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Top 10 Things To Do in Bordeaux

You might be familiar with Saint Emilion wines, or the internationally renowned wine fair Vinexpo. If not, fret not- these wines and the fair are synonymous with Bordeaux.聽 This city remains a powerhouse and influences the wine industry the world over. The city is located smack in the center of a major wine-growing and wine-producing region.

There is however more to Bordeaux than the wine industry. Bordeaux records the highest number of preserved historical buildings of any city in France. The city is located to the Southwest of France, close to the European Atlantic coast. Explore the top 10 things to do in Bordeaux and discover this city of art and history. You might get a chance to take a very close look at some of the 362 historical monuments- Bordeaux has a lot of these. In fact, it is the city with the most monuments after France.

La Cit茅 du Vin

La Cit茅 du Vin- by Als33120- Wikimedia Commons

A visit to La Cit茅 du Vin is quite the introduction to Bordeaux鈥檚 wine culture otherwise referred to as viticulture. This visit will give you hours or days as a make- believe sommelier! A La Cit茅 du Vin visit features exhibitions, workshops and guided tours, events and shows, a robust reading room, a visit to the Belvedere– all things wine. The Museum also has restaurants and shops to crown it all where you can have culture rich bites and meals while you collect souvenirs for your time in Bordeaux.

Right from the outside of the museum, you will be mesmerized by the ultramodern building that houses scores of audiovisual material on wines of Bordeaux as well as those of the world.

Place de la Bourse

Place de la Bourse- by Xellery- Wikimedia Commons

This is one of Bordeaux鈥檚 symbols representing a break from a former closed up city with walls to what it is now- rectangular square with bevelled corners and buildings and tastefully decorated with mascarons (sculpted faces- these would be interesting to peer at!) and wrought iron.

The square boasts H么tel des Fermes, and H么tel de la Bourse. These two are a sight for sore eyes, as well as the water mirror- a pool with little water which reflects Place de la Bourse and sometimes gets misty. It makes the square that much more photogenic.

La Grosse Cloche

La Grosse Cloche- by Raptor- kev- Wikimedia Commons

La Grosse Cloche is one of the oldest bell towers in all of France. It is a traditional gateway to Bordeaux. If you happen to be in Bordeaux on New Year鈥檚 Day, you might hear the bell, called 鈥淎rmande- Louise鈥�, ring, or hear it ring on the first Sunday of every month and additionally during major events six times a year.

The towers was once a prison to petty offenders. You could climb up it for a closer look at the bell, and ponder at the interesting inscription on it that translates to 鈥淚 ring for the hours and my voice is a call to arms, I sing for happy events and weep for the dead.鈥�

Esplanade des Quinconces

Esplanade des Quinconces- by M.Str墨姆is- Wikimedia Commons

One of the most popular locations in Bordeaux is Esplanade des Quinconces. This is no doubt due to the elaborate and gigantic statues, the fountain and multimodal transport hub. The space is also large hence a popular spot for fairs, circuses, sporting events and artistic events in Bordeaux- it鈥檚 always popping.

Esplanade des Quinconces is as picturesque as it gets, you will definitely enjoy your pictures taken at this spot.

Bordeaux Cath茅drale by Marc Ryckaert- Wikimedia Commons

The cathedral is a national monument of France, and was erected gothic style which makes it stand out. It has a collection of religious artwork which may interest you, consisting of a group of forty two illuminations among which you will find paintings, sculptures, liturgical vestments and silver objects. This collection was named the Marcad茅 collection.

This Cathedral holds quite some history- the year 1137 saw the marriage of Eleanor of Aquitaine and the future Louis VII who were only 13 and 17 respectively at the time!

Grand Th茅芒tre de Bordeaux

Grand Th茅芒tre de Bordeaux- by Christophe. Finot- Wikimedia Commons

This magnificent and colorful building stands tall. Its one of the oldest wooden fame opera houses in Europe that did not succumb to fire nor require rebuilding- a sturdy building this one. As you walk into the theatre you will marvel at the blue and gold colors that adorn its interior as well as its interior grand staircase, after which that of the Op茅ra Garnier is modelled.

The Grand Th茅芒tre de Bordeaux is the place to catch Op茅ra National de Bordeaux, and the Ballet National de Bordeaux in performance. The most famous artists have performed on the Grand Th茅芒tre de Bordeaux, putting Bordeaux and the theatre on the world map.

Mus茅e d鈥橝quitaine

Mus茅e_Aquitaine- by Tiraden- Wikimedia Commons

History enthusiasts and the curious will be able to quench their thirst for knowledge at Mus茅e d鈥橝quitaine. This museum at the centre of Bordeaux successfully brings together objects and documents from prehistoric Bordeaux and Aquitaine, to date.

This history powerhouse takes up a huge space, in order to accommodate the large statues as well as the various categories that make up the history, such as the first floor walkway that is unusual as it is dedicated to the Gironde vineyards, terroir, grape varieties, diseases of the vine, tooling among聽 others. There is also space dedicated to Bordeaux Atlantic trade and slavery, which may come as a surprise.

The wealth of information here will set you back 5鈧� for the permanent exhibition, or if lucky a reduced price of 3鈧�.

Rue Sainte-Catherine

Rue_Sainte-Catherine- by Superbass- Wikimedia Commons

Welcome to the longest shopping street in all of Europe- Rue Sainte- Catherine is a whopping 1.2 kilometers long! You will see spaces filed with people from one end to the other if visible, as this street has almost been entirely pedestrianized since 1984. This is one busy street and particular crowded on Saturdays.

Rue Sainte- Catherine will afford you the opportunity to shop at major French chains as well as in shops. Everybody loves a good bargain- you are sure to make awesome bargains in February and July when clearance sales take place. You can shop till you drop, or refill at the many restaurants and cafes that line up the street. A Rue Sainte- Catherine trip is a shopaholic’s haven, and definitely one of the top 10 things to do in Bordeaux for the explorer.

Pont Jacques Chaban-Delmas

Le_Pont_Chaban_Delmas- by Patrick Despoix- Wikimedia Commons

After taking in a lot of history and looking at ancient but beautiful buildings, Pont Jacques Chaban- Delmas is a breath of fresh air. This magnificent bridge is the tallest lift bridge in France and the whole of Europe. Its construction showcases technological prowess, even to the inexperienced eye.

While the beauty and architecture of Pont Jacques Chaban- Delmas is breathtaking, a glimpse of it at night will blow you away! The night light illuminates it revealing a stunning fa莽ade of the Port of the Moon. Depending on the tide, the pylons can appear blue or green for high and low tides respectively. You will be glad you got to experience Pont Jacques Chaban- Delmas, especially by night.

Jardin Public

Jardin public- by Thomon- Wikimedia Commons

An opportunity to relax at a picturesque park, right at the heart of Bordeaux isn’t to be passed up, especially if you have been to much busier places such as Rue Sainte- Catherine. This public park presents the greenery you might have missed seeing during your Bordeaux visit, but maintaining the familiarity of the honey-coloured stone of stately 18th century buildings you may have become accustomed to.

You鈥檒l relax at the park as you watch the swans and ducks at the pond while taking in fresh air. Simply put, you get to chill out at this park, and get some deserved respite.

From wine, food, history, ancient buildings and amazing architecture, Bordeaux gives quite the ride. It is no wonder that the historic part of Bordeaux found its way onto the UNESCO World Heritage List as an outstanding urban and architectural ensemble of the 18th century.