My tips for visiting Bordeaux and the neighbouring region.
Why Bordeaux? To be honest, while my adoration for France is well documented, the main motivator for going was the cheap flight (give me a cheap plane ticket and I will go just about anywhere). And, after complaining about never exploring France’s southwest after all these years of visiting and even living in the country, a trip to Bordeaux provided a golden opportunity to get better acquainted with the region.
And thus, so it was that Liebling and I found ourselves on a plane to France’s wine capital one sunny Wednesday in late June.
Upon landing, we picked up our tiny rental car in the airport and were off on our merry way. (Sidebar: if you’re comfortable with driving abroad, I highly recommend hiring a vehicle to get around — it’s inexpensive and very convenient given the spotty public transit in this part of France.)
We had four days to discover the region; the following is my suggestions for what to do and see.
1. Stroll around Bordeaux’s beautiful centre-ville
If you’re a frequent reader, you’ll probably realise that many of my travel tips consist of taking a stroll around “x” destination. But, let’s be real, exploring on foot is often the best way to get to know a city, and in places as visually stimulating as France, it would be silly to not take advantage. With that said, Bordeaux has one of the most gorgeous city centres I have seen in France. There are grand squares flanked by tall fountains, and ornate buildings everywhere bursting with character, the mouth-watering aroma of French cuisine, and strains of accordion music. The Garonne River bisects the city — and long, wide walkways on either side of the river inspire romantic walks with a loved one or contemplative navel-gazing at the water while alone.
2. Visit neighbouring St. Emilion
Twenty-odd kilometres from Bordeaux, the wondrous medieval village of St. Emilion preens like a proud peacock. Nestled amongst some of the world’s most heralded vineyards, touring this UNESCO World Heritage Site is a great way to spend an afternoon. Take your time navigating its many cloisters, courtyards, and monasteries, and be sure to climb to the summit of the 53-metre bell tower affixed to the stately Monolithic Church — not only is it a great workout for your glutes, it’s also a prime lookout point for a kick-ass view of the village and lush greenery of the vineyards that surround it.
3. Do a wine tour
Come to Bordeaux without sampling the elixir that is its namesake?! Blasphemy! Even I, a non-drinker, made sure I had a sip (or three). The best way to do this, of course, is via a wine tour (of which there are plenty, given the region). One can join a tour of any of the chateaux in Saint-Emilion or the Medoc, both regions renowned for producing wine of enviable quantities and quality. We paid 10 euros per person for an hour long tour and wine tasting in Saint Emilion, and while I am far from being a wine connoisseur after my experience, it was fun to try different varieties of wine, snoop around the bowels of a winery, and learn about the industry in general.
4. Go to the Dune du Pilat
Bordeaux is a short drive away from the Atlantic, so if you crave large expanses of blue and briny sea air, succumb to the pull of the ocean and make your way to the coast. On your way, go have a look at the massive sand dune found on the shores of Arcachon Bay. Credited with being the tallest sand dune in Europe, Pilat reaches a height of nearly 110 metres. We allowed ourselves to stop here one afternoon, and while we spent the rest of the day shaking out the sand from our shoes, the view was totally worth it.
5. Eat your way around the quaint towns in the region
A trip to France ain’t a trip to France without stuffing your face with the local cuisine and taking in the pretty architecture while you’re at it. We indulged on too many occasions to count in little towns of Arcachon, Pauillac, and Lacanau. If the weather is good, open air dining is highly recommended! Make sure to nosh on all the usual suspects: mussels and fries, goat cheese salad, and melt-in-your-mouth croissants. Some deeper exploration of the town of Arcachon is also merited as it is so darn picturesque. Vive la France!
Is a visit to Bordeaux in the cards for you?
34 Comments
This looks wonderful!! I’m sold, definitely worth a trip.
Yay!
So nice to see Bordeaux getting some love! I moved there for my gap year, not knowing anything about the place. And it’s still my absolute favourite place in France. You picked some great things to do 🙂
Cool! Thanks for the feedback, good to know that a Bordeaux expert agrees with my tips!
I love Bordeaux- especially the beaches 🙂
Lizzy at Nomad Notebook
Great place right?!
Hi Oneika,
I am Canadian too and living in France (Toulouse).
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I myself have fallen in love with France since moving here and I share with my readers some info about South west of France on http://southweststory.com
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