The city of Bordeaux, in Gascony, is the perfect place to spend a weekend between history, food and wine. This is, par excellence, the French city of wine, but in recent years it has also reinvented itself in its urban fabric, attracting more and more tourists. Here we tell you what we think are the 10 things you absolutely must see in Bordeaux!
1. Place de la Bourse
Place de la Bourse is one of the symbolic places of Bordeaux and certainly one of the most photographed.
Its fame is due to the Miroir d’Eau, or pataugeoire (small pool) as the inhabitants call it, a 3,450 m² stretch of water which, especially at sunset, offers magnificent reflections of the great buildings of the square including the Chamber of Commerce and the Musée National des Douanes.
During the summer this place is especially loved by children, while during the winter, when the fog lifts, the whole square is shrouded in an absolutely mysterious atmosphere.
2. St. Andrew’s Cathedral
Among the things to see in Bordeaux there is absolutely the Cathedral of St. Andrew. The impressive Gothic style church is truly majestic: it measures 124 metres long and 23 metres high!
Its exterior is certainly more fascinating than the interior, which instead appears almost bare and very austere.
Don’t miss the climb to the bell tower that stands out in the square, not far from the cathedral: the view from up there is really wonderful!
3. Basilica of Saint Michel
If you do not suffer from vertigo, however, it is the bell tower of the Basilica of Saint Michel that you will have to “climb”. With its 114 meters, it is probably the highest in all of France!
At the base of the tower there is a crypt which, for centuries, was used as an ossuary.
This church is a very important stop for pilgrims on the Way of St. James.
4. Museum of Fine Arts
The Museum of Fine Arts in Bordeaux is one of the most important museums in France.
The works that are kept here range from 1400 to 1900 and within the collection stand out the works of Titian, Vasari, Rubens, Van Dick, Renoir, Matisse, Corot and Delacroix.
The price of the ticket is absurdly low and it is an excellent opportunity to spend a few hours immersed in art.
5. Grosse-Cloche
La Porte de la Grosse Cloche is another of Bordeaux’s symbols and one of its most photographed corners.
The Porte de la Grosse Cloche was built in the 15th century over the remains of the ancient Porta di Sant’Eligio to which a small chapel at the foot of the gate is still dedicated today.
The name is due to the large bell cast in 1775 that can be seen inside the arch above the building.
This too, like the Basilica of Saint Michel, was and still is an important stop for pilgrims on their way to Santiago.
6. Rue Sainte Catherine
During a visit to Bordeaux, you cannot miss a stroll along Rue Sainte Catherine, the city’s main shopping street connecting Place de la Comedie to Place de la Victoire.
Here you can see window-shopping, enter the small craft shops or stop for a glass of wine.
By the way, our gastronomic tours of Bordeaux are held right in the historic centre of the city!
Our itineraries are always guided by local experts who will not only take you on a tour of the most characteristic places in the city, but will also recommend the best restaurants where you can taste the specialties of Bordeaux.
Our tour in the French city of Gascony includes tastings of the excellent wine produced in its surroundings, tasting traditional dishes, cheeses and even chocolate!
What do you say, will you join us?
7. Along the river
If you love to walk, you’ll have to go to the Garonne riverfront, which is, according to some, one of the most beautiful in the world.
The old commercial warehouses have been renovated and converted into shops, places of art, culture and entertainment.
This is one of the favourite places of the inhabitants of Bordeaux, but also of tourists. We recommend you to go there at sunset for a romantic walk!
8. Cité du Vin
Among the things to see in Bordeaux we could not fail to include the Cité du Vin, a museum entirely dedicated to wine.
The modern structure contains a museum itinerary that retraces the entire history of wine in a series of fascinating, interesting and often very poetic stages.
Visiting Bordeaux also means getting to know its relationship with its “red gold” and the visit can only end with a tasting. These are usually organized on the top floor of the building, from where you can enjoy a spectacular view!
9. Botanical Garden
Another of the places you should not miss in the city is the Botanical Garden, especially if you go to Bordeaux during the Spring.
This place is a real green oasis of peace and relax where plants from all corners of the globe are kept.
10. Aquitaine Museum
Finally, if you have some time left, we suggest you visit the Museum of Aquitaine where historical and archaeological finds from the Aquitaine region are kept, which will take you on a real journey through the history of Bordeaux and its surroundings.
An interesting way to get to know the city better.
We hope that our suggestions on things to see in Bordeaux will be useful to you during your visit. We are waiting for you to discover the historic centre and the gastronomic specialities of the city.
