Picture a mini Parisian city, without the crowds but surrounded by the most significant wine-growing terrior in France - this is Bordeaux! Expect incredible places to wine and dine, amazing architecture and an all around charming city.
Bordeaux is the largest and most significant wine growing region in France. It is the leading appellation (AOC) of France, attributed to the great diversity and high quality of its terrior. If you enjoy wine, this should be a must stop region when in France.
Bordeaux is located in the southwestern region of France and easily reached by car, plane or train. Arriving by plane? We recommend flying into Bordeaux-Merignac International Airport (BOD), which is about 10 kilometers from the city center. There is also a high-speed train (TGV) from Paris-Montparnasse which only takes two hours.
In wine terms, the city is divided into two parts, the Left Bank were you’ll find the famous, premium AOCs of Margaux, Médoc, Graves and Sauternes, and the Right Bank where you’ll find Pomerol and Saint-Émilion. Four of the most well known appellations on the Left Bank are St-Estèphe, Pauillac, Saint Julien and Margaux.
EAT
Bordeaux offers a taste of many French delicacies in the city and surrounding regions. There is so much to try that you can easily fill up a weekend eating and drinking your way through the city. Note that some restaurants close between lunch and dinner service, so be sure to time meals accordingly! Reservations are recommended (especially in the current COVID-19 environment) .
Chai Pascal A more casual option compared to L'Huitrier Pie but tasty nonetheless! Great for lunch.
Restaurant Cromagnon Chef Oxana delights with a creative menu, combining flavors and tastes to excite your pallet. Order a la carte or go for the tasting menu with the wine pairing.
L'Huitrier Pie Another amazing stop. This gem is right off the main entrance to the city of Saint-Émilion and should be at the top of your list. Beautifully crafted plates with an explosion of flavors, this stop was a genuine delight.
Le M Lovely ambience and incredible modern, French food. This spot should be high on your list. We chose the five course tasting menu: unforgettable!
Marché des Capucins is a historical local market offering local produce, cheese & wine, plus prepared foods & coffee.
The Place du Parlement is a square filled with great restaurants right in the city center.
Restaurant Soléna This Michelin star spot is well worth a visit. The food is creative but not overwhelming. Dishes are fairly simply (no more than three ingredients per recipe). They also offer a surprise menu for those daring to try!
DRINK
We highly recommend booking a wine tour or renting a car for a self-guided tour through the region. There is so much to see and try in the region. If you chose the self-guided route, be sure to research and select your wineries in advance, making reservations where needed.
Not keen on driving? We loved our tour with Ophorus. The company offers small group tours with English speaking guides. We have been on both the Medoc and the Bordeaux, full day tours. We really enjoyed the wine tastings and freedom provided in the tour to explore Saint Émilion.
The following are a few of our favorite places for wine and more:
Cave Wine Not Traditional wine shop in Saint-Émilion where you can organize tours and tastings, or simply stop in and buy your favorite vintage.
L’Alchimiste Right off the main street, this is a cute little spot to grab a coffee and chill. The service is very friendly.
Le Bar à Vin Wine bar offering local Bordeaux wines.
Thunevin Wine producer, distributer and shop located in Saint-Émilion. We stopped in to try a few wines are were not disappointed. The owner was very kind, spoke English with us and explained all of the wines in great detail.
PLAY
Garaonne Riverfront Promenade Perfect for a walk!
Jardin Public a beautiful 25 acres of gardens, small ponds, bridges, and flowers. This is the perfect spot to relax, picnic, go on a run through, or even nap. Passing through, stop at the l’Orangerie for coffee or lunch.
La Cité du Vin A museum dedicated to all things wine. Learn about the history, geography, geology, and also how it’s made around the world.
Miroir d’Eau - Be sure to check out the world’s biggest reflecting pool. Take a stroll along the river and enjoy the beautiful reflections of the Place de la Bourse.
Porte Cailhau Visit this historic site which used to be the main entrance into the old city walls of Bordeaux.
Shop and stroll through Sainte Catherine Street, with over a kilometer of boutiques, restaurants and bars. For smaller boutiques with local designers, try Mieux and Apache.
DAY TRIPS
Saint-Émilion is definitely a must stop for wine lovers, but this medieval, UNESCO World Heritage Site is charming with or without wine. The town is about 40 minutes from Bordeaux. We have noted above some of our favorite restaurants in the area.
Head west to the sea and check out Arcachon Bay. The perfect stop for sunshine, world renowned oysters and some prestigious wine.
Rent a car for a day and head to the beautiful beaches in Biarritz. Biarritz is located 2.5 hours from Bordeaux, and an awesome place to go to enjoy the sun, sand and surf. In the evening, be sure to check out Les Halles, the trendy area of Biarritz.
STAY
We recommend staying in the city center if you are only in Bordeaux for a few days and doing day trips to the vineyards. If you are not interested in a city stay, try Saint Émilion as your base. We personally prefer to stay in AirBnbs in this region. There are several options in the city which allow you a bit more flexibility and price ranges.
Chateau Gassies This is BnB offers the perfect stop away from it all. A great place to stay in the summer, fully equipped with a swimming pool, gym and sauna. Breakfast served daily but no restaurant on-site so plan to dine outside the Chateau in the evenings.
In the city, we enjoyed our stay at La Maison Bordeaux, a boutique 4-star hotel. This dog-friendly hotel was a great option for exploring the city and in walking distance to all major sites and top restaurants. Breakfast is available but not included.
Yndo Hotel A beautiful boutique hotel in the heart of the city! This private 19th century mansion has been transformed into a five-star hotel. The hosts are warm and welcoming and there is a restaurant on-site to indulge in.
If you are staying in wine country, we loved our stay at Chez Henri . This simple and rustic BnB is 10 minutes from St. Émilion . The owner, Henri, is a kind-hearted Norwegian sommelier who will ensure you have the best stay. He is even available as a guide for wine tastings and tours.
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