Things to do in Bordeaux: top sights and where to go
The headline sights around Bordeaux are the medieval wine town of Saint-Émilion with its underground church, Europe's tallest dune, the Dune du Pilat, the resort of Arcachon with its villas and oysters, and the Cap Ferret peninsula with its lighthouse between ocean and bay. In Bordeaux itself is the Garonne riverfront with Place de la Bourse and the Water Mirror. From Bordeaux–Mérignac Airport, the tram or shuttle reaches the centre in 30–40 minutes.
Sights
Bordeaux travel guide
What to know before you go: neighbourhoods and where to stay, the airport and trains, weather by month, wine and food, costs and trips to the Atlantic and Saint-Émilion.
Bordeaux on your own: the essentials
- Entry
- Schengen rules; ETIAS for visa-free visitors when it starts
verifyingi
From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - How long
- 2–3 days: the city, Saint-Émilion and the Atlantic
- Best time
- May–June and September, the grape harvest
- Money
- Euro; contactless almost everywhere
- Airport
- Bordeaux–Mérignac (BOD), 12 km from the centre
- Transport
- Tram, TER trains to the coast
verifyingi
From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Wine
- Châteaux mostly by appointment
- City tax
- Charged per person per night by your hotel
verifyingi
From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Swimming
- Ocean only where lifeguards are; the bay is calm
- Time zone
- CET (UTC+1), CEST (UTC+2) in summer
officiali
Confirmed by an official source: the venue, a ministry or the operator.
Key facts
Sourcei
UNESCO World Heritage List, no. 1256Sourcei
UNESCO World Heritage List, no. 932Sourcei
Wikipedia, Dune of PilatSourcei
SNCF, TER Nouvelle-AquitaineThings to do in and around Bordeaux
Bordeaux's top things to do are the Garonne riverfront with Place de la Bourse and the Water Mirror and the old 'Port of the Moon', and nearby the wine town of Saint-Émilion, Europe's tallest dune, the Dune du Pilat, the resort of Arcachon and the Cap Ferret peninsula. Places rated by YesGo are in the list above.
| Garonne riverfront | Place de la Bourse, the Water Mirror | 1–2 hours |
|---|---|---|
| Old town | Saint-André Cathedral, the Grand Théâtre | ½ day |
| Wine country east | Saint-Émilion | ½–1 day |
| Arcachon Bay | Arcachon, Dune du Pilat | 1 day |
| The peninsula | Cap Ferret | ½–1 day |
Saint-Émilion and Arcachon are each 40–60 minutes by train from Bordeaux.
Bordeaux itinerary: 2 or 3 days
With two days in Bordeaux, see the Garonne riverfront with Place de la Bourse and the old town, then head to medieval Saint-Émilion on day two for its underground church and a tasting. With three days, add the Atlantic: Arcachon and its oysters, and the Dune du Pilat at sunset.
- Day 1 — the Garonne riverfront, Place de la Bourse, Bordeaux's old town.
- Day 2 — Saint-Émilion: the underground church and wine.
- Day 3 — Arcachon and the Dune du Pilat, or Cap Ferret.
Where to stay in Bordeaux
The handiest base is the historic centre between Place de la Bourse and Rue Sainte-Catherine: everything is walkable and the tram runs to Saint-Jean station. Near the station is cheaper and good for trains to Arcachon and Saint-Émilion; the Chartrons quarter is quiet, with antique shops and restaurants.
| Centre, Bourse | First visit, central | Pricier |
|---|---|---|
| Saint-Pierre | Atmosphere, restaurants | Noisy at night |
| Chartrons | Quiet, the quays | Further from the station |
| Saint-Jean station | Trains to the coast | Less charming |
| Arcachon | If the ocean matters most | An hour from the city |
Bordeaux airport to the city centre
Bordeaux–Mérignac Airport (BOD) is 12 km west of the city. From Bordeaux airport to the city centre, tram line A or the shuttle bus is easiest, 30–40 minutes; a taxi takes about 25. TER trains to the coast and Saint-Émilion leave Saint-Jean station.
| Tram A | Airport — centre | ≈ 35–40 min |
|---|---|---|
| Shuttle | Airport — Saint-Jean station | ≈ 30 min |
| TER train | Bordeaux — Arcachon | ≈ 50–60 min |
| TER train | Bordeaux — Saint-Émilion | ≈ 35–40 min |
| TGV train | Bordeaux — Paris | ≈ 2 h 10 min |
Bordeaux weather by month
Bordeaux's weather is mild and oceanic: winter days are around 10–11 °C and summer around 27–28 °C. Rain falls mostly from autumn to spring, and summers are sunny. The best time to visit Bordeaux is May–June and September, during the grape harvest; Atlantic swimming runs from July to September.
