Top 6 day trips from Bordeaux: exploring beaches, cycling, and indulging in wine

Nicola has just completed the latest edition of Dinogo Planet's Pocket Bordeaux guidebook, set for release in May 2024. Here, she shares her insights on the best day trips outside the city.

Bordeaux is so rich in city life and culture that you might find it hard to leave. However, its prime location along the Garonne River, close to the Gironde Estuary and the Atlantic Coast, is sure to entice any urban adventurer.

Once you’ve navigated the city, savoring exquisite wines and wandering through elegant streets lined with beautiful mansions, it’s time to consider a nearby getaway. Day trips offer thrilling experiences with stunning natural scenery, serene beaches, and leisurely maritime activities—along with opportunities to meet the skilled artisans behind some of France’s finest wines.

Aligned with Bordeaux's commitment to sustainability, these remarkable excursions can easily be accessed via low-carbon trains and bicycles. So what’s the catch? Finding the time to experience it all.

Here are some of our top picks for day trips from Bordeaux.

1. Enjoy bold reds in St-Émilion

Travel time: 35 minutes by train

Older and more esteemed than any other Bordeaux wine, St-Émilion clarets (the name given to Bordeaux red wine by the English since the Middle Ages) were a highlight at Eleanor of Aquitaine’s wedding to future English king Henry Plantagenet in 1152, and captivated the court of England’s King Edward I in the 14th century. Experience one of the world’s most celebrated reds in the medieval village of St-Émilion, where AOC St-Émilion wines are still produced with care, passion, and invaluable ancestral expertise.

The village is small and best explored on foot; set aside a day to visit the wine information center Maison du Vin de St-Émilion and wander its charming, church-lined streets. Wine lovers wishing to dine or enjoy guided tastings at one of the local château wineries should consider an overnight stay: you can't go wrong with the enchanting Château Troplong Mondot, featuring a modern eco-winery and a Michelin-starred vineyard restaurant.

Getting to St-Émilion from Bordeaux: It takes about 35 minutes by regional TER train from Bordeaux’s Gare St-Jean to St-Émilion’s quaint station, followed by a scenic 1 mile (1.7km) walk through vineyards to the village itself.

2. Enjoy the beach and a secluded ‘bird island’ in Arcachon

Travel time: 50 minutes by train

Trace the steps of 19th-century Bordeaux aristocrats to this charming seaside town along the Atlantic Coast. You won’t find a longer, wider, or softer stretch of golden sand for miles, and Arcachon’s four enchanting districts, whimsically named after the seasons, offer delightful architecture. At lunchtime, indulge in fresh seafood with a view of the ocean at the upscale Chez Pierre or the more affordable Café de la Plage (both owned by the same team).

When the bustling beach crowds become overwhelming, slow down with a guided kayaking tour to Île aux Oiseaux. This migratory bird sanctuary is a small, deserted island that nearly vanishes at high tide. Paddling trips run by Arcachon Kayak depart from the pleasure port, just a 15-minute walk east along the beach from the town's main shore.

Getting to Arcachon from Bordeaux: Regional trains take about 50 minutes to travel southwest from Gare St-Jean to Arcachon on the coast. From the train station, it’s a quick five-minute stroll along Ave du Général de Gaulle to reach the waterfront.

3. Hike up the sands of Dune du Pilat

Travel time: 90 minutes by train and bike or bus

Whether chilly in winter or scorching hot in the peak of summer, Europe’s tallest dune is best explored barefoot. From Easter to October, a staircase with around 150 steps is installed on the eastern slope to assist visitors in reaching the top; during other months, prepare for a challenging trek up the shifting sands. Regardless of how you make the ascent, the stunning coastal view from the top is unparalleled.

Dune du Pilat is undoubtedly the star attraction (read: highly visited) along this wind-swept stretch of the Atlantic coast. Access it by bicycle or public transport to lessen your carbon footprint, and join a guided nature walk offered by Espace Accueil at the dune entrance to discover the fragility and diversity of this delicate sand formation.

