HIGHLIGHTS of Bordeaux š·āØ
HIGHLIGHTS of Bordeaux š·āØ
Caity Zagar
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As most people flock to Paris when visiting France, have you considered venturing a little farther into wine country?
Bordeaux is seriously underrated and should definitely be added to your bucket list! To help convince you, I have put together my top favourite things to see and do in the city after having visited over 6 times!
Be sure to give this guide a save and check out the other guides linked here - hopefully they all help you have a magical stay enjoying a stunning city in France! āļø
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Old Town:Ā
Grosse Cloche
@czphoneshome
This is one of the top photo spots in Bordeaux! This is a stunning Gothic Bell Tower above the city's former dungeon!
It doesn't ring often but it does ring every Sunday of the first of the month! So if you're visiting during that time, might be a cool time to check it out! š
Around this area, there are also tonnes of really cute and unique shops that are worth exploring as well!
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Porte Cailhau
@czphoneshome
This monument is actually from the 1400s! This grand door and entryway were once part of the city's walls. It was made in honour of King Charles VIII's victory over Naples.
It's a super beautiful monument to visit while wandering around Bordeaux's Old Town! And if you're interested, you can climb up the tower! It costs 5 euros!
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Basilique Saint-Michel
@czphoneshome
This is a Gothic-style Basilica that you can often see popping out along the horizon because of its tall, pointed steeple. It's actually the city's tallest building and apparently the fourth-tallest church in France!
Fun Fact: every Saturday and Monday morning there is a market that takes place at the foot of the Basilica in the square!
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Bordeaux Cathedral
@czphoneshome
This is another important church in the city that is located near Town Hall. It is a stop along the pilgrimage route of Santiago de Compostela!
The building was originally built in the 11th century but suffered many fires. It also housed the marriage of Eleanor of Aquitaine and Louis VII. She's one of the most important historical figures in the region as she went on to become queen of France AND queen of England and was the mother of King Richard the Lion Heart.
This Catholic church is free to enter!
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Pont de Pierre
@czphoneshome
The Pont de Pierre or 'stone bridge' is one of the main bridges that connect the two sides of the Garonne River. The bridge was actually requested by Napoleon I to help move troops!
This bridge is now mostly a pedestrian bridge and is a really nice spot to get a beautiful view of the city!
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Bordeaux city centre:
Miroir d'eau
@czphoneshome
The Mirror dāEau (or mirror water in English) in Bordeaux is iconic. It is THE place to take your clichĆ© Bordeaux photo. It is essentially a huge pool of water located across the street from one of Bordeauxās most famous squares - the Place de la Bourse. As a matter of fact, it is the worldās largest reflecting pool.
The best part is when the water is completely still (which is rare if there are lots of people about), then it acts like a mirror reflecting the image of the beautiful buildings across the road. You'll normally find tonnes of people enjoying the water, the view of the river and the sunshine around this area!
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Rue Sainte-Catherine
@czphoneshome
St. Catherineās street, which begins at the Place de la ComĆ©die (the Grand Theatre), is the longest pedestrian street in France as well as in Europe! The street stretches 1.2 km in length and is filled with shops, cafes and restaurants.
It is really easy to spend a nice afternoon browsing some stores, grabbing some snacks and enjoying the beautiful streets of Bordeaux.
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National Opera of Bordeaux
@czphoneshome
You can go inside the Grand Theatre (the Bordeaux Opera House) for free on certain days at certain times (when I went, Tuesdays to Saturdays between 1:30 pm and 6:30 pm were free, however, that might be updated so be sure to check the Grand Theatre website or the Bordeaux Tourism website).
It is important to note that free visits do not include a guided tour and only allow you access to 2 main rooms in the building.
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Place des Quinconces
@czphoneshome
Just down the street from the Grand Theatre is one of the largest squares in Europe, the Place de Quinconces! The space was actually the grounds of a former fortress called the Chateaux Trompette that was torn down in the 1800s.
It is quite an impressive square, lined with trees and a giant fountain and monument located opposite the Garonne River. It is another must-see spot during your visit to Bordeaux
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Jardin Public
@czphoneshome
If youāre interested in mixing up your city visit with some greenery, head over to the Les Jardins Publiques. It is a beautiful park that has several playgrounds, ponds and even a few museums inside!
