Bordeaux, always famous for its wine, has recently increased its fame
thanks to the charm of its architecture and the opportunities it
offers not only in the charming historical center, but also in short
distance excursions. A place that is suitable for couples looking for
romantic corners, as well as for single travelers, lovers of art and
beautiful scenery.
The first day
Morning: Breakfast, Place de la Bourse, Grand Theater, Saint-André Cathedral
A visit to Bordeaux begins with a hearty breakfast at the Creperie
Gourmand restaurant, located right in the center, which offers the
most classic French dishes, as well as recipes full of innovation and
originality. Breakfast prices from 10.00 euros per person.
Immediately afterwards, set off to discover the symbol of the city,
the Place de la Bourse, close to the Garonne River, with its historic
buildings and the famous Miroir d’eau, the greatest natural
attraction. Another emblematic place is the Grand Theater of Bordeaux,
a majestic neoclassical building that houses the very representation
buildings of the city. Visiting the Opera with guides is possible from
Tuesday to Sunday, check the availability and prices in accordance
with the program of events.
The last stop before lunch is Saint-André Cathedral, an imposing
Romanesque building. Entrance to the church is free from Tuesday to
Sunday from 10:00 to 12:00 and from 14:00 to 18:00; To visit the bell
tower, you need to buy a ticket worth 6 euros per person, free for
children under 18 and for people with disabilities with an
accompanying person. Near the cathedral you can find the perfect place
for lunch: Plume, famous for its brunches and French cuisine. Prices
from 6.00 to 15.00 euros per person.
Afternoon: Lunch, Cit du Vin, rue Sainte Catherine, Cours de
l’Intendence, Notre Dame Church.
After lunch, the first stop will be Cit du Vin, located about ten
minutes from the center, which can be reached by tram. This cultural
place will introduce you to wine that you can’t taste anywhere else.
Entrance is allowed from 01.06 to 31.08 from 09:30 to 19:30; from
01.09 to 30.09 from 09:30 to 19:00 (Saturday and Sunday until 19:30);
from 01.10 to 31.10 from 09:30 to 18:30 (Saturday, Sunday and public
holidays until 19:00); from 01.11 to 31.12 from 9:30 to 18:00
(Saturday, Sunday and public holidays until 18:30). The cost of an
entrance ticket for adults is 20 euros, reduced – 16 euros; for
children from 6 to 17 years old 8 euros, for children under 6 years
old free of charge.
Dedicate the rest of the day to rest, without refusing to walk around
the historical center and its beauties. Take a walk down Rue Sainte
Catherine with many shops for memorable shopping, but above all there
are grocery stores. Continuing north of the historic center, you will
come across another shopping area considered to be the most elegant in
the city, namely Cours de l’Intendence, full of boutiques of the most
famous brands. Along this road, you will also have the opportunity to
see the Notre-Dame church, which, although very different from the
famous cathedral in Paris, is still worth a visit. Admission is free
and possible every day from 9:00 to 19:00.
Evening: Place Des Quinconces Bordeaux, dinner and Garonne embankment
Spend the evening strolling along the romantic banks of the Garonne
river among the shops and clubs built from the old buildings that
still characterize the area. To dine in the area, stop at Bistrot
L’Exploit, a place a stone’s throw from the river in perfect French
style. Dinner prices from 17.00 to 40.00 euros per person. In the
vicinity is the Place Des Quinconces Bordeaux, one of the largest
squares in Europe, which houses a monument to the Girondins who died
during the reign of terror during the French Revolution.
The first day
Eventually:
Distance traveled: 11.5 km / 2 h 22 min
Places to visit: Place de la Bourse, Bolshoi Theatre, Saint-André
Cathedral, Cit du Vin, rue Sainte Catherine, Cours de l’Intendence,
Notre-Dame Church, Quai Garonne.
Where to eat: Breakfast at Creperie Gourmand, Lunch at Plume, Dinner
at Bistrot L’Exploit.
Second day
Morning: breakfast, Saint-Michel district, March de Capucins
The second day can be devoted to visiting the southern part of the
city. But definitely after breakfast. Food du Got can offer a classic
French breakfast in the open air, with prices ranging from 3.00 to
15.00 euros per person. After this mouth-watering start, head to the
aforementioned Saint-Michel area, where you will visit the church of
the same name with a bell tower nearby. Apart from the Gothic style,
the church is important because it is one of the stops on the famous
Camino de Santiago. Entrance to the church is free and allowed every
day from 10:00 to 12:00 and from 13:00 to 18:00. However, to visit the
bell tower you will need a ticket that costs 5 euros per person.
Another important place to visit in the morning because it may be
closed later is the March de Capucins.
the largest indoor market in Bordeaux, open free of charge from
Tuesday to Sunday, where you can shop and also enjoy the authentic
atmosphere of the locals. If it’s time for lunch, you can dine right
in the market, perhaps wanting to diversify the cuisine and try the
famous La Maison du Pata Negra tapas. Prices from EUR 5.00 to EUR
20.00 per person.
