Where to Stay in Bordeaux: 5 Top Areas + Hotels

It only took me being in Bordeaux for about 15 minutes for me to declare, “I LOVE Bordeaux.”

Seriously, this city has everything – history, culture, attractions, gorgeous architecture, cuisine, and wine. Known globally for its wine, wine culture is central to Bordeaux, with the city surrounded by some of the world’s most famous vineyards.

Visitors can explore wine museums, take vineyard tours, and enjoy tastings of the different wine varieties produced in the region.

For me, though, what made me fall in love with Bordeaux was the beauty of the neoclassical architecture, and vibe of the most historic districts, filled with picturesque squares, bustling markets, and charming streets.

And these historic districts really are special and unique. Each neighborhood, from St. Pierre to Les Chartrons, has its distinct history and vibe, making for a unique experience wherever you decide to stay.

There are a lot of options for where to stay in Bordeaux, so in this guide we’re breaking down our top 5 neighborhoods. We’ll discuss the vibe of the area, some of its history, and what things to see and do there. Let’s jump in!

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5 Best Areas to Stay in Bordeaux

To start us off, here is a map of where each neighborhood is located in relation to each other in Bordeaux.

Red=St. Pierre, Yellow=Triangle d’Or, Green=Les Chartrons, Purple=St. Michel. The final area (the countryside) is not represented on the map.

1. St Pierre – The Oldest District

St. Pierre is the historic heart of Bordeaux, known for its cobblestone streets, historic buildings, and maze of charming squares.

This area is bustling, especially in the evenings when locals and tourists gather in the many outdoor cafes, hang out in squares like Place du Parlement, or shop along pedestrian streets.

The architecture in St. Pierre is beautiful and regal, and many of the buildings date back to the 1700’s, when Bordeaux was thriving and growing. Walking through the streets makes you feel like you’ve been transported back to another time.

Many of Bordeaux’s top attractions are in St. Pierre, including the six remaining city gates in Bordeaux. The Grosse Cloche, an ornate medieval bell tower is an iconic landmark, and Porte Cailhou, another medieval gate, is also well-known.

Place de la Bourse, an impressive classical square, and its reflecting pool, the Miroir d’Eau is a highlight of St. Pierre. There’s also the Saint-Pierre Church, Rue Sainte-Catherine, or the historic Pont de Pierre bridge.

The west side of St. Pierre technically becomes the Hotel de Ville Quarter, also known as the Pey Bourland Quarter. However, for purposes of this post, a large section of this quarter has a similar feel and proximity to St. Pierre so we’re including it here.

Notable attractions include the Saint André Cathedral and its adjoining Pey Bourland tower, which you can climb to the top of.

Best Hotels in Saint Pierre

Hotel Singulier Bordeaux

Hotel Cardinal Bordeaux Centre

Hotel Madame

2. Triangle d’Or – The Fanciest District

The Triangle d’Or, or the Golden Triangle, is a prestigious neighborhood in Bordeaux, known for its upscale accommodations and historic significance.

During the 18th century, this was where the bourgeoisie class lived and congregated, and it was the place to see and be seen. Today, it still boasts some of the most expensive and luxurious addresses in the city.

Cours de l’Intendance is one of the avenues that form the Golden Triangle (which is literally shaped like a triangle). This lovely, elegant avenue is lined with luxury brands, making it a shopper’s paradise for wealthy clientele.

Key attractions in the Triangle d’Or include the Grand Theatre, a magnificent 18th-century opera house. Nearby, Place des Quinconces, one of the largest squares in Europe, is a nice greenspace that hosts festivals and events throughout the year.

Overall, this is a small but mighty neighborhood in Bordeaux, perfect for anyone seeking a little bit of luxury.

Best Hotels in the Triangle d’Or

Intercontinental Bordeaux Le Grand Hotel

Le Boutique Hotel and Spa

Hotel Majestic

3. Les Chartrons – The Winery District

Les Chartrons is a trendy and chic area just outside the city center. During the 18th century, this neighborhood was developed by wealthy wine merchants, who designed the buildings and streets to be perfect for wine cellars.

It was also an extremely exclusive area, and the wine merchants kept it as an exclusive community. One observer remarked that it was, “Almost a world apart in the city of Bordeaux, like the Forbidden City in the heart of Beijing.”

Today, the neighborhood is open, vibrant, and charming. Rue Notre Dame is a delightful street to walk down, full of colorful shop fronts, local boutiques, and greenery growing down the sides of the buildings.

Notable attractions include the Musée du Vin, or the Museum of Wine, which is located in a wine cellar and has exhibits about wine production and history in the Bordeaux area.

The Jardin Publique is a gorgeous public garden with walking trails, playgrounds, flowers, small gardens, a little pond, and cafes.

You can also find the Museum of Contemporary Art and the soaring St. Louis of Chartrons church in this neighborhood.

Where to Stay in Les Chartrons

Hotel Mondrian Bordeaux Les Carmes

Hotel Vatel Bordeaux

Hotel Indigo Bordeaux Centre Chartrons

4. St Michel – The Trendy, Cosmopolitan District

St. Michel is a large, cosmopolitan neighborhood that borders the St. Pierre district. Historically, this neighborhood was home to many sailors, merchants, and craftsmen, as well as Spanish and Portuguese immigrants.

More recently, it is home to North African, Turkish, and Kurdish immigrants as well as much of the student population. You can find a lot of North African and Turkish restaurants and bakeries in this area, serving delicious and unique dishes.

St. Michel is also home to the main train station in Bordeaux, the Gare St. Jean, so it is a very convenient area to stay if you will be doing many day trips into the countryside by train.

Prominent attractions in St. Michel include the Marché des Capucins, a covered produce, meat, cheese, and restaurant market dating back to 1749.

The St. Michel Church is a massive landmark, and the “Fleche” or bell tower of the church is the 4th tallest bell tower in France, and towers over the city.

Place de la Victoire, which holds the Porte d’Aquitaine gate and is the end of the Rue Sainte Catherine shopping street is also in the Saint Michel district.

Where to Stay in St Michel

Novotel Bordeaux Centre Gare Saint Jean

Hotel Life Bordeaux Gare

Staycity Aparthotel Bordeaux City Centre

5. The Countryside – For Idyllic Relaxation

Finally, one great option for where to stay when visiting Bordeaux is actually staying outside of the city center, in a chateau in the countryside. Chateaux (castles) are extremely common in this part of France, as large and small “chateaux” are generally found in the center of vineyards.

This option is best if you have your own transportation, and is especially great if you want some luxury and relaxation as part of your trip to the Nouvelle Aquitaine region.

It also is convenient if you’re planning on doing day trips to surrounding villages or wineries from Bordeaux, as you’re already outside the city.

Most of these accommodations are between a 20-30 minute drive into Bordeaux – very reasonable.

Best Places to Stay in the Countryside

Chateau Hotel Grand Barrail

Hotel Maison Pavlov

Les Secrets Chateau Pey La Tour

The Wrap Up

Bordeaux is an incredibly underrated city in France with so many amazing areas to explore. All of these areas and hotels will put you in a great position to easily discover and spend quality time in Bordeaux.

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