©Place du Palais Bordeaux / Nicolas Duffaure
©Bordeaux, tram and Pont de pierre / Emanuele Bartolini - CRTNA
©Premières Côtes de Bordeaux / BROCHARD CRTNA
First steps along the Garonne River and through the narrow streets of the historic centre, easing into the Bordeaux rhythm between golden stone façades and lively terraces.
©Bordeaux, Miroir d’eau / Mon Nuage – CRTNA
©Bordeaux, Grosse Cloche / Serena Bargiacchi Whext -CRTNA
©Bordeaux by night / Steve Leclech – CRTNA
Morning
Arrive in Bordeaux, drop your bags, and head out with no plan. Let the light guide you. The Garonne quays are the perfect starting point: wide, lively, soothing. You walk, you watch, you already slow down.
The Water Mirror at Place de la Bourse never fails to impress, young and old alike.
Afternoon & Evening
Make your way towards the Saint-Pierre district. Cobbled streets intersect, terraces fill up, the city hums gently. Stop for a coffee, a pastry, or nothing at all.
In the evening, choose a restaurant without overthinking — here, pleasure often lies in spontaneity.
©Bordeaux, Tramway / Mon Nuage – CRTNA
Get your Bordeaux CityPass (24 / 48 / 72 or 96 hours)
The Bordeaux CityPass includes: La Cité du Vin, Les Bassins des Lumières, 15 museums and monuments, unlimited transport (tram, bus, Le Bato river shuttle), 1 city tour (to be booked at the Tourist Office counter)
Explore a creative and committed Bordeaux, from Darwin to the Chartrons district and vibrant neighbourhoods where local energy flows freely.
©Bordeaux, Darwin / Emanuele Bartolini – CRTNA
©Bassin à flot Bordeaux / David Remazeilles – Gironde Tourisme
©Guinguette sur les quais de Bordeaux / N Duffaure
Morning
Head to Darwin Ecosystem. A former military barracks transformed into a vibrant alternative space, it blends cafés, a skatepark, workshops, ecological projects and urban art. You instantly feel at ease.
It’s another face of Bordeaux: rawer, freer, yet deeply welcoming.
Afternoon & Evening
Cross the river to explore more offbeat districts, or return calmly to the centre by tram. Late afternoon is perfect for wandering through the Chartrons area, between antique shops, bookshops and peaceful quays. In the evening, a simple and cheerful dinner, perhaps in a riverside restaurant on the right bank or a neighbourhood bistro on the left bank.
©Bordeaux, Le Bato and Pont d’Aquitaine / Sophie Duboscq
Accessible with all TBM (Bordeaux Métropole transport) tickets and passes, the river shuttles offer a unique way to travel between the two banks.
Artistic immersion followed by a leisurely wander through contrasting districts, from the bustling Saint-Michel area to the peaceful paths of the Jardin Public.
©Les bassins de lumière à Bordeaux / RAS Production pour Culturespaces
©Street art Bordeaux / Emanuele Bartolini
©Bordeaux, CAPC / CAPC Musée d’art contemporain
Morning
Start the day at the Bassins des Lumières. The space is immense, almost silent — then the images appear. Art is projected, reflected, immersive. You look up, slow down, and let yourself drift.
(Alternative: CAPC Contemporary Art Museum for a more conceptual approach.)
Afternoon & Evening
The afternoon invites pure wandering: head to Saint-Michel for its lively, multicultural energy, or to the Jardin Public for a green break.
At the end of the day, find a terrace facing the river. Watch the light change. Bordeaux is often at its most beautiful then.
©Bordeaux, Musée des Beaux Arts / F. Deval – Mairie de Bordeaux
Eight major museums and many other exhibition venues dot the city and delight art lovers. Visit this page to see what they have to offer and choose your next adventure!
A gentle escape to vineyards easily reached by train or tram, discovering wine-growing landscapes without losing the urban spirit of the stay.
©Château les Carmes Haut Brion / Kristina Escortell Buscandoalsol – CRTNA
©Château Lynch Bages / Laurent Reiz – CRTNA
©Bordeaux, Wine and Cheese / A Lady in London – CRTNA
Morning
Feel like leaving the city behind? The train, or even the tram, will easily take you to the vineyards of Graves or Pessac-Léognan. Once you arrive, the pace slows down even further. Vine rows, quiet paths, elegant estates. Choose a château visit, a relaxed tasting session and a few simple conversations with the people who craft the wine.
Afternoon & Evening
Return to Bordeaux at the end of the day for a final evening: a discreet wine bar, an impromptu concert, or a simple nighttime stroll along the river quays. Nothing is fixed, everything is possible.
(Nature alternative: an escape to Arcachon Bay for those who prefer the scent of salty sea air.)
©Accords mets et vins à L’École du Vin de Bordeaux / M. Anglada – CIVB
Several workshops are offered by the Bordeaux Wine Council (CIVB) school, located opposite the tourist office, which has a lovely wine bar.
Final hours in Bordeaux between markets, cafés and sunlit river quays, before a smooth and easy departure.
©Maison Baillardan à Bordeaux / Mon Nuage – CRTNA
©Bordeaux / Alban Gilbert
©Bordeaux Shopping / A Lady in London – CRTNA
Morning
Time for one last stroll. A final visit, a coffee near a market, a bench facing the river, a few boutiques to find meaningful souvenirs to take home or share. You reflect on the highlights — often the simplest ones: a particular light, a shared laugh, an unexpected pause.
Afternoon
Departure from Bordeaux, easily reached by train or plane, with that rare feeling of having truly taken your time.
©Bordeaux, Marché des Capucins / Sara Soulignac
To truly feel the rhythm of Bordeaux, head to its local markets, from the lively Marché des Capucins to the riverside stalls in the Chartrons district. Fresh local produce, oysters to enjoy on the spot, cheeses, wines and a warm, convivial atmosphere — it’s the perfect way to taste the city like a local.
Hotel Indigo Bordeaux Centre Chartrons
Modern, bright, rooted in its neighbourhood — perfect for living Bordeaux on foot and feeling the city vibrate around you.
Eklo Bordeaux Bastide
More alternative, friendly and committed, ideal for travellers who enjoy lively, simple and thoughtful places.
©Bordeaux, Hotel Indigo / Veerle Evens
Here are some practical answers to the most common questions, to help you plan your stay with ease and confidence.
Absolutely. Bordeaux is one of the most pleasant French cities to explore on foot and by public transport.
Not at all. Wine is part of the scenery, but the atmosphere, architecture and local life are more than enough.
Spring and autumn are ideal, but Bordeaux remains enjoyable year-round thanks to its gentle rhythm.
(Based on 2 people)
💡 The total budget may vary depending on the season, accommodation category and availability of guided activities. Travelling outside peak summer periods generally allows for a more comfortable budget and a quieter experience.
For the undecided, the charm of the South-West France can be found throughout the region. Go explore our other destinations, from the foothills of the Pyrenees to the hidden villages of Deux-Sèvres, or enjoy surf sessions on the coast and hikes in the vast landscapes of Limousin. You will certainly find the stay that suits you.
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