What to Do in Bordeaux: 48 Hours

Bordeaux’s wine region is famous the world over. However, the city of Bordeaux itself has a lot to offer. The city center is reachable from Paris in less than 2.5 hours by high speed public transport. It’s never been easier to visit the elegant capital of the Aquitaine region. Wander its picturesque streets, sample delicious bordelaise cuisine and its finest wines, and discover local hangouts. Here are some of the best things to do during your next Bordeaux trip. 

Day 1

Spend your first full day exploring Bordeaux’s historic center full of medieval architecture. You can start your tour of Bordeaux, a UNESCO world heritage site, by meandering the narrow streets of the Saint-Michel district. The center of the city is a great place that is popular with locals. The area’s namesake, the gothic style Saint-Michel church, dominates the Place Meynard. Here you’ll find a weekly market on Saturday mornings. Afterward browsing its colorful stands, gravitate towards la Grosse Cloche (the famous bell tower). This was once a gate of Bordeaux’s medieval walls. It gives access to la rue Saint James, where you can pop into its cool boutiques. Grab a cup of coffee at Books and Coffee, made with beans roasted in-house.

Alternatively you can stop in at Cassonade for a canelé, Bordeaux’s iconic pastry, which we just can’t get enough of when we’re in town.. 

Rue Saint James ends at the pretty Place Fernand Lafargue, bordered by cafés, shops and Glacier Fernand, an artisanal organic ice-cream shop, a refreshing snack on a hot day. Afterwards, make your way to la Porte Cailhau, another medieval gate whose whimsical tower boasts gorgeous views over the city. If you’re ready for lunch, nearby is Les Recoltants, an eco-responsible cantine using ingredients from their farm or from suppliers no further than 20 kilometers away. 

In the afternoon track down some of Bordeaux’s grander sites. You’ll inevitably come across Rue Sainte-Catherine, Europe’s longest pedestrian shopping street. Le Grand Théâtre, the city’s neoclassical opera house is a must-see, along with la Place des Quinconces, a regal square home to the majestic Monument aux Girondins. You can either end your stroll around the refined Jardin Public Park or at the iconic Place de la Bourse and its Miroir d’Eau (Water Mirror), the world’s largest reflecting pool, perhaps the most photographed place in Bordeaux.

There are many wine bars, restaurants and other establishments for your Saturday night in Bordeaux. If you’re a wine enthusiast, head to Au Bon JaJa, a wine bar serving unique local wine including natural and organic labels, or Le Point Rouge, which has inventive wine cocktails and dishes inspired by wine. For Bordeaux’s best bistronomique cuisine try La Gigi, known for its gastronomic street food and creative cocktails, or Symbiose, a speakeasy-style venue also with its own garden. To try modern bordelaise cuisine, book a table at Modjo, which has a chic minimalist decor and vegetarian options, like the excellent dish we tried, eggplant steak deglazed with Cognac, and served with pan-fried risotto with olives, Espelette pepper, and thyme. 

A great way to end your night is over great cocktails and dancing at La Comtesse, a cool bar decorated with a jumble of antique armchairs, chandeliers, and other flea market finds, or at Levrette Café, a bar with funky seating and wine barrel for tables that gets lively on weekend nights.

Alternatively, a short walk will take you to the Marché du Quais, a vibrant outdoor market along the river Garonne. Here you can pick up some regional food products and fresh produce for a picnic or lunch on fresh oysters from the nearby Bay of Arcachon. In the summer months you can enjoy your picnic along the water’s edge, preferably across the river in the relaxed Parc aux Angéliques, a nice place to also stroll and take in beautiful views. This side of the river is more local and is home to Darwin, an eco-district we love which is located within a former military barracks. Here you can hang out with the hip bordelais over a craft beer or café crème with oat milk at their social tables. Don’t leave without browsing its sustainable shops and taking a look at its street art section.

Wine lovers might want to spend the afternoon at La Cité du Vin, a museum about the wine industry and an education center found within a sleek modern building not far from the Chartrons neighborhood. It’s a wonderful place to immerse oneself in the region’s wine heritage without even having to leave the city.!

Alternatively, if you’d like to explore the region around the city or have a peaceful escape, one of the best places to book is Lost in Sensations. Set within a pine grove 30 minutes north of Bordeaux, the luxury boutique hotel provides an ideal place to switch off in the French countryside while stimulating the senses through its unique design, chic yet eclectic decor, and amenities including private Jacuzzis, a shared pool and sauna within a huge repurposed wine barrel. Each of its seven accommodation options, from Space Odyssey-themed bubble tents to a Great Gatsby Suite, provides an immersive experience, complemented by a range of bespoke services available from private outdoor concerts and massages to custom vineyard tours and vintage car rentals to explore the area.

Books and Coffee,  26 rue Saint-James, 33000 Bordeaux

Cassonade, 53 rue Saint-James, 33000 Bordeaux

Glacier Fernand, 15 pl. Fernand Lafargue, 33000 Bordeaux

Les Recoltants, 18 rue Sainte Colombe 33000 Bordeaux

La Gigi,   32 Rue des Allamandiers, 33800 Bordeaux

Symbiose, 4 quai des Chartrons, 33000 Bordeaux

Modjo, 5 rue des Herbes, 33000 Bordeaux