My tips for visiting Bordeaux and the neighbouring region.
Why Bordeaux? To be honest, while my adoration for France is well documented, the main motivator for going was the cheap flight (give me a cheap plane ticket and I will go just about anywhere). And, after complaining about never exploring France’s southwest after all these years of visiting and even living in the country, a trip to Bordeaux provided a golden opportunity to get better acquainted with the region.
And thus, so it was that Liebling and I found ourselves on a plane to France’s wine capital one sunny Wednesday in late June.
Upon landing, we picked up our tiny rental car in the airport and were off on our merry way. (Sidebar: if you’re comfortable with driving abroad, I highly recommend hiring a vehicle to get around — it’s inexpensive and very convenient given the spotty public transit in this part of France.)
We had four days to discover the region; the following is my suggestions for what to do and see.
1. Stroll around Bordeaux’s beautiful centre-ville
If you’re a frequent reader, you’ll probably realise that many of my travel tips consist of taking a stroll around “x” destination. But, let’s be real, exploring on foot is often the best way to get to know a city, and in places as visually stimulating as France, it would be silly to not take advantage. With that said, Bordeaux has one of the most gorgeous city centres I have seen in France. There are grand squares flanked by tall fountains, and ornate buildings everywhere bursting with character, the mouth-watering aroma of French cuisine, and strains of accordion music. The Garonne River bisects the city — and long, wide walkways on either side of the river inspire romantic walks with a loved one or contemplative navel-gazing at the water while alone.
2. Visit neighbouring St. Emilion
Twenty-odd kilometres from Bordeaux, the wondrous medieval village of St. Emilion preens like a proud peacock. Nestled amongst some of the world’s most heralded vineyards, touring this UNESCO World Heritage Site is a great way to spend an afternoon. Take your time navigating its many cloisters, courtyards, and monasteries, and be sure to climb to the summit of the 53-metre bell tower affixed to the stately Monolithic Church — not only is it a great workout for your glutes, it’s also a prime lookout point for a kick-ass view of the village and lush greenery of the vineyards that surround it.
3. Do a wine tour
Come to Bordeaux without sampling the elixir that is its namesake?! Blasphemy! Even I, a non-drinker, made sure I had a sip (or three). The best way to do this, of course, is via a wine tour (of which there are plenty, given the region). One can join a tour of any of the chateaux in Saint-Emilion or the Medoc, both regions renowned for producing wine of enviable quantities and quality. We paid 10 euros per person for an hour long tour and wine tasting in Saint Emilion, and while I am far from being a wine connoisseur after my experience, it was fun to try different varieties of wine, snoop around the bowels of a winery, and learn about the industry in general.
4. Go to the Dune du Pilat
Bordeaux is a short drive away from the Atlantic, so if you crave large expanses of blue and briny sea air, succumb to the pull of the ocean and make your way to the coast. On your way, go have a look at the massive sand dune found on the shores of Arcachon Bay. Credited with being the tallest sand dune in Europe, Pilat reaches a height of nearly 110 metres. We allowed ourselves to stop here one afternoon, and while we spent the rest of the day shaking out the sand from our shoes, the view was totally worth it.
5. Eat your way around the quaint towns in the region
A trip to France ain’t a trip to France without stuffing your face with the local cuisine and taking in the pretty architecture while you’re at it. We indulged on too many occasions to count in little towns of Arcachon, Pauillac, and Lacanau. If the weather is good, open air dining is highly recommended! Make sure to nosh on all the usual suspects: mussels and fries, goat cheese salad, and melt-in-your-mouth croissants. Some deeper exploration of the town of Arcachon is also merited as it is so darn picturesque. Vive la France!
Is a visit to Bordeaux in the cards for you?
34 Comments
This looks wonderful!! I’m sold, definitely worth a trip.
Yay!
So nice to see Bordeaux getting some love! I moved there for my gap year, not knowing anything about the place. And it’s still my absolute favourite place in France. You picked some great things to do 🙂
Cool! Thanks for the feedback, good to know that a Bordeaux expert agrees with my tips!
I love Bordeaux- especially the beaches 🙂
Lizzy at Nomad Notebook
Great place right?!
Hi Oneika,
I am Canadian too and living in France (Toulouse).
Great blog.
I myself have fallen in love with France since moving here and I share with my readers some info about South west of France on http://southweststory.com
Right on my man!
That’s an awesome point
Why is it I always really feel like you do?
A fascinating discussion is definitely worth comment. I do believe that you need to
publish more on this subject, it might not be a taboo matter but typically people don’t discuss such issues.
To the next! Many thanks!!
This site was… how do you say it? Relevant!! Finally I have found something that helped me.
Appreciate it!
Right here is the right site for anybody who really wants to find
out about this topic. You realize so much its almost tough to argue with you
(not that I actually will need to…HaHa). You certainly put a fresh spin on a topic that’s been written about for a long time.
Great stuff, just great!
Whoa! This blog looks just like my old one! It’s on a
entirely different topic but it has pretty much the
same layout and design. Wonderful choice of colors!
Thanks on your marvelous posting! I quite enjoyed reading it, you will be a great author.I will ensure that I bookmark your blog and may come back
in the future. I want to encourage you to definitely continue your great posts, have a nice holiday
weekend!
This is really fascinating, You are an overly professional blogger.
I’ve joined your rss feed and look ahead to in the hunt for extra of your wonderful post.
Additionally, I’ve shared your website in my social networks
If you wish for to increase your experience simply keep visiting this site
and be updated with the most up-to-date gossip posted here.
Hello very nice site!! Guy .. Beautiful .. Amazing .. I will bookmark your website and take the feeds additionally?
I’m glad to seek out so many useful information here in the put up, we’d like develop extra techniques on this regard, thank you for sharing.
. . . . .
Wonderful beat ! I wish to apprentice while you amend your
website, how could i subscribe for a blog site? The account
helped me a acceptable deal. I were tiny bit familiar of this your broadcast provided
shiny transparent concept
WOW just what I was searching for. Came here by searching
for natural supplement
I was just telling my friend about that.
There’s definately a lot to find out about this topic. I love all the points you have made.|
great issues altogether, you just received a new reader.
What would you recommend about your post that you just made a few days ago?
Any certain?
bookmarked!!, I really like your site!
Good day! I could have sworn I’ve been to this site before but after browsing through some of
the post I realized it’s new to me. Nonetheless, I’m definitely
happy I found it and I’ll be book-marking and checking back often!
Greetings from Carolina! I’m bored to tears at work so I decided to browse your website on my iphone during
lunch break. I enjoy the information you provide here and
can’t wait to take a look when I get home.
I’m amazed at how quick your blog loaded on my mobile ..
I’m not even using WIFI, just 3G .. Anyways, very good site!
I will immediately snatch your rss as I can’t find your e-mail subscription link or newsletter service.
Do you have any? Please let me understand in order that I may subscribe.
Thanks.
Thanks a lot for sharing this with all people you really
understand what you’re talking approximately! Bookmarked.
Please additionally visit my site =). We can have a link trade agreement among us
Wow, this article is pleasant, my younger sister is analyzing these things, so I am going to
let know her.
Hello, yeah this paragraph is actually pleasant and I have learned lot of
things from it about blogging. thanks.
Fine way of describing, and nice post to get facts concerning my presentation subject matter, which i am going to deliver in academy.
It’s truly very difficult in this active life to listen news on Television, so I simply use the web for that reason, and take the most recent news.
That’s very good point
Howdy! I simply would like to offer you a big thumbs up for
the great info you have here on this post. I’ll be returning to your web site for more soon.