Aerial view of Bordeaux. In the centre is a Gothic cathedral with a long nave and a pointed tower in front of it, which are built on a large, empty square. There are numerous buildings with red roofs all around. A bridge crossing a river can be seen in the background. A blue strip of sky can be seen on the horizon.
Aerial view of Bordeaux. In the centre is a Gothic cathedral with a long nave and a pointed tower in front of it, which are built on a large, empty square. There are numerous buildings with red roofs all around. A bridge crossing a river can be seen in the background. A blue strip of sky can be seen on the horizon.

Bordeaux – Wine, Culture and Pleasure

Published: 11 July 2024, 14:30

The historic centre of the southern French metropolis alone is worth a visit: with its picturesque little streets and buildings, religious buildings and old city gates, the old town is one of the best preserved in the country. Like many cities in southern climes, Bordeaux is characterised by a lively exuberance – the vibrant atmosphere is reflected in the colourful markets, lively squares and numerous street cafés.

Wine plays an important role everywhere in Bordeaux: wine tastings are offered everywhere, and the spectacular La Cité du Vin building is a museum completely dedicated to viticulture and is well worth a visit.

Numbers, data, facts

  • Time difference: none
  • Population: 262,000
  • Official language: French
  • Currency: Euro (EUR)

Ten Bordeaux highlights

View of a magnificent, symmetrical, brightly lit palace building at dusk. In front of the building is a pool in which the buildings are reflected.
The central Place de la Bourse is particularly worth seeing at night when the magnificent buildings are reflected in the large Miroir d’eau pool. © saiko3p/stock.adobe.com
Side view of the exterior of a Gothic cathedral. In the centre of the picture is the nave built of light, sand-coloured stone with arched windows, which is connected to a small tower on the right by a slightly sloping bridge. On the left there are two pointed main towers of the cathedral, which are decorated with intricate stone carvings. A bright blue sky with a few clouds can be seen in the background.
The impressive Gothic cathedral of Saint-André is one of the most important sights in Bordeaux. © Rostislav Ageev/stock.adobe.com
On the right of the picture is a large, stone arch bridge that crosses a wide river. There are old, black street lamps on the bridge. In the background is the opposite bank with a stone fortification as well as buildings and a church tower. There are treetops in the foreground.
The beautiful stone bridge Pont de Pierre over the River Garonne is the oldest bridge in the city and offers a wonderful view of Bordeaux. © ArTo/stock.adobe.com
View of the curved glass and steel construction of a modern, futuristic-looking building. The curved shape is reminiscent of a wine decanter. The glass windows in the part of the building that rises upwards shimmer blue, yellow and green. The tube-like part of the building leading to the right is encased in steel. There are trees in front of the building. Clouds and some blue sky can be seen in the background.
The futuristic museum building of La Cité du Vin in the form of a decanter is a unique monument to the tradition of viticulture. © brnjhrj/stock.adobe.com
Picture detail of a park. A shimmering green lake, which is crossed by a curved bridge with ornate railings, can be seen in the centre of the picture. An old carousel is visible at the right rear edge of the picture. In the foreground, slightly obscuring the lake, is an unusual tree with several crowns hanging like green balls from its curved branches. This tree sticks out of dense, green bushes. There are several trees on the other side of the lake.
Jardin Public is the largest and most beautiful public park in Bordeaux. It was created in the 18th century as a health resort. © dbrnjhrj/stock.adobe.com
View of a large, open inner courtyard with buildings with large arched windows to the left and right at the front of the picture. In front of the building on the right are tables, chairs and wooden benches. In the middle of the courtyard are café tables made up of a mix of colourful furniture, from wicker chairs to sofas and tables. At the back of the picture there is a second empty courtyard under a large roof structure. There is a crane behind it.
Behind the Darwin écosystème is an old barracks that has been converted into an alternative cultural centre with a skate park, cafés and street art. © stevanzz/stock.adobe.com
View of a colourful row of buildings in the old town, bathed in the warm, yellow light of the evening sun. Several planted balconies and bay windows can be seen on the buildings to the right and left of a narrow street. Washing lines stretched across the street are visible between the houses.
Bordeaux’s old town centre enchants visitors with its beautiful old buildings, picturesque little streets and lively squares. © nonglak/stock.adobe.com
View into an underground bunker room with a pool in the centre. The room is dark and various works of art are projected onto the walls and the surface of the water, illuminating the room in bright colours.
Bassins de Lumières is located in a former submarine bunker. Impressive works of art are projected onto walls and ceilings as part of changing exhibitions. © OceanProd/stock.adobe.com
View of a large city gate lined with turrets, in front is a woman standing with her back to the picture, looking upwards. On both sides of the gate are historic, three-storey buildings with high windows and French balconies; a bicycle is parked on the left.
The magnificent Porte Cailhau city gate was once the entrance to the city. © M.studio/stock.adobe.com
View of a wide waterside promenade where several people are walking and cycling along. A row of buildings and two church towers can be seen on the horizon and a river can be seen on the right, separated from the promenade by a fence.
The picturesque Quai des Chartrons waterside promenade is perfect for long walks with great views. © B. Piccoli/stock.adobe.com