Getting to Dune du Pilat from Bordeaux: Take a 50-minute train ride to Arcachon from Bordeaux, then catch local bus line 3 from the stop just outside the station—or stroll five minutes to the waterfront and rent a bike for a 35-minute ride to the dune, located 6.2 miles (10km) to the south. The journey, primarily along a dedicated cycling path, might be just as exhilarating as the destination itself.

4. Mingle with oyster farmers in the wild and windy Cap Ferret

Travel time: 90 minutes by train and boat

At the dock in Cap Ferret, the urban hustle of Bordeaux feels worlds away. This pristine cape boasts stunning natural beauty, with sandy trails meandering through dunes and pine forests, where oyster farmers cultivate silvery mollusks that burst with flavors of citrus, vanilla, and even roasted hazelnut.

Upon arriving at the quaint café-lined port, rent a bike from Western Flyer and ride to the 53m (174ft)-tall Phare du Cap Ferret for a panoramic view of the cape and its offshore oyster beds (visible at low tide). In the charming fishing village of Village Ostréicole du Cap Ferret, navigate footpaths made of discarded oyster shells and stilted shacks while enjoying fresh oysters for lunch in a farmer’s backyard (try La Kabane). For an adventure, cycle 3.7 miles (6km) north along a fragrant pine path to Village Ostréicole de l’Herbe, where you can join oyster farmer Guillaume (tel +33 6 17 08 11 20) for a boat tour of his farm and then indulge in oysters at the trendy Hôtel de la Plage.

The wild allure of Cap Ferret is so captivating that you might find it hard to leave. Fortunately, a stay at the 1950s California-style surf lodge Hôtel des Dunes is a perfect remedy for the soul.

Getting to Cap Ferret from Bordeaux: Start with the same 50-minute regional train from Bordeaux’s Gare St-Jean to Arcachon, then take a 10-minute walk to the jetty on Arcachon’s waterfront, where UBA shuttle boats ferry you across the bay to Cap Ferret in 30 minutes.

5. Château-hopping in Médoc wine country

Travel time: 90 minutes by car

No wine region in France is complete without its fair share of châteaux, and Médoc certainly delivers. Eight appellations emerge from this esteemed wine territory, enriched by legendary estates boasting magnificent châteaux like Mouton Rothschild, Latour, and Lafite Rothschild. While exclusive tastings or behind-the-scenes tours at these prestigious locations are typically reserved for VIPs, cruising past their impressive silhouettes on the way to open-door châteaux like Château Lynches-Bages in Bages or Château La Haye in St-Estèphe adds to the enchantment of a Médoc road trip.

Plan ahead by booking tours and tastings online; reserve a table for lunch at the wine bistro Café Lavinal in Bages and dinner at the outstanding chef-owned Nomade in Labarde. At Pauillac’s Maison du Tourisme et du Vin on the waterfront, you can obtain walking itineraries (both guided and self-guided) and meet local winemakers.

Getting to Médoc from Bordeaux: Due to the rural character of this vineyard-laden area, driving is the most convenient way to navigate its winding country lanes and secluded châteaux. A few regional trains run from Bordeaux’s Gare St-Jean to Pauillac (75 minutes); from there, bikes can be rented at L’Atelier Vélo by Fun Bike in Bages, located 1 mile (1.6km) to the south.

6. Experience market day in Périgueux

Travel time: 90 minutes by train

Once you’ve savored Bordeaux’s culinary delights, adventurous foodies can head east for a day trip to the Dordogne. Renowned for its “black diamond” truffles, luxurious foie gras, and duck prepared in every imaginable way, this region stands out as one of France’s top culinary destinations. Start your morning in its quaint capital, Périgueux, where market stalls overflowing with fresh seasonal produce create a vibrant display of colors and flavors in the charming, historic streets around Cathédrale St-Front. After shopping, indulge in magret de canard (slow-cooked duck confit) infused with orange at Hercule Poireau, or savor pan-fried duck livers at the nearby L’Épicurien.

Getting to Périgueux from Bordeaux: Regional trains connect Bordeaux’s Gare St-Jean to Périgueux in just 90 minutes.