The best time to visit Bordeaux is in spring (April to June) or early autumn (September to October), when the weather is comfortable, the city isn’t packed with tourists, and there’s plenty to do. In June, you’ve got Fête de la Musique filling the streets with live music, and every other year, Bordeaux Fête le Vin sets up along the river with wine tastings and food stalls.

Tourism in Bordeaux, France. Traveler girl walking in Bordeaux discovering Porte Cailhau a medieval gatehouse of the old city walls.

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Best Time to Visit

Bordeaux–Mérignac Airport (BOD) is located about 12 km west of the city centre, with the journey taking between 30 to 45 minutes depending on the mode of transport. Travellers can take tram line A directly from the airport to central Bordeaux in around 35 minutes. The 30’Direct shuttle runs between the airport and Gare Saint-Jean train station in about 30 minutes. The Liane 1+ bus is a cheaper option, reaching the city in roughly 45 minutes. Taxis and ride-shares are also available outside the airport.

Two suitcases in an empty airport hall, traveler cases in the departure airport terminal waiting for the area, vacation concept, blank space for text message or design

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Bordeaux–Mérignac Airport (BOD)

Citizens of the European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA) countries do not need a visa to enter France, only a valid ID. Many other countries, including the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, the United Arab Emirates, Australia, and New Zealand, benefit from visa-free entry for short stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period. 

Visitors from visa-exempt countries must hold a valid passport and, starting in late 2025, will need to apply for an ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) authorisation online before travelling. 

For those requiring a visa, such as travellers from some Middle Eastern, African or Asian nations, a Schengen visa must be obtained prior to arrival. All travellers should ensure their passport is valid for at least three months beyond their intended stay.

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Passport/Visa

Getting around Bordeaux is pretty straightforward thanks to the TBM network, which runs the city’s trams, buses, and even a river shuttle called the Bat³. The tram system is easy to use, with four lines that cover most major areas, while buses fill in the rest. The Bat³ offers a scenic ride along the Garonne, and if you're up for cycling, the city’s V3 self-service bikes are everywhere. Tickets work across all modes and come in single rides, day passes, or weekly options. 

For visitors, the Bordeaux CityPass is worth considering—it includes unlimited public transport plus free entry to museums and other perks. You can buy tickets at machines, in shops, or on the TBM app—just don’t forget to validate them before boarding.

For information on routes, timetables and fares, visit TBM's official website.

Tram on Place de la Bourse in Bordeaux - France, Gironde

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Public Transport

Taxis in Bordeaux are easy to find, especially at taxi ranks or by hailing them on the street; they’re usually black or dark blue with a roof light indicating availability. You can also book ahead using the local app Taxi Couleurs Bordeaux. Ride-sharing apps like Uber and Bolt also operate in the city.

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Taxi

In Bordeaux, most post offices are open Monday to Friday from around 9 am to noon, then again from 2 pm to 5 or 6 pm. Many also open on Saturday mornings. They handle everything from regular mail and international parcels to registered letters and basic banking through La Banque Postale. For simple things like stamps, it’s often easier to pop into a nearby 'bureau de tabac'. As for posting, just drop your letter into one of the yellow and blue mailboxes around town.

Paper envelope with letter sending in yellow mailbox

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Post

Pharmacies in Bordeaux are easily identified by the green cross, often illuminated, on their exteriors. Most staff speak at least some English, especially in central locations, and they can often help with minor ailments, travel-related issues, or replacement prescriptions. 

Many pharmacies also carry toiletries, basic first-aid items, and travel essentials. Opening hours typically follow shop times (roughly 9 am to 7 pm), but a rota of pharmacies de garde ensures there’s always one open after hours or on Sundays—check online or ask at any pharmacy for the nearest one.

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Pharmacy

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Telephone

In France, the electrical system operates on a voltage of 230 volts with a frequency of 50 hertz. The country uses two main types of plugs: type C, which has two round pins, and type E, which also has two round pins along with an additional hole for the grounding pin.

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Electricity

Celebrating wine, gastronomy, arts and culture, Bordeaux is a city that represents the very essence of the French spirit. Its heartbeat hums in cobblestone streets, sunlit quays, and the hum of cafés alive with conversation. Here, centuries-old châteaux meet avant-garde galleries, while the Garonne flows steadily under graceful bridges. Bordeaux invites you to savour life slowly—sip, wander, and lose yourself in layers of flavour, history, and quiet elegance that linger long after you leave.

