What To Do In Bordeaux

Bordeaux is a city well-known for its good wine and the main reason that tourists are come here is to take winery tours. Cody and I came to Bordeaux for the same reason and we were very surprised with how many cool things and places you can visit around the medieval city of Bordeaux. Here is my list of all the must-visit places in Bordeaux.

Table Of Contents (What To Do In Bordeaux):

Place de la Bourse
Bordeaux Cathedral

Pey Berland Tower
Place des Quinconces
Grand Théâtre de Bordeaux

Cailhau Gate Bordeaux
Église Notre-Dame de Bordeaux
Gate of Burgundy

Parc Bordelais
Wine Tour

Place de la Bourse

Place de la Bourse is a famous landmark in Bordeaux. It is a square that became an iconic sight of the city. The square was built in the 18^th century and made it to a list of UNESCO World Heritage sites. The square is surrounded by beautiful architecture, fountain and a charming reflecting pool (it is a nice spot for the pictures).

The square is located on the bank of Garonne River just a few minutes away from the center of the city. Cody and I visited Bordeaux in the beginning of September and the weather was just lovely. Although the square was full of families with kids, who had fun running in the reflecting pool, it didn’t look overcrowded and we enjoyed our time at Place de la Bourse.

Key Information:

Price: free of charge;

Hours: 24/7;

Location: Place de la Bourse;

Bordeaux Cathedral

Bordeaux Cathedral is a stunning architectural wonder. The cathedral is quite old and takes its beginning from the 11^th century. The place is full of history and must be visited while traveling through Bordeaux.

There are beautiful stained-glass windows inside so pay attention to them. If you are staying in Bordeaux on Sunday, you can visit a beautiful mass at the Bordeaux cathedral. Although it gets really cold inside so be prepared for that, if you are planning on staying till the end of the mass.

Key Information:

Price: 2€, free entry for under 12s;

Hours: Wednesday and Saturday from 2.30PM to 5.30PM;

Location: Place Pey Berland, 33000 Bordeaux, France;

Pey Berland Tower

Pey Berland Tower is a bell tower located next to the Bordeaux cathedral. It was built sometime in the 15^th century in the Gothic style. The bell tower offers a fantastic view of the city.

You can go up to the first viewing platform that has an information placard of the buildings in the area. Then go to the top platform to enjoy the majestic view of Bordeaux.

Be ready that the stairs up are narrow (like everywhere in Europe) and in crowded times it can be difficult to move. Better to wear comfortable shoes, don’t bring big bags with you, and watch your step.

Key Information:

Price: 5,50 €;

Hours: Summer: daily from 10am at 1.15pm and from 2pm to 6pm.
October to May, every day except Monday from 10am to 12.30am and from 2pm to 5pm;

Location: Place Pey Berland, 33000 Bordeaux, France;

Place des Quinconces

Place des Quinconces is one of the biggest squares in Europe. This square was made in 1820 to prevent rebellion against the city. There is a beautiful monument overlooking the square. On the stone pillar there is a statue of liberty that breaks the chains. Very moving sight, I must say. And at the bottom of the pillar there are two pools on each side of the monument.

The square is quite often full of tourists and locals when the fair comes to Bordeaux. If you want to get some good pictures without the tourists or just a nice romantic walk, I recommend to go to Place des Quinconces after sunset.

Key Information:

Price: free of charge;

Hours: 24/7;

Location: Place des Quinconces;

Grand Théâtre de Bordeaux

Grand Théâtre de Bordeaux was built in the 18^th century and recently underwent a full restoration. The city did very well, the theatre looks beautiful from the outside and inside as well.

It is not a big theatre and in the loge you fill like the performance is just for you. Grand Théâtre de Bordeaux is a place that must be visited while in Bordeaux.

