10 days in bordeaux
Introduction
My wife and I spent 10 wonderful days in Bordeaux in October 2023. I have compiled a list of the best day trips to take from Bordeaux, the best things to do in Bordeaux during the month of October, and the best things to do in the city center of Bordeaux. I hope you enjoy!
A Celtic city that was birthed around the year 300 BC. Located on the banks of the Garonne River it has both the ideal weather and soil for producing some of the world's most extravagant wines. Vineyards flourished here and as a result the wine trade exploded with great success, perhaps that is the main catalyst for Bordeaux’s prominence as a city. During the 18th century Bordeaux continued to expand rapidly in size until eventually it became the second largest European port, second only to London. As a result of Bordeaux’s successful wine trade, coupled with its elegant architecture, Bordeaux transitioned into an affluent city. Today Bordeaux is a UNESCO world heritage site and is one of the most visited cities in France.
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Getting Around Bordeaux
Without a doubt, the best way to get around Bordeaux is by tram. The tram network is extensive and covers over 40 miles (65 km) of track. During the day the tram runs every couple of minutes, so you will never have to wait long. At night the trams will run with less frequency, about every 10 minutes or so. Most of the tram services will terminate at midnight or 1:00 a.m. depending on the tram service. You can purchase your tram tickets at just about every tram stop. A 10 trip ticket will cost you around 8 euros, or you can pay for a single tram ticket that is around 2 euros per trip. Other than the tram network, there is Uber and city buses.
Book Your Bordeaux by Bike Tour HERE
What to do in Bordeaux
Canneles & Cookies
Canneles are french pastries that originated in Bordeaux. They are flavored with rum and vanilla, and have a soft interior with a caramelized exterior. You will notice them by their striated cylinder shape. They are virtually everywhere in the city. We ate canneles at Cassonade, a pastry shop located under the Grosse Cloche. Order yourself a coffee and a few canneles and enjoy the surrounding views. Canneles are a must when visiting Bordeaux. Bonus: Pepite Cookie. If you are in search of some delicious cookies, then look no further than Pepite Cookie. It is a super cute shop that serves fresh-baked cookies on a daily basis. Warm, soft, and with enough crunch to satisfy. Need I say more?
Cafes
It is common in France not to have wifi in cafes. They encourage you to disconnect by enjoying the company of a good friend, reading a book, or journaling. A couple cafes that I particularly enjoyed were Books & Coffee, Verde Niro, and La Douce Parenthese. Books & Coffee is a cafe that serves delicious food and coffee, you can easily spend hours here getting lost in the aesthetic french cafe atmosphere. Verde Niro is the best cafe to work at if you find yourself on a work holiday. They have a dedicated workspace in the back, complimentary wifi, and plenty of outlets. La Douce Parenthese has wonderful staff and amazing desserts.
Book Your Bordeaux Small-Group Traditional Food Tour HERE
Where to Eat
Le Michel’s. The food was outstanding and the service was incredible. This restaurant can get rather busy around dinner time so you may have to wait for a table, but it will totally be worth it. My wife got an exceptionally tasty onion soup, and I ordered Bavette d'Aloyau Aubrac, which is essentially steak and fries. The French have mastered how to transform simple cooking ingredients and transform them into delectable meals. The restaurant has all the french vibes you are looking for.
Book Your Historic Bordeaux Gourmet Food Walking Tour HERE
Bassins Des Lumières
An immersive art exhibit that will literally blow your mind. It does not feature any original artwork, but rather it is a fully immersive digital experience that projects artworks around an old submarine base. It is visually stunning, and is the largest digital art center in the entire world. The show changes every few months and showcases world famous artists throughout different eras. The exhibit is housed in a former German submarine base from WWII, which just adds to the cool vibes. Bassins Des Lumières was my favorite thing that I did in Bordeaux.
Jardin Public
Considered the green lung of Bordeaux. On a sunny day this park will be littered with people sunbathing, reading books, and playing games. The park was constructed in 1746 and has 2.5 acres of green space for you to enjoy. It is a great spot to relax and get away from city life.
