9 Reasons Bordeaux Needs to Be On Your Bucket List

Bordeaux absolutely took my breath away, and I say that as someone who’s traveled extensively around France. It took me way too long to finally make it to this southwestern French city, but it immediately shot up to the top of my favorite French cities list.

While it is only the 9th largest city in France, it had more “big-city” energy than some of the other bigger cities (e.g. Toulouse or Nice). Bordeaux has a lively atmosphere while also retaining an intimate feel.

As you stroll through Bordeaux, you’ll encounter elegant squares and impressive architecture at every corner. For me, beautiful buildings and architecture is a top reason I fall in love with a city, and Bordeaux delivered in spades.

Plus, there’s just so much to see and do in Bordeaux. So, let’s explore what makes Bordeaux worth visiting and such a remarkable destination, from its rich history and stunning visuals to its world-renowned wine culture.

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9 Interesting Reasons to Visit Bordeaux

1. Bordeaux Has a Rich History and Stunning Architecture

Bordeaux is often called “mini-Paris”, thanks to its beautiful Haussmanian architecture.

The mastermind of modern Parisian style that we know and love (think ornate, intricate stone facades on buildings with wrought-iron balconies, detailed sculptures, and gorgeous doors) was Georges Haussman, who came from Bordeaux where he had a similar influence on this city.

Bordeaux was first established over 2000 years ago by the Roman Empire. The Romans recognized the quality soil for grape growing in Bordeaux and were the first to introduce vineyards and wine production to the region.

In the Middle Ages Bordeaux was controlled by England, and the English had a noticeable impact on the history and architecture of the city.

Many of the buildings in Bordeaux today are from the 18th century and are built in a neoclassical style with grand and ornate facades. This period was a major point in the history of Bordeaux, where the wine trade helped the city flourish and become incredibly wealthy.

Bordeaux’s fascinating history today makes the city like a real-world museum to wander around, and the overall feel of the city is beautiful and luxurious.

Finally, there are six gates in Bordeaux, leftover from when Bordeaux was a walled city. These gates were built at different times over the course of many centuries, and two gates are standouts for size and beauty: Porte Cailhou and La Grosse Cloche.

La Grosse Cloche is famous for its ornate clock and bell, as well as the indicators noting the direction of the water flow in the river (and thus how easily ships could leave port).

2. You Can Learn So Much About the Wine Culture and History

While you can find vineyards and wineries aaaallll over France, Bordeaux is undoubtedly (and very deservedly) THE most famous wine region in France. There are 5000 vineyards in and around Bordeaux alone!

You can learn about the history and current production of wine growing in two different, fascinating museums in Bordeaux, and both are worth a visit.

The Musée du Vin occupies a historic wine cellar and is situated in the historic Chartrons neighborhood—once the exclusive area of wealthy wine merchants.

Here you’ll discover exhibits detailing Bordeaux’s wine trade and production, the design features of local buildings made for wine storage, and the intricate process of crafting wine barrels. The experience concludes with a tasting of two wines, included in your admission.

Contrasting this, the Cité du Vin provides a more comprehensive view of viticulture, encompassing global wine history, production, and economics. This larger, modern museum includes a variety of interactive exhibits, such as animated diagrams, hands-on displays, and a playful grape-stomping activity.

It also features a “smelling station” to experience the aromas typical in wines and an interesting and very informative exhibit on the steps of wine production. The visit ends on the eighth floor, where you can sample wines and enjoy panoramic views over the river and cityscape.

Even for those who don’t drink, like my 10-year-old daughter who was with me on my visit, both museums are engaging and worth a visit. (Plus, non-alcoholic grape juice is available at tastings, ensuring an inclusive experience for children and non-drinkers)

3. Chateaux and Vineyards and Wine Tastings, Oh My!

Once you learn about the history and production of wine in the museums, you certainly cannot leave Bordeaux without visiting at least a few of the wineries that fill the countryside around the city.

In France, and the Bordeaux region in particular, vineyards are referred to as “chateaux”. The word chateaux means “castles” in French, and while many of the buildings are quite lovely, this generally just refers to the small estate surrounded by vineyards.

If you go out into the countryside to go on a wine-tasting tour, you’ll be visiting different “chateaux.”

There are a few chateaux that are on the outskirts of the city of Bordeaux, including Chateau Pape Clément, but you’ll have the best experience if you head out into the countryside a little bit farther.

You find literally hundreds of chateaux surrounding the nearby village of Saint-Emilion (A UNESCO World Heritage Site). This village and countryside feel like they’re right out of some kind of idyllic French novel, with rows and rows of vineyards surrounding the most charming chateaux as far as the eye can see.

While you can certainly visit some of these wineries on your own, it may be more convenient to book a tour, like:

Doing a wine tour through the countryside around Saint-Emilion is a very popular way to spend a day in Bordeaux.

4. Charming and Beautiful Squares All Over the City

In Bordeaux, the squares reveal much about the city’s rich history and local life. Among these, the Place de la Bourse is particularly noteworthy.