°CiLong-term averages, °C: day and night air, sea water near the shore, rain — rainy days a month. Any given year can be warmer or cooler. Tap a month for details below. | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day | 10° | 12° | 15° | 18° | 21° | 25° | 27° | 28° | 24° | 20° | 14° | 11° |
| Night | 3° | 3° | 5° | 7° | 11° | 14° | 16° | 16° | 13° | 10° | 6° | 4° |
| Rain | 12 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 11 | 12 | 12 |
Warm — 20 °C and above by dayBest time to go: June–July and October
- day ≈ 10°
- night ≈ 3°
- rain 12 days
Cool and wet.
- day ≈ 12°
- night ≈ 3°
- rain 10 days
Fresh, few tourists.
- day ≈ 15°
- night ≈ 5°
- rain 10 days
Spring, gardens in bloom.
- day ≈ 18°
- night ≈ 7°
- rain 11 days
Warm but changeable.
- day ≈ 21°
- night ≈ 11°
- rain 10 days
A great month for trips.
- day ≈ 25°
- night ≈ 14°
- rain 8 days
Warm, long evenings.
- day ≈ 27°
- night ≈ 16°
- rain 7 days
Hot, Atlantic season.
- day ≈ 28°
- night ≈ 16°
- rain 7 days
The warmest sea.
- day ≈ 24°
- night ≈ 13°
- rain 8 days
Grape harvest.
- day ≈ 20°
- night ≈ 10°
- rain 11 days
Golden autumn in the vineyards.
- day ≈ 14°
- night ≈ 6°
- rain 12 days
Wet, oyster time.
- day ≈ 11°
- night ≈ 4°
- rain 12 days
Cool, festive.
In September, Saint-Émilion's Jurade brotherhood proclaims the start of the harvest in a colourful red-robed procession.
Day trips from Bordeaux
Day trips from Bordeaux are easy: wine-country Saint-Émilion is 35–40 minutes by train, and the Atlantic is close too: Arcachon and its oysters an hour by train, the Dune du Pilat, and the Cap Ferret peninsula by boat across the bay.
- Saint-Émilion — an underground church and wine.
- Dune du Pilat — Europe's tallest dune.
- Arcachon — villas, beaches and oysters.
- Cap Ferret — a lighthouse and ocean beaches.
What to eat in Bordeaux
Bordeaux is a wine capital, and its cooking is made to match: entrecôte bordelaise with a red-wine and shallot sauce, duck confit, Arcachon oysters, and canelés, little rum-and-vanilla cakes, for dessert. Saint-Émilion bakes almond macaroons.
- Canelé — a cake with a caramelised crust.
- Entrecôte bordelaise — with a wine and shallot sauce.
- Arcachon oysters — with bread, butter and white wine.
- Duck confit — a south-west classic.
- Saint-Émilion macaroons — almond biscuits.
- Red Bordeaux — Merlot and Cabernet.
Bordeaux trip and attraction prices
Free in and around Bordeaux: the riverfront and Place de la Bourse, the lanes of Saint-Émilion, the Dune du Pilat and the beaches of Arcachon and Cap Ferret. You pay for the underground church tour, château tastings, the Cap Ferret lighthouse climb, bay boats and parking at the dune.
Free — 4 places: Saint-Émilion, Cap Ferret, Dune du Pilat, Arcachon.
Tips
- Book château visits ahead.
- On the Atlantic, swim only where lifeguards are.
- The train beats the car for coastal trips.
FAQ
What is there to see in and around Bordeaux?
The Garonne riverfront, Saint-Émilion, the Dune du Pilat, Arcachon and Cap Ferret.
How many days do you need in Bordeaux?
2–3 days: the city, Saint-Émilion and the Atlantic.
How do I get from Bordeaux airport to the city centre?
By tram A or shuttle in 30–40 minutes.
What is the weather like in Bordeaux in September?
About 24 °C by day and 13 °C at night, during the grape harvest.
How do I get to Saint-Émilion?
By TER train from Saint-Jean station in 35–40 minutes.
How do I get to the Dune du Pilat?
By train to Arcachon and a bus, or about an hour by car.
What food is Bordeaux known for?
Canelés, entrecôte bordelaise, oysters and local wine.
Where is the best area to stay in Bordeaux?
The historic centre near Place de la Bourse or Saint-Pierre.
Do I need a visa for Bordeaux?
It depends on your passport; France follows Schengen rules.
Can you swim near Bordeaux?
Yes, on the Atlantic and in Arcachon Bay from July to September.
Sources and fact-check
- UNESCO World Heritage List: no. 1256, Bordeaux, Port of the Moon; no. 932, Jurisdiction of Saint-Émilion
- Wikipedia, Bordeaux; Bordeaux-Mérignac climate normals 1991–2020
- Bordeaux airport, SNCF and TBM websites