Bordeaux holidays

How to reach Bordeaux

Flight time: Flights to Bordeaux from London take about 1 hour 45 minutes. There are also flights from other major UK airports, including Manchester and Birmingham, with similar durations.

Transfer time: From Bordeaux–Mérignac Airport, 12km west of the city, the 30’Direct shuttle bus takes 30 minutes to Saint-Jean train station.

Price: A bus ticket from the airport to the city centre costs €8 one-way. Taxis cost between €30 and €40 for a trip to the centre.

Best time to visit Bordeaux

Choosing the best time to take your holidays to Bordeaux will depend on how much you enjoy the heat and how you wish to spend your time there.

March to May:

• Spring is a delightful time to visit Bordeaux, with extremely pleasant weather and far fewer crowds.

• Temperatures range from 10°C to 20°C with around 7-9 hours of sunshine daily, while rainfall is moderate, about 50-70mm per month.

June to August:

• Summer is peak tourist season with increased numbers visiting the local vineyards.

• Temperatures range from 20°C to 28°C, expect about 10-12 hours of sunshine daily, and rainfall is less than 40mm per month.

September to November:

• Autumn offers a more relaxed atmosphere and is also the season for wine tasting as it coincides with the local grape harvest.

• Temperatures range from 10°C to 20°C and there are still 7-9 hours of sunshine daily.

• Rainfall hovers around 60-80mm per month.

December to February:

• Winter in Bordeaux is mild compared to the UK.

• Average temperatures range from 5°C to 12°C, there are 5-7 hours of sunshine daily and rainfall is around 70-90mm per month.

Practical information

• Spoken languages: French is the main language, but many people here speak English. It’s always appreciated if you try a few basic French phrases.

• Local habits and customs: Bordeaux has a relaxed and sophisticated vibe. Meals are leisurely affairs, with lunch often lasting a couple of hours.

• Currency: The Euro (€) is the currency used. ATMs are widely available, and credit cards are accepted in most places.

• Getting around: Tram services operate on the three lines regularly between 4.30 am and 12 midnight, and extend into Bordeaux’s suburbs. You can either purchase single tickets or packs of ten from machines at tram stops or newsagents (tabacs). You can also buy an unlimited-use pass, available for between one and seven days.

• Electricity and plug types: Voltage is officially 230V, using plugs with two round pins. UK travellers will need an adaptor.

• Time zone: Bordeaux is in the Central European Time zone (CET), which is 1 hour ahead of GMT. Daylight Saving Time is observed.

Best things to do in Bordeaux

First-rate museums, excellent shopping, fine restaurants and lively nightlife make Bordeaux an absorbing place to spend a long weekend - and of course, there’s the wine.

Viewpoints and panoramas

• Pont de Pierre: Built on Napoleon’s orders during the Spanish campaigns, with 17 arches in honour of his victories, the views of the river and quays from here are stunning, especially at dusk.

• La Cité du Vin: Not only a museum dedicated to wine, but also a place offering incredible views from its belvedere. Sip a glass of wine while enjoying the breathtaking vista.

The best districts

• Chartrons: Formerly the wine district, this is becoming increasingly cool, sprouting artists’ studios, vintage shops and restaurants, as well as a Sunday farmer’s market on the quay.

• Place de la Bourse: Stunning both day and night, the city's main square is given a magic touch courtesy of The Miroir d’Eau, a large reflecting pool.

Museums

• La Cité du Vin: In this, the city’s finest museum, a visit includes a digital guide through exhibits that take you from wine cultivation and production to the history of the wine trade and current trends - best of all, there’s a glass of wine at the end.

• Musée Mer Marine: Set by the water in the area that was the city’s thriving port in the 19th century, displays here combine historic maritime artefacts that run through the history of navigation, boat building and exploration.

Parks and gardens

• Jardin Public: A beautiful formal park, the Jardin Public contains the city’s botanical gardens as well as a small natural history museum.

• Parc Bordelais: Located in the Caudéran district, this park offers up vast green spaces, a playground and even a small animal farm.

Historical monuments

• Monument aux Girondins: A glorious fin-de-siècle ensemble of statues and fountains built in honour of the local deputies to the 1789 Revolutionary Assembly.

• Cathédrale St-André: Built between the 11th and 15th centuries, with twin steeples over the north transept and an adjacent bell tower, the interior of the cathedral is vast and impressive.

• Grand Théâtre: Built by the architect Victor Louis in 1780, the lofty exterior is adorned with pillars, Muses and Graces, while inside is awash with flamboyant trompe l’oeil paintings; attend an opera or ballet, or join a guided tour.