Probably the most photographed spot in Bordeaux—and for good reason. The 18th-century buildings around Place de la Bourse are part of the city’s UNESCO-listed historic centre, and they reflect perfectly in the shallow pool of the Miroir d’eau just across the road. It looks great early in the morning, but the reflections are just as striking in the evening when everything’s lit up. Kids run through the mist when it sprays every 15 minutes in summer, and photographers camp out for that symmetrical shot.

Place de la Bourse is one of the most visited sights in the city of Bordeaux, France.  It was built from 1730 to 1775.

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The "Place de la Bourse" in Bordeaux was designed by the royal architect Jacques Ange Gabriel in 1775

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Place de la Bourse & Miroir d'eau

Place des Quinconces is one of the biggest squares in France, laid out in the early 1800s where a château used to stand. At its centre is the Monument aux Girondins—a tall column topped with Liberty, surrounded by bronze fountains mid-splash. It was built to honour the Girondin deputies executed during the Revolution. The square is wide open, lined with trees, and often hosts something: funfairs, antique markets, food stalls, or temporary exhibitions.

Girondins Monument is located at Place des Quinconces square in the centre of Bordeaux city in France

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Place des Quinconces

Built in 1495, Porte Cailhau was one of the main gates into medieval Bordeaux and still stands nearly unchanged. It’s about 35 metres high and part of the old city walls. Climb to the top for a good view over the river, the Pont de Pierre, and the city rooftops.

The Porte Cailhau or Porte du Palais is a former town gate of the city of Bordeaux, France. It is one of the main touristic attractions of the city.

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Porte Cailhau

Spend a day sipping French reds and whites in the Saint-Emilion and Pomerol wine region on a day trip from Bordeaux. Visit two chateaux to taste the region’s famous wines and then stroll through the charming streets of the medieval town of Saint-Emilion, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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Saint-Emilion Day Trip with Sightseeing Tour & Wine Tastings from Bordeaux

About an hour from Bordeaux, Arcachon Bay is known for its calm waters and wide sandy beaches, shaped by oyster farming that still thrives here. You can cycle along quiet paths, spot birds on the nearby Île aux Oiseaux, and stop for fresh oysters at one of the local seafood shacks.

Just next door is the Dune du Pilat, Europe’s tallest sand dune, rising over 100 metres. Climbing it rewards you with wide views across the bay and the Atlantic beyond. Together, the peaceful bay and the towering dune make a great day out, whether you’re after nature, fresh air, or just some impressive scenery.

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Eating of fresh live oysters with citron at farm cafe in oyster-farming village, with view on boats and water of Arcachon bay, Cap Ferret peninsula, Bordeaux, France in sunny day

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Excursion to the famous dune and tourist magnet: Dune du Pilat on the Atlantic coast in France - with the pine trees and trees in the background

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Arcachon Bay & Dune du Pilat

Opened in 1780, the Grand-Théâtre is one of Bordeaux’s standout buildings — all columns, symmetry, and old-world grandeur. It was built on the site of a former Roman temple and still feels like a place where something serious is about to happen. Inside, the auditorium is known for its acoustics and classical style, and it hosts opera, ballet, and orchestral concerts throughout the year.

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Opéra National de Bordeaux - Grand-Théâtre

Basilique Saint-Michel is a Gothic church dating back to the 14th century, and it stands out for its separate, 114-metre bell tower — the tallest in southern France. You can climb the tower for great views over Bordeaux. Inside, there are plenty of chapels with old artwork, and the whole place is part of the UNESCO-listed Routes of Santiago pilgrimage.

Bordeaux aerial panoramic view. Bordeaux is a port city on the Garonne river in Southwestern France

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Basilique Saint-Michel

Set in a former 16th-century convent, this museum dives deep into Bordeaux and Aquitaine’s history, with more than 70,000 items on display — from prehistoric tools to objects linked to the city’s past as a busy port.

Museum of Aquitaine in the centre of Bordeaux city in France

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Museum of Aquitaine

One of Bordeaux’s oldest landmarks, the Grosse Cloche is a medieval belfry that once served as a gate and even a prison for young offenders. The two towers on either side are about 40 metres tall and frame the central bell tower. The current bell, cast in the 18th century, weighs nearly 8 tonnes and still rings on special days.

