Photo: Patrick Despoix · CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Bordeaux
Golden stone quays, a giant water mirror and the world's wine capital.
An elegant river city of honey-coloured stone: grand 18th-century quays along the Garonne, a square that doubles in a giant water mirror, Gothic churches with towers to climb and lanes of cafés in between. The capital of the world's best-known wine region, with a whole museum to wine and fast trains from Paris.
Places to see
- Place de la BourseSight · A royal square of pale stone palaces opening onto the river, with a fountain of the Three…Free
Water mirror (Miroir d'eau)Sight · A huge granite slab on the quay covered with a couple of centimetres of water that…Free
Saint-André CathedralChurch · A long Gothic cathedral with twin spires over its north door, carved portals and a very…Free
When to go
- Jan10° / 3°Often wetQuiet
- Feb12° / 3°Some rainQuiet
- Mar15° / 5°Some rainQuiet
- Apr17° / 7°Some rainBusy
- May21° / 11°Some rainBusy
- Jun24° / 14°Some rainBusy
- Jul27° / 16°Mostly dryVery busy
- Aug27° / 16°Mostly dryVery busy
- Sep
Staying and getting around
Good areas to stay
The centre and Saint-Pierre. The old town between the cathedral and the river: shopping streets, the Grand Théâtre and café-filled lanes. Central, with a few hostels.
Saint-Michel and the station. A lively, mixed quarter of markets and cheap eats around the basilica, running down to Saint-Jean station: the budget base.
Flying in
Bordeaux–Mérignac (BDX): Tram A into the city centre, about 45 min, ≈ A$4. An ordinary tram ticket; a faster shuttle bus to the station costs more (check).
Flewaway's estimate for the usual budget way into Bordeaux; check times and fares before you fly.
Getting around
You can walk everywhere. A single ticket is ≈ A$4. The centre and quays are flat and walkable; trams run along the river to the Cité du Vin and to the station. River shuttle boats cross and run up and down the Garonne on an ordinary ticket (check).
TBM 24-hour ticket (≈ A$10, 24 hours): Unlimited trams, buses and river shuttle boats; worth it if you'll ride three or four times (check).
Tourist tax
Bordeaux's taxe de séjour: usually about €1–2 a person a night in hostels and budget hotels, paid at check-in; under-18s don't pay (check).