Key Information:

Price: guided tour is 6€;

Hours: Visiting Hours: Wednesdays and Saturdays (except holidays) 14:30-18:30;

Location: 33000 Bordeaux, France;

Cailhau Gate Bordeaux

Cailhau Gate Bordeaux it is a historical city gate with grand façade. The gate looks like a castle wall and was built in 1495. It was once the main entrance to the city.

Cailhau Gate Bordeaux is one of the places that must be visited during a stay in Bordeaux. The architecture is amazing and if you got yourself a city card then go inside and check the view from the top window. Although if you don’t have a city pass and have already enjoyed the view from the bell tower next to the Bordeaux cathedral then I don’t see the reason to pay extra. The exterior looks way prettier than the interior.

Key Information:

Price: adults: 5€, for kids till 12 years old – free;

Hours: everyday from 10 AM to 1 PM; from 2 PM to 6 PM;

Location: Place du Palais, 33000 Bordeaux, France;

Église Notre-Dame de Bordeaux

Église Notre-Dame de Bordeaux is a church that was built in the 17^th century. The building has a distinctive Jesuit style and is decorated with carved stones. The church has amazing art inside. Some of the paintings are very big, around 5 meters tall.

Cody and I found this place accidentally when we were exploring the narrow streets of the city and didn’t pay attention to where we were going. The church just kind of grew up in front of us and because there weren’t any tourists around or in that matter any people at all, the church looked very divine.

Key Information:

Price: free of charge;

Hours: everyday from 9 AM to 12 AM;

Location: 1 Rue Mably, 33000 Bordeaux, France;

Gate of Burgundy and Pont de Pierre

The Gate of Burgundy is another gate to the city. This gate was built in the 18^th century in the Roman style as a stone arch. The gate of Burgundy was built mostly as a symbol than as an actual gate to the city.

The gate is considered to be a National monument and worth your time. The gate is located across the street from Pont de Pierre which makes it very easy to reach.

Pont de Pierre, or the stone bridge, is another mandatory place to visit in Bordeaux. It’s on the Garrone river and connects the left and right banks. It was the first bridge built over the Garrone river in this area until the middle of 1900s. The bridge has 17 arches and underneath the bridge there is a tunnel for solders to be undetected. Unfortunately, the tunnel is not open for public eye.

Key Information:

Price: free of charge;

Hours: 24/7;

Location: Pl. de Bir Hakeim, 33000 Bordeaux, France;

Parc Bordelaise

Parc Bordelaise is a charming place made in the 19^th century that is full of thick greenery, farm animals, and has a beautiful big lake in the middle. The park is a home to beautiful sculptures that add a bohemian atmosphere to it.

Parc Bordelaise is a great place to relax and have a nice picnic. There are usually some young locals laying on the grass (in warm weather) and elderlies having their walks or reading newspapers on the benches.

When we got to the park it wasn’t a nice day, but we still had a pleasant walk and at the end had a small picnic with French bread, cheese and prosciutto.

Key Information:

Price: free of charge;

Hours: everyday from 7 AM to 7 PM;

Location: Rue du Bocage, 33000 Bordeaux, France;

Wine Tour

Bordeaux is a famous wine region and it is a crime to skip a wine tour in one of the vineyards while staying in Bordeaux. There are many chateaus around the city and almost everyone has wine tasting tours. You can choose whichever you want and just book a tour online.

Cody and I chose to visit Chateau Pape Clement. The vineyard is located just 15 minutes from the center of the city. The tour was amazing and very informative. We got to learn all the specifics of winemaking and had an excursion on the territory of the estate and barrel cellars. At the end the guide took us to the tasting room with numerous bottles of wine and taught us a bit about how to choose a good wine. Of course, we had a degustation of some good wine there as well. My whole review of the Chateau Pape Clement Vineyard Tour is up on the site here.

Taking A Chateau Pape Clement Vineyard Tour In Bordeaux

Key Information:

Price: from 20€ to 80€ depends on the tour;

Hours: everyday;

Location: depends on the tour;