You’ve planned your trip to France, you wanted to visit more than Paris and chose Bordeaux as your next destination, but now you don’t really know what to see? We’ve got you covered! This beautiful city by the River Garonne in Nouvelle-Aquitaine has a lot to offer. The historic center is even part of the World Heritage List. Lots of architecture, history, the parks, the food, the famous wine… Bordeaux will welcome you with all of this and much more. Here are some recommendations for you!
1. Place de la Bourse
Begin your trip visiting Bordeaux’s main square, Place de la Bourse, built in the 1700s. There you will find the HĂ´tel de la Bourse and the HĂ´tel des Fermes. It was designed as a Royal Square and it consists in two symmetrical buildings and a single hotel in the middle of them. If your accommodation is far away from the place, you can catch a tram or even come by car – an underground parking lot is also provided. One feature that you cannot miss in this square is the Fountain of the Three Graces, representing god Zeus’ three daughters: Aglaia, Euphrosyne and Thalie. You should also check the eye-catching water mirror and the way it reflects the square with different optical effects. Did you know that it is the largest water mirror in the world?
2. Saint André Cathedral
We recommend you this beautiful Roman Catholic church as one of your next stops. It’s located near the Town Hall. Dated around 800 A.D., you should know that this gothic church was actually used as a storage during the French Revolution, and also went on fire in the 19th century. It was then restored and redecorated. Also don’t forget to take a look at the Pey-Berland tower, added in the 15th century and rebuilt in 19th century after being taken down during the French Revolution. You can actually enter the Cathedral on Wednesday or Saturday in the afternoon, so pay attention to the timetable if you want to visit it on the inside as well! Otherwise, you can still enjoy the beautiful view from the outside whenever you walk by place Pey-Berland.
3. Jardin Public
It’s always good for you to stop at some green, natural spaces during your trip. The Jardin Public is the perfect place for this! Visit the arboretum and find out about all the plant species that it features; check out the beautiful library and explore the Natural History Museum. If you’re a family and have children, you will also find lots of entertainment and spaces designed for them. Take a look at the original iron gates, the statues, the terraces. And don’t forget to enjoy the sun and the open air, perfect to rest after hours of touring around the city.
4. Museé Des Beaux Arts de Bordeaux
You will discover that Bordeaux is full of art, and one place where you can admire it definitely is the Bordeaux Museum of Fine Arts. It hosts new exhibitions every year, but you can also find permanent ones, from 15th to 20th century. Enjoy pieces from the Renaissance, Romanticism, Impressionism and so on. Look at some great artwork from artists such as Delacroix, Picasso, Perugino, Matisse and many others. A must-see for everyone!
5. Le Grand Théâtre de Bordeaux
What more to see in Bordeaux? Definitely this gem – Bordeaux’s opera house, Le Grand Théâtre de Bordeaux. Designed by the architect Victor Luis and inaugurated in the 18th century, you will recognise it for its grand structure of 12 columns and the 12 statues above them representing the nine Muses and the three Goddesses – Minerva, Juno and Venus. Check out the official website and see if there’s any performance you’d like to buy a ticket for! The inside of the theatre will fascinate you just as the outside.
6. Bordeaux Docks
You will find another great view at the Bordeaux Docks, right in front of Place de la Bourse. Before the end of the 90s, the view on the river was actually blocked by old buildings. Thanks to a massive restoration, nowadays you can walk along the docks and enjoy green spaces, beautiful modern structures, cafés and bars (were you can taste the famous Bordeaux wine!) and lots of other entertainment venues. When you visit Bordeaux you definitely should take a stroll along the docks – it really is worth it.
7. Pont de Pierre
Proceed to discover another symbol of the city – the Stone Bridge, or Pont de Pierre. It was the first bridge built across the Garonne and its construction was ordered by Napoleon Bonaparte. Perfect for a walk in the late afternoon or early evening, you will be granted a great view from it, and will also have the perfect spot for taking stunning pictures to remember your French trip.
8. Place des Quinconces
And finally, visit one of the biggest squares in Europe and another great symbol of Bordeaux – Place des Quinconces, built in the 19th century and located near the river Garonne. King Louis XVIII had it built to reaffirm his authority as a ruler. It features a very important monument for French history, the Monument aux Girondins, erected at the very beginning of the 20th century to honour the Girondins who were executed during the French Revolution. You will surely enjoy the large spaces of this square and all the history and art that it holds – don’t forget to take lots of pictures as a memento of your journey.
Before you go, also check our latest article where we give you useful tips to save your budget in Paris here.
