18 Top Attractions & Places to Visit in Bordeaux

With its urban elegance and provincial charm, Bordeaux is an appealing tourist destination in Southwest France. Bordeaux is called the "Port of the Moon" because of its romantic location on a crescent-shaped bend of the Garonne River. In this splendid setting that allowed trade to flourish, the city has a rich cultural heritage dating back to antiquity.

UNESCO declared Bordeaux a World Heritage Site in 1998 thanks to the city's wealth of architectural treasures. More than 350 buildings are classified as historical monuments.

Despite its astounding array of impressive landmarks, Bordeaux is not a tourist trap. It's a vibrant working city with bustling cafés, a happening restaurant scene, traditional open-air markets, and a booming high-tech industry.

Discover the best places to visit in this beautiful historic city with our list of the top attractions and things to do in Bordeaux.

Cathédrale Saint-André

A place of historical importance in the heart of Bordeaux, the Cathedral of Saint Andrew dates back to the 12th century. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this cathedral was part of the medieval Way of Saint James pilgrimage trail. Pilgrims traveled through Bordeaux from the Médoc, Tours, and the British Isles on their way to Santiago de Compostela in Spain.

Comparable to the Notre-Dame in Paris in its grandeur, the Cathedral of Saint Andrew has an impressive facade with sculptures of the Last Supper, the Ascension, and Christ in Majesty.

Interestingly, the western front side of the cathedral is completely unadorned, since it was originally too close to the old town walls. However, now opposite the cathedral stands the Hôtel de Ville (Town Hall), a marvelous 18th-century neoclassical building.

During the summertime (in July and August), the International Organ Festival is held at the cathedral. Attending an organ concert in the cathedral's heavenly setting is among the most enjoyable things to do in Bordeaux. Some of Europe's most talented organists perform at the festival.

The Cathedral of Saint Andrew is open to the public for visits Wednesday through Saturday from 2:30pm until 5:30pm.

Address: Place Pey Berland, Bordeaux

Attend a Performance or Tour Le Grand-Théâtre

The Grand-Théâtre is the centerpiece of the Place de la Comédie, a hub of city life and the ancient site of the Roman Forum. One of the city's most emblematic buildings, this monumental theater was built in 1780 in the harmonious neoclassical style of Bordeaux.

The building was designed by architect Victor Louis, who also designed the Palais-Royal and the Théâtre de la Comédie-Française in Paris in the late 18th century. The exterior features 12 colossal Corinthian columns along with statues representing the nine muses and the goddesses Juno, Venus, and Minerva.

The theater's interior features splendid foyers and a grand staircase that inspired Charles Garnier's design of the Paris Opera House. A dazzling 400-light chandelier made of Bohemian crystals adds to the opulent ambience.

Guided tours (in French) are available for those who would like to see the theater's lavish interior, including the auditorium and backstage area.

The most enjoyable way to discover the Grand-Théâtre is by attending a ballet, opera performance, or music recital. The Grand Théâtre is a performance venue for the Ballet de l'Opéra National de Bordeaux and Opéra National de Bordeaux companies, as well as other prestigious music recitals.

Address: Place de la Comédie, Bordeaux

Place de la Bourse

Lining the quays of Bordeaux for a half mile are palatial buildings from the Age of Enlightenment. The most magnificent examples are found at the Place de la Bourse, which epitomizes the elegance and harmony of neoclassical 18th-century architecture. These graceful monuments overlook the banks of the Garonne River.

In the center of the square is the Fountain of the Three Graces, surrounded by two beautiful pavilion-like buildings designed by Jacques Gabriel, the renowned architect of Louis XV: the Hôtel de la Bourse (also called the "Palais de la Bourse"), which was formerly the Stock Exchange and today is used as a conference center; and the Hôtel des Fermes du Roi, which houses the Musée National des Douanes (National Customs Museum), the only museum of its kind in France.