Book Your Bordeaux Private Walking Tour With a Local HERE
Promenade Sainte Catherine
This is the longest shopping street in the entirety of Europe. It possesses all the major brands and has many places for you to stop and eat at along the way. If you want to shop until you drop, then look no further than Promenade Sainte Catherine. It is located right in the heart of downton Bordeaux.
City Landmarks
Porte Cailhau
Porte Cailhau was once the main defensive gate of the city, and today it is one of the most prominent landmarks in Bordeaux. It possesses medieval character and is adorned with a marvelous statue of King Charles VIII.
Book Your Most Complete Tour of Bordeaux HERE
Place de la Bourse
Place de la Bourse is a large public square that took 20 years to construct. Jacques Gabriel, a prominent architect who was King Louis XV first architect, built this square. It is a great introduction to Bordeaux, you cannot miss it.
The Water Mirror
The Water Mirror is the world's largest reflecting pool. Located across the Place de la Bourse.It is a great place to watch the sunset and snap photos of the reflection of the city landscape in the water.
Grosse Cloche
Grosse Cloche is one of the oldest belfries in the country. The bell is massive, weighing over 17,000 pounds (7,750 kg). The gateway where the bell is housed was used for defensive purposes and also as a prison. There is a wonderful cafe at the base called Cassonade where you can enjoy some canneles and coffee with an amazing view of Grosse Cloche.
Monument aux Girondins
Monument aux Girondins is nestled right beside the river and is the largest public square in Europe. The esplanade hosts a variety of events throughout the year. While we were in Bordeaux, there was a fair being hosted there. There is a massive fountain that is beautifully adorned in the center of the square.
Cathedrale Saint-Andre
Cathedrale Saint-Andre is located in the heart of Bordeaux. The steeple is noticeable from all corners of the city as it dominates the landscape. It is a UNESCO world heritage site and has beautifully constructed masonry carvings to admire.
Le Grand-Theatre
Le Grand-Theatre is an opera house in Bordeaux that first opened its doors in 1780, and has been entertaining spellbound audiences for over two centuries. The building was constructed in the neoclassical style and is considered the jewel of Bordeaux. If you want to attend a performance, consider booking your tickets in advance.
Book Your Bordeaux Essentials Sightseeing Bike Tour With A Local Guide HERE
Day Trips from Bordeaux
Arcachon
A popular seaside town that is famous for its elegant villas. This town is adorable and you will constantly be amazed at the stunning architecture of the houses. Every beach town should take notes from Arcachon. Arriving in Arcachon we purchased some picnic supplies and hastily made our way to Parc Mauresque to enjoy our picnic lunch. After eating we climbed the Observatoire Sainte-Cecile (aka: Aracachon’s Eiffel Tower). It offers you a 360 view of the surrounding landscape of Arcachon.
Next, we made our way down into Arcachon to a local bike shop to rent bikes. After renting our bikes we made our way to Dune Du Pilat, the largest sand dune in all of Europe. The ride from Arcachon to Dune Du Pilar is around 5 miles (8.2 km) and will take you anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour, depending on how in shape you are. The bike ride is absolutely beautiful as it snakes you around beaches and through beautiful neighborhoods. Arriving at Dune Du Pilat we trekked up a ways until we found a comfortable place to relax and catch our breath before venturing to the top of the dune. After spending some time soaking in the views at the top we sprinted down the dune, back to our bikes, and ventured back to Arcachon. Dropping off our bikes in Arcachon, we drove back to Bordeaux as evening was settling upon us.
Saint Emilion
We arrived in Saint Emilion around lunch time and ate at La Pizz. Saint Emilion is a charming medieval town straight out of Beauty and the Beast. We toured Eglise Monolithe, the world's largest monolithic church, which is an underground church that was built in the 1200s. It is completely free to tour, and the courtyard was particularly noteworthy. Lastly, we admired views from the Clocher de l’Eglise Monolithe of Saint Emilion below. Saint Emilion is a charming town, but just be warned that it shuts down early in the evening. If you want to visit, it is best to arrive earlier in the day.
Conclusion
Bordeaux is a great alternative to Paris. It has all the characteristic charms of Paris, but is cleaner than Paris, and the people are friendlier. It is a place you can enjoy without feeling overwhelmed. It is easy to navigate and a great hub for exploring the surrounding region of Bordeaux.
