Top 10 Things to Do in Bordeaux France: Ultimate Travel Guide 🍇
Bordeaux is one of our favorite cities in France. It feels a bit like Paris with all the houseman style buildings, but way more laid-back. In this video, we’re sharing the top 10 things to do in Bordeaux. From exploring its foodie culture, the famous Bordeaux wines to musto day trips that are easy to get to and much more. And we are sure that you’ll add at least one of these things on your itinerary. [Music] Make sure to grab the free Bordeaux travel guide we’ve created for you with our favorite attractions, useful information about public transport in Bordeaux, and links to all the activities and locations. Before we dive in, we’ve created a digital travel planner that keeps everything for your trip in one place. It’s got packing lists, an outfit planner. You can plan all of your food spots, attractions, and transport info ahead. Plus, it’s fully hyperl, so you can use it like an app and get to the different sections easily. It’s just an easy way to keep your plans organized without getting confused with all your notes and tabs. It’s linked in the description if you’re interested. Okay, now let’s get into the top 10 things to do in Bordeaux. Number one, enjoy the foodie scene of Bordeaux. Bordeaux has an amazing restaurant scene that really comes alive in the evening with the lights and people out enjoying dinner or drinks. Though lunch also has a great vibe. There are so many places to choose from offering all kinds of cuisine for even in drinks. We recommend heading to the restaurant cafes by the river like Vintage Cafe. And when it comes to a proper meal, these are our favorite spots, the ones that we go back to every time we visit Bordeaux because we know they’re always good. For classic French cuisine, we recommend Lum Michelle. We really love this restaurant. It’s on a beautiful street, so try to sit outside if the weather’s nice. And it’s always busy, so come early. The staff is super friendly. Our waitress even recognizes from the year before. You definitely need to try the duck comfy duck, slowcooked in his own fat, or the duck feet burger, which is just as good. We also love the ribs with mash and the French onion soup topped with a dome of puff pastry. If you’re in the mood for some Italian food, we suggest Palatino. The restaurant front says Oia Palatino because that is a type of restaurant in Italy. And this restaurant is part of the Big Mama Group. The decor is very European, eccentric, and whimsical, yet still sophisticated with a touch of retro. And the food is amazing. Definitely try one of their pizzas. The dough is soft, chewy, and full of flavor with super fresh ingredients. They also do great cocktails and mocktails, so you can enjoy a delicious drink whether you’re having alcohol or not. Just make sure to book a table in advance as it fills up quickly. Sher Anatol is a popular spot too, especially with students and there’s almost always a long line. So, if you don’t mind waiting, it’s the go-to place if you’re after a good kebab on the go at a great price. Number two, where to get a sweet treat. After a good meal, it’s definitely time for something sweet. In Bordeaux, you have to try a canel. It’s a small pastry flavored with rum and vanilla with a soft custardy center and a thick caramelized crust. Some places we recommend areas can special and Lat. However, there are other places we love in case you’re in the mood for something else is the perfect spot for cre on the go. They do have a few tables, but the main idea is takeaway. You can pick from lots of toppings like lemon and sugar, salted caramel or apple. And they folded into a little cardboard holder that makes it super easy to eat while walking around. Omered is a well-known bakery and coffee shop all over Europe. Famous for its gorgeous crystal chandelier and its meringue desserts. They come in lots of flavors like white chocolate, cherry, and caramel. And they’re delicious. Also, check out the chocolate in Bordeaux. Bordeaux chocolate isn’t as famous as Brussels or Bayon, the historical birthplace of French chocolate. But being just 2 hours away from Bayon, it’s inherited some of that tradition and has several renowned chocoliers like Haznach Chola Gru. And since Bordeaux is best known for its wine, their chocolate is often crafted to pair perfectly with local wines. Number three on the list, see all the beautiful landmarks. And here are the top ones that we recommend. Bello is an old city gate built in the late 1400s. It’s one of the only medieval city entrances still standing. You can actually go inside. There’s a small exhibit and the top has a nice view over the river and pondier. Blaz de Labour the most photographed square in Bordeaux right by the river. It includes the