Between the Quai de la Douane and the Quai Louis XVIII, the Miroir d'Eau (Water Mirror) is a decorative pool that reflects the Place de la Bourse building facades. This contemporary UNESCO World Heritage Site could be called an "elegant puddle" or a "masterpiece of creativity." A fountain system alternates between mirror and mist effects. The reflection changes with the time of day and the weather.

Basilique Saint-Seurin

This exquisite basilica is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site because it was a stop on the medieval Way of Saint James pilgrimage. Mainly constructed in the 12th century, the basilica features the Romanesque architecture typical of churches on the route to Santiago de Compostela.

The choir, featuring a stone abbot's throne and ornate stalls, was built during the 14th and 15th centuries. The choir chapel is adorned with impressive Gothic reredos (decorative screens) that display 12 alabaster reliefs and a 14th-century Virgin Mary figure.

The oldest parts of the basilica are the 11th-century bell tower and the crypt, which is a treasure trove of ancient reliquaries and sarcophagi from the 6th and 7th centuries.

Address: Place des Martyrs de la Résistance, Bordeaux

Basilique Saint-Michel

Exemplifying an extravagant Gothic style, this basilica dedicated to the Archangel, is another important church on the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage trail. The Basilique Saint-Michael is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Built over a period of 200 years, from the 14th to 16th centuries, the basilica presents a pleasing unity of "Flamboyant Gothic" architectural elements.

The basilica has a freestanding belfry (at Place Canteloup) that dates to the 15th century. Locals call this 114-meter-high monument "La Flèche" ("The Spire") because the soaring structure functions as the church steeple.

Tourists will appreciate the colorful and cosmopolitan ambience of the Quartier Saint-Michel (neighborhood). The square in front of the Saint-Michel Basilica is the location of a traditional open-air market on Saturday and Monday mornings from 7am until 1pm, as well as a venue for Les Puces de Saint-Michel, a popular flea market held Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays from 9am until 12pm (and until 2pm on Sundays).

Address: Place Meynard, Bordeaux

Musée des Beaux-Arts de Bordeaux

Set in the sprawling Jardin de la Mairie park, with its statue-filled formal gardens, the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Bordeaux (Museum of Fine Arts) occupies part of the Hôtel de Ville (Town Hall). The museum provides an in-depth look at European art history, with a collection of paintings, sculptures, and drawings spanning the 15th to the 20th centuries.

The permanent collection includes masterpieces by Titian, Veronese, Rubens, Van Dyck, Delacroix, Matisse, and Picasso, among others. Paintings are organized thematically, grouped by era and country, such as the Renaissance, 17th-century Dutch still life paintings, French classicism of the 17th and 18th centuries, and 19th-century Romanticism and Impressionism.

The museum also presents temporary exhibitions on specific topics, such as British masterpieces from the Louvre Museum; landscape paintings from the 17th to 20th centuries; drawings by Goya that reveal a focus on physiognomy; and art on the subject of liberty, created during the Enlightenment and through the Romantic period.

Visitors will appreciate the museum shop that sells postcards, posters, and gift items. The museum does not have a café, but visitors may enjoy picnics on the park benches of the Jardin de la Mairie.

Address: 20 Cours d'Albret, Bordeaux

Official site: www.musba-bordeaux.fr/en

Musée d'Aquitaine

The Museum of Aquitaine vividly illustrates the history of Bordeaux and the region of Aquitaine from prehistoric times to the present day. The museum has exceptional pieces of antiquity, including the Laussel Venus, an artifact from 25,000 BC, Gallic gold coins from around the 2nd century BC, and a 3rd-century statue of Hercules.

Other highlights of the collection include the 13th-century figure of a knight of Curton and the 16th-century tomb of Michel de Montaigne. The monument to Montaigne once stood at the entrance of the museum, and visitors would touch the statue's foot as a ritual to "absorb" the wisdom of the illustrious man.

The museum has a boutique that sells books and gift items.

Address: 20 Cours Pasteur, Bordeaux

Official site: www.musee-aquitaine-bordeaux.fr/en

Esplanade des Quinconces

An expansive public space in central Bordeaux, the Esplanade des Quinconces is a tranquil retreat in the heart of the city, just a few blocks away from Le Grand-Théâtre. Flanked by the Quai Louis XVIII alongside the river, the esplanade offers peaceful waterfront views.

