Bordeaux is a magical city, and it is a favorite destination for tourists. The city is in the South of France and is a UNESCO Heritage Site. Most of the city sits on the banks of the Garonne River, and the city is surrounded by a green belt. The city is home to historical sites like the Cathedral of Our Lady of Bordeaux, and the St. Jean Cathedral, as well as the Aquarium of Aquitaine. The city’s most famous landmark is the Château D’If, a castle that is now a museum.
Aside from these famous tourist destinations, here are the top seven things that you can do when you are in Bordeaux:
- Take a wine tour at Maison du Vin — One of our favorite things to do in Bordeaux is to take a wine tour through one of the city’s most prestigious wine connoisseurs, Maison du Vin, located in the center of the city. Tours are done in English, and you will get to taste and learn about various wines — from the most prestigious to the most inexpensive, all in one place.
- Visit La Cité du Vin — At the very heart of the city of Bordeaux is a unique transformation in the traditional wine-making process: the Maison de la Cité du Vin, a place that brings together the best of both worlds — at the forefront of innovation, and also of the tradition and history of the Bordeaux region. Established in 1855 by Jean-Pierre Sullerot to create a place for the study and practice of wine-making, the site today is no less than a museum.
- Be mesmerized with the historical collections at Musée d’Aquitaine — The Musée d’Aquitaine is one of the most important collections of French art in the world. This museum is housed in a historic building filled with stunning art, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is located in the former Hôtel de Ville, which was built in the eighteenth century as a town hall.
- Take a scenic route in Pey-Berland — Pey Berland is a medieval town located in Bordeaux, France. The town is known for its walls and citadel, and in the 16th century was one of the most important strongholds in France. In fact, it was so important that it was used as a setting for the series of cliffhangers in the long-running Charlie Hebdo.
- Shop for more when in the Rue St-Catherine — In the heart of the city’s oldest district, the Rue St-Catherine is home to centuries-old half-timbered houses and colorful shops. It’s a place where you can buy everything from fine wine to furs, but also where you can find a great range of shops selling souvenirs such as caps, scarves and other trinkets.
- Check your reflection when you visit Miroir d’Eau or the Water Mirror in Place de la Bourse — Looking for an excuse to explore Bordeaux’s Place de la Bourse? You may want to consider the Water Mirror, which is the only one of its kind in the world. Located in the city’s main square, the Water Mirror is an iconic sculpture by the French artist Christian Lacroix. The watery sculpture was originally designed to represent the city’s port and the men and women who worked in it. Nowadays, the beautiful piece of art is a symbol of the city itself, a symbol that was finally realized in 1993. If you’re in Bordeaux anytime soon, you should definitely take a look.
- Indulge in a delicious journey when you visit Marché des Capucins — The best way to experience the beauty and diversity of French food culture is to travel to the regions and provinces where the food is the best, and to eat as locals do. And there is no better place than Marché des Capucins! Its name literally means “Market of the Capuchins”, a reference to a group of Franciscan friars who first settled in Bordeaux in 1316. The market is open every day from 8 am to 10 pm, and is a place where you can find fresh, tasty, and very affordable food.
Bordeaux is a city that never sleeps, and people even in the off-season come here to enjoy the urban life. This is just as true in July as it is in June. Boats, dinners, concerts, and wine tastings are some events that take place even in the off-season. So, out of the seven things listed above, which of them are you interested to include in your travel to-do list?