Day trips in the area

• Dune du Pyla: Europe’s largest dune is a mighty mountain of golden sand and the views from the top span the entire Côte d’Argent.

• Angoulême: Maybe the best-kept secret in France – beautiful, historic, lively, full of things to do, and hardly a tourist in sight.

• Wine Country: Bordeaux’s wine regions lie in a great semicircle around the city, starting with the Médoc in the north, then skirting east through St-Émilion, before finishing south of the city among the vineyards of the Sauternes - just make sure you have a designated driver!

Activities for families in Bordeaux

Ok, so wine might not be on the agenda (much) for families, but there’s stacks to keep the younger ones entertained.

• Theme parks and adventure: Although Bordeaux doesn’t have its own theme park, the nearby Parc de la Coccinelle in Gujan-Mestras is an all-inclusive amusement park with rides and attractions for all ages.

• Interactive museums: Best for kids is the Musée Mer Marine which, while examining the effect climate change has on the oceans and the impact of plastic waste and overfishing, has plenty of interactive bits and bobs for the children.

• Beaches: Yes, there are beaches in the city: Bordeaux Lac to the north of the city and Begles in the southern suburbs.

Free things to do in Bordeaux

It might not be the cheapest city in France, but there are plenty of ways in which you can make the budget stretch on your Bordeaux holidays.

• Museums and galleries: If you happen to be here on the first Sunday of the month, take advantage of the museums, all of which open their doors for free. Many of the art galleries are free all the time anyway.

• Visit the markets: Marché des Capucins, Bordeaux’s main covered market hall, is an epicurean journey through France, with fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, seafood, breads and pastries - many items you can sample for free.

• Street art: Bordeaux’s street art scene is second to none, so wander the streets in search of giant murals; head to the Bassin a Flot district or the hipster Darwin quarter which has a large concentration of works.

• Festivals: Bordeaux’s Fête le Vin is the big one, where you can sample wine until your heart’s content - but there are free events happening on all the major squares throughout summer.

Nature and outdoor activities

Bordeaux’s location within striking distance of forests and the ocean means that there’s no shortage of wild and adventurous things to do.

• Hiking: Part of the largest pine forest in Western Europe, Les Landes is not only a beautiful place, but strong on outdoor pursuits, particularly hiking, with superb trails running through the forest and along the coast.

• Surfing: The surfing at Les Landes is world-class, with the town of Hossegor in the south being home to one of the best beach break waves on the planet. What are you waiting for?

• Cycling: Bordeaux is a bike-friendly city with many dedicated cycling paths. Liberty Cycles at 104 cours d’Yser rents out bikes, as does Station Vélo Services at 36 Place de Stalingrad. Or venture out to the surrounding countryside: the Roger Lapébie cycle path is a popular route that takes you through many a scenic vineyard.

Local dishes in Bordeaux

Whilst its wine is justifiably considered the best in the world, Bordeaux’s cuisine is just as legendary, and you can eat as well here as in any French city.

Some typical dishes

• Lamproie à la Bordelaise: This most traditional of Bordeaux dishes comprises lamprey, a type of eel, cooked in a red wine sauce with leeks, onions and ham - and the lamprey’s blood…

• Confit de canard: Another Bordeaux staple, duck is slow-cooked in its own fat until tender, then served with crispy potatoes and a side of salad.

Meat dishes

• Entrecôte à la Bordelaise: A thick, juicy steak cooked in a rich red wine sauce (naturally) alongside shallots, bone marrow and herbs.

• Boudin noir: Blood sausage made with pork blood and fat, flavoured with onions and spices; mashed potatoes or apples are the usual accompaniment.

Fish and seafood dishes

• Cap Ferret oysters: Mussels from Cap Ferret cooked in a broth of white wine, shallots, parsley and butter; utterly delicious.

Street food

• Panisses: Chickpea fritters that are crispy on the outside and soft inside, this ubiquitous street food is usually served with a sprinkle of salt and a squeeze of lemon.

Sweets and desserts

Canelés are small, caramelised cakes with a soft, custardy interior, flavoured with vanilla and rum, while Macarons de Saint-Émilion are chewy, almond-based macarons which are a bit different from the more commonly known Parisian macarons - some say even better.

Local drinks

• Bordeaux wine: The region is world-famous for its wines; from the robust reds of the Médoc to the sweet whites of Sauternes, there’s a wine to suit every palate.

• Pineau des Charentes: A sweet fortified wine made from grape juice and cognac best enjoyed as an aperitif or with a dessert.