Bordeaux

Shop

Get even more with a Lonely Planet guide.

France

$29.99

Shop Book

171588827
Agriculture; Bordeaux; Church; European Culture; Field; France; French Culture; Grape; Growth; Haut-Medoc; Horizontal; Outdoors; Photography; Plant; Saint-Emilion; Tower; Vine - Plant; Vineyard;
Vineyard in the Berdeaux region in France, with a church tower on the horizon.

©Madzia71/Getty Images

LONELY PLANET’S RECOMMENDED eSIM

Stay connected in Bordeaux

with

Saily is an affordable eSIM service that helps you stay connected and secure, anywhere in the world.

Get your eSIM

Overview

An intoxicating cocktail of 18th-century savoir-faire, millennial hi-tech and urban street life, France's sixth largest city is among Europe's most exciting and gutsy players.

Attractions

Must-see attractions

La Cité du Vin

Bordeaux

The complex world of wine is explored in depth at ground-breaking La Cité du Vin, a stunning piece of contemporary architecture resembling a wine decanter…

Miroir d’Eau

Bordeaux

A fountain of sorts, the Miroir d'Eau is the world's largest reflecting pool. Covering an area of 3450 sq metres of black granite on the quayside opposite…

Cathédrale St-André

Bordeaux

The Cathédrale St-André, a Unesco World Heritage Site prior to the city's classification, lords it over the city. The cathedral's oldest section dates…

La Base Sous-Marine

Bordeaux

By far the city's eeriest and most menacing sight, this mammoth hulk of a submarine base (1941–43) was one of five built on the Atlantic Coast by the…

Basilique St-Michel

Bordeaux

This imposing Flamboyant Gothic church lies at the heart of St-Michel. Begun in the 14th century, it took more than 200 years to complete and is best…

Place de la Bourse

Bordeaux

This is Bordeaux's most iconic square. A mirage of elegance and symmetry, it was laid out by architect Ange-Jacques Gabriel between 1730 and 1775 and…

Porte Cailhau

Bordeaux

The main entrance into medieval Bordeaux, this grandiose 15th-century city gate was built to celebrate King Charles VII's victory at the Battle of Fornovo…

Musée d’Aquitaine

Bordeaux

Gallo-Roman statues and relics dating back 25,000 years are among the highlights at this bright and spacious, well-curated history and civilisations…

View more attractions

Planning Tools

Expert guidance to help you plan your trip

Best Things to Do

Bordeaux is brimming with culture, wonderful wine and rolling scenic hills. Plan your trip now with our guide to the city's best experiences.

Read article

Best Time to Visit

Bordeaux in southwest France has bags of appeal any time of year. Choose the best time for your visit with our seasonal guide.

Read article

Transportation

Whether you take the tram, hop on a bike or use your own two feet, it’s a breeze to get around one of France’s most beautiful cities.

Read article

Best Neighborhoods

Bordeaux is so much more than a provincial city in southwest France. This is everything you need to know about its vibrant, exciting neighborhoods.

Read article

Day Trips

While it might be hard to leave fabulous Bordeaux, these easy day trips from the city offer sand, nature, charming villages, and plenty of wines to taste.

Read article

Money and Costs

Here’s how to eat, drink and merrymake with Bordelais sass and cent-smart panache.

Read article

Traveling with Kids

Forget the capital – France's most family-friendly city is arguably beautiful Bordeaux. Here's all you need to know about visiting with tots in tow.

Read article

Spending Diaries

Senior Director of Publishing Laura Motta shows us how she threw together a quick, inexpensive weekend in Bordeaux, France.

Read article

Plan with a local

Experience the real France