Afternoon: Lunch, Place Victoire, Gustave Eiffel footbridges, Saint Eloi
After a light lunch, your walk south of the city of Bordeaux can
continue with a visit to the Place de la Victoire, a place as folklore
as a market, where you can get to know different ethnic groups,
perfectly integrated into a Mediterranean context. After that, pay
attention to Gustave Eiffel’s Passerelle: the railway bridge. The day
can end with a visit to the symbolic gate of Saint-Eloi, which you can
climb. They are two towers, inside of which is the famous gross
cloche, the symbol of the city. Open daily from June to September from
13:00 to 19:00; from March to May and from October to November only on
Saturdays from 14:00 to 17:00. The cost of a single entry is 5.00
euros per person.
Evening: dinner, Pont de Pierre
Cross the Garron across the Pont de Pierre, a bridge built in the
Napoleonic era and consisting of seventeen arches. This area is sure
to have a place to dine with the right atmosphere. O p’tit Bahut,
slightly off center but overlooking the river and the bridge. The
cuisine is classic French and prices range from 18 to 24 euros per
person.
Day three
Morning: Breakfast, la Dune du Pilat
After breakfast, you can spend the day exploring the countryside,
close to the center of Bordeaux. You can have breakfast at Kuro
Espresso Bar Bordeaux, located in the center: all homemade dishes,
with a price range for breakfast from 8.00 to 12.00 euros per person.
It is worth starting the journey from la Dune du Pilat, which is the
highest dune in Europe, a kind of European desert. If you don’t have a
car, you can get to the area by public transport: first of all, you
need to get to the Arcachon station; after which, right before the
stop, you can take bus number 1, which will take you to the dune in
forty minutes. Tickets start at 5 euros one way per person. Check the
departure time before you go to the bus stop, as the buses don’t run
often.
When you reach the dune, you will find yourself in front of a mountain
of sand, which you can climb by lowering your feet or climbing a few
steps. However, at the top, the show is guaranteed. Dune can be
visited at any time of the year, admission is free. You can have lunch
at a kiosk or in a chalet right at the foot of the dune. Among others,
Le Food Truck des Dunes, a kind of fast food restaurant with prices
below 10.00 euros per person.
Afternoon: Lunch, Arcachon
Perhaps tired but satisfied with your morning excursion, you could
dedicate the day to the city of Arcachon, a Moorish-style seaside
resort with many restaurants, ice cream parlors, and a very popular
promenade. The charm of Arcachon has been known for centuries, as it
has been the seat of many eminent personalities such as D’Annunzio or
Lautrec. Visit the fishing area of Aiguillon, characterized by small
houses with red roofs and verandas overlooking the sea.
Evening: Dinner, Pier Thiers
Before returning by train to Bordeaux, you can spend some time at the
Pier Thiers, which, especially in summer, comes alive with events. End
your day with a delicious dinner at La Saison 3, an excellent fish
restaurant with prices ranging from EUR 15.00 to EUR 45.00 per person.
How much is a weekend in Bordeaux
Bordeaux is an exemplary European city, with characteristics very
similar to other small cities in France and Central Europe. Although
it is a very elegant and sophisticated center, it is not an expensive
place and, depending on the choice, can fit into various budgets,
including taking into account the daily expenses for food and
recreation.
Meal cost: from 50 euros per day per person on average for breakfast,
lunch and dinner
The cost of visiting museums and attractions: less than 10.00 euros
per day per person on our proposed itinerary
Transport: from €4.60 per day per person per pass; EUR 1.50 one way
per person for transfer from the airport to the center
Hotels, accommodation and b & b from 35.00 € per room
Leisure: from 15 euros per day per person for a coffee in the bistro
and an aperitif with a glass of wine and a selection of cold cuts or
cheeses
Total cost for a weekend in Bordeaux: from 290.00 euros per person
Before you leave: useful tips
When to go to Bordeaux: Bordeaux is a city located in the southwest of
France, at the center of the famous Aquitaine wine region, influenced
by its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean. Thanks to its rich cultural
heritage as well as the landscape, it can be visited all year round,
but the period between late spring and early autumn is the best,
thanks to the spectacle of flowering vineyards. In addition, the
climate is mild and never excessively hot.
How to take: The best way to get to Bordeaux is definitely by plane.
The city is connected to the rest of Europe through Bordeaux-Merignac
Airport, located about forty minutes to the west.
Where to sleep: Without a doubt, the preferred area to stay in
Bordeaux is the historic center, full of hotels to suit all budgets
and convenient to visit most attractions, from cultural to those
geared towards relaxation, such as shops for shopping or clubs and
evening entertainment. For those on a tight budget, we advise you to
choose the Saint-Michel district: a bit decentralized, it is
considered the most multinational area of the city and is complemented
by the presence of the station of the same name, which also connects
other cities in France. Hotels and pensions from 35.00 € per room.
How to get around: Bordeaux is a small city, mostly focused on its
historic center, so it’s best to get around on foot or by public
transport, also given that many areas are closed to traffic. The bus
network is very efficient and offers day passes for €4.60 or weekly
passes for €13.00 per person.
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