Bordeaux Chamber of Commerce, the Muse National Dean and the Tuas Fountain right in the middle of the square featuring the three graces from Greek mythology representing beauty, joy, and abundance. Jardan Public is the city’s main park designed in the mid700s as a second B where merchants could meet. It’s big, peaceful, and has a small botanical garden. Locals use it for walking, running, or just relaxing. It’s the perfect place for a picnic, too. The water mirror or miardo. The miwar is a shallow pool that reflects plas de labor with mist and water cycles every few minutes. That way it’s always wet which is great for photos and cooling off in summer. Just keep in mind it’s not always on and follows a schedule. Next demon is one of the largest squares in Europe and one of the main reason to go is the huge monument. It’s a 54 m column covered in bronze horses, fountains, and statues like Liberty Breaking chains. It often hosts fairs, markets, and events. As for cathedrals, we have Cathedral San Andre de Bordo. It’s the city’s main cathedral where kings used to be crowned. It’s free to enter, and you can climb the Pan tower next to it for panoramic views. Flesh de la bazilik Michishelle the tall spire next to Sam Michel Basilica as tall as 114 m. You can climb it for views of the city and river set to be the best view of the city. Just keep in mind it’s still being renovated and is scheduled to be done in May 2026. So it’s covered in construction for now. [Music] Number four is a classic in Bordeaux and it’s to visit a vineyard or book a wine tasting. Bordeaux is known as the world capital of wine. So when you’re there, you have to try a wine tasting or visit a vineyard and sell especially in places like Santillon, which we’ll cover more on in number five. Bordeaux is famous for its red wines, usually blends of cabernne, soven a merlo, rich with dark fruit and a touch of spice. The region also produces well-known dry whites from Sovin Blanc and Semon, as well as sweet wines from areas like Saut about 1 hour away from Bordeaux. Some vineyards you can visit are Chateau Margo or Chat Pal in the Margo area around 40 minutes away by car. For number five, we’re taking a day trip outside of Bordeaux. Santillion is a charming medieval town about 30 minutes from Bordeaux, famous for its vineyards. The town itself is beautiful with the monolithic church of Santillion at its center. We highly recommend visiting. The views of the town from the church are incredible. There are plenty of cute streets with shops and restaurants to explore and of course lots of opportunities for wine tastings and tours. We have linked a few in the description if you’re interested. Arkashon is a charming seaside town known for oyster farming, beautiful beaches, and blep architecture. It’s a popular spot for seafood lovers and perfect for a picnic on the beach. The main attraction here is the Dundila, Europe’s largest sand dune. Junipila, which is a 15-minute drive from the center of Akashon, has a paid parking lot about 5 to 10 minutes walking distance to the dunes and costs around €7 for the day. The first 30 minutes are free, but it takes longer than that to go up, see the view, and go down. You can also rent a bike and ride to the dunes on the designated bike paths along the Akash Bazan. Once you’re there, climb to the top for breathtaking views. It’s also really fun to run down the dunes. Paris is only 2 hours away by train and can easily be done as a day trip from Bordeaux. We’ve put together a 24-hour Paris itinerary to show that it’s possible to enjoy the city even with limited time. So check out the link in the description to see if it’s something you’d like to try. Beru, only 1 hour and a half away from Bordeaux, is the capital of Dordon. It combines Roman history with charming medieval streets that are easy to explore. The highlight is the 12th century San Franc Cathedral with its five domes best viewed from the Bond Bar. And inside you’ll find beautiful stained glass and even a small gift shop. The city feels very clean and well cared for with many cute boutiques, restaurants, and cafes. For more detailed information about Perigu and the Doddon region, watch this video next where we give you more info on our free Doddon travel guide. If you don’t have a car, all of these places are accessible by train. We highly recommend booking your tickets with Omio to compare prices and find the option that fits your budget. Plus, you’ll have all your tickets in one place on your phone, making it super easy and convenient. You can download the app using the link in the description. If you’re enjoying this video so far, consider subscribing to our channel and hitting the notification bell so you can be the first to know when we post a new video. It helps support