Built from 1818 to 1828, the square's monumental fountain honors the Girondins, the group of republican politicians from the département of the Gironde who were deputies in the Legislative Assembly during the French Revolution. The original fountain was destroyed during World War II and later restored. There are also statues of Montesquieu and Montaigne.

Another noteworthy attraction nearby is the Jardin Public, where you can visit the botanical gardens and the natural history museum. The 11-hectare Jardin Public is listed as a "Jardin Remarquable de France" ("Remarkable Garden of France"). The grounds include a picnic area and a salon de thé (tea salon) and a L'Orangerie that serves "cuisine bistronomique" (upscale bistro cooking) in the trendy dining room or at shaded tables on the outdoor terrace.

Just south of the Place des Quinconces is the Rue Sainte-Catherine, a lively pedestrianized street lined with many shops and cafés. This street is also the oldest existing thoroughfare in Bordeaux, as it was a road during Roman times.

Address: Place des Quinconces, Bordeaux

Musée Mer Marine

This innovative new museum allows visitors to discover the world of sea navigation and ocean exploration.

The museum's exhibits about oceanography and navigation reveal the history of Bordeaux, a city that was once Europe's largest port. On display are over 10,000 historic objects related to ocean adventures, including models of boats, navigation instruments, ocean maps, and atlases.

The exhibits on ocean exploration educate visitors about the fragility of marine ecosystems, with a focus on solutions to environmental problems.

The Musée Mer Marine also presents cultural events and temporary exhibits of contemporary art on the themes of the sea and seafaring.

Address: 89 Rue des Etrangers, Bordeaux

Official site: https://www.mmmbordeaux.com/en/home-page/

Palais Gallien

The Palais Gallien is a 2nd-century amphitheater and is the only remaining vestige of the Gallo-Roman era in Bordeaux. This site provides a glimpse of life during antiquity.

Originally, the amphitheater accommodated an audience of 20,000 (although it takes imagination to conjure up the scene, since so little of the monument has been preserved). The elaborate spectacles held here included gladiator combats and Roman games with live animals.

Address: Rue du Docteur Albert Barraud, Bordeaux

Tour Pey-Berland

This richly decorated tower is the freestanding belfry for the Cathédrale Saint-André. Built in the 15th century for the Archbishop Pey Berland, the UNESCO-listed tower exemplifies Flamboyant Gothic architecture with its ornate details, soaring spires, and angled corner buttresses.

As a more recent addition, a 19th-century statue of Notre Dame d'Aquitaine adorns the top of the tower. The tower rings an 11-ton tenor bell that was installed in 1853.

Visitors may climb to the viewing platform of the Pey-Berland Tower, which is open to the public Tuesday through Sunday (with an admission fee). The ascent to the top of the 50-meter-tall tower requires a hike of 229 steps. Breathtaking vistas of the Bordeaux cityscape reward the effort.

Address: Place Pey-Berland, Bordeaux

Pont de Pierre

One of the iconic sights in Bordeaux, the Pont de Pierre (Stone Bridge) spans the Garonne River with 17 graceful arches. Designed by engineer Claude Descamps, the Pont de Pierre was completed in 1821 after years of construction work. In the history of Bordeaux, this was the first bridge to cross the Garonne River.

Grosse Cloche

One of the remnants of medieval Bordeaux, the Grosse Cloche (Big Clock) is a monument built in the 13th and 15th centuries and has been restored to its former glory. The most distinctive features of this ancient gate tower are the clock and the bell (weighing over 7,000 kilos), which is rung for special celebrations such as Remembrance Day (November 11th) and the Fête Nationale (July 14th).

The Grosse Cloche once served as a prison and is redolent with stories from centuries past. Petty criminals were locked up in the tower dungeons, which were sealed shut by a 10-centimeter-thick door that was locked with massive bolts.

