Bordeaux may be the second French city with the most protected buildings and historical monuments after Paris. The old town of the capital of the Garonne River is an architectural gem from the eighteenth century. Nevertheless, it has evolved over the centuries to remain faithful to its essence. This well-accomplished work such as urban planning and maintenance earned the city of Bordeaux the most important recognition of UNESCO, the 2007 worldwide heritage. Today, we’ll show you all the most important things to do in Bordeaux.
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It is that we like to visit destinations that enriches our culture, with a simple walk through the streets moving us to another century of layers and swords, where time is stopped and in which a candlelit dinner on a paved terrace in the old city makes us bohemian and happy. One of such magic destinations is undoubtedly Bordeaux, an ancient and peaceful, cosmopolitan and vibrant city where the art of good life is practised. Therefore, we take you on a guided tour through the best things to do in Bordeaux, the places you should not miss during your visit to this French city.
The best things to do in Bordeaux
The Water Mirror
One of the symbols of the city and the most photographed place in Bordeaux is the Water Mirror (Le Miroir d’Eau). Since 2006, the city has the largest mirror in the world, with about 3,500 square metres extending over the famous Place de la Bourse. In fact, the mirror is a huge granite plate covered with 2 cm of water, resulting in mirror and fog effects. In addition, the square is decorated with water games, fountains and water jets.
Place de la Bourse
This square is not only known because of the Water Mirror mentioned above. It is an 18th-century architectural ensemble built by Jaques Gabriel, Louis XV’s first architect, and the one who eventually brought Bordeaux into the world, promoting the trade and reputation of the city throughout Europe. The square has a rectangular shape and is accompanied by the former exhibition hall and the demarcated Hotel de Femmes (now National Customs Museum), whose facades glisten with fake masks that represent mythological motifs.
The Saint-Pierre district
The Saint-Pierre district is the oldest and the most historical area of Bordeaux. All you have to do is walk around and get lost in the streets while admiring the beautiful facades. That is one of the most beautiful experiences you can live in Bordeaux. In the past, the entrance to the harbour was located here, maybe that’s the reason why this area grew the most during the Middle Ages. Even today it is possible to see how the streets were named after the professions that took place here centuries ago: the merchants, the goldsmiths, the grain warehouses… One of the stops you have to make in this area is the Cailhau Gate, one of the accesses to the ancient walls with over 500 years of history.
Historical monuments
Few cities can say they have more than 300 buildings, declared as historical monuments, three of which are world heritage sites, including Saint André Cathedral, the famous stone bridge across the Garonne River, the Basilica of Saint Michel and the Grand Theatre. Because the city has a long history, it is one of the cities in Europe that has changed little in architecture in the last 200 years which means that there are many interesting places to discover.
The Wine City
Whether you want to do some wine tasting or not, one of the most visited places in Bordeaux is the Wine City and therefore -definitely- one of the best things to do in Bordeaux. It is located in a modern building where you can find all the information that relates to the production of wine with dozens of audiovisual projections, and a tour of about 2 hours, where you can discover all the secrets about the vineyards and the wine of Bordeaux.
Wine tasting in Bordeaux
In total there are 6 routes and up to 60 circuits and tastings related to the wine world, waiting for the wine lovers visiting Bordeaux. If you enjoy the countryside, then you should discover some of Europe’s oldest and most famous wineries. Within the agricultural area, the vineyard is one of the most important production. To discover these places we suggest to do these 6 tours: Médoc, Sauternes in Graves, Saint-Emilion Blaye in Bourg, Entre-deux-Mers and Bordeaux. There are several options with different prices, such as a bike ride, visiting the vineyard by boat or a package of three vineyards. You can choose what suits you best, but in any case you will enjoy a day where good wine will be the main part.
Boat tour
Bordeaux is a city closely linked to water which makes a boat trip one of the best things to do in Bordeaux. It was one of the places considered to be one of Europe’s most important port in the eighteenth century. That is one of the reasons why you can cross the Garonne River by boat nowadays. As mentioned earlier, this is an opportunity to visit the vineyards but also to discover Bordeaux. The tours start in the heart of Bordeaux and descend to the mouth where you can admire the charming natural surroundings of the city. Finally, if you have a passion for France’s gastronomy, you can also use the excursion to get to know the area’s cuisine, as most boat trips include food and drinks.
Public Garden
Few cities can say they have such a green area as Bordeaux. The so-called Public Garden is the perfect place to escape the urban core and relax in nature. In addition, it is one of the oldest parks since it was built in the mid-eighteenth century. Since then it is one of the most outstanding parks in the French nation. Here you will also find other important attractions such as the Botanical Garden or the Museum of Natural Sciences, a perfect place to visit with children.
It is impossible to not fall in love with this city, where the importance of historical monuments is perfectly combined with the surrounding nature: the vineyards, the Atlantic Ocean and the Garonne River. Bordeaux is the perfect setting for a holiday where leisure, history and gastronomy are in total harmony.