Vineyards and the Atlantic coast

The Bordeaux region is world-famous for its wine production and is fittingly characterised by scenic vineyards, picturesque villages and grand wine estates – a stopover at one or another is a good opportunity for a wine tasting. And of course, the nearby Atlantic coast attracts visitors with its pretty coastal resorts, beautiful stretches of beach and Europe’s largest sand dune, the Dune du Pilat.

Excursions from Bordeaux

View of a central market square in a medieval-looking town with people, white-covered market stalls and a few tables with people sitting at them. The square is lined with historic buildings.
The charming medieval town of Saint-Émilion is world-famous for its wine production, attracting visitors with its historic architecture and beautiful surroundings. © IMAREVA/stock.adobe.com
View of vines with colourful foliage in the bright, autumnal afternoon sun.
A trip along the 60-kilometre-long, picturesque Médoc wine route means a visit to some of the most famous vineyards in the world. © alessandro/stock.adobe.com
Aerial view of a headland separated by the sea from the mainland on the right. The headland seems to consist completely of sand with large sandy beaches surrounded by dense woodland on the mainland. The sea on both sides of the headland is dark green to dark blue.
The Cap Ferret headland separates Arcachon Bay from the Atlantic Ocean and offers beautiful beaches and dune landscapes. © Olivier/stock.adobe.com
View from the waterside of a coastal town in the sunlight, directly bordering the sea. There are several buildings by the water and a church tower in the background. The blue sky is streaked with a few clouds, the light blue, almost pastel-coloured sea is in the foreground.
The pretty coastal town of Arcachon is known for its oyster farming and has a charming town centre and plenty of beaches close to the town. © errepiphotos/stock.adobe.com
Image of a large sand dune that points like a mountain peak in the centre of the picture. A few people can be seen at the top, with the sea on the right and forest on the left on the horizon. The sky over the dune is blue.
The Dune du Pilat is Europe’s largest sand dune. There are spectacular views over the Atlantic coast from the top. © dudlajzov/stock.adobe.com

Bordeaux from BER

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Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport (BOD) 

Five travel tips for …

1. Panoramic view from the Pey Berland Tower of Saint-André Cathedral

2. Unique view from the observation platform at the Cité du Vin museum

3. View of the city from Place des Quinconces

4. Waterfront view of the city centre from the Pont de Pierre

5. See the whole city from Bordeaux-Bacalan harbour

1. Visit historic attractions in the picturesque old town centre

2. Immerse yourself in the vibrant nightlife of Quartier Saint-Pierre

3. Visit art galleries and gourmet restaurants in the elegant Chartrons district

4. Explore markets and street art in the multicultural Saint-Michel neighbourhood

5. Experience modern architecture and alternative culture in the former industrial district of Bacalan

1. Ideal water playground: cool off in the shallow water of Le Miroir d’eau

2. The city from the water: take a boat trip on the Garonne

3. Fun paradise at the park at the large playground at Jardin Public

4. For little foodies: sample delicious treats at Galeries Lafayette Le Gourmet

5. Interactive experiments: discover exciting activities at the Cap Sciences science centre

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© saiko3p/stock.adobe.com 

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