Free walking tours in Bordeaux and what to see

Must-sees

Bordeaux spreads along a bend of the Garonne, and its historic centre, the Port of the Moon, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The walk starts at Place de la Bourse, with its 18th-century façades reflected in the Miroir d’Eau, a sheet of water on the quayside that fills and empties. From there, the renovated riverside quays invite you to walk or cycle for kilometres. Inland are the Grand Théâtre, Saint-André cathedral with its free-standing bell tower, the Grosse Cloche and the Porte Cailhau.

South of the centre, the Saint-Michel district revolves around its Gothic basilica and tall spire, with a flea market and a working-class feel. To the north, the Chartrons district recalls the wine merchants of the past, with antique shops and wine cellars. Beyond it, the Cité du Vin, a curving building by the river, explains wine culture around the world. And around the city begin the vineyards of the Médoc, Saint-Émilion and Pomerol.

Free tours and guided visits

Bordeaux does have free walking tours, both of the centre and of Old Bordeaux and the Saint-Michel district, a good way to get your bearings on the first day. You can also book tickets for the Cité du Vin. To get out of the city there are trips to Saint-Émilion with a visit to its monolithic church and a tasting, small-group outings that add Pomerol, and a trip to Arcachon and the Dune du Pilat with an oyster tasting.

How long to spend

Two days at a good pace is enough for the centre, the quays and the Chartrons. If you want to spend half a day at the Cité du Vin and another on Saint-Michel and the markets, allow three. Each trip to the vineyards or the coast takes a further day: Saint-Émilion is less than an hour away and Arcachon is just over an hour. With four or five days you can combine city, wine and ocean without rushing.

Where to stay

The historic centre is the best base: between Place de la Bourse, the Grand Théâtre and Saint-Pierre almost everything is within walking distance. The Chartrons is quieter and close to the Cité du Vin. If you arrive by train or plan day trips, the area around Saint-Jean station is practical, and the tram takes you into the centre in a few minutes.