Despite my passion for great wines, I had never visited Bordeaux until very recently. This city, located in the heart of the Bordelais region in the South West of France, is where some of the greatest wines are made. People come from all over the world to discover this region and enjoy what the city has to offer. I decided to book a long weekend in Bordeaux right after the harvests to avoid peak season but still get nice weather. However I didn’t expect to get such good temperature (25℃); I truly had a blast. I spent two days exploring Bordeaux, and the next day I went on a day trip to Bassin d’Arcachon for a short beach break! As always, I used Airbnb to book my accommodation, and mostly relied on public transit to get around the city. However I also hired a car from the train station to be able to get out of the city on my last day.

Bordeaux Wine Tasting - Chateau Pape Clément — Bordeaux

Paradise for Wine Lovers

1- MÉCA

La Maison de l’Économie Créative en Nouvelle-Aquitaine (MÉCA) opened its doors earlier this year. It is a brand new building located very close to the train station, therefore it is the first thing I’ve visited upon arrival. The 12,000 m² space is dedicated to contemporary art.

2- Old Town Doors

What I truly enjoyed (as a pedestrian) is that the city center of Bordeaux cannot be accessed by car. This helps protecting it and makes the experience much more peaceful and quiet. The Old Town still has the remains of 6 medieval doors, including the two pictured below: Grosse Cloche and Porte Cailhau.

3- Château Pape Clément

Now the fun part begins :) A trip to Bordeaux wouldn’t be complete without a wine tour. I decided to book a tour at a prestigious vineyard located near the city to be able to go there using public transit only. Château Pape Clément is located in Pessac and will give you the impression of being lost in the middle of the countryside even though you’re not. I highly recommend making a reservation at least one week in advance by sending them an email. The visit costs €20 and lasts about 1:30.

4- Miroir d’Eau

One of Bordeaux’s emblems is Place de la Bourse where you can find Miroir d’Eau, the world’s largest reflecting pool situated along La Garonne river. Check it out during sunrise or sunset for a better experience! From there, you can walk alongside the river until you reach Pont de Pierre.

5- Mama Shelter

If you’d like to get a nice view over the city center, Mama Shelter’s rooftop terrace is the place to go. They serve great food and will provide you with friendly service.

6- Bistrot de Tutelle

At night, I highly recommend trying out one of Bordeaux’s French restaurants. I met up with some friends while I was there, and fully trusted them to choose a good spot to have dinner. Bistrot de Tutelle did not disappoint. They serve local food at an affordable price. Some of the region’s typical dishes are duck magret, foie gras, oysters and lamb.

7- Basilique Saint-Michel

The Basilica of Saint-Michael is stunning and located very close to the famous Pont de Pierre. Every Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday morning, there is St. Michael’s flea market happening right in front of the church. Also, if you’re looking for a nice coffee shop in the area to get some work done, I highly recommend checking out le Buro des Possibles. It costs €21 to work there all day, and gives you free access not only to wi-fi, but also to a certain selection of drinks and pastries.

8- Cité du Vin

La Cité du Vin is located in an up-and-coming artistic neighourhood of Bordeaux called Bacalan. It was inaugurated in 2016 and it costs €20 to visit. You can buy your ticket online to skip the lineup, or you can always buy it at the entrance if you arrive early. The visit include access to their permanent exhibition, a temporary exhibition, as well as a wine tasting happening on their rooftop terrace.

9- La Toque Cuivrée

Bordeaux’s most famous pastry is undoubtedly the little canelé, a small cake flavoured with rum and vanilla, with a soft center and a caramelised crust. Warning: it gets addictive! The best place to get it is called La Toque Cuivrée. There are a few of these bakeries in Bordeaux and outside the city.

10- Place de la Comédie

Last but not least is Place de la Comédie and its surroundings. This is where you can find the Grand Theatre of Bordeaux, and its facade is really beautiful. It is facing the Intercontinental Hotel, which is also really nice and has a rooftop bar. If you feel motivated enough, you can walk up to the City Hall for drinks, or to Saint-Catherine Passage for shopping.