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Bordeaux

France Travel Guide

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Agriculture; Bordeaux; Church; European Culture; Field; France; French Culture; Grape; Growth; Haut-Medoc; Horizontal; Outdoors; Photography; Plant; Saint-Emilion; Tower; Vine - Plant; Vineyard;
Vineyard in the Berdeaux region in France, with a church tower on the horizon.

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Overview

An intoxicating cocktail of 18th-century savoir-faire, millennial hi-tech and urban street life, France's sixth largest city is among Europe's most exciting and gutsy players.

Attractions

Must-see attractions

  • New museum of wine in Bordeaux City

    La Cité du Vin

    Bordeaux

    The complex world of wine is explored in depth at ground-breaking La Cité du Vin, a stunning piece of contemporary architecture resembling a wine decanter…

  • Visitors having fun on the Mirroir d'eau (Water Mirror) of the Place de la Bourse in Bordeaux, France on a hot summer day during a heat wave.

    Miroir d’Eau

    Bordeaux

    A fountain of sorts, the Miroir d'Eau is the world's largest reflecting pool. Covering an area of 3450 sq metres of black granite on the quayside opposite…

  • Bordeaux Cathedral

    Cathédrale St-André

    Bordeaux

    The Cathédrale St-André, a Unesco World Heritage Site prior to the city's classification, lords it over the city. The cathedral's oldest section dates…

  • La Base Sous-Marine

    La Base Sous-Marine

    Bordeaux

    By far the city's eeriest and most menacing sight, this mammoth hulk of a submarine base (1941–43) was one of five built on the Atlantic Coast by the…

  • Basilique St-Michel

    Basilique St-Michel

    Bordeaux

    This imposing Flamboyant Gothic church lies at the heart of St-Michel. Begun in the 14th century, it took more than 200 years to complete and is best…

  • Place de la Bourse in Bordeaux.

    Place de la Bourse

    Bordeaux

    This is Bordeaux's most iconic square. A mirage of elegance and symmetry, it was laid out by architect Ange-Jacques Gabriel between 1730 and 1775 and…

  • Porte Cailhau, one of the main entrances to the old city, in Bordeaux, France.

    Porte Cailhau

    Bordeaux

    The main entrance into medieval Bordeaux, this grandiose 15th-century city gate was built to celebrate King Charles VII's victory at the Battle of Fornovo…

  • Exterior of the Museum of Aquitaine in the centre of Bordeaux city in France.

    Musée d’Aquitaine

    Bordeaux

    Gallo-Roman statues and relics dating back 25,000 years are among the highlights at this bright and spacious, well-curated history and civilisations…

Planning Tools

Expert guidance to help you plan your trip

Best Things to Do

Bordeaux is brimming with culture, wonderful wine and rolling scenic hills. Plan your trip now with our guide to the city's best experiences.

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Best Time to Visit

Bordeaux in southwest France has bags of appeal any time of year. Choose the best time for your visit with our seasonal guide.

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Transportation

Whether you take the tram, hop on a bike or use your own two feet, it’s a breeze to get around one of France’s most beautiful cities.

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Best Neighborhoods

Bordeaux is so much more than a provincial city in southwest France. This is everything you need to know about its vibrant, exciting neighborhoods.

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Day Trips

While it might be hard to leave fabulous Bordeaux, these easy day trips from the city offer sand, nature, charming villages, and plenty of wines to taste.

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Money and Costs

Here’s how to eat, drink and merrymake with Bordelais sass and cent-smart panache.

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Traveling with Kids

Forget the capital – France's most family-friendly city is arguably beautiful Bordeaux. Here's all you need to know about visiting with tots in tow.

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Spending Diaries

Senior Director of Publishing Laura Motta shows us how she threw together a quick, inexpensive weekend in Bordeaux, France.

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Plan with a local

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