by Nguyenhuuthanh (cropped)  / [CC BY-SA 3.0

The World Capital of Wine with a Lively, Unique Old Town

A. About Bordeaux

Nickname: Port of the Moon

Bordeaux in the southwest of France on a crescent-shaped meander in the River Garonne is known as the world capital of wine.

Furthermore, the beautiful city fascinates with a lively, unique old town inspired by the Enlightenment with more protected buildings than any other French city, except Paris.

As one of the first French cities, Bordeaux embraced the idea of large-scale urban redevelopment.

Enjoy the stunning banks of the River Garonne, interesting museums, ancient churches, vibrant neighborhoods, and great food. 

Best Things to do in Bordeaux

The Good: 

Bordeaux possesses, first of all, numerous pedestrian zones, mainly in the old town, and excellent climatic conditions.

Furthermore, public transportation with stylish trams is excellent.

Finally, Bordeaux scores consistently well in most other categories.

 

The Not-So-Good: 

Bordeaux has no real flaw, but it is not a cheap city.


B. Best Things to Do in Bordeaux in 2024 (Detailed List with Photos and Information)

In total, we count more than twenty-five sights in Bordeaux. The following sights and attractions contribute to a score of 5.75/10 in this highly important category:

# PORT OF THE MOON (Historic Town) 7 3.5 out of 5 stars

Acknowledged by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site since 2007, the city's fascinating, traffic-free, and extremely well-preserved historic core (1,800 ha) from the 18th-century is an outstanding example of urban and architectural unity and coherence.

City District World Heritage Site: since 2007

Best Things to do in Bordeaux

by Monster4711 / CC BY-SA 3.0

# PLACE DE LA BOURSE and MIROIR D'EAU  6 3.1 out of 5 stars

The magnificent horseshoe-shaped square Place de la Bourse is the main landmark and a symbol of Bordeaux.

In front of the square, the world’s largest reflecting pool (Miroir d’eau) provides the most beautiful photo motifs.

Square World Heritage Site: since 2007

Best Things to do in Bordeaux

by Xellery / CC BY-SA 3.0

# Esplanade des Quinconces 6 3.1 out of 5 stars

This spectacular square impresses with its enormous expansiveness and with the Monument aux Girondins and its fantastic UNESCO-enlisted fountain (FONTAINE DES GIRONDINS).

Square with Fountain World Heritage Site: since 2007

Best Things to do in Bordeaux

# GRAND THÉÂTRE 5.5 2.7 out of 5 stars

Built from 1773 to 1780, this opera house with its iconic column front, a magnificent auditorium, and a monumental staircaseis one of the most beautiful in Europe.

Opera House World Heritage Site: since 2007

Best Things to do in Bordeaux

by Patrick Despoix / CC BY-SA 3.0

# CitĂ© du Vin 5.5 2.7 out of 5 stars

Housed in a spectacular modern building, the world of wine is staged here as a playful multimedia course and appeals to all senses.

Museum | Modern Architecture

Best Things to do in Bordeaux

by Menthe 555 / CC BY-SA 3.0

# CATHEDRAL OF ST ANDRÉ and TOWER OF PEY-BERLAND 5.5 2.7 out of 5 stars

Consecrated in 1096, the huge Romanesque-Gothic Cathédrale St. André is a World Heritage Site since 1988 as part of the Routes of Santiago de Compostela in France.

Ascend the Tower of Pey-Berland just next to the Cathedral via 229 steps to enjoy a spectacular panoramic view of the historic old town. 

Church and Viewpoint World Heritage Site: since 1988

Best Things to do in Bordeaux

by Chabe01 / CC BY-SA 4.0

# Musée d'Aquitaine 5.5 2.6 out of 5 stars

Opened in 1987 as one of the largest French history museums outside Paris, the Musée d'Aquitaine showcases the history of man in the Aquitaine from prehistoric to modern times.

Highlights include the Laussel Venus from 25,000 BCE, a detailed reproduction of some of the prehistoric cave paintings from Lascaux, and Montaigne's tomb.

History Museum

Best Things to do in Bordeaux

by Base MĂ©rimĂ©e  / CC BY-SA 3.0

# Quai des Chartrons 5.5 2.6 out of 5 stars

The left bank of the River Garonne has been transformed recently as part of its 1996 urbanization project into one of the world’s most splendid waterfronts.

Waterfront

Best Things to do in Bordeaux

by Marc Ryckaert (MJJR) / CC BY-SA 3.0

# Rue Ste-Catherine 5.5 2.7 out of 5 stars

Closed off to traffic since 1984, the straight Rue Sainte-Catherine is one of the longest and most beautiful shopping streets in Europe.

Shopping Street

Best Things to do in Bordeaux

# CAPC MusĂ©e d’Art Contemporain 5.5 2.6 out of 5 stars

Located in a spectacular old warehouse, the Musée d'Art Contemporain displays remarkable contemporary art.

Modern Art Museum

Best Things to do in Bordeaux

Scoring and Icons Legend (Click here for detailed information)

10 = top-10 sight in the world

9 = world-class  

8 = outstanding

7 = excellent 

6 = impressive

5 = interesting

4 = decent

3 = mediocre

2 = bad

1 = abysmal

= World Heritage Site

= Excursion

C. Other notable sights and attractions in Bordeaux

- BASILICA OF ST MICHAEL AND TOWER 5.5 2.7 out of 5 stars

Built from the end of the 14th century to the end of the 16th century, the Basilica of St. Michael with its intricate facade is a World Heritage Site as part of the Routes of Santiago de Compostela in France.

The freestanding 15th-century bell tower known as “La Flèche” (the Arrow) offers panoramic views of the city. 

Church and Tower World Heritage Site: since 1998

Best Things to do in Bordeaux

by Jean-Christophe BENOIST / CC BY-SA 4.0

- Jardin Public 5.5

- Fine Arts Museum 5.5

- Base Sous-Marine de Bordeaux 5

- Church of Notre-Dame 5

- Decorative Arts and Design Museum 5

- Wine and Trade Museum 5

- Basilica of St Seurin 5

- Science and Nature Museum 5

- Porte de la Grosse Cloche 5

- Pont de Pierre 5

- Porte Cailhau 5

D. Best Day Trips and Excursions from Bordeaux

SAINT-EMILION  6 3.1 out of 5 stars

Registered as a world heritage site by UNESCO, the medieval village of St-Émilion is famous for its old buildings of golden stone its well-kept ramparts, and of course its vineyards.

Village Distance from Bordeaux: 48 km | World Heritage Site: since 1999

by Jordy Meow / CC BY-SA 3.0

E. Top 10 List of the Best Things to Do in Bordeaux (including close-by excursions)

To sum things up, these are the ten best sights we recommend to you when visiting Bordeaux for at least two entire days.

PORT OF THE MOON (Historic Town) 7 

PLACE DE LA BOURSE and MIROIR D'EAU 6 

Esplanade des Quinconces 6 

SAINT-EMILION (48 km from Bordeaux) 6 

GRAND THÉÂTRE  5.5

Cité du Vin 5.5

CATHEDRAL OF ST ANDRÉ and TOWER OF PEY-BERLAND 5.5

MusĂ©e d'Aquitaine 5.5 

Quai des Chartrons 5.5

Rue Ste-Catherine 5.5