This large square was designed to showcase Bordeaux’s wealth and prestige to visiting wine traders and dignitaries, and is encircled by beautifully designed buildings and a large fountain that reflect Bordeaux’s architectural elegance.

Just in front of the Place de la Bourse lies the Miroir d’Eau, the world’s largest reflecting pool.

This striking feature is a favorite for capturing the square’s architectural beauty in its reflective waters, particularly striking during the evening when the light enhances the scene.

The Old Quartier extends beyond the Place de la Bourse, featuring a maze of charming squares and narrow streets branching off from each square.

As you wander through these areas, you’ll come across numerous smaller squares, each offering a fun glimpse into the local culture, often lined with cafes and shops, and monuments like churches or city gates.

Read Next: Where to Stay in Bordeaux

5. Enjoy the Vibrant City with Tons of Activities

One of the things I really enjoyed about Bordeaux was how I never felt I had run out of things to do.

For example, there are two gorgeous church towers – the Pey Berland Tower and the Saint Michel Fleche – that you can climb for panoramic views over the city. (Note that the Saint Michel Fleche is currently closed for reconstruction until 2026).

Don’t skip going into the Saint-André Church and the Saint-Michel church as well.

The Grand Theatre of Bordeaux is an iconic fixture in Bordeaux, and you can visit the Opera House with a guided tour or book tickets to actually see a show here.

The Bassins de Lumières is a WWII submarine bunker that was transformed into a dynamic, large-scale art and light show art and light installation, where artwork is projected onto the walls, synchronized with music, and transforms dynamically. The “Starry Night” finale almost moved me to tears.

Besides the wine museums, the Museum of Aquitaine (showcasing the history of Bordeaux and the Aquitaine region), as well as the Bordeaux Fine Arts Museum, are top cultural destinations in the city.

Bordeaux has a beautiful riverfront walkway to stroll along, where you can walk to the historic Pont St Pierre, or even take a riverboat cruise on the Garonne River.

As mentioned earlier, Bordeaux is famous for her grand city gates. Porte Cailhau and La Grosse Cloche are the biggest and most well-known, and you can enter and climb up both of these historic gates.

The Jardin Publique welcomes visitors with a grand wrought iron gate and features terrace cafes, sculptures, expansive green spaces, and a botanical garden. Enjoy winding paths, charming ponds, and children’s play areas —all free to visit.

6. Bordeaux is Great for Foodies

While Lyon is technically France’s capital of gastronomy and haute cuisine, Bordeaux actually has the most restaurants per inhabitant and is also a top foodie destination in France.

Cafes and restaurants spill out onto tiny side streets and charming squares all over the city, and there are numerous types of cuisine represented in the city (indeed, we had some absolutely fantastic Korean food while in Bordeaux).

But if you’re looking for the best regional cuisine to eat while in the city, you can’t miss out on these specialties:

Canelé: A caramelized pastry with a custard center. This is THE thing to eat in Bordeaux, the city is well-known for being the birthplace of these delightfully unique treats
Entrecote Bordelais: A succulent steak cooked in a rich beef + wine sauce
Cap Ferret oysters: Harvested from the nearby Atlantic coastal town of Arcachon
Dune Blanche: A light cream-filled choux pastry also from nearby Arcachon

Pro Tip: Going on a food tour is a great way to sample many of Bordeaux’s delicious foods. This was one of our favorite activities while in the city.

7. There are Excellent Shopping Options

No matter what kind of shopping opportunities you’re looking for, Bordeaux has something for you.

Explore the “Golden Triangle” where the upper class lived for generations, for the highest concentration of luxury brands. Cours de l’Intendence, in particular, is a beautiful avenue filled with luxury names.

In contrast, Rue Sainte Catherine is the longest shopping street in Europe at over 2km long, and has a huge variety of chain stores and bargain clothing stores.

Throughout the rest of the city, you’ll find many independent boutiques and European chains.

8. Enjoy Many Great Day Trip Options Nearby

Bordeaux’s countryside is filled with adorable towns and intriguing attractions to visit.

As mentioned above, the village of Saint-Emilion, a center of wine production, is practically a must-do when visiting Bordeaux.

Arcachon is a delightful, pretty seaside village, and the Dune de Pilat is a massive sand dune that ends literally on the sea.

The medieval villages of Bergerac and Sarlat-la-Caneda are charming to stroll through, and the seaside resort city of Biarritz is a popular destination for relaxing on the beach.

9. Bordeaux is Well-Connected To the Rest of France

Despite being practically on the Atlantic Ocean, Bordeaux is very well-connected to the rest of France by train and plane. The city has its own international airport, as well as a busy train station with high-speed and countryside trains departing every few minutes.

You can take a high-speed direct train to Paris from Bordeaux and arrive in just 2 hours, and you can easily visit many of the towns in the surrounding countryside in just 20-30 minutes.

If you want to get to Toulouse, Montpellier, or Marseilles, it’s just a few hours on the train and a very simple journey.

Is Bordeaux Worth Visiting? The Wrap Up

At this point, I hope I’ve convinced you to add Bordeaux to your short list of places to visit in France. It’s an incredible and beautiful city, and I can’t wait to go back again!

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