on the cathedral’s walls and its towering 20m-high (66ft-high) vaults, running from mid-October to mid-January. Be sure to purchase tickets online well in advance.

3. Face unsettling histories at the Musée d’Aquitaine

Covering from Gallo-Roman times to the modern era, Bordeaux’s history museum offers a fascinating exploration of urban history for visitors of all ages. However, it’s not just tales of gallant heroes and fine wines.

Take your time to absorb the chronological exhibits on the second floor, where the 18th-century Bordeaux and its crucial involvement in the transatlantic slave trade are vividly portrayed.

Travel tip: Pick up a free, treasure hunt-style activity booklet for kids at the entrance to keep them engaged. Inside the museum, look for interactive displays marked with an orange circle on the floor, inviting you to touch, smell, or examine reproductions of historical artifacts closely.

4. Breakfast at the covered food market

Discover the city’s vibrant essence with a morning stroll and petit dej (continental breakfast) at Capucins' covered food market. The Marché des Capucins features stalls overflowing with fruits, vegetables, cheeses, charcuterie, wines, tripe, fish, and flowers, housed in a modern structure built on the site of a 19th-century iron-and-glass gallery, utilizing remnants from Paris' 1878 Universal Exhibition.

The lively atmosphere of vendors shouting, shoppers excited over the seasonal harvest, and food lovers enjoying themselves is truly electrifying. Chez Jean Mi is the must-visit stall (with seating) for freshly shucked oysters paired with white wine…yes, for breakfast!

Insider tip: Don’t miss out on the legendary 1950s Le Puits d'Amour ('Well of Love'), a choux-pastry tartlet filled with caramelized pastry cream and meringue, available at Maison Seguin’s market stall.

5. Enjoy leisurely strolls and playful splashes in St-Pierre

Wandering aimlessly – even getting lost – is undeniably the most atmospheric way to immerse yourself in the enchanting maze of medieval St-Pierre, with its narrow pedestrian streets named after candlestick makers, coopers, and other artisans who worked here in the 13th century.

Marvel at the beautiful stained glass in Église St-Pierre and, on the charming Rue St-James, see the impressive 7750kg (17,086lb) Grosse Cloche (Big Bell), which was lifted into place by 14 pairs of oxen atop the gothic belfry of city hall in 1775.

Step out from the historic maze of St-Pierre onto the iconic Place de la Bourse, established in the 18th century after the medieval city walls were demolished to connect the historic center with the River Garonne. Conclude your visit with a delightful, barefoot romp in the captivating miroir d’eau.

6. Cycle along the riverside

Embrace the local vibe by renting a bike—whether a classic pushbike or an e-bike—to explore Bordeaux. The wide, smooth quays line the left bank of the murky brown River Garonne for 4km (2.5 miles), stretching from the historic 17-arched Pont de Pierre to the modern Pont Jacques Chaban-Delmas, which is particularly stunning when lit up at night.

Pedal past the neighborhoods of St-Pierre and St-Paul, Chartrons, and Bacalan, experiencing these diverse areas from a new angle.

Cross the river near La Cité du Vin to the right bank and loop back south along Quai de Brazza into La Bastide. Take a summer break for garden drinks at Chez Alriq and enjoy seafood at the trendy Les Chantiers de la Garonne, located in an old boat shed by the river. For more adventurous cyclists, numerous day trip options await beyond the city.

Bonus tip: To dive deeper into local river life, try fishing from a carrelet (a stilted fishing hut) at Échappées Nature, a nature center offering mountain bike rentals and cycling trails, just an hour's drive from Bordeaux on the right bank of the Gironde Estuary.

7. Enjoy a game of boules during a rooftop bar crawl

Whether it’s a robust red from St-Émilion, a refreshing salmon-pink Lillet aperitif over ice, a craft beer brewed at Darwin, or a glass of Cacolac (a chocolate milk made in Bordeaux since 1954), the city has always placed great importance on its drinking culture.

Visit a classic bar à vin (wine bar) like Aux 4 Coins du Vin on St-Pierre’s charming rue de la Devise for an authentic experience, or join the trendy crowd at a rooftop bar. Favorites include Gina, located on the 9th floor of the Renaissance Bordeaux Hotel with views of Bacalan’s industrial wet docks, and Canopée Café in Merignac, featuring a rooftop bodega and traditional gravel boules courts.

Insider tip: If wine isn’t your preferred choice, dive into the local gin scene instead. Try a Moon Harbour gin, crafted in a former WWI submarine bunker (with guided tours available), or sample Ahoy Gin, served from a uniquely designed glass bottle by Bordeaux-born tattoo artist Lil'B.