Things to do in 

Bordeaux

Strolling through the cobblestone streets of Bordeaux, a city that is bustling with life yet charmingly serene, offers a multi-layered labyrinth of adventures waiting to unfold. Here, locals wander through vibrant markets or recover from the day at small, cosy bistros. The range of things to do in Bordeaux isn't just limited to sipping world-renowned wine - unexpected street art and the whispering River Garonne add to the city's allure. No matter the season, Bordeaux's grand architecture, open parks, and hidden gems reveal slices of the city's authentic spirit.

Explore Bordeaux off the beaten path

Skip the crowds and slip into Bordeaux’s quieter side with your local guide. Here are easy, flexible stops where you can wander, taste, and linger.

Cultural experiences: Start at Darwin Écosystème on the Right Bank to wander the street art and grab a coffee at Magasin Général before the afternoon picks up. Around lunch, slurp oysters with a splash of white wine at Chez Jean Mi inside Marché des Capucins, then on warm evenings drift to La Guinguette Chez Alriq for live music by the river.

Small museums and galleries: Duck into the Musée du Vin et du Négoce in Chartrons to see old merchant cellars and taste a pour without the tour-bus fuss. A short walk away, the Musée des Arts Décoratifs et du Design (MADD) fills an 18th-century townhouse with design gems and calm rooms you’ll likely have to yourself. For contemporary work, the Institut Culturel Bernard Magrez hosts changing shows in a quiet château—ask your guide to time it when the art park is open.

Less crowded scenic viewpoints: Head up to Parc Palmer in Cenon for a wide sunset view over the Garonne without a crowd. For a wilder feel, follow your guide to the belvedere at Parc de l’Ermitage Sainte-Catherine in Lormont, then stroll the Right Bank’s Parc aux Angéliques for blue-hour shots of the riverfront façades.

Shop for local products & souvenirs: Pop into La Toque Cuivrée for fresh canelés, then browse Fromagerie Jean d’Alos to pack a small cheese for apéro. For a bottle to remember, your guide can steer you through Badie’s historic shop off the Allées de Tourny, or up the spiral stacks at L’Intendant to match a wine to your taste and budget. If it’s Sunday, swing by the open-air market on Quai des Chartrons late morning for producers’ jars, salted caramels, and a linen tote you’ll actually use.

Popular neighbourhoods

Step into the soul of Bordeaux by perusing its unique neighbourhoods, each telling a different part of its tantalising tale.

Discover Saint-Pierre: Known as the birthplace of Bordeaux, it whispers history through its narrow medieval streets, quaint squares and beautiful old churches.

Enjoy Golden Triangle: A vibrant hub matching grand architecture with exquisite gourmet offerings. Its lively streets are lined up with chic boutiques, charming cafes, gourmet restaurants and traditional patisseries.

Experience Chartrons: Once the hub for Bordeaux’s wine trade, today it hosts a dynamic blend of antique shops, trendy galleries, wine cellars, and stylish boutiques housed in charming 18th-century buildings.

Unravel Saint-Michel: A lively neighbourhood with a distinguished, multicultural charm. Food markets bustling with fresh produce, antique stores, bookstalls, and local cafes captures its distinctive local flair.

Visit Bastide: An area epitomizing the art of urban living with its sprawling botanical garden, large cinema complex, and trendy eateries along the wide boulevards graced by rows of trees.

Things to do in Bordeaux by season

Spring: Wander the river quays as plane trees leaf out and market stalls fill with asparagus and gariguette strawberries. Slip into nearby vineyards to see the first buds in the rows, an easy, gentle outing for families and slower travellers between café stops and the Jardin Public in bloom.

Summer: Linger by the Garonne where breezes cool the Miroir d’eau and pop-up terraces invite a late glass of white; let kids splash while couples drift on a sunset cruise. Stay out for street music and night markets that turn the historic centre into an easygoing open-air salon.

Fall: Follow the harvest rhythm with tastings in the Médoc or Graves and city wine bars pouring new releases, a relaxed season for food lovers and culture seekers. Crunch through golden parks, then settle into bistros for mushrooms, game and slow afternoons.

Winter: Step into museums and grand stone halls while the Christmas market along the Allées de Tourny glows with lights and mulled wine. It’s a quieter time for seniors and design fans to savour architecture, with cosy pâtisseries and easy day trips when the Atlantic storms put on a show.

Across the year, the calendar swings from the riverfront Fête le Vin or its sister Fête le Fleuve to summer open-air concerts and the luminous Christmas market, each one spilling into the quays and squares. Expect citywide celebrations that make tasting, strolling and people-watching part of the experience.