It's the perfect place to wander around, read a book, have a picnic, maybe ride a boat on the river or enjoy a French puppet show.
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Worthwhile activities to check out:
La CitƩ du Vin
@czphoneshome
This is a really amazing and fun museum and I highly recommend visiting. It is located along the River Garonne, technically down the road from the Mirror dāEau and the building itself is a pretty interesting shape. It is said that it is supposed to be the shape of a drop of wine (I personally don't see the resemblance).
The CitƩ du Vin is the wine museum in Bordeaux. Above the museum, there is also a fantastic restaurant as well as a lookout where you can also enjoy wine tasting (which I believe is included with your visit).
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Darwin Eco-systĆØme
@czphoneshome
On the other side of the Garonne river is a ārenovated urban wastelandā known as Darwin. They call it an ecosystem to be exact. It is free to visit and there you can find street art everywhere, a cafe, food shops, a clothing store, huge art installations, a bar, workspaces and several skate parks.
The indoor skate park, located in a former warehouse, is huge and also has an old Bordeaux tram car and many old pinball games.
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Les Bassins des LumiĆØres
@czphoneshome
This is a relatively new attraction, it only opened in 2020. It is a digital art centre for visual exhibitions. For instance, while I was in Bordeaux they were having an exhibition on Venice where they projected moving art all over the walls.
But what is particularly unique about this place, is the grounds are actually a historic Submarine Base that was actually created by the Germans in 1940. I thought this was amazing. I loved how they used the reflection of the water to add to the experience of the show and it created such a surreal environment. I highly recommend visiting and learning about this interesting use of a historic space.
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BEST day trip:
The local snack:
La Toque CuivrƩe
@czphoneshome
Bordeaux is known for a sweet called canelĆ©. Iāve heard from locals that the ones sold by this particular brand are the best, most traditional and cheapest compared to other shops!
The Toque CuivrĆ©e is a brand, you can even find them in other areas of France! In Bordeaux, you can find many shops around so keep your eyes peeled! š„®
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Other food recommendations here šš»
Enjoy and thanks for stopping by!Ā
Want help planning your trip to Bordeaux?Ā
I consider France to be my area of expertise. I've lived here for 2 years and have traveled around many times to many regions! I would love to help you with your trip planning - let's make the most out of your trip!Ā
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Caity Zagar
Available for hire
Iām a seasoned traveler with experience in over 30 countries around the world, whoās been lucky enough to have lived in both France & the UK. Now I love helping travelers make the most of their trips and explore more underrated corners of France & the UK!
My goal is to not overwhelm you with optionsā in my guides & itineraries, I provide suggestions that are truly worth it, based on personal experience or in-depth research.
Whether youāre planning a dream trip to France, the UK, or beyond, I hope I can help you plan your next adventure! āØ
My expertise?
š«š· On top of living in Lille, France for 2 years, my French fiancee has helped me develop a passion for this country beyond a typical tourist. Over the past 8 years, Iāve explored France from north to south: Iāve visited Paris 9 times, road-tripped through Normandy twice, & fell in love with Alsace. Iāve spent time castle-hopping in the Loire Valley, beach-hopping in Corsica, & explored Provence & the French Riviera multiple times. Bordeaux has become a second home, with over 10 visits to the region.
š¬š§ I lived in London, UK for 2 years, mostly during the pandemic, when I really got to know the city in depth - since we couldn't go anywhere else! Beyond London, Iāve road-tripped through Scotland twice, explored gems like York and Liverpool, road-tripped through Cornwall & enjoyed countless day trips, from charming villages to coastal towns.
Why trust me?
š Lived & traveled: Iāve called both France and the UK home, giving me insider knowledge and plenty of travel experience!āØ
āļø 20+ European countries: My travel experience spans the continent, so I know how to navigate Europe and want to help others do the same.āØ
š§³ Organized, detailed & thoughtful: My itineraries focus on making the most of your time & budget, blending structure with room for spontaneity.
š„ Foodie at heart: Food is also a huge part of my travels, & I make it a point to seek out the best local dishes & restaurants wherever I go.
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