the channel so we can make more travel videos just for you. Okay, moving on to number six. You have to visit the Site Duvon. La Duvon is Bordeaux’s wine museum and cultural space shaped like a swirling glass of wine. Inside you’ll find interactive exhibitions that take you through the history, culture, and science of wine from around the world. It’s not just for wine lovers, though. There are sensory stations, films, workshops, and a panoramic rooftop bar where adults can taste wine and kids get grape juice with the view. The building also has a restaurant and a shop. Getting there is easy. Take tram B to the C Duvan stop or hop on the Batcub River shuttle along the Gon if you’re staying on the other side of the river or walk about 30 minutes from the city center by the river. We’ve added a link to buy tickets in the description. Number seven, make the most of the Gon River. Many people enjoy taking a stroll along the river or even biking next to it. We’ve included info on the city bikes you can rent and all the station locations in our free guide, so definitely check that out. The vibe along the river is so relaxing. We love grabbing some food to go and eating on a bench while watching the water. You can also go on a 2-hour river cruise either with a three course dinner, a great option for date night or lunch, or a boat ride that is an hour and a half with a glass of wine and a canal. We’ve linked both options in the description for you. Bordau has eight main bridges crossing the Gaon River. Some are more practical than pretty, but a few are worth seeing. Bondier, which was built in 1822, commissioned by Napoleon. It’s the oldest and most iconic Brian Bordaux, recognizable for its 17 arches matching the letters in Napoleon Bonapart. Aonjac Shaban, which was built more recently in 2013, is a modern vertical lift bridge. It rises to let ships pass, and at night it’s beautifully lit. Okay, this is a fun one. Number eight, go shopping. There are plenty of opportunities to go shopping in Bordeaux. the most popular shopping location, R S Kadarin. It’s one of Europe’s longest shopping streets filled with stores, cafes, and restaurants. It’s a must visit, but it can get extremely crowded, so we recommend going in the morning before 11:00 a.m. and late in the evening on weekdays. And definitely avoid the weekends. If you prefer thrifting or bant shopping, Bordeaux has many flea markets like the one every Sunday morning by the Sam Michelle Cathedral. It’s every Sunday from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Another great activity you can do is an electric train tour, especially if you’re traveling as a family. It’s a 45minute ride that takes you through the main neighborhoods while you listen to the history of the city. Tickets cost €12 per person, and since the train is electric, it’s quiet and easy to enjoy. The meeting point is right next to the Plaza Kinos, so it’s very central and easy to get to with public transport or fit into your itinerary. Speaking of public transport, Bordeaux mainly runs on trams. There are four lines with over 100 stops. You can buy tickets at the machines in the stations or directly on board, but note that lines 1 and 9 are the only lines you can pay with credit card on. Tickets are also available on the TBM app. We’ve included a map of the tram lines and details on other transport options in the free guide. And last but not least, visit the museums. You have the opera national de bord. It’s the city’s main opera house in Plaza de la close to de. You can see a performance or join a guided tour to go inside if you’re not attending a show. We’ve linked a guided tour in the description if you’re interested. And as for actual museums, you have the museum national duan. It’s a small museum about customs and trade showcasing the history of French customs through uniforms, tools, contraband artwork, including a Monet called Customs Hut Afternoon Effect. They also have interactive exhibits. Bordeaux also has a museum of contemporary art if you’re looking for something different from classic paintings. It’s a 19th century warehouse turned into a museum in the late8s, showcasing almost 2,000 pieces by many prominent international artists. In the guide, we’ve also included two super fun, familyfriendly activities. So, definitely go check that out if you’re traveling with kids or teenagers. Thank you for watching. If you enjoyed this video, hit the like button, subscribe, and ring the bell so you don’t miss our upcoming travel guides. And let us know in the comments which road trip you’re planning next. Safe travels. [Music]
In this video, we’ll show you what makes Bordeaux France so special and share our top 10 things to do in Bordeaux!
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