Big Clock of Bordeaux city in France Great Bell Grosse cloche in gironde France

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Grosse Cloche

The Bordeaux Museum of Fine Arts sits in a grand 19th-century building just off the main shopping street. Inside, you’ll find a collection of European paintings and sculptures, from the Renaissance through to the 20th century, including works by Rubens, Delacroix, and Picasso.

Closeup on attentive pleasant  senior woman visiting museum and enjoying arts

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Bordeaux Museum of Fine Arts

This busy square sits at the southern end of Bordeaux’s Old Town and is a popular hangout, especially among students. The 18th-century Porte d’Aquitaine marks one of the city’s old entrances, while a tall obelisk and two bronze tortoises — added in 2005 by Czech sculptor Ivan Theimer — celebrate Bordeaux’s wine culture. Look closely and you’ll spot grape clusters and appellations carved into the sculptures.

Around the square, you’ll find casual bars, kebab shops, and small boutiques. It’s more a spot to grab a drink or soak up the atmosphere than a must-see, but it’s a good place to get a feel for local life.

Porte d'Aquitaine arch and obelisk at Place de la Victoire timelapse hyperlapse in Bordeaux, France. Landmark of historic Bordeaux with tram lines, cafes and lively surrounding under blue cloudy sky

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Place de la Victoire

About 35 km from Bordeaux, Saint-Émilion is a medieval town set in the heart of one of the world’s oldest wine regions — and the first to be listed as a living UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s small, walkable, and packed with history, from old stone streets and monolithic churches to underground catacombs carved into the limestone. Of course, the wine is a big draw. You can visit nearby châteaux for tastings or just grab a glass in the town square.

View of Saint-Émilion, a commune in the Gironde department in Nouvelle-Aquitaine in southwestern France

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Saint-Émilion

Saint-André is Bordeaux’s main cathedral — parts of it date back to the 11th century, though most of what you see now is from the 13th to 15th centuries. It’s a classic Gothic structure and has seen a fair bit of history, including the marriage of Eleanor of Aquitaine. Just next to it is the Tour Pey Berland, a separate bell tower you can climb for panoramic views over the city and the cathedral roof.

Saint Andre Cathedral of Bordeaux - France, Aquitaine

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The drone aerial view of Bordeaux Cathedral and Pey Berland Tower at sunrise, Bordeaux, France.

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Cathédrale Saint-André de Bordeaux

Bordeaux’s wine school, L'École du Vin, offers courses on wine and the Bordeaux vineyards, as well as on the topic of pairing wine with cheese and other foods. Of various durations and existing both in English and French, these short training classes will allow you to act like a true connoisseur. To perfect the practice, each course also features several wine tastings.

Glasses of Wine and a Variety of Cheese on a Table

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Wine School

Hosted within the former St Simeon's church, Utopia is a unique fusion of a film theatre, café, lunch spot and cultural hub. Specialising in alternative films shown in their original language with French subtitles, Utopia offers a memorable movie experience in a comfortable and nostalgic setting. Even if you're not in the mood for a film, the building itself is a noteworthy French cultural landmark worth exploring.

Aside from its cinematic offerings, Utopia features a charming bar and restaurant with indoor seating and a street terrace. Enjoy a variety of delicious lunch options and drinks in this cool, atmospheric space.

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Cinéma Utopia

La Cité du Vin is a modern and interactive wine museum featuring immersive exhibits, audio guides in multiple languages, and lots of screens, sounds, and smells. The building itself is striking and hard to miss, shaped like a swirl of wine or a decanter, depending on who you ask. Inside, there are 19 themed areas exploring wine’s history and culture around the world, plus tastings, workshops, a rooftop wine bar, and a panoramic restaurant.

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La Cité du Vin

Embark on a bike tour to explore the expansive city of Bordeaux in a unique way — this experience follows a meticulously planned route that takes you to all the must-see spots. Guided by a local, you'll traverse a 14 km path discovering street art, lush green spaces, and historical sites, all while unravelling Bordeaux’s rich history and hidden gems. This bike tour not only allows you to cover more ground than walking, but it also helps you uncover sights and picturesque spots that could easily be missed when exploring alone.

Cheerful couple riding bikes by sunny day

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Grosse Cloche

Opéra National de Bordeaux - Grand-Théâtre

Arcachon Bay & Dune du Pilat

Bordeaux Museum of Fine Arts

The Bordeaux Museum of Fine Arts sits in a grand 19th-century building just off the main shopping street. Inside, you’ll find a collection of European paintings and sculptures, from the Renaissance through to the 20th century, including works by Rubens, Delacroix, and Picasso.

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