Address: 45 Rue Saint-James, Bordeaux

Musée des Arts Décoratifs et du Design de Bordeaux

Featuring a superb collection of decorative art objects, this museum displays furniture, tableware, jewelry, miniatures, and musical instruments from the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries.

The Musée des Arts Décoratifs et du Design de Bordeaux is housed in the lovely Hôtel de Lalande, an elegant mansion built between 1775 and 1779. By visiting the museum, tourists gain an appreciation for the cultivated lifestyle and exquisite decor of an aristocratic residence during the Enlightenment period in Bordeaux.

The museum's boutique sells artisan-crafted jewelry, ceramics, and decorative objects, while the on-site café (open Wednesday through Sunday) serves local seasonal cuisine for lunch and Sunday brunch, along with specialty coffee, tea, and homemade pastries. The café has pleasant outdoor seating in the courtyard.

The museum is open every day except Tuesdays and holidays. Opening hours are 11am until 6pm.

Address: 39 Rue Bouffard, Bordeaux

Château de La Brède

Listed as a Historical Monument, the Château de La Brède is a fortified medieval castle about a 30-minute drive south of Bordeaux. Built in the 13th century, the château bears a striking resemblance to Leeds Castle in Kent County, England.

Surrounded by 150 hectares of forest and encircled by a large moat, the Gothic château has a dreamy fairy-tale appearance. Dating back to the 13th century, this feudal castle was originally the residence of the lord of La Brède. The most famed of its owners was the philosopher, Baron de Montesquieu, born in the castle on January 18th, 1689.

Visitors may take a guided tour of the château and wander about the park, which is manicured with delightful English-style gardens.

The Château de La Brède is open to the public from March through mid-November and to groups (by pre-arranged booking) from March through December. In July and August, the Château de La Brède is open every day. In other months, the château is open Wednesday through Sunday.

Address: 65 Avenue du Château, La Brède 33650

Château de Cadillac

About 35 kilometers southeast of Bordeaux, the Château de Cadillac is a classified Historical Monument that was the residence of the Dukes of Épernon. Overlooking the Garonne River, the castle was built between 1598 to 1620 and is one of the finest examples of classical French architecture.

This majestic 17th-century château features a sumptuous interior complete with intricately sculpted fireplaces, delicate ceiling paintings, and lavish tapestries. The grounds include a formal French garden.

The château is open to visitors year-round for guided tours (in French) or self-guided tours, with a booklet available in various languages. The château is open every day from mid-June through September and every day except Mondays from October through May.

Throughout the year, special events and exhibitions are held at the château.

Address: 4 Place de la Libération, Cadillac-sur-Garonne 33410

Abbaye de La Sauve-Majeure

Located 25 kilometers from Bordeaux in the countryside of the Entre-Deux-Mers region, the Abbaye de La Sauve-Majeure is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The abbey nestles in a serene meadow, surrounded by 200 hectares of densely wooded grounds. The name "Sauve-Majeure" comes from "Silva Major," which means "Great Forest."

Dating from the 11th to 13th centuries, the abbey was built as a place of spiritual worship for the pilgrims on the Way of Saint James route to Santiago de Compostela. The abbey is renowned for its finely carved capitals, which are considered to be among the finest examples of Romanesque art.

The Abbaye de la Sauve-Majeure is open every day from mid-June through September and every day except Mondays from October through May. Guided tours are available. Visitors may explore the three-hectare property; the grounds include a lapidary museum and a picnic area.

Address: 14 Rue de l'Abbaye, La Sauve 33670

Prehistoric Cave Paintings at the Grotte de Pair-non-Pair

One of the oldest decorated caves in the world, the Grotte de Pair-non-Pair features prehistoric drawings of horses, deer, and mammoth. In 1881, François Daleau discovered this cave with the remains of an 80,000-year-old Neanderthal man and an 18,000-year-old Cro-Magnon man. Archaeologists also have found 15,000 tools from prehistoric times.

The Grotte de Pair-non-Pair is open to the public for guided visits. The guided tours are in French.

Address: 2 Chemin de Pair non Pair, Prignac-et-Marcamps 33710

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