Bordeaux

Travel Guide

Bordeaux showing heritage elements and street scenes
Bordeaux
Bordeaux
Bordeaux
Bordeaux featuring food

Bordeaux Travel Guide Video

Cycle along the city’s network of bike paths as you taste local wines, look across the Garonne River or relax in one of the city’s many gardens and parks. 

Known around the world for its high calibre of wines, a visit to this French city reveals far more than just grapes and cellar doors. Bordeaux is a city loved by its residents for its laid back approach to life, and a progressive community of musicians and artists. Spurred by a large student population from one of France’s largest universities, the city has a vivid nightlife centred on the historic La Victoire district. The Garonne River provides a stunning backdrop to the picturesque city, and visitors to the city will love the scenic Les Quais quarter.

Bordeaux is a particularly flat city and, with 580 kilometres (360 miles) of paved cycling routes, a bike is the ideal mode of transport for visitors. Hire a bike from one of the many vendors in the city centre, or make use of the city’s bike sharing programme, with stations at regular intervals throughout the city. Bordeaux’s mild winters mean that bikes are a great way to see the city year round, although bringing a raincoat couldn’t hurt, even in summer.

The city’s major attractions are focused around its historic attractions and cultural institutions. Head to Sainte-Catherine Street in the pedestrian centre of the city for excellent shopping and views, or climb the more than 200 steps to reach the top of the Basilica of St Michel’s gothic spire. The Musee D’Art Contemporain is a must for anyone with an interest in art, while those more interested in the outdoors will love Bordeaux’s botanic garden.

Once you’ve explored the city it’s time to sample its wares, and the vineyards around the city are a great place to start. The area is a world renowned region for wine production, and tours of the most famous wineries are available from the city centre. 

Bordeaux is located just 50 kilometres (31 miles) inland from France’s southwest coast. Bus or train to the city from Barcelona, Marseille or Paris, or fly to Bordeaux’s international airport from further afield.

Where to stay in Bordeaux

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Bordeaux City Centre

4.5/5(50 area reviews)

Travellers choose Bordeaux City Centre for its great bars. Hop aboard the metro at Gambetta Tram Station or Grand Theatre Tram Station and check out top sights like Place Gambetta.

Bordeaux City Centre
Bordeaux

Hôtel de Ville - Quinconces

If you're spending time in Hôtel de Ville - Quinconces, check out sights like Grand Theatre of Bordeaux or Place de la Comédie and hop on the metro to see more of the city at Grand Theatre Tram Station or Gambetta Tram Station.

Hôtel de Ville - Quinconces
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Le Lac

Lake views and bars are highlights of Le Lac. Make a stop by Matmut Atlantique Stadium or Bordeaux Stadium while you're visiting, and jump aboard the metro at Les Aubiers Tram Station to get around town.

Le Lac
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Chartrons

4.5/5(21 area reviews)

You might take some time to check out the abundant dining options in Chartrons. Spend some time visiting top spots like Quai des Marques, and catch the metro at Cours du Medoc Tram Station or Les Hangars Tram Station to see more of the area.

Chartrons
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Bastide

4/5(2 area reviews)

You might enjoy the river views while in Bastide. Darwin Eco-Système is a notable sight, and you can get around town at Thiers - Benauge Tram Station or Galin Tram Station to see more of the city.

Bastide
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Saint Jean Station District

Noted for its river views and coffee shops, there's plenty to explore in Saint Jean Station District. Top attractions like Rock School Barbey and Sacre Coeur Church are major draws, and you can hop on the metro at Belcier Tram Station or Carle Vernet Tram Station to see more of the city.

Saint Jean Station District
ibis Bordeaux Centre Meriadeck
ibis Bordeaux Centre Meriadeck
3 out of 5
35, Cours du Marechal Juin, Bordeaux, Gironde
The price is S$133 per night from 18 May to 19 May
S$133
includes taxes & fees
18 May - 19 May
Stay at this 3-star eco-certified hotel in Bordeaux. Enjoy free WiFi, a rooftop terrace, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in our ...
7.8/10 Good! (990 reviews)
"Great access to transit, room was comfortable and quiet, varied breakfast. We had dinner in the restaurant one night and enjoyed it."

Reviewed on 11 Apr, 2025

ibis Bordeaux Centre Meriadeck
Radisson Hotel Bordeaux Saint Jean
Radisson Hotel Bordeaux Saint Jean
4 out of 5
13 Rue des Gamins, Bordeaux
The price is S$126 per night from 18 May to 19 May
S$126
includes taxes & fees
18 May - 19 May
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Bordeaux. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (674 reviews)
"I’d stay here again. Great location and updated room design. Hope to visit soon!"

Reviewed on 25 Mar, 2025

Radisson Hotel Bordeaux Saint Jean
Hilton Garden Inn Bordeaux Centre
Hilton Garden Inn Bordeaux Centre
4 out of 5
17 Allée de Rio, Bordeaux
The price is S$152 per night from 4 May to 5 May
S$152
includes taxes & fees
4 May - 5 May
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Bordeaux. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,004 reviews)
"The breakfast, as said by other reviewers, is excellent with different stations for hot/cooked and continental and cereals and fruit, croissants and pain au chocolat, cakes and bread and waffles and pancakes. Great value to set you up for the day and open early until 10 for the more leisurely and ..."

Reviewed on 16 Apr, 2025

Hilton Garden Inn Bordeaux Centre
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Residhotel Galerie Tatry
Residhotel Galerie Tatry
3 out of 5
174 Cours du Medoc, Bordeaux
Stay at this 3-star aparthotel in Bordeaux. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
7.8/10 Good! (2,190 reviews)
"Hotel pretty clean staff helpful , speak English, quite near tram"

Reviewed on 17 Oct, 2024

Residhotel Galerie Tatry
Staycity Aparthotels, Bordeaux City Centre
Staycity Aparthotels, Bordeaux City Centre
3 out of 5
45 Rue Leyteire, Bordeaux, Gironde
Stay at this 3-star aparthotel in Bordeaux. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (359 reviews)
"Minimalist hotel in good neighborhood. Staff is wonderful! No cleaning during the stay but you can get another set of towels. Fine, good price"

Reviewed on 16 Apr, 2025

Staycity Aparthotels, Bordeaux City Centre
Residhome Bordeaux
Residhome Bordeaux
3 out of 5
87 Quai Bacalan, Bordeaux
Stay at this 3-star aparthotel in Bordeaux. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (615 reviews)
Revisiting hotel and Bordeaux
"This was our second visit to this hotel. Previously we came in a summer ,but this visit was on the last day of Bordeaux Xmas market. The hotel is situated on the tram line which you can buy tickets at the machine or on the app. To get into centre takes about ten mins. Across from hotel is the river ..."

Reviewed on 3 Jan, 2025

Residhome Bordeaux
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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Reviews of Bordeaux

4.6
Top destination
5 - Excellent
132
5 - Excellent 65%
4 - Good
65
4 - Good 32%
3 - Okay
4
3 - Okay 2%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
2
1 - Terrible 1%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Lovely place , nice and flat for mobility. Excellent restraints, shops and above all great transport to get about. Will come back

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Excellent team and transport system which is very reasonable and reliable and safe.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

There are wine tasting tours that can be taken through the Bordeaux tourism office to visit Saint-Emilion. The tourist office also offers walking tours or with the City Pass there are also tours on an open top bus or mini train.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Lovely range of food options especially the great meat and cheese

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

The most beautiful shopping streets. Lots of variety and plenty of restaurants. My only problem was the cyclists and scooters in the pedestrian areas, very hazardous and not very safe.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Great City. Underestimated , great in city transport system.